It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. And, Tokyo is no exception. If you’ve currently opened a tab to book a cheap flight to Japan, chances are you’ve also started prepping your itinerary. We all know the Christmas bucket list is no joke, but we’re here to help. Show your kiddos they’ve definitely made it to Santa’s nice list and explore these things to do in Tokyo for Christmas 2024.
The current exchange rate is S$1 = ¥111 as of 3rd December 2024.
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You can kill two birds with one stone and shop for Christmas gifts while sightseeing in the Tokyo Christmas Market at Meiji Jingu Gaien. Partnered up with the German Tourist Association and German Embassy, this market has major “European” feels and cute booths selling decor, gifts, and winter wear.
Admission: From ¥1,000
Date: Now till 25th December 2024
Address: Meiji Jingu Gaien, 1-1 Kasumigaokamachi, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0013, Japan
Image credit: Ghising via Google Maps
Fun fact: The Roppongi Hills Christmas Market at Roppongi Hills’s Oyane Plaza is meant to recreate the largest Christmas market in the world, located in Stuttgart, Germany.
You’ll find all the Christmas classics, like handmade ornaments and traditional German-Christmas-themed crafts.
Plus, you can stop and take in the view of the massive Christmas tree and famous Keyakizaka Street illumination, while munching on delicious snacks.
Admission: Free
Date: Now till 25th December 2024
Address: O-Yane Plaza, Roppongi Hills, Tokyo, Japan
With a whopping 20,000 LED lights and 5 types of light ornaments, it’s clear this year’s Azabudai Hills market didn’t come to play.
Once you’ve picked your jaw off the ground from ogling at the pretty lights, head over to the eateries and start giving into your Christmas munchie cravings – delicious pretzels from the German Christmas Stand or cheese fondue from Italian eateries.
Admission: Free
Date: Now till 25th December 2024
Address: 1 Chome Azabudai, Minato City, Tokyo 106-0041, Japan
If you’re tired of hearing Mariah Carey’s voice blasting through speakers, make your way to Tokyo Skytree and enjoy the live music performances and pretty illuminations. Though, it’s best to expect more of her music, ‘cause let’s be honest, it’s not Christmas without Mariah Carey.
Feel free to devour feel-good warm food, like bread stew, and typical Yuletide treats, while basking in the Christmas vibes
Admission: Free
Date: Now till 25th December 2024
Address: 1 Chome-1-2 Oshiage, Sumida City, Tokyo 131-0045, Japan
Live out your Christmas romcom fantasies and head on over to Yebisu Garden Place to ogle at the pretty lights and of course, accidentally find a mistletoe. While taking your stroll, you’ll find small wooden huts selling hot snacks, like French galettes, and Christmas goods, like pretty snow globes.
Admission: Free
Date: Now till 13th January 2025
Address: 4 Chome-20 Ebisu, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0013, Japan
If you’re looking for quality time with the fam, Tokyo Midtown has gorgeous light-ups and visuals to get you and your loved ones in the Christmas mood. You’ll also find a pretty gold tree with ornaments for you to take your ‘gram pics.
Head over to the Midtown Ice Rink (from ¥1,800) and flex those skating skills to show your kiddos you’ve still got it.
Admission: Free
Date: Now till 25th December 2024
Address: 9 Chome-7-1 Akasaka, Minato City, Tokyo 107-0052, Japan
Try not to get all it’s-uh me, Mario and embarrass the kiddos as you stroll through the Marunouchi Illumination with the game’s characters on display. Other highlights at this illumination include an ice-skating rink, a miniature merry-go-round, a piano, and stalls selling sausages and mulled wine.
Admission: Free
Date: Now till mid-February 2025
Address: Marunouchi Naka-Dori AveChiyoda City, Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo Illumila 2024 will have gorgeous golden lights, making for the prettiest backdrop to your next IG post. Trust that you won’t be needing filters to beautify this place, cause it’s your golden hour, after all.
Admission: Free
Date: Now till 25th December 2024
Address: Area around Nihonbashi, Yaesu, Chuo City, Tokyo
Image credit: @yomiuriland via Instagram
If Yomiuri Land, the fun-filled amusement park just outside of Central Tokyo, was already on your itinerary, then make sure to check out Jewellumination at Yomiuri Land. There will be 5 sections with different colours and themes and also an exciting dance show, synchronized to light and music.
Admission: From S$48
Date: Now till 6th April 2025
Address: 4015-1 Yanokuchi, Inagi, Tokyo 206-8725, Japan
Image credit: @ark_504 via Instagram
You can get your step count in and walk through this 900m path, Shibuya Ao no Dokutsu around Yoyogi Park, with pretty blue lights and a major Avatar vibe.The one with the aliens, not the elemental powers.
Also, the lights are reflected off the ground, creating an immersive experience that’s both trippy and fun to partake in.
Admission: Free
Dates: Now till 25th December 2024
Address: 16-2 Udagawacho, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0042, Japan
If Pokémon is a way of life for you, then feel free to geek out over the Pokémon x Crafts Exhibition in the Azabudai Hills Gallery. You’ll find your fav characters turned into unique works of art by various artists all over Japan. Or, if you’re not into the cartoon scene, you can appreciate the pretty tableware, sculptures, and kimonos on display.
