Nagoya Christmas Market: Highlights, Food, Venue, and Access Tips

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The Nagoya Christmas Market is held annually in December at Edion Hisaya Plaza in Nagoya. We introduce the highlights of the event, festival food to try, and how to access the venue.

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MATCHA

This is the official account of MATCHA's editorial department. Our articles feature useful travel information for visitors to Japan, from how-to guides to recommended places to visit.

Picture courtesy of PR Times
During the Christmas season, many of us want to go out with family and friends to create special memories.

In this article, we introduce the Nagoya Christmas Market, which is held annually in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture.

Nagoya Christmas Market 2024

1. Nagoya Christmas Market: Concept and Features
2. Highlights of the Nagoya Christmas Market
3. Tasty Food to Try at the Nagoya Christmas Market
4. Nagoya Christmas Market 2024: Event Dates
5. Venue for the Nagoya Christmas Market 2024
6. Access to the Nagoya Christmas Market: Nearest Station
- Access by Train
- Access by Bus
- Access from Tokyo

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Nagoya Christmas Market: Concept and Features

Picture courtesy of PR Times
The Nagoya Christmas Market is a Christmas event held in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture. It takes place annually from early December leading up to Christmas and the 2024 edition will mark the tenth installment of the event.

During the event, the venue is beautifully decorated with illuminations, creating a romantic Christmas atmosphere, which is a hallmark of this event.

The venue, enveloped in a festive Christmas ambiance, features a variety of shops. In addition to establishments offering exquisite European gourmet food, there are also shops where you can enjoy crafts and other activities, allowing for experiences beyond just dining.

Highlights of the Nagoya Christmas Market

Check out the three main highlights of this annual event below.

1. Photo Opportunities with Santa Claus

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One of the highlights is the photo opportunities with Santa Claus. A lifelike Santa Claus appears at the venue, ready to take pictures and help create Christmas memories.

Having a chance to interact directly with Santa, something that’s not often experienced in Japan, is sure to leave a lasting impression for families, friends, and couples alike.

During the 2023 event, Santa was available for photos only on weekends and on Christmas Day, December 25. Please note that there are limitations on the time for photos and the number of people, so it’s recommended to check the official website for details if you're interested.

2. Adorable Christmas-themed Items for Sale

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At the annual Nagoya Christmas Market, you can purchase not only food and drinks but also Christmas-specific decorations and limited edition original mugs.

In the past, unique items such as aroma sachets (decorative items filled with fragrance and dried flowers) and hand-blown, hand-painted glass ornaments were also available for sale.

Even if you don’t end up making a purchase, simply looking at the adorable Christmas merchandise can be a delightful experience!

3. Craft Workshops

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Enjoying craft experiences is also one of the attractions of the Nagoya Christmas Market. If you create original goods with your partner or children, you can preserve special Christmas memories as souvenirs.

In 2023, a candle-making workshop and a herbarium-making workshop were held.

*Herbarium: A decorative item made by placing flowers preserved in oil into a glass jar.

Food to Try at the Nagoya Christmas Market

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The Christmas market originated in Germany. Therefore, many dishes unique to Germany are prepared for the event.

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A particularly recommended food item is the sausage, a German specialty. For those who enjoy beer, pairing a freshly grilled juicy sausage with a cold brew is sure to blow away the fatigue of daily life!

If the weather is particularly cold, hot options such as soup, hot chocolate, or mulled wine are also great choices to warm you up.

If you order menu items that come with takeaway cups, you can enjoy the drinks at the venue and take them home as souvenirs.

Event Dates for the Nagoya Christmas Market 2024

As of November 5, 2024, the details for the Nagoya Christmas Market 2024 have not yet been announced.

In 2023, the event was held from December 9 to 25. The main event hours were from 16:00 to 21:00 on weekdays and from 11:00 to 21:00 on weekends and December 25.

Please note that the times for photo opportunities with Santa Claus and craft experiences were set separately.

Since Christmas markets typically open four weeks before Christmas, it is expected that, as usual, the 2024 event will begin in early December.

For the latest information about the event, please check the official website below.

Official Website: https://www.tokai-tv.com/xmasmarket/ (Japanese)

Venue Information: Nagoya Christmas Market 2024

Every year, the Nagoya Christmas Market is held at Hisaya Odori Park, Edion Hisaya Plaza.

In addition to the Christmas market, various events take place in this plaza, including an Animal Festival and a flea market planned for October 2024.

Hisaya Odori Park, Edion Hisaya Plaza
Address: 3-65 Sakae, Naka Ward, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture

Hisaya Odori Park

460-0002 Marunouchi 3-chome, Naka-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture, e...

Hisaya Odori Park, located in Sakae, the heart of Nagoya, is a vast resting place that runs north and south along Hisaya Odori. It stretches...

Access to the Nagoya Christmas Market: Nearest Station

Here, we will introduce the access methods to Edion Hisaya Plaza at Hisaya Odori Park, which is the event venue each year.

Edion Hisaya Plaza at Hisaya Odori Park is located in Sakae, Nagoya City, and can be accessed by various means such as train and bus.

Please refer to the access methods below to find the transportation option that is most convenient for you!

Access by Train

If you are accessing by train, the nearest stations are Yabacho Station on the Meijo Line or Sakae Station on the Meijo Line and Higashiyama Line.

It takes about 2 minutes on foot from Exit 6 of Yabacho Station, and approximately 5 minutes from Exits 13 and 16 of Sakae Station.

If you are heading to Edion Hisaya Plaza from Nagoya Station, you can take the Higashiyama Line and reach Sakae Station in about 5 minutes without any transfers.

Access by Bus

For bus access, either Meitetsu Bus or Nagoya City Bus is convenient.

You can use Meitetsu Bus routes 30 to 36 and get off at the Matsuzakaya-mae stop, which is about a 3-minute walk to Edion Hisaya Plaza.

For Nagoya City Bus, you can also use the city loop bus C-758 route. If you get off at Shirakawa-dori Otsu, it’s about a 3-minute walk to reach the plaza.

Access from Tokyo

From Tokyo Station to Nagoya Station, it takes about 100 minutes by Shinkansen.

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From there, using a bus or train takes an additional 10 minutes, so the total travel time to Edion Hisaya Plaza is approximately 110 minutes.

Enjoy the Nagoya Christmas Market 2024

The Nagoya Christmas Market is an event where you can enjoy food, goods, and craft experiences.

It’s also a great recommendation for spending enjoyable times with family, friends, or a partner. Why not visit and create some wonderful Christmas season memories?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the admission fee for the Nagoya Christmas Market?

Typically, admission to the Nagoya Christmas Market is free. There is no charge for entry, so you can visit easily. However, purchasing food and goods is charged.

Can I enjoy the Nagoya Christmas Market with my dog?

According to annual trends, dogs are not allowed inside the tents set up as dining spaces (except for assistance dogs), but it is fine to walk around outside the tents with your dog. Many people enjoy walking around the shops and taking photos with Christmas decorations in the background.

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Main image courtesy of PR Times
Written by Cakutama editorial team

Written by

MATCHA

This is the official account of MATCHA's editorial department. Our articles feature useful travel information for visitors to Japan, from how-to guides to recommended places to visit.

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