Japan was in a festive mood Monday to celebrate the New Year as 2018 was ushered in by people's high spirits — and heavy turnouts at major tourist destinations.
Most regions along the Pacific coast of the archipelago were blessed with fine weather Monday morning, allowing people to view the first sunrise of the year, known as hatsuhinode.
Hundreds of people enjoyed hatsuhinode on the observation deck of Tokyo Tower in the capital's Minato Ward, with people cheering as the sun rose over the horizon.