This Week(End): Tokyo Area Events For December 12-13

Winter Lights, Exhibitions, And Fun In The City

By The Savvy Team |
December 7, 2020 |
What's Happening

The Christmas season is all about giving back to the ones you love, respect and treasure in your life — and that often means, hmm, shopping, yes, but also spending quality time with them. Well, this weekend, there's plenty of opportunities to do both. Take your favorite people out to an exhibition, a Christmas market or go see the sparkling lights together. Enjoy!

Digital Creativity

Mutek JP 2020

Mutek is a global art and music festival that celebrates digital creativity in sound, music, and audio-visual art. It's been held over 110 events in 43 different cities and 20 countries since 2002. Japan first joined the Mutek family in 2016 and will again this year invite guests to see a variety of amazing performances that bring together sound and digital art by artists from all over the world. Purchase tickets in advance online. Virtual passes are also available if you rather stay home.

Date: WED, DEC. 9-SUN, DEC. 13, 2020
Time: VARIOUS (SEE WEBSITE)
Location: VARIOUS IN SHIBUYA (SEE WEBSITE)
Fee: ¥4,000 (PER DAY) ¥1,050 (Virtual PASS)
Info: RECOMMENDED FOR: ARTISTS, MUSICIANS, FAMILIES, COUPLES, FRIENDS

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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

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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

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T-Pop And More

Thai Fair

One of the Asian countries with the strongest presence in Japan (who hasn’t been to a Thai restaurant at least once over the past month?), Thailand will be taking the front stage at Ueno Park this weekend for a fun two-day festival, including everything from Thai food, drinks, music, dancing, and much more! Enjoy!

Date: SAT, DEC 12 - SUN, DEC 13, 2020
Time: 10 A.M. - 9 P.M.
Location: UENO PARK, 2 UENO KOEN, TAITO-KU, TOKYO - Map
Fee: FREE!
Info: RECOMMENDED FOR: FRIENDS, FAMILIES, COUPLES, THAI CULTURE FANS

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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'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

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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. 4, 2021
Time: 10 A.M.-8:30 P.M.
Location: YOMIYURILAND, 4015-1 YANOKUCHI, INAGI, TOKYO - Map
Fee: NIGHT PASS: ¥1,500 (ADULTS) ¥500-800 (CHILD)
Info: RECOMMENDED FOR: FAMILIES WITH KIDS, COUPLES, FRIENDS

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What are your plans for the weekend? If you’re organizing a fun or interesting 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