This Week: At Home And Around Tokyo For December 12-18

The holiday season is officially in full swing. Take your time going through your wishlists and planning out your weekends with these non-stop holiday events peppered all throughout Tokyo. Whether you're going with friends or family, spread the holiday cheer.

© Photo by https://www.saitama-arena.co.jp/

Shining, Shimmering, Splendid

Blue Earth Garden

Bright illuminations in Saitama will add some extra holiday spirit to your Christmas gift shopping. What makes this market unique — other than the high-quality European-style goods and food — is the candle-making experience and teddy bear museum. A fun day out for all the family.

Date

NOW THROUGH SUN, FEB. 14 2023

Time

5 P.M. TO 12 P.M. (ILLUMINATION LIGHT UP)

Location

KEYAKI SQUARE 2F, SAITAMA SUPER ARENA, 10 SHINTOSHIN, CHUO, SAITAMA - Map

Fee

FREE!

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: FAMILIES, FRIENDS, AND COUPLES

More Info

© Photo by https://www.rise.sc/

A Winterwonderland

Winter Rise 2022

If you don't feel like heading into central Tokyo for a Christmas market or illumination event, Rise is a shopping center right beside Futakotamagawa Station that offers all of that and more. Expect a giant Christmas tree, a skating rink and plenty of shopping to be had. You won't need to leave the area surrounding the station to feel the Christmas cheer.

Date

Now through Sun, Dec. 25, 2022

Time

4 P.M. - 10 P.M.

Location

2-21-1 Tamagawa, Setagaya City, Tokyo - Map

Fee

VARIOUS

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: FAMILIES, FRIENDS, EARLY CHRISTMAS SHOPPERS

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Marché

Roppongi Hills Christmas 2022

Among the many Christmas markets that will soon light up every part of the city, the Roppongi Hills Christmas Market is the Japanese replication of Stuttgart’s famous (and one of the world’s largest) Christmas Marché. Rest assured that you'll find plenty of Christmas buys here as there will be over 2,000 goodies on sale—from authentic German delicacies to snow globes, ornaments, crafts, and other festive kitsch.

Date

NOW THROUGH SAT, DEC. 25, 2022

Time

11 A.M.-9 P.M.

Location

ROPPONGI HILLS O-YANE PLAZA, 6-11-1 ROPPONGI, MINATO-KU, TOKYO - Map

Fee

FREE!

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: FAMILIES, FRIENDS, EARLY CHRISTMAS SHOPPERS

More Info

© Photo by https://www.bunkamura.co.jp/

Simple And Stylish

Bunkamura Happy Holidays

Bunkamura will help make the Christmas and New Year home time even more enjoyable, and will provide gifts for the loved ones you couldn't see this year. There will also be special restaurant menus and special events too.

Date

NOW THROUGH FRI, JAN. 13, 2023

Time

VARIOUS (SEE WEBSITE)

Location

BUNKAMURA THE MUSEUM, 2-24-1, DOGENZAKA, SHIBUYA-KU, TOKYO - Map

Fee

VARIOUS (SEE WEBSITE)

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: ARTISTS, THOSE IN NEED OF A THERAPEUTIC SESSION

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© Photo by iStock/ Y_Hirosan

All Of The Lights

Tokyo Mega Illumination Tunnel

Spend an evening at one of Tokyo's best illumination or light up events with your family and friends. Topping the charts for two consecutive years in a row, the Tokyo Mega Illumination has tons of great eats and photo spots.

Date

SAT, OCT. 15, 2022 - MON, JAN. 9, 2023

Time

4:30 P.M. - 9 P.M.

Location

2-1-2 KatsushimaShinagawa City, Tokyo - Map

Fee

¥800

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: Couples, FRIENDS, Families, INSTAGRAMERS

More Info

Slide Your Way

Ice Skating at Tokyo Midtown

The outdoor ice skating rink at Tokyo Midtown is one of the largest in the city, with a capacity of 210 people. It’s perfect for beginners and advanced skaters alike, and children are welcome, making this a great family outing right in the center of the city. For a fun, romantic date option head to the rink after 5 p.m., when the lights on the surrounding trees are switched on.

Date

NOW THROUGH SUN, FEB 26, 2023

Time

11 A.M.-9 P.M.

Location

TOKYO MIDTOWN (GRASS SQUARE), 9-7-1 AKASAKA, MINATO, TOKYO - Map

Fee

WEEKDAY: ¥2,100 (ADULT), ¥1,600 (CHILD) WEEKEND: ¥2,500 (ADULT), ¥2,000 (CHILD)

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: FAMILIES WITH KIDS, COUPLES, FRIENDS

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Endless Blue

Blue Cave

Tokyo’s No.1 winter light display, the Blue Cave is back in business and available for an in-person experience. Walk through the beautiful blue lit tunnel to cap off an evening in Shibuya or Harajuku.

Date

NOW THROUGH SUN, DEC. 12, 2022

Time

5 P.M.- 10 P.M.

Location

1-5-11 Jinnan, Shibuya City, Tokyo - Map

Fee

FREE!

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: FRIENDS AND FAMILY

More Info

© Photo by Luisa Heenan

Traditional Holiday Treat

Try Baking White Christmas

Not only is this seasonal snack gluten-free, dairy free and refined sugar-free but is filled with good heart-healthy fats, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals! It’s great at Christmas parties for kids (and big kids!) as a sugar-free traditional holiday treat.

Date

ANYTIME

Location

ANYWHERE

Fee

VARIES

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: FRIENDS, COUPLES, FAMILIES

More Info

© Photo by GaijinPot

Make the Switch

GaijinPot Expo

Hosted by GPlusMedia, the company behind GaijinPot, this event will feature a job fair where job seekers can interview on the day for open positions, as well as space for Japanese language schools and companies providing services, like real-estate, for foreigners living in Japan.

Date

Sun, Dec. 18, 2022

Time

12 P.M. - 5 P.M.

Location

Kyobashi Edogrand Building 22F (TKP Garden City) Premium Kyobashi Hall 2-2-1 Kyobashi, Chuo City, Tokyo - Map

Fee

Free!

Info

Job seekers, Japanese language students, Fresh grads

More Info

What are your plans for the weekend? If you’re organizing a fun or interesting online event, or you know someone who is, contact us to get it listed!

Attending any of these events? Send us photos through Facebook or Instagram for a chance to be published on the site. #SavvyTokyo