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Updated: November 13, 2026

Best Things to Do and See in Tokyo in December

Is December a good time to visit Tokyo?

As the year comes to an end, locations across Tokyo are decorated with colorful lights in a wealth of inspiring and impressive illumination displays. Many of these light-up events use cutting-edge technology such as projection mapping to enhance the experience, creating a magical winter atmosphere. Christmas decorations are installed across the city, but the most important day of the month is December 31, when Tokyo concludes its month-long celebration by welcoming the new year.

What is the weather like in Tokyo in December?

In December, the temperature in Tokyo reaches highs of 12.9℃ (55.2°F) and lows of 4.2℃ (39.5°F), with an average daytime temperature of around 8.4℃ (47.1°F). It's not as cold as January or February, especially in early December—but it is chilly, so make sure to wear a coat. Gloves, scarves, and hats aren't always necessary, but from mid-December it's a good idea to bring them along. The month is dry, with 36.5mm (1.4in) of rainfall on average, and only a small chance of snow.
Note: This guidance is based on meteorological data for 2025.

Best events, festivals, and other things to do in December

December illuminations in Tokyo

Light displays are held all around the city, at retail hubs, landmarks, and festivals. The trees along Marunouchi's main shopping street are lit up in a signature color: champagne gold. In YEBISU GARDEN PLACE, you can see one of the world's largest Baccarat chandeliers, containing 250 lights. The light displays around Tokyo Station, Omotesando, and Roppongi Hills are also worth visiting. A short trip from central Tokyo is the amusement park Yomiuriland, which puts up a popular gemstone-themed light display.

YEBISU GARDEN PLACE
Yomiuriland

Odaiba Rainbow Fireworks

Odaiba Rainbow Fireworks is a well-established winter event. Dynamic fireworks illuminate the sky on clear winter nights. The 2026 edition will be held in conjunction with the Tokyo Aqua Symphony—one of the world's largest fountains, located in Odaiba Marine Park. For the December 19 showing, the fireworks will be synchronized with a soundtrack as "Music Fireworks" in a stunning tapestry of sound and light. Magical displays of Christmas lights will be viewable throughout this period, combining with the fireworks for a visual spectacle unique to Odaiba.

Winter Ice Skating Rinks

During the winter, some popular facilities open ice skating rinks. These ice rinks are a great place to enjoy ice skating with friends or family while out taking care of holiday shopping or enjoying nighttime light displays. Tokyo Midtown, Futako Tamagawa Rise Shopping Center, and Minami-Machida Grandberry Park are all excellent locations to check out.

Photo provided by: TOKYO MIDTOWN

Setagaya Boro-ichi (Year-end Market)

The Setagaya Boro-ichi year-end market dates back to 1578. Back then the main items traded were scraps of fabric: "boro." Today, many vendors sell antiques, clothing, food, and more. The market is now officially recognized as one of Tokyo's Intangible Folk Cultural Properties.

©SETAGAYA

Sensoji Temple Year-end Market (Hagoita Market)

Hagoita are rectangular wooden paddles that were originally used to play a traditional game similar to badminton. Their fan shape resembles Mt. Fuji, so they became seen as auspicious objects, sold to grant prosperity to one's descendants and ward off misfortune. Special uke-eto hagoita (sold with a towel showing the Japanese zodiac) are available only at the Sensoji Temple Year-end Market (Hagoita Market).

Christmas in Tokyo

Christmas is not a public holiday in Japan, and most shops and attractions stay open on December 25. Christmas Eve is the main day of celebration, when families, couples, and friends exchange gifts. Fried chicken and Christmas cake are seasonal favorites. If you're shopping for presents or souvenirs, try one of Tokyo's Christmas markets. Many offer seasonal treats such as mulled wine, as well as performances and concerts. This year's "Tokyo Christmas Market" will be held at two venues, Toyosu and Shiba Park. The Toyosu venue will feature the event's symbolic 14-meter-tall "Christmas Pyramid," creating an authentic German-style Christmas atmosphere. During the Christmas period, TOKYO SKYTREE has its own market, and is lit up with special light displays.

