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7 Best Winter Events in Tokyo: Chilly Evenings, Shiny Holidays (November/December)

7 Best Winter Events in Tokyo: Chilly Evenings, Shiny Holidays (November/December)

Last updated: 22 January 2021

From traditional festivals that have a history of over 300 years to colorful Christmas celebrations, November and December events in Tokyo offer a lot of unique and lively fun to fight the cold! Let's take a look at the best of them.

1. Meiji Shrine Outer Garden Ginkgo Festival

PixHound / Shutterstock.com
PixHound / Shutterstock.com

(Dates not decided for 2022)

The 300-meter long canopy road leading through the Meiji Shrine Outer Garden will be dyed in magnificent gold as the over 150 ginkgo trees lining the street turn color. Because of this amazing spectacle, the Outer Garden is one of Tokyo's most popular autumn leaf viewing spots.

To celebrate the changing seasons, the Ginkgo Festival is being held, a Tokyo event that features around 50 different stalls and booths offering both delicious dishes and various crafts and arts. The Meiji Shrine Outer Garden Ginkgo Festival is a must-visit event for both locals and tourists alike!

・Admission: None
・Hours: 10:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. (Some areas until 4:30 p.m.)
・May be canceled in case of bad weather

2. MIDTOWN CHRISTMAS 2022

2. MIDTOWN CHRISTMAS 2022

November 17 - December 25, 2022

This celebrated Tokyo winter event returns for 2022! A variety of Christmas trees can be seen around the grounds until December 25, decorated with ornaments for a gorgeous holiday mood!

A large snow dome 3m x 4.5m will also be lighting the night with neon colors. Plus, the Midtown Winter Lights illuminations will set a romantic holiday mood - and if you feel particularly festive, until February 26, 2023, enjoy ice skating at the Midtown Ice Rink!

・Admission: MITSUI FUDOSAN ICE RINK
・Adults: 2,100 yen on weekdays, 2,500 yen on weekends and holidays (including tax, shoe rental fee, and cafe ticket)
・Hours: MITSUI FUDOSAN ICE RINK 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. (until 8:00 p.m. at the reception desk)
*Subject to change depending on conditions.

Places to stay near Tokyo Midtown

  • The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo
    The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo
    ザ・リッツ・カールトン東京
    • Address Minato-ku, Akasaka 9-7-1 Tokyo Midtown, Tokyo, 107-6245
    • Nearest Station Roppongi Station (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line / Toei Oedo Line)
      5 minutes on foot

3. Roppongi Christmas Market 2022

3. Roppongi Christmas Market 2022

November 26 - December 25, 2022

The Roppongi Christmas Market is an event that seeks to emulate the one that is said to be the world's largest: the Stuttgart Christmas Market.

Including German goods, ornaments, wreathes, etc., 4 stores are selling around 1,500 items. Also, 4 stores will be selling filling German food, such as hot dogs and beef stew.

Admission will be restricted in 2022, and numbered tickets may be distributed on Saturdays and Sundays.

・Admission: Free
・Hours: 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Recommended places to stay near Roppongi Hills

  • Grand Hyatt Tokyo
    Grand Hyatt Tokyo
    グランドハイアット東京
    • Address Minato-ku Roppongi 6-10-3 , Tokyo, 106-0032
    • Nearest Station Roppongi Station (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line / Toei Oedo Line)
      8 minutes on foot

4. Setagaya Boro-ichi (Flea Market)

4. Setagaya Boro-ichi (Flea Market)

December 15 & 16; January 15 & 16

The Setagaya Boro-Ichi Flea Market has a very long history, dating back over 430 years to the Warring States period. One samurai lord, Ujimasa Hojo, held Setagaya's first flea market event called "rakuichi" in 1578 to give the local residents an opportunity of trading freely. Its successor is the Boro-Ichi Market, which is held twice a year on two days in December and January.

With the Setagaya Daikanyashiki in its center, a historic mansion from the Edo period, the flea market features over 700 individual shops selling everything that the heart desires, from second-hand clothes and antiquities to jewelry and interior.

・Admission: None
・Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

  • Setagaya Boro-ichi
    ボロ市通りとその周辺
    • Address 1 Setagaya, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, 154-0017 Japan

5. Senso-ji Temple Hagoita-Ichi Fair (2022 dates to be decided)

5. Senso-ji Temple Hagoita-Ichi Fair (2022 dates to be decided)

Usually December 17-19, not yet decided for 2022

The Hagoita-Ichi Festival is one of the best Tokyo December events right at the end of the year. Hagoita are small wooden paddles, decorated with a variety of different adornments and ornaments. In ancient times, they have been used as ritual instruments for getting rid of demons and evil spirits but became most popular as rackets for an old Japanese badminton-like game called hanetsuki in the Muromachi period.

Held in the precincts of Asakusa's Senso-ji Temple, over 50 different stalls offer their own unique hagoita creations, some masterfully lacquered with kabuki-esque imagery, others decorated with different jewelry and fabric. The prices vary wildly, ranging from a few hundred up to thousands of yen. Pick your favorite hagoita to take home one of Japan's most unique handmade souvenirs!

・Admission: None
・Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

  • Senso-ji Temple
    • Address 2-3-1, Asakusa, Taitou-ku, Tokyo, 111-0032
      View Map
    • Nearest Station Asakusa Station (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line / Toei Asakusa Line / Tobu Isesaki Line (Tobu Sky Tree Line) / Tsukuba Express)
      5 minutes on foot
    • Phone Number 03-3842-0181

6. The Breathtaking Chichibu Night Festival (2022 dates to be decided)

6. The Breathtaking Chichibu Night Festival (2022 dates to be decided)

Usually December 2-3, not yet decided for 2022

Called yomatsuri in Japanese, the Chichibu Night Festival is a beautiful spectacle held by the Chichibu Shrine in the same-named city, just outside of Tokyo. Dating back around 300 years, it is a winter favorite not only among locals.

The highlight of the celebrations takes place on the evening of December 3, when a gorgeous parade of illuminated floats makes its way from the Chichibu Shrine to a sacred palanquin. Shortly after, the cold winter night is lit up in a thousand vivid colors when one of Japan's only winter fireworks is taking place right above the cozy, lively atmosphere of the Chichibu Night Festival. Japan's winter is by no means a gloomy one!

・Admission: Free
・Hours: 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. on December 2, 9:00 a.m. - dawn on December 3

7. Ennichi Terrace Christmas Market (Not held in 2022)

7. Ennichi Terrace Christmas Market (Not held in 2022)

Ennichi Terrace Christmas Market is a festive event held at the foot of Tokyo Tower. The sparkling lights and gorgeous Christmas decorations create a lively atmosphere! Here you can enjoy a diverse lineup of drinks and food, from mulled wine to hot chocolate, plus hams, sausages, and clam chowder - and even classical beer from Feldschlösschen, the oldest brewery in Dresden, Germany!

・Admission: Free
・Hours: Weekdays 4:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.; Weekends/Holidays 11:00 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.; may be rescheduled due to rain.

*Events are subject to change or cancellation depending on conditions. Please check the official websites for the latest information.
*Photos are for reference only. They may differ from the actual event.

*This information is from the time of this article's publication.
*Prices and options mentioned are subject to change.
*Unless stated otherwise, all prices include tax.

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