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10 Magical Christmas Markets in Japan 2024: Tokyo, Hakodate, Fukuoka, and More!
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The magical atmosphere of Christmas markets can be enjoyed in several cities in Japan such as Tokyo and port cities like Yokohama, Hakodate, Kobe, and Fukuoka. We introduce the highlights of Japan's most popular Christmas markets in 2024.
Written by
Travel writer and assistant editor at MATCHA with extensive travel around the Osaka, Kyoto, and Wakayama areas. A Kansai insider who knows their Akashiyaki from their Takoyaki, Iain enjoys getting authentic stories from traditional craftspeople and interesting creators. Particularly fond of temples and shrines, Iain delves deep into the crossroads of tradition and modernity in his eight-plus years living and writing about Japan.
Japan's Famous Christmas Markets 2024
Yokohama Christmas Market. Photo by Pixta
As the winter chill bites, the soft Christmas lights and traditional European foods come together for a unique fusion event that happens annually in Japan: Christmas Markets.
From Hakodate in the snowy north to Fukuoka in the south, Japan has no shortage of beautiful Christmas markets to attend. The most famous events are held in major port cities or cities with large international communities.
At Christmas markets, visitors can enjoy the spectacle of illuminations while browsing small handmade item shops and enjoying seasonal culinary favorites with a Japanese twist. Read on to learn about 10 of Japan's most popular Christmas markets in 2024.
10 Famous Christmas Markets in Japan 2024
1. Tokyo Christmas Market 2024 in Meiji Jingu Gaien
2. Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse Christmas Market 2024
3. Hakodate Christmas Fantasy 2024
4. Kobe Christmas Market 2024
5. Fukuoka Christmas Market 2024
6. Nagoya Christmas Market 2024
7. Azabudai Hills Christmas Market 2024
8. Tokyo Skytree Christmas Market 2024
9. Christmas Market - Umeda Sky Building, Osaka 2024
10. Tenshiba Christmas Market, Osaka 2024
1. Tokyo Christmas Market 2024 in Meiji Jingu Gaien
Photo by Pixta
Held since 2015, the Tokyo Christmas Market is one of the largest and most prominent events on the festive calendar in Tokyo.
Modeled after the European tradition of Christmas markets, the event brings a festive wonderland of lights, decorations, and traditional Christmas culinary treats.
Be sure to check out the 14-meter Christmas pyramid imported from Germany. This giant display is the centerpiece of the park. It is believed to be a tradition that dates back to the same time as the Christmas tree.
Do note that a ticket is required to enter the market; it costs about 1,000 yen during the weekdays and 1,500 yen during the weekends. (*The tickets cost 2,000 yen for adults and 1,000 yen for children for December 23 - 25.)
Tokyo Christmas Market in Meiji Jingu Gaien 2024
Dates: November 23 - December 25, 2024
Hours: Nov. 23, 16:00 - 21:30; Nov. 24 - Dec. 25, 11:00 - 21:30
Official website: https://tokyochristmas.net/ (Japanese)
2. Christmas Market 2024 at the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse
Picture courtesy of PR Times
Enjoy a night out by the ocean nestled between the quaint shops of Yokohama’s Red Brick Warehouse district. One of the most popular Christmas markets in Japan, the Yokohama Christmas Market is a fun outing for the whole family.
With around 10-15 stalls selling all sorts of handmade Christmas decorations and gift ideas, the market has the feel of a traditional market in Europe with a Japanese twist.
Be sure to enjoy a cup of warm mulled wine, a traditional spiced wine drink that is popular during the markets. Also, check out the 10-meter Christmas tree that brightens the holiday season in Yokohama.
Christmas Market 2023 at Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse
Dates: November 24 - December 25, 2024
Hours: Nov. 24, 17:00 - 21:00; Nov. 25 - Dec. 8, 11:00 - 21:00; Dec. 9 - Dec. 25, 11:00 - 22:00
Official website: https://www.yokohama-akarenga.jp/christmas/ (Japanese)
3. Hakodate Christmas Fantasy 2024
Photo by Pixta
Get ready for Hokkaido’s answer to the red brick warehouses of Yokohama in the form of Hakodate Christmas Fantasy!
