The Christmas market tradition began in Germany in 1393 and spread to cities all over Europe. Usually, a lit-up town square set up wooden huts called huttes during the Christmas season from the end of November to the end of December. Japanese have also adopted this tradition in recent years and did so in a very festive manner with several Christmas markets being held in Tokyo come November every year. The markets throughout Tokyo are decorated with shiny illuminations and a massive Christmas tree surrounded by shops selling Christmas goods and food stalls offering traditional hot food and drinks, similar to the European markets. We have laid out for you some of the best places in Tokyo that will help you celebrate the Christmas season in Tokyo Style!
As we only have limited information at the point of writing this article, please check the official facility or event websites for the latest updates and information.
- 1. Tokyo Christmas Market 2023 (Hibiya Park)
- 2. Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse Christmas Market 2023
- 3. Yebisu Garden Place 2023
- 4. Roppongi Hills Christmas Market 2023
- 5. Roppongi Tokyo Midtown Winter Moments 2023
- 6. Tokyo Skytree Town Christmas Market 2023
- 7. Akasaka Ark Hills Christmas 2023
- 8. Hokuo Yatai Christmas Market
- Japan Wonder Travel Tours in Tokyo
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1. Tokyo Christmas Market 2023 (Hibiya Park)
The Tokyo Christmas Market, the biggest in Japan, was first held in Hibiya Park 6 years ago, then moved to Shiba Park in 2019. In 2022, the event took place from December 9th to 25th, for three weeks in Hibiya Park. They set up a line of 100 fully illuminated Christmas trees to create a real fairy tale atmosphere and a 14m-tall Christmas pyramid imported from Dresden, Germany, as the centerpiece. The Tokyo Christmas Market is famous for its size and festive atmosphere of specially arranged beer gardens. Transparent plastic tents are set up to create an outdoor atmosphere, and you can choose from more than 100 different brands of beer from all over the world.
If you look up, you can spot the glowing Tokyo tower in the night sky. You’ll no doubt be pleased to find an impressive array of food and drink stalls, scores of little kiosks selling various international holiday crafts, and entertaining musical performances, from rock and roll to classic. There will also be handicraft workshops and daily live performances by German and Japanese gospel groups. In the past few years, a giant candle display with a donation booth was set up and dedicated to the people who were affected by the pandemic, including the frontline medical workers and people working in the industry.
Tokyo Christmas market 2023 November 23th (Thu)- December 25th (Mon)
November 23th-4:00pm-9:30pm, Nov. 24th-Dec. 25th: 11:00am-9:30pm
Access 1 min walk from Onarimon Station or 15 min walk from JR Hamamatsucho Station
Admission: Adult 1,000 yen (weekdays)/ 1,500 yen (weekends), Children 500 yen
*Booking an e-ticket in advance is required
2. Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse Christmas Market 2023
This year will be the 12th year of the event at this beautiful historical spot along the shores of Yokohama Bay. The Yokohama Christmas Market became one of the biggest and most popular markets of its kind in Japan, drawing tens of thousands of visitors each year. The popular Yokohama Christmas Market will also be organized in 2023, albeit with reservations and admission restrictions. There will be hot wine (Glühwein) and pretzels to be enjoyed as well as seasonal ornaments and beautiful illuminations. The illuminated walkway, like a tunnel with red and white lights, gives a true Christmas holiday feeling. This year there will also be an Art Rink ice skating rink and various live performances, and Santa may even make an appearance with some presents for the little children. If you make your way here this holiday season you will certainly experience an authentic German-style Christmas Market in the heart of Yokohama.
Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse Christmas Market 2023
November 24th (Fri) – December 25th (Mon)
Access: 6 minutes walk from Bashamichi Station or Nihon Odori Station
Admission: weekdays from November 25th (Fri) – December 16th (Fri) : free of charge
weekdays from December 19th (Mon) and weekends during the season: 500 yen
3. Yebisu Garden Place 2023
The old-European plaza-like Yebisu Garden Place also exhibits a traditional market during the Christmas season. It has been one of the longest-running winter illumination events in Tokyo for almost 20 years. In the front square, beautiful huts sell a variety of traditional Christmas goods and delicious food. The centerpiece is a huge Baccarat crystal chandelier of 5m x 3m, which is beautifully decorated with over 8,000 crystal pieces and 250 lights. The chandelier shines a romantic champagne-gold color over the plaza and together with the large Christmas tree in the center, creates a festive atmosphere. As of now, only the Baccarat crystal chandelier illumination has been officially announced. But it is definitely worth seeing and taking a Christmassy picture with!
