Christmas may not be an official public holiday in Japan, but it doesn’t stop the country from getting in on the holiday spirit and lighting cities up with winter illuminations, decorations, and of course, Christmas markets.
Christmas markets, a ye olde Christmas tradition that originated in Germany to celebrate the four weeks of Advent, have gained popularity all around the world in recent years, Japan included. In the country’s capital alone, there are at least 12 Christmas markets that pop up around the city from around the middle of November to Christmas Day, offering traditional Christmas fare, knick-knacks and souvenirs, live entertainment, and if you’re lucky a visit from Santa.
So, if you happen to be in Japan during the Christmas holidays, why not check out this year’s 5 must-visit Christmas markets on the island? Also, if any of these cities catches your fancy, and/or perhaps you feel like a relocation would be a good New Year’s Resolution, why not let Village House help you with finding an apartment? Village House is a real estate organization specializing in budget accommodation with minimal initial costs (no key money or deposit!). Check out our website for more information.
Sapporo Munich Christmas Market
The Sapporo Munich Christmas Market has been held in Hokkaido’s capital city since 2002, when it was first introduced to celebrate the city’s 30th anniversary of its sister-city ties with Munich (hence the name).
The month-long event will be held from November 22nd to Christmas Day this year in Odori Park. Around 40 stalls will sell various Christmas items and souvenirs, German mulled wine, Glühwein, and various German Christmas foods and treats.
Some highlights of the market to entice visitors include:
- A commemorative Christmas market mug (designs change annually)
- Photographic opportunities such as the Christmas market event are accompanied by the Sapporo White Illuminations. More information can be found on their website here.
- Outdoor concerts, indoor workshops, and tented seating areas to avoid the snow and cold
- Lucky visitors may receive a visit and gift from Santa!
At the time of writing, the Sapporo Munich Christmas Market will be open from 11:00am to 9:00pm and admission is free. To get to Odori Park, simply take a 2-minute metro ride from Sapporo Station and exit near the TV Tower for the quickest access.
For more information on the event, visit their official website here.
Yokohama Christmas Market
Officially known as the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse Christmas Market, this event is held annually at the iconic and distinctive Aka-Renga Soko (Red Brick Warehouse). This year marks its 15th anniversary, and the market will commence from November 22nd until Christmas Day.
The theme of this German-style Christmas market this year is “Memorial”, and the event’s organizers hope that everyone who visits “will create wonderful Christmas memories”. To help with this, there will be approximately 58 stalls that offer Christmas decorations, knick-knacks, souvenirs, traditional Christmas grub, and the ever-present Glühwein aka. Christmas mulled wine.
Some highlights of the Yokohama Christmas market include:
- A 10-meter-tall giant Christmas tree decorated with around 20,000 LED lights
- An illumination garden that will be open to visitors from Saturday, December 9th to Monday, December 25th
- An exclusive commemorative mug that comes in 2 designs and costs ¥900 each
- Reservation-based premium lounges for private gatherings
Opening hours for this event depend on when you want to go:
- November 22nd, its opening day, will start from 5pm to 9pm with a special lighting up ceremony
- November 23rd to December 6th operating hours are from 11am to 9pm
- December 7th to December 25th operating hours are from 11am to 10pm
To get to the Red Brick Warehouse, visitors can walk 6 minutes from Bashamichi Station on the Minato Mirai Line or take a more leisurely 15-minute stroll from Sakuragicho Station.
There is an admissions fee for the Yokohama Christmas market, with three possible tickets to buy:
- ¥500 for a regular ticket
- ¥1,500 a reduced admissions waiting time ticket (limited supply only)
- ¥4,500 priority admission ticket that includes an exclusive commemorative premium mug
Tickets can be bought online here.
For more information on the event, click here.
Nagoya Christmas Market
This Christmas market is held in Nagoya’s downtown Sakae area at Edison Hisaya Park annually in December and is modeled after the traditional Christmas markets of Germany and Northern Europe. This year marks its 10th anniversary and will commence from December 6th until Christmas Day.
The Christmas market offers visitors stalls selling German food and Glühwein, along with crafts and other activities. Tables and seating areas are installed inside tents so visitors can enjoy visiting the market no matter what the weather. There are photo opportunities with Santa for kids and those young at heart, and those looking to do a little shopping or buy a last-minute Christmas present can browse the various Christmas-themed items for sale, including a limited edition commemorative Christmas mug.
Getting to the Nagoya Christmas market is easy – it’s either a 2-minute walk from Exit 6 of Yabacho Station or a 5-minute walk from Exits 13 and 16 of Sakae Station. Admission is free and opening hours are from 4pm to 9pm on weekdays and 11am to 9pm on weekends.
For more information, visit the event’s official website here.
Osaka Christmas Market
Now rebranded as “Christmas Market in Osaka”, this event will be held from November 29th to Christmas Day in 2024 in Tennoji Park. At the time of writing, 24 stalls will be set up selling traditional Christmas delicacies such as German beer, mulled wine (Glühwein), German bratwursts, soups, beer, and hot cocoa; and Christmas souvenirs such as tree ornaments, wreaths, candles, and various winter trinkets. Those looking to give a gift with a more personal touch can sign up for a candle-making or snow globe-making workshop.
One of the biggest highlights of the Christmas Market in Osaka are the 3 Christmas trees that will be decorated with twinkling illuminations, making this feature a perfect photo opportunity area.
The event will open from 11am to 9pm and admission is free. To get to the Christmas market, walk 7 minutes from Tennoji Station on the Metro Midosuji and Tanimachi Lines.
For more information, visit the event’s official website here.
Fukuoka Christmas Market
The Christmas Market Fukuoka boasts the title of being one of the biggest Christmas markets in Japan. In fact, it’s actually a series of Christmas markets scattered around the city:
- Hikari no Machi Illuminations and market located at JR Hakata Station Square
- Christmas Market located at Fukuoka City Hall (Tenjin)
- KBC Festa de Santa located at Kihinkan Hall Front
The Christmas market at JR Hakata Station Square starts from November 1st to Christmas Day. Visitors can enjoy the markets and stalls from 4:45pm to 11pm on weekdays and 12pm to 11pm on weekends.
The Christmas market at Fukuoka City Hall commences from November 16th to Christmas Day and is open from 5pm to 11pm on weekdays and 12pm to 11pm on weekends. Entry is free and the market is a mere 5-minute walk from Tenjin Station.
KBC Festa de Santa Christmas market opens from November 13th to Christmas Day and has the same opening hours as Fukuoka City Hall Christmas market.
The theme this year for the Fukuoka Christmas Market is “Five Senses Christmas” so artistic illuminations with both lights and sounds will be set up for visitors to enjoy. Aside from food and souvenir stalls, visitors will be treated to live musical performances and various workshops. Keeping in theme with other Christmas markets around Japan, there will also be commemorative mugs of different designs for visitors to purchase.
For more information on these events, visit the official website here.
Related articles:
- Getting in the Christmas Spirit: Festive Yet Elegant Home Decor Ideas
- 5 Winter Destinations That Will Take Your Breath Away (Tohoku Edition)
- Top Five Winter Illuminations in Japan
- Winter Festivals in Japan
- Best Illumination Sights in Tokyo
Freelance writer with over 2 years of experience writing for the Village House Blog, ESL teacher, and digital nomad who has lived in countries including The Czech Republic, The UK, The U.A.E., Japan, and most recently, Georgia. Is constantly on the hunt for the best, most optimal apartment for remote work when not enjoying going to film festivals, concerts, and the theater.