Held every year in the picturesque Bay Area district, Hakodate Christmas Fantasy is a great opportunity to enjoy the festive season and sample the bounties of Hokkaido's souvenirs and cuisine. Also, don't miss out on the fireworks displays held each evening from 18:00!
The markets in Hakodate also feature soup-bar stalls along the main street that let you warm up and sample the best of Hokkaido produce while keeping warm in the harsh northern winter.
Hakodate Christmas Fantasy 2024
Dates: December 1 - 25, 2024
Hours:
Christmas Tree Light-up 16:30 - 17:45、18:00 - 22：00
Fireworks: every day at 18:00
Premium tree (red light-up): every day for 15 minutes from 18:30, 19:30, and 20:30
Soup bars: 16:30 - 20:00 in BAY Hakodate
Official website: http://www.hakodatexmas.com/ (Japanese)
4. Kobe Christmas Market 2024
Picture courtesy of PR Times
Nestled in the Nunobiki Herb Garden, the Kobe Christmas Market is one of the best festive events to enjoy in Kansai. With authentic German ornaments and other items to get you in the holiday mood as well as Christmas sweets, it is sure to fulfill anyone's Christmas wishes!
Thanks to the beautiful row of houses serving as a backdrop, there is a real sense that you are traveling through a traditional Christmas scene. Be sure to also check out the botanic gardens in the area to make a true day of it!
Kobe Christmas Market 2024
Dates: November 9 - December 25, 2024
Hours: 11:00 - 16:30
Official website: https://www.kobeherb.com/tips/kobechristmasmarket/(Japanese)
5. Fukuoka Christmas Market 2024
Christmas Illuminations at Hakata Station. Photo by Pixta
Taking place at various venues in Fukuoka, including the Daimaru Passage, Hakata Station, and City Hall Plaza in Tenjin, Fukuoka Christmas Market is one of the largest Christmas events held in Kyushu. Visitors can enjoy the glittering star-like Christmas tree at Hakata Station, the illuminations at the Daimaru passage, public art displays, and other events.
Picture courtesy of PR Times
At the city hall in Tenjin, over a hundred life-sized Santa figurines dot the venue and a massive pan of Spanish paella will be cooking all night to keep visitors warm and fed. This year a new illumination spot will be set up at Tenjin Central Park where each tree will be lit up as part of the festivities.
Fukuoka Christmas Market 2024
Christmas Market in Hikari no Machi HAKATA
Dates: November 6 - December 25, 2023
Hours: weekdays 16:45 - 23:00, weekends/holidays 12:00 - 23:00
Tenjin Christmas Market:
Dates: November 16 - December 25, 2024
Hours: November weekdays 17:00 - 23:00, weekends/holidays 12:00 - 23:00
December: 12:00-23:00
Christmas Market in Passage
Dates: November 15 - December 25, 2024
Hours: weekdays 16:00 - 21:00, weekends/holidays 12:00 - 21:00
Nakasu Hikari no Advent
Dates: November 1, 2024 - January 6, 2025
Hours: 17:00 - 00:00
Fukuoka Christmas Market official website: https://christmas-advent.jp/ (Japanese)
6. Nagoya Christmas Market
Picture courtesy of PR Times
Held in the Edison Hisaya Plaza, this year marks the 10th anniversary of this Christmas market.
Visitors are invited to come and see the Christmas wonderland of illuminations and a large decorated tree that acts as the centerpiece of the European style village.
They can also enjoy a photo-op with Santa as well as a range of finely crafted Christmas items for sale ranging from decorative ornaments to fragrances.
And while you soak up the atmosphere, make sure to enjoy the delicious European-style food being served alongside warming winter beverages.
Nagoya Christmas Market in Edison Hisaya Plaza
Dates: TBA (but regularly held from December 9 to 25)
Hours: 16:00 - 21:00, weekdays; 11:00 - 21:00, weekends
7. Azabudai Hills Christmas Market
A wintery wonderland sitting right on the doorstep of the teamLab permanent exhibitions sounds like a great way to spend the lead up to Christmas!
