W Osaka, the luxury lifestyle hotel in Minami-Senba, Chuo-ku, Osaka, will hold a countdown party on December 31, 2026 (Thursday) to celebrate the start of 2027. On the following day, January 1, 2027 (Friday), the hotel will also host New Year events including kagami-biraki (a traditional barrel-opening ceremony), mochi pounding and a koto performance.
Welcoming the New Year With Live Performances
W Osaka's countdown event features music by DJs alongside a range of entertainment. Performer GENDAI, who has won numerous awards around the world, will present a special performance that combines lasers and dance, based on animation dance. TRAinnovation, known for visual performances that captivate audiences, and Yuuki Yoshiyama, W Osaka's Music & Entertainment Director who has produced many events, are among the artists who will light up the night on New Year's Eve. The stage, with its interplay of light and sound, celebrates the end of 2026 and the start of the new year.
TRAinnovation is appearing at W Osaka's countdown party for the third year in a row. The group has drawn many guests with a unique performance that incorporates Japanese traditional culture, including Tsugaru shamisen and wadaiko drums, and brings the venue to life with a stage that evolves every year.
A prize draw will be held toward the end of the event. Prizes include an accommodation voucher for the penthouse on the top floor of W Osaka, as well as vouchers for stays at W Hotels in Japan and overseas, such as W Sydney and W Bali.
Limited-time accommodation plans and suite offers that can be enjoyed together with the countdown party are also available over the year-end and New Year period. After the New Year's Eve celebration, guests can relax in a guest room or suite overlooking Osaka's night view.
On the morning after the countdown, the hotel will hold a New Year celebration with kagami-biraki, mochi pounding and a koto performance, offering a way to mark the start of the year with a traditional Japanese New Year atmosphere.
W Osaka COUNTDOWN PARTY 2026 - 2027 Details
Date and time: December 31, 2026 (Thursday), 9:00 PM to 1:00 AM (the following day)
Venue: 2F Banquet Hall
Performing artists: GENDAI, TRAinnovation, Yuuki Yoshiyama and others
Tickets and prices
- General: ¥20,000 per person (standing). Includes shrimp tempura toshikoshi soba (New Year's Eve noodles), a cocktail buffet and free-flow drinks*.
- Premium seating: ¥30,000 per person (for groups of 2 to 4). Includes shrimp tempura toshikoshi soba, caviar blini, a cocktail buffet and free-flow drinks*.
- Premium Plus seating (near the stage): ¥40,000 per person (for groups of 2 to 6). Includes shrimp tempura toshikoshi soba, caviar blini, a cocktail buffet and free-flow drinks*.
- VIP seating: ¥300,000 per table (up to 6 guests). Includes spiny lobster toshikoshi soba, 1 bottle of Dom Pérignon, 1 bottle of premium tequila "Cava de Oro", caviar blini, a cocktail buffet and free-flow drinks*.
- VVIP seating: ¥500,000 per table (up to 10 guests). Includes spiny lobster toshikoshi soba, 2 bottles of Dom Pérignon, 1 bottle of premium tequila "Cava de Oro", caviar blini, a cocktail buffet and free-flow drinks*.
*Free-flow drinks include Champagne, beer, red and white wine, a variety of cocktails and a variety of soft drinks.
Payment: Advance card payment; card or cash on the day
Reservations and inquiries: Phone 06-6484-5292 (Sales Department, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM) / Email w.osaka.sales@whotels.com / Reserve online
New Year Celebration Details
Date and time: January 1, 2027 (Friday, New Year's Day), from 11:30 AM
Venue: 3F "LIVING ROOM"
Admission: Free
Performer Profiles
GENDAI
Performer / Movement Designer
A performer active around the world with animation dance as a specialty. Winner of the annual championship at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York, and of the world-class dance competition "World of Dance" held in Los Angeles. In 2022, as a member of the concept dance team "KUROKO," GENDAI came out on top among about 1,000 groups on Nippon TV's "THE DANCE DAY" and won the overall championship. Currently performing original acts that combine lasers and dance, mainly overseas, GENDAI also received the Golden Buzzer on "America's Got Talent" and continues to take on the world as an artist from Japan.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gendai_tokyo/
TRAinnovation
A Japanese-instrument unit formed in 2018. Under the banner of "updating Japanese tradition," the group creates its own sound by blending traditional Japanese instruments with computer music. Its members are creators from a variety of genres, including Tsugaru shamisen, wadaiko, shakuhachi, shinobue and creative Japanese dance. In 2022, the group released its first album, "TRAinnovation," worldwide simultaneously, presenting 12 original tracks. In 2023, it won "EMERGENZA," a world competition for indie bands, and has gained international recognition.
YUUKI YOSHIYAMA
Music & Entertainment Director at W Osaka. A leading figure in Japan's dance music scene, serving as general director of EDC Japan and executive producer of GMO SONIC. Yuuki Yoshiyama has performed at festivals in more than 15 countries, including Tomorrowland Belgium, Tomorrowland Winter and EDC Las Vegas, and has shared the stage with top DJs such as Eric Prydz, FISHER, Tiësto and MEDUZA. At "CGMF," a dance music festival held at the Osaka-Kansai Expo, Yoshiyama handled the overall production and performed, drawing 12,000 attendees. As the only Japanese artist to have performed at Tomorrowland Belgium two years in a row and the first Japanese artist to perform at Tomorrowland Winter, Yoshiyama continues to be active in Japan and abroad.
