If you ask Tokyoites what they love most about their city, they'll probably say, "The slew of amazing festivals and events we have!" One of the safest cities in the world, Tokyo is packed with so many eye-opening cultural draws year-round that it could take several months to see them all. Here are five of the best ones from December 2022–January 2023.
Philippine Festival Tokyo 2022
This event is one of Japan's long-awaited and biggest Filipino events, drawing thousands of local and international visitors. The Philippine Festival is a celebration of the Filipinos living in Tokyo, Filipino culture, food and the warm and welcoming Filipino spirit. This event has an exciting lineup of performances by cultural groups and celebrities from the Philippines. So, if you like upbeat music and dancing, you'll enjoy the performances. For food lovers and those who appreciate international food, there will be plenty of dishes from all the regions in the Philippines. And if you enjoy traveling, you'll be able to find more information about the best tourist destinations in the Philippines to visit in 2023.
Dates: December 3–4
Venue: Yoyogi Park
Nearest Station: Harajuku Station
Kanda Myojin Autumn Light-Up Project
Kanda Myojin Shrine has been around for more than 1,300 years, and is one of the most popular shrines in Tokyo. The much-anticipated Kanda Myojin Autumn Light-Up Project features a beautiful display of lights at the shrine. As the shrine is located in the heart of the city, the light-up project is a great way to enjoy the autumn foliage while admiring the complex’s architecture—it also makes for an excellent photo opportunity. So if you're in Tokyo during this time, be sure to check it out!
Dates: November 25–December 10
Venue: Kanda Myojin Shrine
Nearest Station: Suehirocho Station
Beer Festival in Tokyo
The Belgian Beer Weekend in Shinjuku is coming up soon! From Tuesday, December 6, to Sunday, December 11, you’ll be able to sample more than 50 Belgian beers. With so many kinds of beer to try and a really fun atmosphere, this is one of the most famous beer festivals in Tokyo. There’s no better chance to try some new beers and find your new favorite. Even if you're not a huge beer fan, you can enjoy the lively vibe and the food trucks on hand serving Belgian classics like waffles and frites. So come on out and enjoy some great beer and food this December!
Dates: December 6–11
Venue: Shinjuku Sumitomo Building Sankaku Hiroba
Nearest Station: Nishi-Shinjuku Station
Ako Gishisai Festival The 47 Ronin
Best known for its connection to the 47 Ronin, Sengakuji Temple is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Tokyo. The festival is named after the 47 Ronin, a group of masterless samurai who became famous for taking revenge against a corrupt lord. Every year, thousands of people visit the temple to pay their respects to the 47 Ronin and learn about their fascinating story. If you're interested in Japanese culture or history, or if you just want to see a beautiful temple, Sengakuji Temple is certainly worth a visit.
Dates: December 10
Venue: Sengakuji Temple
Nearest Station: Shinagawa Station
Setagaya Boroichi Flea Market
Do you like flea markets? Well, this is the one you don’t want to miss! The Setagaya Boroichi Market is one of Tokyo's biggest and best flea markets. It's held twice a year—in December and January—and it's a great place to find unique gifts and souvenirs. You'll find everything from traditional Japanese crafts to antiques and second-hand goods. And, of course, there's plenty of delicious food to try! If you're looking for a unique market experience in Tokyo, it’s definitely worth a visit.
Dates: December 15–16 and January 15–16
Venue: Boroichi Dori, Setagaya
Nearest Station: Kamimachi Station
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Angelinah Maphanga
Content Marketer, Custom Media
