This week, get into a festive mood with a visit to the various Christmas markets, illumination events and Christmas concerts around Tokyo. Now is a good a time as any to start plotting out your holiday plans.
Holiday Vibes
Tokyo Christmas Market
Tokyo Christmas Market turns Hibiya Park into an almost-real fairy tale. Expect to be impressed by the market’s great array of food and drink stalls, various international holiday crafts, and entertaining stage performances. There will also be handicraft workshops and daily live stages by German, Japanese and gospel groups.
Date: Fri, Dec. 9 – Sat, Dec. 25, 2022
Time: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Location: Hibiya Park, Hibiya Koen, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo - Map
Fee: From ¥1,000
Info: Recommended for: Families, Couples, Friends
Art and About
Xmas Art Festa 2022
Ginza galleries a voluntary organization consisting of multiple galleries in the Ginza area, is hosting a special festive event for art lovers. Xmas Art Festa will have each participating gallery run special exhibitions which showcase various artworks, from museum-class masterpieces to traditional pictures or potteries to contemporary arts.
Date: FRI, DEC. 9 - SAT, DEC. 17, 2022
Time: VARIOUS (DEPENDS ON EACH GALLERY'S BUSINESS HOURS)
Location: VARIOUS (SEE WEBSITE)
Fee: FREE!
Info: RECOMMENDED FOR: ARTISTS, FAMILIES, COUPLES, FRIENDS
A Fun and Friendly Market
Vegan Christmas Market
The Vegan Market JP will be hosting the annual Vegan Christmas Market at the Hive Jinnan in Shibuya. Open from 11 A.M. to 6 P.M., this free event will have over 20 vendors selling cruelty-free gifts along with vegan food and drinks. There will also be musical performances and a raffle to benefit the Meat Free Monday All Japan’s vegan food bank project, Vege Aid.
Date: Sun, Dec. 11, 2022
Time: 11 A.M.-6 P.M.
Location: 1-6-5 Jinnan, Shibuya City, Tokyo - Map
Fee: Free!
Info: RECOMMENDED FOR: Couples, FRIENDS, Families, Vegans
Festive Concert
Ave Maria In Christmas
A special Christmas program with renowned sopranos Justina Swawiec-Korzeni and Megan Kurtz. No children under primary school age permitted. In addition to several Tokyo concerts, the orchestra will also be playing concerts in Kanagawa, Chiba, and Saitama. See the website below for further details.
Date: THU, DEC. 8-SUN, DEC. 25, 2022
Time: VARIOUS
Location: VARIOUS
Fee: ¥4,800
Info: RECOMMENDED FOR: FRIENDS, COUPLES, OPERA FANS
Resonance of Gold and Birthstone
Yomiuriland Jewellumination
Yomiuriland turns into a “jewellery fantasy” bringing together light, color and “brilliant” music. If originality isn’t enough to get you through the ticket gate, then a sunset or after dark gondola ride from Keio Yomiuriland Station to the theme park’s entrance should be. This is a really beautiful way to view this particular illumination, without the crowds and in some relative peace and quiet, before you get in amongst it. And the view from above is just breathtaking, especially watching the rides in operation under the twinkling night sky.
Date: NOW THROUGH SUN, APR. 9, 2022
Time: 10 A.M.-8:30 P.M.
Location: YOMIYURILAND, 4015-1 YANOKUCHI, INAGI, TOKYO - Map
Fee: NIGHT PASS: ¥1,800 (ADULTS) ¥500-800 (CHILD)
Info: RECOMMENDED FOR: FAMILIES WITH KIDS, COUPLES, FRIENDS
Winter Lights
Tokyo Dome City Winter Illumination
Tokyo Dome City is decorated in beautiful LED lights with illumination attraction resembling the Edo period and the essence of Japan. It's never too early to marvel at the sparkling lights with your loved ones!
Date: FRI, NOV.5 - MON, FEB. 28, 2023
Time: 5 P.M. TO 12 A.M.
Location: TOKYO DOME CITY, 1-3 KORAKU, BUNKYO, TOKYO - Map
Fee: FREE
Info: RECOMMENDED FOR: Couples, FRIENDS, Families, INSTAGRAMMERS
A Special Tribute
Betty Catroux Yves Saint Laurent
This special exhibit highlights Betty Catroux as a fashion icon and the standard she sets for the style among modern women. Often referred to as the female version of Yves, the artworks featured in this exhibit include items Betty donated to the pierre Berge-Yves Saint Laurent foundation in 2019.
Date: Sat, Nov. 19-Sun, Dec. 11, 2022
Time: 10 A.M. - 7 P.M.
Location: 2-1-3 Higashishinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo - Map
Fee: Free
Info: RECOMMENDED FOR: Couples, FRIENDS, FASHION ENTHUSIASTS, INSTAGRAMMERS
Western Art In The Heart Of Tokyo
Tokyo Art Scene: European Art in Marunouchi
Among other things Marunouchi is famous for, art excursions should be on top of that list. To accompany your walks through the sleek shopping district, stop by these art exhibits.
Date: VARIOUS
Time: VARIOUS
Location: VARIOUS
Fee: VARIOUS
Info: RECOMMENDED FOR: ART LOVERS, FRIENDS, COUPLES
Share Your Voice
Contribute to Savvy Tokyo!
Do you have something to share with Savvy Tokyo‘s readers? We’re always looking to expand our featured topics and to find fresh, new voices.Whether you’re a fashion, food, parenting or relationship expert, a Japanese culture pro — or you just have an interesting story about your life in Japan, we’d love to hear from you. To apply, please get in touch via our contact page with a short description of why you’d like to write for us, some clips or writing samples and examples of what angles of Tokyo life you’d like to cover for our readers. We look forward to hearing from you!
Date: ALL DAY
Time: ANYTIME
Location: ANYWHERE
Fee: FREE
Info: RECOMMENED FOR: Experienced freelance writers
What are your plans for the weekend? If you’re organizing a fun or interesting online event or know someone who is,contact usto get it listed!
Attending any of these events? Send us photos throughFacebookorInstagramfor a chance to be published on the site. #SavvyTokyo
