Yokosuka's Huge New Year's Party

I did some checking around, and it appears that Yokosuka's "New Year's Eve Countdown" celebration was first held back in 2004.

Pretty amazing event, where thousands of people show up at the Verny Park site .... food booths .... stage performances .... portable shrine carried around (Washoi! Washoi!) .... all the Navy ships in the harbor lit-up .... and then a 10-9-8-7-6... countdown and it's "Happy New Year!"  "Ake-mashite Omedeto!" .... and all the ships sound their horns + fireworks are launched .... dramatic, memorable, lots of fun .... then it’s off to Dobu-Ita Street for drinks and partying, or make the Hatsu-Mo-De visit to one's neighborhood shrine...