Christmas in Japan 2026: Christmas Markets, Where to Go and What to Eat

1. Quick Answer

Japan's 2026 Christmas market season runs from early November to December 25. If you only have one evening in Tokyo, go to Azabudai Hills or Roppongi Hills (both November 21 to December 25; Azabudai is free to enter). They are within walking distance of each other, and both are close to Tokyo Tower. For a large, German-style market, choose the Tokyo Christmas Market at Shin-Toyosu (November 20 to December 25) or Shiba Park (December 4 to 25). Both charge an entry fee of ¥1,000 to ¥2,000. Outside Tokyo, the strongest options are the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse (November 20 to December 25, ¥500 to ¥1,000), Sapporo (Odori Park, November 20 to December 25), Osaka (Umeda Sky Building, November 13 to December 25, free entry) and Fukuoka (Hakata Station and Tenjin, free).

At the markets, try glühwein (hot mulled wine), German sausages, gingerbread and stollen. Away from the stalls, Japan celebrates in its own way: pre-ordered fried chicken, strawberry shortcake and a restaurant dinner on Christmas Eve. December 25 is not a public holiday in Japan. In 2026, the 24th falls on a Thursday and the 25th on a Friday. Expect the biggest crowds on weekend evenings in early and mid-December, and higher ticket prices on the 24th and 25th at markets that charge for entry.

We checked the details in this guide on October 20, 2026, against each market's official website and the sources listed at the end. Organizers can change hours or prices, or close in bad weather, so check the official page before you go.

2. How Christmas Works in Japan

In Japan, Christmas is mainly a seasonal city festival rather than a religious holiday. From early November, shopping districts switch on winter illuminations (イルミネーション), put up giant trees and open Christmas markets (クリスマスマーケット). Most markets follow the German model: small wooden huts selling mulled wine, sausages, ornaments and collectible mugs.

A few things are worth knowing before your first Japanese Christmas:

• Christmas Eve matters more than Christmas Day. The 24th is seen as a night for couples. Popular restaurants book up early, and some serve only a fixed Christmas menu on the 24th and 25th.
• December 25 is a normal working day. Trains run on a weekday timetable and shops open as usual. By the morning of the 26th, Christmas decorations come down and New Year decorations go up.
• Fried chicken and cake are the “Christmas meal” for many families. According to TableCheck, KFC Japan launched its “Kentucky for Christmas” campaign in 1974, and many households still pre-order chicken for Christmas Eve. Strawberry shortcake (ショートケーキ) is sold everywhere, from convenience stores to department store food halls.
• It gets cold and dark early. In Tokyo, December sunset is around 4:30 p.m. Markets look best after the lights come on, but standing outside for a long time gets cold, especially in Sapporo.

3. Japan's Main Christmas Markets in 2026

The table below covers the markets that had announced their 2026 dates when we checked. Prices are entry fees only; food, drinks and mugs cost extra.

Tokyo: Pick a Market by What You Want

Tokyo Christmas Market at Shin-Toyosu is a new venue for 2026. It is about a two-minute walk from Shin-Toyosu Station on the Yurikamome line, or about 15 minutes on foot from Toyosu Station on the Tokyo Metro Yurakucho line. The organizer says there is no car or bicycle parking. Entry for junior high students and older is ¥1,000 on weekdays, ¥1,500 on weekends and public holidays, and ¥2,000 on December 24 and 25. Elementary school children pay ¥500 (¥1,000 on the 24th and 25th), and preschoolers enter free. Last entry is 8:30 p.m. Booking is not required, but an advance ticket saves you from queuing at the gate.

Tokyo Christmas Market at Shiba Park opens later (December 4 to 25) in the plaza near Onarimon Station. Its biggest advantage is Tokyo Tower, right next door. You can browse the stalls and then walk over for tower photos without taking another train.

Roppongi Hills and Azabudai Hills are part of Mori Building's “CHRISTMAS HILLS 2026” program. The Keyaki-zaka illumination at Roppongi Hills switches on from November 5. Both markets run from November 21 to December 25, roughly 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and 2026 marks the 20th Roppongi Hills market. Azabudai Hills is free with no reservation needed. Roppongi Hills had not announced its 2026 entry policy when we checked, so look at the official page before you go.

Ueno hosts Tokyo Christmas Advent at Hakamagoshi Plaza (November 6 to December 25, noon to 11 p.m.) and around Shinobazu Pond (from November 18). Entry is free, and it is a few minutes' walk from Ueno Station. It is a good choice if you are staying in Ueno or Asakusa, or leaving for Narita Airport on the Skyliner.

