In Japan, New Year's Eve is traditionally celebrated at home with the family. For many it is a somber — if not sober — experience. Yet over the years Japan has firmly placed itself on the world map as a major stop-off point for some of the biggest names in the electronic music scene, and looking at what's in store for beat lovers come the final weekend of 2011, there is no doubt many will be tempted to slip out of the house and usher in the new year with their friends on the dancefloor.
As is the case every year, the majority of countdown events will inevitably be taking place in Tokyo. We start with the superclubs, and first up to bat is a party at Sound Museum Vision (9 p.m.; ¥5,000; www.vision-tokyo.com), one of the capital's newest venues. Detroit-born luminaries Derrick May and Jeff Mills will be the only DJs spinning that night, an exciting prospect for any techno buff. Those who prefer a more eclectic night of dance music should head to Unit (9 p.m.; ¥2,000 [¥2,500 after 1 a.m.]; www.unit-tokyo.com). The venue, which will operate more as a live-house than a club for the night, will host Yokohama-based Luvraw and BTB and their funk-infused hip-hop numbers, and fresh fare from their newest album, "Hotel Pacifica." Other notables on the lineup are trip-hop innovator DJ Krush, Eye from the noise-rock collective Boredoms, summer festival favorite Altz and leftfield-disco pioneer Kenji Takimi. Womb (9 p.m.; ¥5,000 [¥4,000 after 12 midnight]; www.womb.co.jp) will be hosting Philadelphia's Josh Wink playing his trademark acid-house and techno tunes. Supporting him will be some of Tokyo's finest, in the form of DJ Aki, Satoshi Otsuki and Kikiorix.
Some unlikely venues will also be welcoming revelers to spend NYE within their walls instead of with the folks watching "Kohaku" on NHK. Big names in the Tokyo house and techno scene such as The Labyrinth resident DJ So, Raha of Ooooze, Shotaro Maeda and Aosawa will be playing at restaurant/bar-turned-club Legato (10:30; ¥4,000; www.legato-tokyo.jp). Taking the spotlight however will be Dave Twomey, aka Tr nch, with his signature dub-heavy techno soundscapes, and Laurent Novatin, one of the brains behind the refreshingly diverse Redbox and Rainbow Disco Club series of parties. Mado Lounge (9 p.m.; ¥5,000 [¥7,000 at the door]; www.ma-do.jp), atop the Mori Tower in Roppongi Hills, will offer something more on the jazzy side of the musical spectrum with performances from Shacho (meaning "president" in Japanese) of the awesome Soil & "Pimp" Sessions, Masanori Morita of Studio Apartment and local rapper-hero Shing02.