10 Things to do in Tokyo at Christmas

Celebrating Christmas in the Japanese capital is one of the most interesting things to see and do in Tokyo. In Japan, the holiday has become a very special celebration, without the religious significance it has in other parts of the world. This is because the major religions are Shinto and Buddhism.

Also, in Japan, Christmas is not a public holiday, i.e. it is a working day, but it is a time to celebrate with your partner, friends and family. If you are in Tokyo at Christmas, you can attend special shows, fairs and festivals, enjoy amazing Christmas illuminations and decorations, go to street markets or taste Japanese Christmas specialities.

Tokyo's markets are inspired by the best markets in Europe and Christmas is an excellent time of year to visit them:

• The Tokyo Christmas Market is usually set up in Shiba Park or Hibiya Park. Inspired by the markets of Germany, you'll find gifts, crafts, decorations, traditional German food and mulled wine, and even live concerts and workshops. Oh, and a 14-metre-tall Christmas tree from Germany!
• The Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse has a skating r ink and is inspired by the Nuremberg market.
• The Roppongi Hills is also German-inspired.
• At Ebisu Garden you'll feel like you're at a flea market in France.

Winter in Tokyo is cold, so a good way to visit the Christmas markets comfortably and warmly is to book a 10-hour private driving tour with a fully customisable itinerary, so you can take advantage of the opportunity to discover the most interesting sights of the Japanese capital.

At Christmas time, you'll find Tokyo's streets, parks, shops, etc. lit up in spectacular fashion as only this Japanese city can. It's not just Christmas lights, but also the typical Japanese neon lights and the special illumination that Japan uses to welcome winter.

And if you want to take home an unforgettable souvenir, book a Tokyo night photo tour and learn how to take pictures at night while you gaze at the amazing street lights of Shinjuku and Shibuya.

Other places whose lighting will leave you speechless are the blue forest of Caretta Shiodome and the old Shimbashi Station.

Caretta Shiodome

At Caretta Shiodome you will see a spectacular illuminated blue forest. In addition, every 30 minutes there is a light and sound show that will leave you in awe.

You can see it from November to mid-February, except on public holidays from January 1-3, from 5pm to 11pm, at 1 Chome-8-2 Higashishinbashi, Minato City, Tokyo 105-7090.

Former Shimbashi Station and Shinbashi Space Train

The old Shimbashi Station operated until 1914 and then was destroyed, until 2005 when the original building was rebuilt and a museum dedicated to the history of the railway began operating there.

An illuminated train can be seen in the courtyard of the museum, and is the place where many couples choose to have a romantic photograph taken at Christmas time.

Another famous illuminated train is the Shinbashi Space Train, which is accompanied by the sounds of old trains. It is located at 2 Chome-17 Shinbashi, Minato City, Tokyo 105-0004.

It is said that the custom of eating fried chicken at Christmas was introduced by foreigners living in Japan because they couldn't get turkeys. Whatever its origins, it is now a tradition and many people book a table at Kentucky Fried Chicken months in advance.

But if fried chicken isn't your thing, you can take the opportunity to try typical Japanese dishes and learn about their unique cuisine on a food tour of Tokyo. Delicious!

And after the fried chicken, or the typical dishes of your choice, it's time for dessert and the tradition is a delicious cake made of sponge cake, cream and strawberries decorated with Christmas motifs.

It is believed that the Fujiya shop popularised this tradition in the 1950s, which is why it is one of the most popular places to order this Christmas cake.

But there are also many patisseries that offer this dessert, such as Daimaru Tokyo, Patisserie Coco Ange or Patisserie Monte Rosa.

New Year's Day in Tokyo is a public holiday, and the celebrations continue for two more days: not only January 1st, but the 2nd and 3rd are also days of celebration in Japan. Their way of welcoming the new year is also different, but very interesting to learn more about their culture.

One way to celebrate the new year in Japan is to go to a Buddhist temple to hear the 108 chimes, the Joya no kane. One of the best-known temples to go to hear them is Zojoji Temple, located near Tokyo Tower, or Sensoji Temple, in the Asakusa district.

But if you're looking for something more festive, you'll find plenty of street parties in Tokyo, such as at the zebra crossing in Shibuya or in front of Tokyo Tower, where many people gather to watch the changing of the date on the building's façade.

