Approaching the Christmas season, culture shock comes in incremental waves, which might feel overwhelming. However, wherever you travel, there is always ample opportunity to celebrate. The Tokyo area offers an array of Yuletide events, including markets, parties, and illuminations that both children and adults will love!
Christmas Markets
Azabudai Hills Christmas Market
Azabudai Hills launches a festive celebration for its recent opening with its Christmas market. The design concept for the event was imagined by Shogei Shigematsu, who wanted to take full advantage of the Central Green. As the focal point of Azabudai Hills’ green initiative, this verdant greenscape provides a natural ambience, allowing market-goers to be fully immersed in Christmas cheer. During the nighttime, the Cloud, or the artificial canopy which crowns the greenery, will luster a sublime gold, illuminating the market with warmth. Traipsing across different stalls, attendees will discover a wide variety of tasty delights, including New York-style bagels, craft beer and sausages, fish and chips, and seasonal favorites such as hot chocolate.
Date & Time: December 9–25, 11:00am–9:00pm
Venue: Central Green, Azabudai Hills
Address: 1-3 Azabudai, Minato-ku
Website: https://www.azabudai-hills.com/en/whats_on/2023/11/0003.html
Price: Free entry
Tokyo Christmas Market 2023
Attendees at this market, which is supported in part by the German embassy and located in Meiji Jingu Gaien, can fully relish in the flavors of Deutschland right in the heart of the city. At center stage is the Christmas Pyramid or Weihnachtspyramide, a traditional symbol of the festive season from southern Germany that has its roots in pagan German folklore. At the stalls and booths within the park, attendees can also shop and eat, enjoying a selection of handmade Christmas decorations along with beer, hot chocolate, and other traditional German festive dishes. Stop by for a bit of Christmas cheer!
Date & Time: November 3–December 25, 4:30–9:30pm
Venue: Meiji Jingu Gaien, Shinjuku
Website: https://tokyochristmas.net/
Price: ¥1,000
Roppongi Hills Christmas Market
Held annually, this event is a favorite for Tokyoites searching for cultural shopping experiences during the holiday season. As it reaches its 17th anniversary, this year Mori borrows inspiration from the Christkindlmarkts sprawled across Stuttgart, Germany. There will be a total of 10 vendors, offering classic German cuisine and artisanal goods. Sip on a glass of sweet mulled wine, take in the crisp winter air, and feast your eyes on the splendid illuminations.
Date & Time: November 25–December 25
Venue: O-yane Plaza, Roppongi Hills
Address: 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku
Website: https://www.roppongihills.com/en/sp/christmas/2023/illumination-event/market.html
Price: Free
Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse Christmas Market
Renowned for its scrupulously crafted ambience, this market offers the opportunity to shop, feast, and enjoy the Christmas season while enjoying the sight of Tokyo Bay. At the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse venue, an authentic red fir Christmas tree stands as the centerpiece of the market, visible across the marketplace. Throughout the area, fairy lights with animal motifs will make you feel as if you’re in a forest haven, while the distinctive red brick warehouse will take you back to southern Germany. There will also be plenty of food, beverages, and merchandise available!
Date & Time: November 25–December 8, 11:00am–9:00pm; December 9–December 25, 11:00am–10:00pm
Venue: Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse
Address: 1-1 Shinko, Naka-ku, Yokohama
Website: https://www.yokohama-akarenga.jp/christmas/
Price: ¥500 (Free for elementary school students and younger)
Shibuya Blue Cave and Christmas Market
The Aonodokutsu Shibuya Illumination features about 770,000 lights in a 800-meter display, immersing attendees in a strikingly deep azure reminiscent of the North Pole. The crisp air and the hyperborean illuminations between Shibuya Koen-dori and the Keyaki-Namiki Area provide a yuletide ambience as background to the lively Christmas market, which features 20 stores selling an array of gourmet foods and snacks.