Yokohama: The Red Brick Warehouse

The Christmas Market at Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse (横浜赤レンガ倉庫) is one of the biggest in Japan. The organizer says it drew about 1.21 million visitors in 2025. In 2026 it runs from November 20 to December 25. From November 21 to December 4 it opens 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and from December 5 it stays open until 10 p.m. Regular tickets cost ¥500 to ¥1,000. Date-specific priority tickets cost ¥2,000 to ¥2,500, and priority tickets with a premium mug cost ¥4,500 to ¥5,000. Children below elementary school age enter free with a guardian, and until December 4, junior high students and younger also enter free. Same-day tickets are cash only, and outside food and drink are not allowed.

From Tokyo, you can pair it with Minato Mirai: walk past the harbor lights and Unga Park, then arrive at the market just as it gets dark.

Sapporo: A Christmas Market in the Snow

The Munich Christmas Market in Sapporo (ミュンヘン・クリスマス市) takes place in Odori Park 2-chome from November 20 to December 25, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. It is about five minutes on foot from Odori subway station, with no parking. Stalls sell spiced hot wine, hot sausages, German beer and an event-only mug. The Sapporo White Illumination lights up Odori Park at the same time, which makes this the most wintry-looking market in Japan. Wear a heavy coat and non-slip shoes, and remember that phone batteries drain faster in the cold.

Osaka and Kobe

At Umeda Sky Building, the “Wonder Christmas Marche” sets up in Wonder Square on the building's ground-floor plaza, open noon to 10 p.m. from November 13 to December 25. Entry is free; the Kuchu Teien Observatory needs a separate ticket. It is about a seven-minute walk from JR Osaka Station. Christmas Market in Osaka Tenshiba, in the Tennoji area, runs 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. from November 20 to December 25. It is free with no booking needed, and bringing your own mug gets you ¥100 off hot drinks.

In Kobe, the Christmas market is held at the Nunobiki Herb Gardens, reached by a roughly ten-minute ropeway ride from near Shin-Kobe Station, from November 7 to December 28. The round-trip ropeway plus garden admission costs ¥3,300 for adults. On regular weekdays the market closes early (4:30 p.m.), so check which days it stays open until 8 p.m. if you want to see the lights.

Fukuoka and Other Cities

Fukuoka's Christmas Advent (formerly the Fukuoka Christmas Market) spreads across several areas: the plaza in front of JR Hakata Station (from November 7), Tenjin, Nakasu, Daimyo and near Fukuoka Tower. Most venues are free and end on December 25, while the Momochihama venue continues until January 6, 2027. If you arrive by Shinkansen, the Hakata Station venue is the easiest to visit before checking in.

Several smaller markets have also published dates: Sendai (Nishikicho Park, planned for December 4 to 25), Nagano (Nagano Station East Exit Park, December 11 to 25), Shizuoka (Tokiwa Park, December 1 to 25) and Hiroshima (December 4 to 25). Nagoya had not announced its 2026 dates when we checked; last season it ran from December 5 to 25.

4. Sample Itineraries

One Evening in Tokyo (About Four Hours)

1. 4:00 p.m. – Arrive at Azabudai Hills while it is still light. Walk the market and grab a hot drink.
2. 5:00 p.m. – Walk about 15 to 20 minutes to Roppongi Hills. Keyaki-zaka is lit up, and it is a well-known spot for Tokyo Tower photos.
3. 6:30 p.m. – Dinner in Roppongi. If it is December 24, book weeks ahead.
4. After 8:00 p.m. – From December 4, take a short taxi ride (or walk about 25 minutes past Tokyo Tower) to the Shiba Park market, which is open until 10 p.m. with last entry at 9 p.m.

This route keeps three stops in a small area, so you barely need trains. With small children, Azabudai Hills and Roppongi Hills alone are plenty.

A Tokyo–Yokohama Day

Spend the morning in Toyosu, have lunch near Toyosu Market and enter the Shin-Toyosu market when it opens at 11 a.m., before the crowds. In the afternoon, take the train to Yokohama, stroll around Minato Mirai and reach the Red Brick Warehouse around 4:30 to 5 p.m. to catch the lights. Both markets charge entry, so expect about ¥1,500 to ¥2,000 in tickets per adult on a weekday.

One Evening in Osaka

Start at Tenshiba (Tennoji) in the late afternoon, then ride the Midosuji line to Umeda for the Umeda Sky Building market, which stays open until 10 p.m. For a city view, go up to the Kuchu Teien Observatory after eating at the market.

5. What to Eat at Japan's Christmas Markets and Beyond

Market Staples

• Glühwein (mulled wine): red wine heated with cinnamon, cloves and orange peel. Most markets also sell alcohol-free options, such as hot apple or grape juice, for children and drivers.
• German sausages: served with mustard and bread, and easy to eat while you walk.
• Pretzels and stollen: stollen is a sweet bread full of dried fruit and dusted with powdered sugar, sold by the slice or as a whole loaf to take home.
• Gingerbread (lebkuchen): often heart-shaped and decorated, and good as a small gift.
• Local dishes: many Japanese markets add Japanese-style hot soups, curries or grilled food, depending on that year's vendors.