Admission: From ¥1,500
Date: Now till 2nd February 2025
Address: MBF Azabudai Hills Garden Plaza A, 5-8-1 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0001
Image credit: Kimetsu
If your resume has Demon Slayer superfan/genius on it, your next stop should definitely be the Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba Hashira Exhibition at the Creative Museum Tokyo. This exhibit focuses on the Hashira, the elite swordsmen in the Demon Slayer Corps. Not that you needed the explanation, of course. There will also be a separate cafe with an exclusive menu, inspired by the Hashira.
Admission: From ¥2,000
Date: Now till 2nd March 2025
Address: 1-3-33 Ariake, Koto City, Tokyo 135-0063, Japan
Contact: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba Hashira Exhibition website
If you’re feeling like maybe it’s time the kiddos – and maybe, the hubby/wifey – put down the devices and appreciate some art, make your way to Ukiyoe Immersive Art Exhibition at Warehouse TERRADA. You’ll be able to explore this beautiful genre of Japanese art, plus marvel at the use of tech, like projection mapping, that makes it an immersive experience.
Admission:
Date: Now till 31st March 2025
Address: Warehouse TERRADA G1 Building (6-4, Higashi-Shinagawa 2-chome, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo)
Contact: Ukiyoe Immersive Art Exhibition website
Image credit: Theatre Orb
If you love a good musical and it’s never enough for you, make sure to check out the Broadway Christmas Wonderland 2024.
Image credit: Theatre Orb
Get ready for 2 hours of entertaining singing, dancing, and skating that’ll keep your eyes peeled and wanting more of the Christmas magic.
Admission: From ¥7,800
Date: 14th-25th December 2024
Address: 2 Chome-21-1 Shibuya, Tokyo 150-8510, Japan
Contact: Broadway Christmas Wonderland 2024 website
Image credit: Tokyo Disney Resort
Whether you’re there for a day or two, we all know Tokyo Disneyland is a must-visit item in your travel itinerary. And this month, you can get in the festive spirit with the kiddos at Tokyo Disneyland Disney Christmas.
Image credit: Tokyo Disney Resort
There will be tons of activities to explore, including parades portraying Christmas stories with Disney characters and a haunted mansion, turned into a more kid-friendly Christmas theme – Holiday Nightmare. Also, there will be special Christmas-themed merch available, so you should definitely come inside, it’s fun inside.
Book tickets to Tokyo Disneyland.
Admission: From S$71
Date: Now till 25th December 2024
Address: 1-1 Maihama, Urayasu, Chiba 279-0031, Japan
Image credit: Fever
Here’s a challenge: Try not to get choked up as you listen to pretty string quartet music, during Candlelight: Christmas Pop Hits at Christ Shinagawa Church. If you’re not confident with pop culture, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Here are a few of the songs you can expect to jam to – or silently wipe tears to.
Book tickets to Candlelight: Christmas Pop Hits.
Admission: From ¥5,050
Date: 27th December 2024
Address: 4 Chome-7-40 Kitashinagawa, Shinagawa City, Tokyo 140-0001, Japan
If you’ve always had the dream to watch the Aurora Borealis, now’s your chance to do so at the Forest Aurora and Tokyo Sea of Clouds Winter Wonder Garden in Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo. You’ll get to witness a massive projection of the full moon and the Sea of Clouds installation amidst the pretty, lush garden.
Admission: Free, with ticketed events
Date: Now till 6th February 2025
Address: 2 Chome-10-8 Sekiguchi, Bunkyo City, Tokyo 112-8680, Japan
Contact: Forest Aurora and Tokyo Sea of Clouds Winter Wonder Garden website
If you’ve always dreamt of experiencing Christmas at Hogwarts, make sure to check out Hogwarts in the Snow, a recreation of the Christmas scene from Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s stone. You’ll find the set has been decorated with the same techniques used in the filming of the movie, with fluffy white snow caking the castle and halls.
Just remember to pronounce Wingardium Leviosa correctly when you cast your spells through the set, lest you bring shame to the wizarding community.
Book tickets for Hogwarts in the Snow.
Admission: From S$58
Date: Now till 5th January 2025
Address: 1 Chome-1-7 Kasugacho, Nerima City, Tokyo 179-0074, Japan
Maxwell Aqua Park Shinagawa has exciting Christmas-themed features for you and the fam to click cute pics with. Plus, you’d get an educational experience out of the sea life you’ll get to observe. Unfortunately, Finding Nemo didn’t cover all the deets. At the aquarium, you’ll find illuminated jellyfish displays, themed dolphin shows, and a holiday-inspired cafe to feel the Christmas vibes.
Book tickets to Maxell Aqua Park Shinagawa.
Admission: From $20
Date: Now till 25th December 2024
Address: Shinagawa Prince Hotel, 4-10-30 Takanawa, Minato City, Tokyo 108-8611, Japan
Image credit: @aki_p11y via Instagram
Harry Potter fans, it’s your time to shine. There’s a time-limited Harry Potter-themed train station, Akasaka station, with cool features, like Hogwarts banners and time-turners. Feel free to flex your house pride and gain points for your year-end Hogwarts cup. Though let’s be real, Gryffindor will probably win anyway.
Admission: Free
Address: 5 Chome-4-5 Akasaka, Minato City, Tokyo 107-0052, Japan
Whether you’re on Santa’s naughty list or nice list, we all deserve a fun-filled Christmas vacay with loved ones to wrap up a solid year.
Relieve some of the stress that comes with planning the perfect year-end itinerary and enjoy exploring this list of things to do for Christmas in Tokyo.
For more about Christmas, check out:
Cover image adapted from: @yomiuriland via Instagram, Fever, Theatre Orb & Tokyo Disney Resort
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