Date & Time: December 1–25, 3:00–10:00pm
Venue: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Address: Shibuya Koen-dori Street to the Keyaki-Namiki Area, Yoyogi-koen
Website: https://shibuya-aonodokutsu.jp/en/
Price: Free
Christmas Events in Tokyo
Tokyo Skytree Dream Christmas 2023
Explore the festive wonders of the city at Tokyo Skytree Town! Until December 25, the entire area will be bathed in vibrant illuminations in classic Christmas hues. Tokyo Skytree will illuminate as the “Champagne tree” in shades of green and gold, reminiscent of a Christmas tree’s green pine needles and the star sitting atop it, as well as the “candle tree” in a splendid spectacle of red and white. Spectators will also have the opportunity, for the first time in four years, to delight in a Christmas live performance from the observation deck. Performers will include Takaya Kawasaki, Yasushi Nakanishi, Morisaki Win, and Hinata Kashiwagi.
Date & Time: November 9–December 25, 5:30pm–12:00am
Venue: Tokyo Skytree
Address: 1-1-2 Oshiage, Sumida-ku, Tokyo
Website: https://www.tokyo-skytree.jp/event/info/xmas2023
Price: Free
Miyashita Christmas Park 2023: “Love Purple”
At this event supported by cosmetics brand Cosmé Decorté, the fourth floor of Shibuya Miyashita, a vibrant public space in the heart of Shibuya, will be illuminated in a deep purple, in keeping with this year’s theme, “Love Purple.” Boasting lights from mauve to amaranthine, this illumination event intends to bring awareness to the Purple Ribbon Campaign, which seeks to create a world free of violence against women. In addition, there will be a Cosmé Decorté Purple Ribbon Pop-Up Store and a Love Purple Music Night, featuring live entertainment.
Date & Time: November 10–December 25, 4:00–11:00pm
Venue: Miyashita Park
Address: 6-20-10 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku
Website: https://www.miyashita-park.tokyo/schedule/?p=2149
Price: Free
Christmas and Winter Illuminations
Roppongi Illumination
In addition to their annual market, Roppongi Hills will decorate the length of their neighboring avenue, Keyakizaka Street, with 800,000 white and blue lights, invoking the ephemeral beauty of falling snowflakes. Spanning a distance of 400 meters, the illumination will transport you to a winter wonderland, making this experience enjoyable for both adults and children. As a popular staple from last year’s event, the Harmonic Horse Concert will return between December 19 and 25, with eight individual performers on the glockenspiel.
Date & Time: November 6–December 25, 5:00–11:00pm
Venue: Roppongi Hills Arena
Address: 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku
Website: https://www.roppongihills.com/en/sp/christmas/2023/illumination-event/keyakizaka.html
Price: Free
Marunouchi Illumination
This event annually catches the eyes of onlookers with its resplendent amber radiance, providing a sense of tenderness to this luxurious thoroughfare. Marunouchi’s Naka-dori Avenue will be decorated with about 1.2 million fairy lights between November and February, giving ample opportunity to enjoy the sight. Discover other amenities, including the Marunouchi Street Rink, which features pieces by contemporary artist Yayoi Kusama in collaboration with Louis Vuitton, as well as a miniature carousel.
Date & Time: November 16–February 18, 4:00–11:00pm
Venue: Marunouchi Naka-dori
Address: Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku
Website: https://www.marunouchi.com/event/?period=%E3%81%99%E3%81%B9%E3%81%A6
Price: Free
Yokohama Milight 2023 - Illuminate the Future, City of Light
Held annually as Yokohama’s largest illumination event, Yokohama Milight features LED lights strung along 1.5 kilometers between the Yokohama Station East Exit and the Grand Mall Park. With diverse colors in every location, including visions of purple, blue, and gold, there is truly much to see! Additionally, in a splendid symphony of sight and sound, there will be pop-up street pianos and graphic art exhibitions.
Date & Time: November 9–February 11, 4:00–11:00pm
Venue: Various locations between Yokohama Station East Exit and Grand Mall Park
Address: Nishi-ku, Yokohama
Website: https://ymm21-illumination.jp/
Price: Free
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