Every Saturday in December at 7pm, a fireworks display takes place over the Rainbow Bridge in Odaiba Park, and the dimensions of the show are truly astonishing. The show, which is accompanied by music, lasts only 5 minutes, but manages to light up Tokyo's winter sky.

The special illumination of the Rainbow Bridge complements very well the fireworks that are launched during the month of December. It is such a huge show that it is possible to see the lights even from afar and from both sides of Tokyo Bay

Another great way to see the Rainbow Bridge is to pass underneath it, aboard a scenic cruise overlooking Tokyo Bay, which is the highlight of a 10-hour bus tour of Tokyo that is not to be missed.

If you visit Tokyo in December, you can attend some very interesting festivals that are held to celebrate the end of the year celebrations in Japan. At these festivals you will have the opportunity to soak up Japanese culture and buy special gifts to give as Christmas presents.

Some of the festivals I recommend are:

• The Hagoita Ichi Fair, held between 17 and 20 December every year at Sensoji Temple in Tokyo's Asakusa district. It sells hagoitas, kites, New Year's decorations and sacred objects.
• The Akiha Fire Festival, held in Hamamatsu.
• The Chichibu Yomatsuri festival, near Tokyo, which includes a parade of floats, fireworks and a fair.
• Akō Gishi Sai, a tribute to the 47 ronin of Ako, held at Sengakuji Temple in Tokyo.

Japan is a country of long winters where it snows a lot, mainly between December and March. However, the city doesn't usually get much snowfall, so if you want to enjoy the white cherry blossoms or snow-capped Mount Fuji, I recommend a trip to Mount Fuji from Tokyo.

If you book a trip to Mount Fuji, you can admire the view from the 3776-metre-high 5th Fuji Station and enjoy a cable car ride in Hakone. It's an unforgettable Christmas experience.

If you stay longer, you can also visit villages such as Shirakawa-go, Ginzan Onsen or Koyosan, where you'll find a dreamy winter setting of low houses and snow-covered temples.

Japan has its own unique way of celebrating Christmas, different from countries with Western traditions. So if you plan to travel with your partner, you'll be happy to know thatChristmas in Japan is celebrated as a couple, just like Valentine's Day! For the same reason, gifts in that country are made for both of you.

In Tokyo, to celebrate Christmas, especially Christmas Eve, couples book tables in restaurants and rooms in hotels. So, if you are travelling to Tokyo on Christmas Eve, make sure you book in advance, as it can be difficult to get a table. And if you're not travelling as a couple, you can also celebrate with friends or family.

During Christmas, the Tokyo Disneyland Resort theme park dresses up in a special way. Christmas decorations, special shows, rides, lights, giant Christmas trees and the magical setting that always characterises Disney will welcome you to celebrate a different kind of Christmas.

From 8 to 25 December, Tokyo Disneyland Resort presents special shows every year: "A Christmas Fantasy" and "Christmas Wishes", in its two parks, Disneyland and DisneySea. Visiting Disneyland and DisneySea is one of the best things to see and do in Tokyo with kids, especially at Christmas!

If you don't know which park to choose, keep in mind that Tokyo Disneyland is built in the same style as Disney California and Disney Florida. DisneySea, on the other hand, is inspired by the sea and has attractions that you will only find in Tokyo.

Read more about the attractions

• Location: Tokyo Disneyland, 1-1 Maihama, Maihama, Urayasu 279-0031 Chiba Prefecture
• Hours: 8am to 10pm daily.
• Price: Around €80 for adults; €70 for teenagers; and €53 for children.
• How to get there: You can take the JR line train or one of the buses from Tokyo.
• Recommendations: Buy your ticket in advance and try to arrive as early as possible.

December to February is winter in Japan, and very cold. Temperatures in Tokyo average 12°C during the day and 5°C at night, and can go as low as -3°C on very cold nights and mornings. Days have approximately 6 hours of sunshine, so many sights close at 5pm.

Tokyo's climate is dry, with little rain, although in recent years the city has seen snowfall.

Ideally, wear layered, breathable clothing with a waterproof coat. Gloves, hat and scarf are a must. And if you plan to enjoy the snow more intensely in natural environments, such as Mount Fuji, you'll need specific clothing and boots.