In Japan, New Year's Eve is a preparation day to welcome Toshigami, the New Year's god. Therefore, traditionally, people clean their home and prepare Kadomatsu and/or Shimenawa to welcome the god before New Year's Eve.
Buddhist temples ring their bells 108 times at midnight. This tradition is called joya no kane which means "bell rings on new year eve's night." The rings represent 108 elements of bonō, defilements, or Kilesa in Sanskrit, which is said people have in their mind. The bells are rung to repent 108 of the bonnō.
A popular TV show on New Year's Eve in Japan is Red and White Year-end Song Festival. Kōhaku Uta Gassen is a 60-year-old tradition involving a singing contest between male and female teams of celebrity singers.
Many people celebrate at New Years parties in Tokyo in locations all around this bustling city. Places like Disneyland in Tokyo have spectacular celebrations that draw throngs of people to enjoy the rides, shows, and other entertainment, and of course the fireworks display, it's the source of some of the best New Years images you'll ever see. New Years Tokyo style can also mean having a big party, and many are thrown around the city. There are countdown parties like the massive one at Universal Studios in Osaka as well as the Huis Ten Bosch countdown party.
You could also choose to watch the fireworks at Ikebukuro Sunshine City. People gather here at this tallest observatory in Tokyo watch fireworks and countdown to the New Years 2011 on New Years Eve. The next day the observatory opens at 5:30 a.m. should you so desire to make your first wish for the new year be one with an inspirational vista of Tokyo as your backdrop. The famous Tokyo Tower also hosts a massive party that is open to the general public. Fireworks are shot off at midnight and a limited number (only 80 people) get to watch the sunrise from the observatory deck of the tower, which is actually taller than the Eiffel Tower after which it is modeled.
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