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Yodobashi Lucky Bags
Your best bet for a Yodobashi bag is actually showing up at the store on January 2nd or 3rd. They usually hold back a small number of in-store sale bags that weren't part of the lottery, especially the standard electronics ones around the 10,000 yen range. The Shinjuku main store gets them first, so try heading there before noon on the 2nd.
For New Year's, do the opposite of what most tourists do and go to the Tsukiji outer market. It's actually open on the 2nd and 3rd, and the stalls are way less crowded than usual because everyone assumes it's closed. The sushi places near the inner gate are serving their first catches of the year, and you can walk right in without a reservation.
Mandarake in Nakano Broadway sometimes has leftover lucky bags from previous years if you're just after the novelty, but for current year stock you're better off checking smaller electronics shops like Bic Camera on the day itself. They don't always do the lottery system, and I've seen people walk in and grab bags mid-morning on January 2nd at the Shinjuku west exit location.
For New Year's, skip the main Meiji Jingu chaos and hit the Hie Shrine near Akasaka instead. It's way quieter, has a nice hilltop view, and you can still get the traditional omamori and hamaya arrows without queuing for an hour. The surrounding streets have a few soba shops open too, which is rare on the 1st.
Reselling Yodobashi lucky bags is a crapshoot, you might find some on Mercari or Yahoo! Auctions Japan, but expect a hefty markup. Your chances are slim, especially after the lottery.
For alternative New Year's fun, check out Meiji Jingu Shrine for the first sunrise, or explore some of the less-touristy areas like Yanaka Ginza for a more local feel. Lots of temples and shrines hold special events too, look for smaller ones outside the main city center for a quieter experience. Happy New Year!
That's really helpful, thanks! I hadn't considered the resale market being so inflated, makes sense though. Meiji Jingu Shrine at sunrise sounds amazing, I'll definitely look into that. Yanaka Ginza is a great suggestion too, I appreciate the more off-the-beaten-path recommendation. Happy New Year to you too!
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Best early coffee near Daybreak Cafe in Tokyo 2026
The pour over set is still on before 9, though I'd skip the conbini can and get a drip at Kissa Maruyama on the back street instead.
If the line's already round the corner, there's a tiny standing bar two blocks toward the station doing 300 yen hand drips from 6:30. Tbh I prefer it anyway, quieter and the owner roasts his own beans. Weekends I'm in and out before Daybreak even opens.
That standing bar must be Tachinomi Kofe, the owner's beans are Ethiopian mostly and he closes at 10 sharp so don't roll in late.
honestly 7am is still late for me, i'm usually out by 5:30 and the only thing open is Komeda's, which is fine if u just want a strong kohi and a seat. there's also a gas station vending machine near the intersection that does hot canned coffee for 120 yen, sounds grim but it hits at that hour.