As we enter the holiday season, Tokyo’s streets hum with Christmas holiday markets and temples prepare for the quiet reverence of New Year traditions. The season offers more than celebrations—it’s a chance to see the city shift between modern energy and cultural depth.
Whether you’re drawn to late-night music and New Year’s countdowns or the first shrine visits of the year, Tokyo has a rhythm that’s entirely its own. Here’s how to make the most of Christmas and New Year in Tokyo.
For more holiday activities, check out our other guides:
Tokyo Illumination Guide for 2025-2026
Azabudai Hills Christmas Market
Photo Credit: Azabudai Hills
The Azabudai Hills Christmas Market transforms the Central Green into a festive wonderland, with charming holiday huts lining the streets beyond a sparkling gate. Dine on European Christmas market food and drink, or buy glittering, charming trinkets for loved ones—handpicked from Japan and around the world.
Azabudai Hills
1 Chome Azabudai, Minato-ku
azabudai-hills.com
Christmas Market in Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse
Photo Credit: Yokohama Akarenga
Embrace the Christmas magic at the Christmas Market at Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse. Expect hot wine, juicy German sausages, jingling Christmas trinkets, and busy festive crowds. A large Christmas tree takes center stage within the iconic dockside complex.
Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse
1-1 Shinko, Naka-ku, Yokohama
yokohama-akarenga.jp/christmas
Tokyo Midtown Ice Rink
Photo Credit: KOSÉ Tokyo Midtown Ice Rink
Tokyo Midtown’s outdoor ice skating rink returns! As one of the largest ice rinks in the city, it offers a chic space to enjoy a glide on real ice in the heart of Tokyo. A wonderful time for families, dates or friends.
Tokyo Midtown
9-7-1 Akasaka, Minato-ku
tokyo-midtown.com
ZEROTOKYO New Year’s Eve Countdown Party – Full details TBD
Ring in the New Year at ZEROTOKYO, Shinjuku Kabukicho’s iconic nightclub. Known for its electrifying atmosphere and dazzling performances, this annual countdown event promises a night of music, lights and celebration. Keep an eye on their official channels for updates.
ZEROTOKYO
1-29-1 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku
zerotokyo.jp
LIQUIDROOM New Year Party – Full details TBD
LIQUIDROOM’s New Year’s Eve party typically brings together a lineup of electronic music artists spanning generations. Watch this space for details as soon as they are announced.
LIQUIDROOM
3-16-6 Higashi, Shibuya-ku
liquidroom.net
WOMB New Year Countdown
Shibuya’s countdown might be canceled, but WOMB’s countdown party is still going strong. With its cutting-edge sound system, mesmerizing lighting, lasers, and massive three-sided LED screens, WOMB sets the stage for an epic celebration. Join guests from across Japan and beyond to welcome the new year in style.
WOMB
2-16 Maruyama-cho, Shibuya-ku
womb.co.jp
New Year’s at Disneyland
Although Disneyland and DisneySea are arguably among the most magical places on Earth, the childhood nostalgia and wonder are ramped up even more over the New Year in the Tokyo parks. Welcome 2026 with fireworks, parades and live shows featuring all your favorite Disney characters.
1-1 Maihama, Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture
tokyodisneyresort.jp
Hatsumode in Asakusa
Hatsumode means the first shrine or temple visit of the year. Greet 2026 at one of Tokyo’s major temples in a traditional Japanese way. While fireworks light up celebrations in many parts of the world, Japan welcomes the year with prayers at cultural landmarks like Asakusa’s Senso-ji Temple. Read more about New Year traditions in our guide to Hatsunohide.
4-7-35 Shibakoen, Minato-ku
senso-ji.jp
Hatsunohide at Tokyo Sky Tree
© TOKYO-SKYTREE
Cramped high-rises in the cities obscure natural views and people yearn to be somewhere ‘a bit special’ for New Year. City dwellers hoping to catch a glimpse of hatsuhinode often head outside the city. Those who can’t make it out can buy exclusive tickets to the highest buildings — Tokyo Sky Tree, for instance, sells a limited amount of hatsuhinode tickets.
Tokyo Sky Tree
1-1-2 Oshiage, Shimoda-ku
Tokyo-skytree.jp
Christmas Afternoon Tea “Santa’s Workshop”
The Kimpton Shinjuku Tokyo excels itself once again, this year with a cozy, handcrafted celebration inspired by the warmth and joy of the holiday season. Each sweet is thoughtfully created to capture scenes from Santa’s workshop, filled with creativity and festive cheer. Celebrate the spirit of giving and warmth with a mesmerizing Snow Dome Chocolat performance and a festive Merry Rouge cocktail.
Kimpton Shinjuku Tokyo
3-4-7 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku
kimptonshinjuku.com
One to Watch: Christmas Kakigori in Kichijoji
As shops around the city race to reinvent the humble art of shaving ice for a smattering of social media shares, Cafe Lumiere, a small bohemian outpost overlooking Kichijoji Station, has left its competition in the dust with a truly radical approach: set the ice on fire. The kakigori at Cafe Lumiere is coated with a fluffy meringue by the time it arrives at your table. Soon after, you’re visited by a server wielding a jigger of Myers’s rum and a lighter. The sight of flames engulfing an alcohol-soaked mound of ice is equal parts exhilarating and arbitrary. Please keep an eye on their Instagram to see if they bring it out again this year!
If you’re looking for more dessert places in Tokyo, check out our full guide to kakigori in Tokyo.
Cafe Lumiere Kichijoji
1-2-2 Kichijoji Minamicho, Musashino-shi
@cafe_lumiere_kichiyoji
