when i left NRT on 1/1/04, everything was pretty much closed. just like christmas here. pretty much all stores except convenience stores were closed. even most of the ATMs were "closed for the holidays". most of the museums are closed until 1/3. from what i heard from my friend boxing day sale is actually after new year's on 1/2 and 1/3 so i guess the stores will open up on the 2nd and the 3rd. i went to Odaiba on the 31st and it's really really nice there at nite. there's a ferris wheel there that's one of the largest in the world. i was up there and you can see an awesome view of the city from there. most japanese seem to go to the shrines/temples on new year's. there's one next to the Harajuku JR that seems quite popular. Roppongi Hills is a nice place to visit at nite too. there's an observation deck on the top floor of a building there that gives you a 360 panaramic view of the city at nite.

you might have better luck looking for more travel info under FT Travel.

[This message has been edited by jakob (edited Feb 10, 2004).]