Christmas Markets in Japan
Although Christmas is not as popular and celebrated as it is in the Western countries, nowadays the glamour of this wonderful holiday had arrived in the Land of the Rising Sun. In these days, Christmas is all about the wonderful decorations, the shopping and giving gifts to loved ones. This is why Christmas markets are popular even in non-Christian countries.
A Christmas market is a street market associated with the celebration of Christmas during the four weeks of Advent. These markets originated from European countries like Germany, Austria, Northern Italy and the eastern French regions that dates back to 1294.
Japan’s fascination in winter markets are somewhat adapted to European-inspired markets where you find a bit of European flair.
There are some Christmas Markets around that you can go to and feel the essence of the season:
1. Tokyo Christmas Market 2016, Hibiya Park
Among all the German-style Christmas markets happening in Tokyo in December, Hibiya Park extravaganza may be one of the most worth attending. From the obligatory stalls hawking, finding handmade holiday decorations to hot chocolate, German beer, you can also look forward to a 14m ‘Christmas pyramid’ imported straight from the city of Dresden. This tuned-up version of a traditional German holiday staple is apparently the largest of its kind in the world, and even has a Guinness World Record certificate to prove it.
Tokyo Information
Dec. 16 (Fri) ~ Dec.25 (Sun)
11:00am ~ 10:00pm
Hibiya Park
2. Roppongi Hills Christmas Market
The German-style Roppongi Hills Christmas Market always features over-the-top decorations with matching Christmas carols being played. Also you will find more unseasonal old German favorites such as sausages and beer. The cliché overload will probably get to you rather quickly, but at least the glühwein or mulled wine is warm and authentic.
ROPPONGI Information
Nov. 26 (Sat) ~ Dec.25 (Sun)
11:00am ~ 9:00pm
Roppongi Hills
3. Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse Christmas Market
This is a market where families and couples can enjoy shopping while waiting for Christmas to arrive. Christmas items, such as ornaments for Christmas trees and wooden dolls for decoration from the Erzgebirge region of Germany are on sale. A Christmas tree will be on display in the plaza and the entire Red Brick Warehouse area will be steeped in Christmas atmosphere.
YOKOHAMA Information
Nov. 26 (Sat) ~ Dec.25 (Sun)
11:00am ~ 10:00pm
Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse
4. German Christmas Market, Osaka, Japan
The German themed Christmas Market is one of the biggest winter events in Osaka. You will find flyers in the MRT that will make you excited at the Umeda Sky Building. There are little stands selling mulled wine, German beer, giant cookies, grilled sausages, candied nuts, ornaments, knick knacks and so much more!
OSAKA Infoemation
Nov. 18 (Fri) ~ Dec.25 (Sun)
5:00pm ~ 10:30pm
Umeda Sky Bldg.
5. Kobe Luminarie
Kobe Luminarie is an annual winter light-up held as a memorial to the victims of the disastrous Great Hanshin Earthquake of 1995. The lights were donated by the Italian government and the installation itself is produced by Valerio Festi and Hirokazu Imaoka. Over 200,000 individually hand painted lights are lit each year with electricity generated from biomass in order to stay environmentally friendly. Lights are kept up for about two weeks and turned on for a few hours each evening.
KOBE Information
Dec.2 (Fri) ~ Dec.11(Sun)
（The organization is collecting donation to keep this facility so please add this information）
Photo credit:
TOKYO
Ⓒ Tokyo Christmas Market 2016 Executive Committee
YOKOHAMA
Ⓒ Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse
KOBE
Ⓒ Kobe Luminarie OC