Christmas in Japan with Kids

Looking to make the holidays in Tokyo feel especially festive? From local events to toy trends, read on for a Savvy guide to a fun family Christmas.

Christmas across Japan may not be white and snow-filled in every area of the country, but there is still lots of fun to be had for families with kids. If it’s your first Christmas in Tokyo or your 20th, why not get into the local holiday spirit?

Read on below for our favorite family events, activities, foods and shopping spots to make this Tokyo Christmas season your best ever! Go Christmas shopping in person at the capital’s classy and well-stocked department store kids’ floors, among other kid-friendly venues.

Christmas in Japan

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While Japan was introduced to Christmas via Christian missionaries in the 16th century, it was only in the 1920s that the holiday began to be celebrated more broadly. While some parts may seem familiar, like giving gifts and festive decor, others are homegrown traditions. For example, many kids will sit down for classic Japanese Christmas foods from Christmas cakes to Kentucky Fried Chicken. Family outings may include checking out gorgeous winter illuminations throughout the city or grabbing some tasty bites and trinkets at a Christmas market.

Christmas Eve tends to be mainly for couples. Fancy dates and gift exchanges are commonplace on what’s considered one of the most romantic nights of the year. Depending on the family, kids may receive presents on Christmas Eve or Day.

As for the big day itself, it is very much a normal day. Many children still have school, cram school or club activities on December 25th. Unlike several other places in the world, Christmas Day is not a public holiday. Business continues as normal for most people in Japan. Even if you are working on Christmas Day, there is much to do with your little ones in Tokyo throughout the holiday period.

Family-Friendly Events and Activities in Tokyo 

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There is no need to spend the holiday season inside! The capital has many family-friendly activities and outings that are worth braving the cold for.

Meeting Santa in Tokyo

Do you and your children want to “meet” Santa in person, just like when you were a tot? The following Tokyo venues are hosting Santa Claus meet and greets:

• Ochanomizu Saint Clair (Dec. 7, 2024; 11 a.m.-3 p.m.)
• Ariake Garden (Dec. 21-25, 2024; Various times)
• Tokyo Dome City (Dec. 14, 15, 21, 22, 24, 25, 2024; Various times)
• Hotel New Otani (Hotel Guests Only)
• Prince Hotel Takanawa Area (Hotel Guests Only)

Reservations may be required in advance for some locations, so please check the official website links for more information.

Holiday-Themed Family Events

There are lots of fun holiday outings in Tokyo too, from illuminations to Christmas Markets to themed events! Below is a sample of the city’s offerings:

• Tokyo’s Winter Illuminations: Various locations all over Tokyo to see the sparkling lights.
• Christmas Markets Full Of Holiday Cheer: Find various food stalls, trinkets for sale and fun activities for kids.
• Marunouchi Bright Holiday 2024: The Marunouchi building has special exhibits featuring characters from the Super Mario series.
• Hogwarts in the Snow Warner Brothers Studio Tour Tokyo: Don’t miss the season-limited tour recreating the Christmas scene from the first Harry Potter movie.
• Winter Wonderland in Moomin Valley Park: Whether in the daytime or evening, go visit the winter-themed light shows, parades and exhibitions.  
• Disney Christmas (Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea): Kids and adults alike will love the parades, special food, carols and decor at the Tokyo Disney resorts.

Celebrating At Home

You can also celebrate Christmas by making your own merry crafts to keep the little ones busy before the holidays. Why not try some origami paper crafts for kids, like this snowflake, Christmas tree and Santa Claus? 

If you are particularly artistic, try making your own holiday wreath using 100 yen shop supplies with your kids that you can enjoy for many years to come. For a different at-home activity, check out these fun and growable Christmas tree and snowman kits.

Christmas Shopping For Kids in Japan

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Christmas shopping is a veritable challenge even without all of the advertisements and kids’ Christmas lists. Of course, it’s always best to buy within your budget and to balance what the kids want with what you can afford as a family. To help you find the perfect gift, read on below for a list of shopping locations that offer a wide range of gifts at different price points.

Where To Go Shopping

There are innumerable places you can shop in Tokyo that are great for kids and families. Here are some of the more famous stores to try this season:

Gift Trends in Japan

Here are some of the hottest toy trends and what kids say they want to get this year.

Japanese Christmas Food and Treats For Kids 

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While some Christmas food is shared across cultures, Japan also has some unique offerings.

Strawberry Shortcake

One of the most iconic Christmas foods here is strawberry shortcake, a light sponge cake layered with cream and topped with strawberries. These cakes are ubiquitous at nearly all pastry shops across Japan come the winter season. If shortcake isn’t your thing, various patisseries offer a variety of other Christmas cakes and stollen during the seasonal month. Just don’t forget that many of them require ordering them in advance.

Fried Chicken

Another classic Christmas food in Japan is fried chicken, particularly Kentucky Fried Chicken, which often features Colonel Sanders dressed up as Santa Claus for the holidays. KFC usually offers a Christmas party set, including a big bucket of fried chicken, a gratin and a dessert tart. Just keep in mind that these sets need to be reserved in advance and are impossible to order from the counter on Christmas Day.

Chanmery

If you like alcohol-free drinks but still want the champagne feel, try Chanmery, a carbonated grape juice drink popular at family get-togethers during the holidays. Kids tend to get especially excited about this sweet champagne-mimicking juice if served in a wine-glass-looking cup (plastic is fine; it’s more about the shape of the glass.)

Pizza

Another savory big-ticket item is pizza, and some big chains like Domino’s offer custom pizzas and roast chicken sets for your festive dinners. If you have the budget for it, roast beef and steak are also popular menu items, and you can buy them fully prepared and ready to eat at most supermarkets.

Whether you’re planning a Christmas mostly at home or out in the city, there are plenty of ways to maximize fun times with the little ones. From opening much-desired gifts on the big day to joining in on holiday-themed activities, Christmas in Japan can be a memorable experience for the whole family.

How do you like to spend time with the kids during the holidays? We’d love to hear your stories in the comments below!