At markets with collectible mugs, hot drinks are often served in a ceramic mug with that year's design. Each market handles mugs differently: some sell them separately, others bundle them with priority tickets. Read the stall information before you pay if you don't want to take a mug home.

Eating Christmas the Japanese Way

Pre-ordered fried chicken: fried chicken chains usually take Christmas pre-orders from November. If you want to try it, order early and pick a set collection time, because stores are very busy on the evening of the 24th.

Christmas cake: convenience stores, bakeries and department stores take Christmas cake orders from around October or November. The classic is a sponge cake with whipped cream and strawberries. Pre-ordered cakes are usually collected from December 23 to 25. If you are in a hotel, check whether your room has a fridge first.

Christmas dinner out: many restaurants serve only a fixed “Christmas course” on the 24th and 25th, priced above their normal menu. Book through a reservation app or ask your hotel to book for you. If you can't get a table, eat early (before 6 p.m.) or make a meal of the market food.

6. Costs and Tips

How to avoid the crowds:

• Go on a weekday before 5 p.m. or after 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday evenings in December are the busiest.
• At paid markets, December 24 and 25 have the highest prices. If the exact date doesn't matter, go a week earlier.
• Carry cash. Many stalls accept cards or mobile payments, but same-day tickets at Yokohama are cash only.
• Agree on a meeting point if you are in a group. It is easy to lose each other in a crowded market.
• Dress in layers and bring gloves. Markets are outdoors with little seating, and the waterfront wind at Toyosu and Yokohama is cold.

7. Your Phone and Mobile Data at the Markets

You will use your phone more than you expect at a Christmas market: opening a QR ticket, following a map from the station, translating a menu at a stall, paying by mobile wallet, calling friends when you get separated, and sharing photos. Free Wi-Fi at outdoor markets is often unreliable, and when thousands of people gather in one spot, mobile data can slow down at peak times. Download your tickets and screenshot the map before you arrive. Our guide to staying connected at crowded festivals has more tips for congested networks.

Need mobile data during your Japan trip? Compare HD Telecom's available eSIM and Wi-Fi options, and check device compatibility before choosing a plan. For longer stays, HD Telecom offers Monthly Data eSIMs (your phone must support eSIM) and Monthly Pocket WiFi rentals (one device shared by a group). Check each plan's data allowance, the speed after the allowance runs out and the terms on the product page. If you are visiting for just a few days, our guides to travel eSIMs for 5–14 day trips and choosing between a SIM, eSIM and Pocket WiFi compare the options.

Heading to Kobe or Yokohama from Tokyo or Osaka? Our guide to buying Shinkansen tickets explains seat types and cheaper fares.

8. FAQ

When do Christmas markets in Japan close?

Most close on December 25. A few run longer: Kobe until December 28, and Fukuoka's Momochihama venue until January 6, 2027.

Do I need a ticket?

It depends on the market. The Tokyo Christmas Market (Shin-Toyosu and Shiba Park) and Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse charge entry. Azabudai Hills, Ueno, Umeda Sky Building, Tenshiba and Fukuoka are free to enter; food and drinks are extra.

Is December 25 a holiday in Japan?

No. Christmas is not a public holiday in Japan. Trains run and shops open as usual. Many companies only begin their New Year break around December 29.

Are Christmas markets in Japan good for kids?

Yes, especially in the daytime or on weekdays. Preschoolers enter free at the paid markets listed above. Markets are crowded with little seating, so bring a compact stroller or a carrier and set a meeting point.

What can I drink if I don't drink alcohol?

Most markets offer hot non-alcoholic drinks such as apple or grape juice, hot chocolate or coffee. The exact list changes with each year's vendors.

Do markets open when it rains?

Usually, yes. Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse, for example, states that it opens in the rain but may close in severe weather. Check the market's official social media on the day.

9. Conclusion

For an easy Christmas evening in Tokyo, choose Azabudai Hills and Roppongi Hills. For a big German-style market, pick Shin-Toyosu, Shiba Park or the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse. For snow, go to Sapporo. Visit on an early-December weekday, bring cash and warm layers, pre-order cake or book dinner if you want a Japanese-style Christmas, and sort out mobile data in advance so your tickets, maps and messages work when you need them.

Sources (checked October 20, 2026)

• Tokyo Christmas Market 2026 in Shin-Toyosu – official site
• Christmas Market in Yokohama Akarenga – official site
• Mori Building – CHRISTMAS HILLS 2026 press release
• UMEDA SKY BUILDING Christmas 2026 – official site
• HOKKAIDO LOVE! – Munich Christmas Market in Sapporo
• Christmas Advent (Fukuoka, Ueno) – official site
• RAW JAPAN – Christmas Markets in Japan 2026
• RAW JAPAN – Tokyo Christmas Markets 2026
• TableCheck – KFC Christmas in Japan