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Updated: November 15, 2022

Is December a good time to visit Tokyo?

Yes! 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?

The average temperature is around 7.7ºC (46°F) during the day, and 3.8ºC (39°F) at night. 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 58 mm (2.3 in) of rainfall on average, and only a small chance of snow.

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 Ebisu 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.

 

Christmas in Tokyo

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. The market in Hibiya Park has a 14-meter tall "Christmas Pyramid" imported from Germany. During the Christmas period, TOKYO SKYTREE has its own market, and is lit up with special light displays.

©TOKYO-SKYTREE
©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. Another great option is to visit Shibuya's Scramble Crossing—the streets are closed to traffic, and the entire intersection turns into a huge countdown party.

 

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.
Note: The procession is cancelled for 2022.

 

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 Fair)

Hagoita are rectangular wooden paddles that were originally used to play a traditional game similar to badminton. They became seen as auspicious objects that "hit away bad luck," and have been sold as good luck charms for welcoming the new year since the 19th century. There are also special uke-eto (Japanese zodiac) hagoita that can only be bought during this market from the Hagoita Preservation Society in front of the five-story pagoda.
Sensoji Temple Year-end Market (Hagoita Fair)

 

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 LaLaport Toyosu are all excellent locations to check out.

©Tokyo Midtown's Midtown Ice Rink (Photo from a previous year)

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 Tokyo's festival and event card is varied in February. Visit Tokyo at this time of year and you'll be witness to festivals and events that honor ume (plum blossoms), banish devils, celebrate the efforts of runners and see an unusual take on Valentine's Day—only men are supposed to receive chocolate.
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 blooming marvelous. Many of spring's events have a floral focus, with the highly anticipated Sakura or cherry blossom season reigning supreme. Join in the hanami or flower viewing parties all over the city.
May May festivals and events begin with the latter half of cluster of Golden Week holidays. Greenery or Arbor Day (May 4) sees entry fees waived in many of the cities parks and gardens, while 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 From the booming sound of fireworks lighting up the night sky to the soothing sounds of fuurin wind chimes tinkling in the breeze, July in Tokyo is a sensory experience. Festivals and events ranging from spectacular fireworks shows and ancestral bon odori rites to the sonic wizardry of summer music festivals that attract the best of domestic and international artists.
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, the height of autumn, 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 Visit November in Tokyo and shade yourself in hues of yellow, orange, red and golden brown. With seasonal foliage at its finest, the month sees the arrival of Koyo, or changing autumn leaves. Bask in the rich-jeweled tones of the season at Rikugien Gardens—at night the grounds are illuminated—or delight in the vibrant yellows of the city's numerous ginko trees.
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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