Looking for a way to get into the holiday spirit in Japan? Try visiting Christmas markets! 🤍🎄⛄️
You can experience the warm, merry atmosphere by trying different seasonal foods, shopping for the perfect presents and enjoying all the Christmas lights and festive decorations. Christmas markets first originated from Germany, so many Christmas markets in Japan are modelled after European Christmas markets, allowing you to experience a recreation of classic markets from all over Europe!
Feeling the Christmas spirit yet? Check out our favorite Christmas markets all over the country below!
Christmas Markets in Japan You Should Not Miss!
Tokyo Christmas Market in Jingu Gaien
Located in the heart of Tokyo, the Tokyo Christmas Market at Jingu Gaien is set to run from November 19 to December 25, 2024. Known for its grand 14-meter-tall Christmas pyramid shipped directly from Germany, this market creates an authentic European Christmas experience with a Japanese twist.
Alongside this iconic centerpiece, visitors can browse through dozens of stalls offering handmade ornaments, traditional German foods like bratwurst and pretzels, and a selection of warm mulled wine. Live performances are scheduled daily, including choirs singing both German and Japanese holiday classics.
Entry fees are ¥1,000 on weekdays, ¥1,500 on weekends, and ¥2,000 from December 23 to 25, making it a wonderful option for anyone seeking a festive experience with a strong cultural flair.
Azabudai Hills Christmas Market
From November 23 to December 25, the Azabudai Hills Christmas Market will be held at Central Square in Tokyo. This festive event features 17 unique stalls, including 5 offering a variety of goods and 12 serving food and beverages. Visitors can enjoy a traditional fir tree and pass through an archway leading to the market area.
The market offers a selection of Christmas items and seasonal treats, providing a warm and inviting holiday atmosphere. Admission is free, making it an ideal destination to experience the Christmas spirit in Tokyo
Tokyo Skytree Town’s Christmas Market
From November 7 to December 25, Tokyo Skytree Town’s Christmas Market will be held at the 4th-floor Sky Arena. This year’s theme, “Christmas of Light and Snow,” transforms the venue with sparkling decorations and snowy accents. Visitors can enjoy authentic German elements, including Santa and reindeer monuments, a 3-meter-tall Erzgebirge doll, and European-style cottages (hütte).
The market also features a new, enormous gingerbread house and Japan’s largest “Giant Stollen,” surpassing last year’s 2-meter version. Amidst the festive atmosphere, guests can savor food, hot wine, beer, and sweets, making it an ideal destination to experience the holiday spirit.
Christmas Market in Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse
From November 22 to December 25, the Red Brick Warehouse Christmas Market will host its annual Christmas Market, celebrating its 15th anniversary with the theme “Memorial.” The event features a 10-meter-tall fir tree adorned with approximately 20,000 LED lights, creating a festive atmosphere.
Visitors can enjoy a variety of German-inspired foods, including sausages, stollen, and glühwein, as well as explore over 58 stalls offering holiday goods and crafts. The market operates daily from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., with extended hours until 10:00 p.m. from December 7 onwards. Admission is ¥500, with free entry for children under elementary school age.
Sapporo German Christmas Market
Celebrating the sister-city relationship between Sapporo and Munich, the Sapporo German Christmas Market will be held from November 22 to December 25, 2024, at Odori Park 2-chome. This annual event features stalls offering Christmas items, hot wine, and German food. Visitors can also purchase commemorative mug cups with unique designs each year.
The market includes outdoor concerts, indoor workshops, and appearances by Santa Claus. Tents with seating are available near the food stalls, providing comfort despite the snowy weather. The festive atmosphere is enhanced by the Sapporo White Illumination, which begins in late November at Odori Park.
Tenjin Christmas Market
The Tenjin Christmas Market in Fukuoka is scheduled from November 16 to December 25, 2024, at Fukuoka City Hall Fureai Hiroba. Visitors enter through a grand archway to find charming wooden huts and a welcoming committee of 100 Santa Clauses.
The market offers specialty dishes like paella cooked in a giant pot, hot whiskey, and hot wine. A variety of Christmas goods are available for purchase, and live music performances enhance the festive atmosphere. Unique, venue-specific original mugs with new annual designs are available for hot wine or hot chocolate, with a special mug exclusive to rainy weekdays at the Tenjin venue.
The market operates on weekdays from 17:00 to 23:00, and on weekends and holidays from 12:00 to 23:00. Please note that the market will be closed on November 23 and 24 due to another event.
Ready to Feel the Christmas Spirit?
Each of these Christmas markets brings a unique slice of holiday cheer to Japan, offering visitors a chance to experience traditional German markets with a Japanese twist. Whether in Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka, Sapporo, or Fukuoka, these markets provide an opportunity to enjoy seasonal treats, handcrafted goods, and the joyous spirit of Christmas.
If you’re planning your winter holidays in Japan, why not make sure dropping by one of these Christmas Markets is part of your itinerary? And for an expert-crafted plan tailored to your tastes, check out Flip Japan Guide Travel Planner. Here’s to a season filled with warmth, flavour, and festive memories!
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