Marunouchi Illumination
Photo: Marunouchi Illumination | Marunouchi Illumination
Photo: Marunouchi Illumination

January 2025 events in Tokyo

Plan your January in Tokyo with our events calendar of the best things to do, including concerts, winter festivals and art exhibits

Advertising

January in Tokyo can be cold and dreary, especially once the New Year holidays are over. However, while most of the city illuminations are still up, the first month of the year is also the time for classic winter festivals and ice skating under the starry sky – not to mention the Coming of Age celebrations or those rare but hilarious snowy days when this oh-so-orderly city is thrown into disarray. So calm down, take a break from those New Year's resolutions and check out our picks of the best events Tokyo has to offer.

Our January highlights

  • Things to do
  • Ice skating

Winter's no excuse to stay inside. In fact, when the cold starts to creep through the wafer-thin walls and shoddy window frames of Tokyo houses and apartments, rather than trying to hide under a mountain of blankets, you might actually be better off engaging in some outdoor activities. Ice skating is obviously something best experienced out in the open, and quality rinks are popping up all around the city.

Here's our quick guide to the best skating spots out there, including both winter-only rinks and year-round, indoor facilities that are also great places for serious figure skating or ice hockey training. First-timer or seasoned veteran – everyone's welcome, and gear rental is available at most of these places as well.

  • Things to do
  • Sagamiko

Sagamiko Resort Mori Mori has gone all out for its winter illuminations, featuring over six million dazzling LEDs. This year, there's an entire area dedicated to Japan's beloved laid-back bear, Rilakkuma, along with his sidekick Korilakkuma and other San-X friends like Sumikkogurashi.

You can hop on the park’s Rainbow Chairlift and sail over colourful stripes before reaching the top of a hill, where you'll find a series of illumination art walls showcasing Rilakkuma and his friends. Walk further in to discover a massive Tarepanda inflatable and a bear-shaped igloo with Sumikkogurashi characters glowing in colourful lights.

Be sure to catch the spectacular illumination show at the San-X character stage, where Korilakkuma, Afro-dog and Ebifurai No Shippo perform live with synchronised laser lights for four minutes each. Nearby, a massive Rilakkuma is perched a set of swings, providing the perfect setup for a special photo.

While you’re there, indulge in Rilakkuma and Sumikkogurashi-themed meals and snacks. Enjoy a hearty Sumikkogurashi Bon Pasta or the Meat Doria Plate with San-X characters. Prefer something sweet? Then check out the colorful popcorn sundae or the Rilakkuma pudding in a cup.

Recommended
    You may also like
    You may also like
    Advertising