Azabudai Hills hopes visitors will enjoy the Japanese for Christmas tree, specially brought in from Gunma prefecture and decorated by lighting designer Kato Hisaki.
In only the second time the event has been held the plaza of the Azabudai Hills complex will feature 17 specialty stores selling a range of Christmas-themed goods and snacks.
Don't forget to have your picture taken with jolly St Nicholas who will be doing a meet and greet along the central walk way.
Azabudai Hills Christmas Market 2024
Dates: November 23 - December 25, 2024
Hours: 11:00 to 21:00, daily
8. Tokyo Skytree Christmas Market
Tokyo Skytree will play host to a range of Christmas themed events happening around the precinct including concerts, a Christmas market and dazzling illuminations.
There is a tonne of festive atmosphere to soak up at the event with the entire venue hemmed by approximately 500 000 lights. This is definitely a photo-worthy event not to be missed.
As far as Christmas markets are concerned, they will be taking the form of European style cabins decorated with seasonal motifs. Be sure not to miss the opening as a German style christmas cake measuring four meters will be making an appearance.
From live music to twinkling lights and everything in between, the truly dreamy atmosphere of Skytree Town's Christmas event is not to be missed.
Tokyo Skytree Town Dream Christmas 2024
Dates: November 7 - December 25, 2024
Hours: 11:00 - 22:00 (Last food or drink order at 21:00)
Skytree Special Lighting Schedule: 17:30 - 21:00; until 0:00 for Christmas Eve/Christmas Day
Christmas Market - Umeda Sky Building, Osaka
After seeing the twinkling lights of the Osaka skyline from the Umeda Sky Building Observation deck, why not enjoy the Christmas festivities below?
The "Wonder Square" area around the building will play host to a lively Christmas market that features a giant projection mapping LED tree as its centerpiece.
There will, as always, be a European themed market dotted with stalls selling a number of finely crafted Christmas goods as well as the ever present traditional foods of the season including soul-warming mulled wine!
Make sure you stick around to see the 6 minute illumination performance that will be set to music from the Japanese band Back Number who have composed an original song just for the season!
Christmas Market - Umeda Sky Building, Osaka
Dates: November 22 - December 25
Hours: 12:00 - 22:00 (last food or drink order at 21:30)
Official Website: https://www.skybldg.co.jp/event/xmas/01.html
10.Tenshiba Christmas Market, Osaka
Osaka has a number of Christmas markets for you to enjoy and Tennoji park will be the venue for another major Christmas event in 2024.
The Christmas Market in Osaka Tenshiba event will feature a range of live musical acts across the duration of the event as well as the usual markets and food offerings.
A highlight of the culinary scene at Tenshiba this year promises to be pretzel stalls offering a range of savory and sweet pretzels for people to enjoy as they walk through the whimsy and Christmas wonder.
For visitors looking to commemorate their visit, there is an original ceramic mug that you can enjoy your hot drinks from the event in. However, booking ahead of time is the only way to guarantee that you'll get one while stocks last!
Tenshiba Christmas Market in Tennoji Park, Osaka
Dates: November 29 - December 25
Hours: 11:00 - 21:00 (Last food or drink order at 20:30)
Official Website: https://osaka-christmasmarket.com/shop/
Enjoy the magic of Japan's Christmas Markets
Photo by Pixta
Christmas markets give a whimsical insight into how Japanese people embrace and celebrate Christmas. Whether it's buying traditional handmade ornaments or enjoying German sausages with mulled wine, Japanese Christmas markets are sure to delight all visitors.
Be sure to take in the breathtaking illuminations and the uniquely Japanese atmosphere while you're there. And make some magic yuletide memories from your winter visit to Japan!
Read also
Photo and information source: PR Times
Main image by Pixta
Travel writer and assistant editor at MATCHA with extensive travel around the Osaka, Kyoto, and Wakayama areas. A Kansai insider who knows their Akashiyaki from their Takoyaki, Iain enjoys getting authentic stories from traditional craftspeople and interesting creators. Particularly fond of temples and shrines, Iain delves deep into the crossroads of tradition and modernity in his eight-plus years living and writing about Japan.
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