This Week: Tokyo Area Events For December 14-20
Lights, Markets, And Winter Magic In The City
While you'll most probably find yourself doing some last-minute Christmas shopping this week, here are some events you should check out if you still want to escape the department store crowds or you've done all your shopping long time ago! Here are our top picks for the week before Christmas! Happy holidays!
Manga Mania
Online Event: Jump Festa
Loved all over the world, this event is everything manga. One of Japan's biggest manga conventions, Jump Festa exhibits many of the country's most beloved manga comics and anime shows and how they are made/produced. This year the festival will be held virtually and you’ll see your favorite characters greeting you through the screen. Get the offical app and join in!
- Date
- SAT, DEC. 19 - SUN, DEC. 20, 2020
- Time
- 9 A.M. - 5 P.M.
- Location
- ON THEIR OFFICAL APP - Map
- Fee
- FREE!
- Info
- RECOMMENDED FOR: MANGA AND ANIME OTAKU
Endless Blue
Online Event: Blue Cave Live
Tokyo’s No.1 winter light display, the Blue Cave, will be lit up blue online this year. This Sunday Ameba.tv will be holding a special xmas live stream showing highlights of the Shibuya's Blue Cave from past years, talking about xmas memories and more!
- Date
- SUN, DEC. 20, 2020
- Time
- 5 P.M.- 10 P.M.
- Location
- AMEBA TV - Map
- Fee
- FREE!
- Info
- RECOMMENDED FOR: FRIENDS AND FAMILY
Art and About
Xmas Art Festa 2020
"Ginza galleries" a voluntary organization consisting of 26 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 such as Renoir to lesser-known works, and traditional pictures or potteries to contemporary arts.
- Date
- FRI, DEC. 11 - SAT, DEC. 19, 2020
- Time
- VARIOUS (DEPENDS ON EACH GALLERY'S BUSINESS HOURS)
- Location
- VARIOUS (SEE WEBSITE)
- Fee
- FREE!
- Info
- RECOMMENDED FOR: ARTISTS, FAMILIES, COUPLES, FRIENDS
Starry Sky
Christmas In The Sky 2020
Take your loved ones to see Tokyo’s skyline from Tokyo City View at Roppongi Hills. You can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic starry sky view accompanied by music and sparkling lights this festive season. A special Christmas Observatory Party will be held on Dec. 24 and 25, and Christmas menu items will be available at The Moon restaurant on the 52nd floor as well.
- Date
- NOW THROUGH FRI, DEC. 25, 2020
- Time
- 1 P.M. - 10 P.M.
- Location
- Roppongi Hills Observatory Tokyo City View Rooftop Sky Deck, 6−10−1 Roppongi, Minato City, Tokyo - Map
- Fee
- ¥500 (GENERAL)
- Info
- RECOMMENDED FOR: COUPLES, FRIENDS
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
- Thu, Dec. 12 – Fri, Dec. 25, 2020
- Time
- 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Location
- Hibiya Park, Hibiya Koen, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo - Map
- Fee
- Free!
- Info
- Recommended for: Families, Couples, Friends
Antique Shopping Spree
Akasaka Nominoichi in Ark Hills
Looking for a sophisticated place to shop for your Christmas gifts? Let us suggest Ark Hills, where you can grab furniture, clothes, jewelry, and so much more. If you get too hungry from all the shopping, you can also stop by for a coffee and homemade cookie break at the numerous food trucks parked in the area.
- Date
- NOW THROUGH FRI, DEC. 25, 2020
- Time
- 8 A.M.-11:30 P.M.
- Location
- ARK HILLS, 1-12-32, AKASAKA, MINATO-KU, TOKYO - Map
- Fee
- FREE!
- Info
- RECOMMENDED FOR: FAMILIES, FRIENDS, PEOPLE WHO ENJOY FLEA MARKETS
Marché
Roppongi Hills Christmas Market
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 FRI, DEC. 25, 2020
- 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
Winter Lights
Tokyo Dome City Smile Illumination
Tokyo Dome City is decorated in happy LED lights with illumination attractions resembling the Edo period and the essence of traditional Japan. It's never too early to marvel at the sparkling lights with your loved ones!
- Date
- FRI, NOV. 13-FRI, DEC. 25, 2020
- Time
- 5 P.M.-12 A.M.
- Location
- TOKYO DOME CITY, 1-3 KORAKU, BUNKYO-KU, TOKYO - Map
- Fee
- FREE!
- Info
- RECOMMENDED FOR: COUPLES, FRIENDS, FAMILIES, INSTAGRAMERS
'Tis The Season
Yokohama Akarenga Christmas Market
The Yokohama Akarenga Christmas Market is one of the biggest and most popular markets of its kind in Japan, drawing tens of thousands of visitors annually. It’s a great place to visit for shopping, eating, and sightseeing, as well as to experience a truly festive feeling under the (real) giant Christmas tree. There’ll be hot wine, seasonal ornaments, and beautiful light displays, as well as live Christmas song shows and more.
- Date
- FRI, DEC. 4 - FRI, DEC. 25, 2020
- Time
- 11 A.M.-9 P.M.
- Location
- YOKOHAMA AKARENGA, 1-1, SHIN-MINATO, NAKA-KU, YOKOHAMA, KANAGAWA - Map
- Fee
- FREE!
- Info
- RECOMMENDED FOR: FAMILIES, EARLY CHRISTMAS SHOPPERS, COUPLES
20th Anniversary
Shining Flyaway The Blue Forrest
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 2021
- 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
Attending any of these events? Send us photos through Facebook or Instagram for a chance to be published on the site. #SavvyTokyo
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