Christmas in Japan is one of its own odd little experiences, and as well as strange, it can be quite lonely. Not such a big holiday for families here in Japan, it can be hard to find somewhere to get that Christmas spirit feeling.

Even though Wham’s ‘Last Christmas’ can be heard playing endlessly (making it nigh impossible to partake in Whamageddon), and you find shops covered in oddly placed tinsel as well as the fact that your local conbini happens to be selling Christmas cake, it is just not quite the same as back home.

Maybe you’re looking for somewhere to pick up some Christmas cheer, or perhaps you are in need of a nice warm winter drink to heat up the soul of your inner Scrooge, either way, the best way to experience some Christmas magic is to head out to one of Tokyo’s Christmas Markets.

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Roppongi Hills Christmas Market

Returning to Tokyo for the thirteenth year running, Roppongi Hills Christmas Market is one of the best places to go for that fantastic festive feeling. With a total of 11 german style wooden stalls serving hot food and drinks (including German Bratwurst sausages and Glühwein, or mulled wine), and shops offering over 2,000 original German Christmas goods and decorations, the Roppongi Hills Christmas Market is the place to be this winter.

As well as the Christmas market, Roppongi Hills will also hold various events from now through to the 25th, including the Keyakizaka street light illuminations, an outside Christmas concert on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and visits from Santa Claus himself!

This year, a limited number of original Roppongi Hills Christmas 2019 mugs will also be available for purchase.

Sip on some hot mulled wine in your limited edition Christmas mug whilst viewing the Christmas illuminations at Roppongi Hills and nearby Keyakizaka street.

• Where: Roppongi Hills O-Yane Plaza, 6-11-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
• When: November 7th-December 25th
• Website

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Skytree Solamachi Christmas Market

For the third year running, Skytree’s Christmas Market has returned, only this year, it is stated to be much bigger!

The Skytree Soramachi” (Sky Town) Christmas Market sprang into Christmas mode early this year, having started on the 7th of November and will be running up until the 25th of December.

Other events being held as part of the Skytree Solamachi Dream Christmas, include performances from over 500 acapella groups as part of the Acapella street festival, a string orchestra Christmas live performance and the Tokyo Skytree Christmas lottery.

During the Solamachi Christmas Market period, customers who spend more than 1000 yen at a Tokyo Soramachi store can receive a limited edition original Skytree Town Christmas 2019 pin Badge.

With Tokyo Skytree itself also scheduled to be lit up for the first time like a Christmas tree, the “Solamachi” (Sky Town) Christmas Market is sure to bring you some cheer and Christmas spirit.

• Where: Tokyo Skytree Solamachi, Sky arena 4F, 1-1-2 Oshiage, Sumida-ku, Tokyo
• When: November 7th-December 25th
• Website

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Tokyo Christmas Market

Ok, so you’ve found some places to have hot wine and german food, but where do you go when you want to listen to choirs singing Christmas carols? Tokyo Christmas Market, that’s where!

Returning this year to Shiba Park (previously held in Hibiya park) Tokyo Christmas Market will be sure to warm your spirit.

With the backing of the German Embassy, it is easy to understand why this particular market may bring you the most European winter feeling out of all of Tokyo’s Christmas Markets.

The Tokyo Christmas market highlights include choir performances from both Japanese and international bands being held under the 14 meter high ‘Christmas pyramid’ as well as stalls selling a wide range of European style food and drink.

Take a stroll through the stalls whilst enjoying the winter cheer with Tokyo Tower lighting up the background like a strange red Christmas tree.

• Where: Shiba Park, Minato-Ku, Tokyo
• When: Now until Dec. 25 11 am - 10 pm
• Website

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Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse Christmas Market

This year Yokohama’s increasingly popular Red Brick Warehouse Christmas Market has introduced a new market to its winter scene. In addition to the German style market being held at the Event Plaza, the new market dedicated to a romantic atmosphere offering seafood and champagne will be held near the waterside.

The theme for this year's German market is based on the German city of Nuremberg. Munch on some German beef goulash or a Nuremberger sausage whilst sipping some Christmas limited beer from Nuremberg’s beer brewery.

At the seafood market, enjoy more than 20 different kinds of champagne whilst nibbling on some classic seafood and taking in the sight of the giant illuminated real Christmas tree!

This year's event will see visits from Santa, a free-for-all piano, numerous Christmas song performances and fun for all the family Christmas workshops!

As well as selling numerous Christmas goods perfect for souvenirs or decorations, a limited edition 2019 original mug can also be bought for an additional 650 yen to any hot drink purchase at the venue!

• Where: Yokohama Akarenga, 1-1, Shin-Minato, Naka-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa
• When: Now until Dec. 25 11 am - 9 pm
• Website