©TOKYO-SKYTREE

New Year's Eve

On December 31, many Japanese celebrate the coming of a new year by visiting a shrine or temple. Meiji Jingu Shrine receives more visitors than anywhere else in the country. Zojoji Temple offers a spectacular view of Tokyo Tower, and a chance to hear "joya-no-kane"—the ringing of a temple's bell 108 times to usher in the new year.

Oji Fox Parade (Kitsune no Gyoretsu)

A print by the famous ukiyo-e artist, Utagawa Hiroshige, depicts an old legend: on New Year's Eve, foxes gather under hackberry trees, put on costumes and parade towards Oji Inari Shrine. Every New Year's Eve, the residents of Oji recreate the scene by dressing up as foxes. They hold kitsunebi (a kind of will-o'-wisp) paper lanterns and join a lively procession with traditional music from Shozoku Inari Shrine to Oji Inari Shrine.

Event on This Month

 

Calendar

January January in Tokyo speaks of traditions. Start the New Year in good spirits and head to a temple or shrine for Hatsumode on January 1 and pray like the locals do for peace and good health. Some begin their sojourn the night before on New Year's Eve to hear temple bells chime 108 times as the new year dawns, but Hatsumode is drawn out and takes place over 2-3 days.
February Setsubun, a Japanese tradition in which beans are thrown to bring good luck, is held at homes, temples, and shrines. Plum blossoms are in full bloom, and plum festivals take place across the city. On Valentine's Day, Japanese people often give chocolate as gifts, so department stores stock a wide variety.
March Temperatures and moods begin to thaw in March, the month heralding the start of spring. While cherry blossoms or sakura appear at month's end and are eagerly awaited, the rest of March offers much to see and do.
April April in Tokyo is when the cherry blossoms are at their best. In early April, cherry blossom festivals are held in many areas, and crowds come out to enjoy hanami (flower viewing). As the cherry blossoms fade, you can also look forward to azaleas and wisteria. Spring is also a busy season for events at shrines and temples, including traditional ceremonies designated as Intangible Cultural Properties of Tokyo.
May May festivals and events begin with the latter half of Golden Week holidays. Greenery or Arbor Day (May 4) sees entry fees waived in many of the city's parks and gardens, including Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, Rikugien Gardens, and Hama-rikyu Gardens. Children's Day (May 5) heralds the arrival of brightly colored carp or koi streamers festooned around the city.
June Visit Tokyo in June, and the weather begins to get steamy. Rainy season arrives, but not all days are marked by wet weather. Embrace the increasing humidity with the official opening of Tokyo's many beer gardens and imbibe in a glass of your favorite ale. From the lofty heights of the beer garden atop Mt. Takao to the elegant surrounds of Meiji Kinenkan, you'll find a beer garden for every occasion.
July In Tokyo, events throughout July evoke the Edo period (1603–1867) and celebrate the season of summer. The night sky is illuminated by fireworks at displays like the Sumida River Fireworks Festival and the Tachikawa Showa Kinen Park Fireworks. The streets are filled with markets and local festivals. Traditional events and large-scale celebrations offer great opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. It's a time of year when the city buzzes with excitement.
August August sees Tokyo at it’s hottest, but a continuing cascade of fireworks, traditional obon dances, multicolored tanabata lantern events, and the height of official water park and beach season all provide welcome distractions.
September September means sayonara, or goodbye, to the soaring heat of summer. Nights begin to cool and temperatures become more bearable, but these changes also see the occasional typhoon. Many of the city’s beer gardens remain open, however, a reminder that there’s still fun to be had outdoors yet.
October October is one of the best times of year to visit Tokyo. From ongoing traditional festivals to art and cultural soirees to culinary-focused events celebrating the bounty of the season the city's event card is full.
November November is the season of beautiful autumn foliage in Tokyo. By day the colors are stunning, and by night the illuminated leaves create a dreamlike spectacle. The ginkgo-lined avenues, which turn the city a brilliant yellow, are also an iconic sight of autumn in Tokyo.
December Tokyo is dazzling in December–literally–when the city lights up with illuminations. The dark nights are an ideal canvas for intricate and elaborate light displays and the illuminations are a signature winter sight.

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