Ebisu Garden Place Christmas Market 2023 November 11th (Sat)- December 25th (Mon)
Access: 5 minute walk from Ebisu Station
4. Roppongi Hills Christmas Market 2023
Roppongi Hills, a modern entertainment and shopping complex, has been putting on a Christmas market for years, in fact it is Tokyo’s oldest Christmas market. The whole event space represents the real German Christmas market in Stuttgart, with huts selling Christmas ornaments imported from Germany, as well as authentic German food like sausages and stew. Honoring the German tradition, a huge 5 stage wooden pyramid is set up in the center, with beautifully constructed dolls and animals rotating on the pyramid.
The 400 meter stretch of Keyakizaka street behind Roppongi Hills adds to the Christmas feeling with brilliant blue LEDs decorating the trees. It is a beautiful place to stroll along, with the city and Tokyo Tower in the backdrop. The Keyakizaka street illuminations are set to begin on November 10th and will run until December 25th (5 pm – 11 pm) this year.
Roppongi Hills Christmas Market 2023
November 25th (Sat) – December 25th (Mon)
Access: 5-10 minute walk from Roppongi Station
5. Roppongi Tokyo Midtown Winter Moments 2023
Another spot in Roppongi, Tokyo Midtown, also holds an annual Christmas market on the first basement floor of the Galleria shopping area. At the market they sell a wide range of Christmas products, from ornaments and tableware to seasonal sweets and gifts. However the main attraction is the dreamy winter illuminations outside. From the plaza area to the garden, the bright gold lights cast a warm glow over the walkway. The shining Snow Light Globe, that is about 3m tall, creates impressive light effects of falling snow and a flickering aurora. This year, you can also play and interact with the digital illumination called Step Light. An outdoor skating rink will also be open daily at the Grass Square Area from 11am – 10pm.
Roppongi Tokyo Midtown Winter Lights 2023
11am-9pm
Access: directly connected to Roppongi Station
6. Tokyo Skytree Town Christmas Market 2023
The 634-meter tall Tokyo Skytree will light up beautifully in a special way during this holiday season. Inside Skytree-Town all will be lit up with an enchanting collection of 520,000 LED lights. At the base of the tower there will be a Christmas Market where you can enjoy some German beer and snacks while taking in the festive decorations, acapella performances, popular bands, a Christmas lottery, and much more. Last year, at the Sky Arena, a beautiful 7.5-meter real fir tree was set up to add to the Christmas atmosphere.
Tokyo Skytree Town Christmas Market 2023
November 9th (Thu) – December 25th (Sun)
5:30pm – 12am
Access: In front of Tokyo Skytree station and Oshiage Station
7. Akasaka Ark Hills Christmas 2023
This year the Akasaka Ark Hill complex will have a massive Christmas tree imported all the way from Hokkaido. In addition they will be holding a Christmas market at the main square during the month of December, all under white light illuminations. Many different types of handicraft workshops will also be taking place during the event. The complex regularly organizes an antique flea Market every 4th Sunday and Marché, a food market, every Saturday. However, December is a special month with the markets transformed into magical festive atmospheres. And Marché mainly sells items like wine and sweets for Christmas along with other seasonal fruits and vegetables. This year there will also be a Christmas concert, and some restaurants will offer a special dinner takeout menu from November 22nd to December 25th so you can partake in the festivities from home too.
Akasaka Ark Hills Christmas 2023
November 17th (Fri) – December 25th (Mon)
Access: short walk from Kamiyacho Station and Roppongi Itchome Station
8. Hokuo Yatai Christmas Market
Hokuo Yatai is a festive event held every year throughout Japan, with seasonal shops that have Scandinavian items for children and adults. This successful event also offers online shopping throughout the year. At the venue, you can find various rare products designed in Finland, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden; wooden products, textile, accessories, vintage tableware, Scandinavian food, and much much more. It’s the best market to get some cute Christmas gifts at!
Hokuo Yatai Christmas Market 2023
Yokohama Landmark Plaza: November 1st (Tue) – 30th (Wed)
JR Kyoto Isetan: November 23rd (Wed)- December 6th (Tue)
December 7th (Wed) – December 25th (Sun)
Christmas markets are always a great way to dive into the holiday spirit. This year there will be many Christmas markets held in Tokyo, albeit scaled down in some cases due to COVID-19. Despite the cold, you can bundle up and shop for food and gifts under the sparkly illumination. Japan has taken to this Western tradition with special delight, adding as much spirited festivity to the events in 2023 as can be imagined. Everywhere you go, you will hear and feel the holiday spirit!
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