7 joyous Christmas markets in Tokyo

In Germany and many other parts of Europe, Christmas markets transform central city squares into charming, romantic destinations with decorations, festive lights, hot spiced wine, sweets and stalls selling local crafts.

The Tokyo Christmas Market brings this same spirit to Japan, with a festive selection of food, drinks and European-style ornaments. There’s even a 14-metre-high Christmas pyramid installation brought over from a German village (the Christmas pyramid may be unfamiliar, but it actually has a history as old as the Christmas tree). Returning for the 10th time this holiday season, the Tokyo Christmas Market has become a familiar highlight of the city’s festive season calendar.

The Azabudai Hills complex will host its second Christmas Market this year with the freshly opened shops in Minato’s newest hotspot. This event's centrepiece is a giant Christmas tree with roughly 20,000 LED lights. Treats include everything from mulled wine and fresh beignets served by doughnut shop Hocus Pocus, to pretzels and bratwursts from German Christmas Stand. Even vegans, who are often overlooked at these annual food markets, have something to keep their spirits high, with plant-based foods like gluten-free stollen from Eightablish.

Knick-knacks on offer include Christmas ornaments, elaborate German Christmas cards and festive mugs, but we’ve got our eyes on Fiasconaro's limited edition Panettone cakes and nougats, which come with elegant tin casings designed by Dolce & Gabbana.

This is the 18th edition of Roppongi Hills’s popular German-style Christmas market, which is modelled after the market in the German city of Stuttgart. Held at O-yane Plaza, expect classic decorations, familiar carols and stalls selling gifts like snow globes. When you get hungry and thirsty, there are Christmas market staples such as sausages and beer to enjoy. Don’t miss the nearby illuminations at Roppongi’s Keyakizaka Street, which add to the festive atmosphere.

Inspired by the famous market in the German city of Nuremberg, this Christmas market at Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse features a range of stalls selling ornaments and holiday paraphernalia, as well as festive treats such as schnitzel, sausages, stollen cakes and glühwein.

For the best photo ops, make sure to check out the main plaza with a massive Christmas tree decked out in flashy decorations. If you’re still in need of a Christmas present, join the on-site Christmas decorations and herbarium workshops (from ¥2,000).

German-inspired Christmas markets are taking Tokyo by storm, and this one is no exception. Tokyo Solamachi Christmas Market offers all the usual attractions like wooden stalls with various holiday accessories, beer, warm glühwein, hot chocolate and traditional confectionery such as stollen cake and waffles. The lighting in the market area combines nicely with the golden winter illuminations at Tokyo Skytree and the eight-metre-tall Christmas tree, creating a homely atmosphere at Solamachi’s Sky Arena.

The Christmas market is open daily until 10pm.

While enjoying the champagne-gold illuminations along Marunouchi Naka-dori street, drop by this small Christmas market run by luxury hotel The Peninsula Tokyo. Shop for popular Christmas sweets from around the world, including Italian panettone, British mince pies as well as raclette cheese toast from Switzerland.

On Saturdays, Sundays and December 23, children can learn how to decorate gingerbread houses at the on-site workshops held twice a day from 1pm and 3pm. The participation fee is ¥7,500 per person and reservations are required. Take-away gingerbread house kits are also available to purchase for ¥6,500.

What’s more, on December 14, 15 and 20 to 25, the hotel’s adorable bear mascot Peter will make an appearance (at 1pm, 3pm and 5pm), while a kids’ choir will perform Christmas songs from December 23 to 25 at 6pm, 7pm and 8.30pm.

The Christmas market opens daily from 12noon to 6pm, until 8pm between December 20 and 25.

Head to Omotesando’s Spiral building for this special Christmas Market with the theme of ‘Christmas through the eyes of a child’. Browse a large selection of crafts, designs and artworks by over 50 artists. Between December 6-10 and December 13-17, you can shop for crafts, jewellery and fashion, which all make for great Christmas gifts. 

From December 20 until Christmas Day, on the other hand, you’ll find works from up-and-coming artists selected by Spiral staff and other contemporary art galleries. The prominent Christmas tree installation at the venue’s atrium is adorned with decorations by Malaysian artist Nelson Hor.

The Christmas market is open from 11am to 7pm. (until 8pm on Fri and Sat; open from 5pm on Dec 6, 13 and 20)