Written by Patrick Balfe
Tokyo events for Monday, December 15, to Sunday, December 21, 2025.
Despite the dropping temperatures, Tokyo continues to give us plenty of reasons to rug up and head out this week. There are festivals and fairs covering everything from anime and art books to antiques and swearing. Odaiba hosts fireworks and a psychedelic light walk, and Christmas markets continue around the city.
Setagaya Boroichi Market in December
Boroichi is an enormous flea market at which more than 700 vendors sell a variety of used goods, antiques, handicrafts, and food to approximately 200,000 visitors.
Free Shakuhachi Concert in Tokyo
Head to Akasaka for an evening of bamboo flute music — no tickets required. Once played by wandering monks as a form of meditation, it’s now used in both classical and modern music.
Candlelight: A Night of Christmas Classics
A string quartet will take you through some of the season’s most iconic music from The Nutcracker to Jingle Bells . Take in the beautiful performance and let yourself be swept away by nostalgia.
Sensōji Temple Hagoita-Ichi Fair
The festival dates back to Edo times. The hagoita paddles are usually decorated with kabuki actors, but you may also find them decorated with TV personalities, sports stars, or even cartoon characters.
End of Year Festival at Nishiarai Daishi Temple
Adachi Ward’s Nishiarai Daishi temple will hold its Osame No Daishi end-of-year “closing” festival to sell lucky items and food.
The Tokyo Art Book Fair
This is the biggest fair of its kind in Asia, attracting over 300 exhibitors from around the world. There will also be workshops, presentations, film screenings, and live music.
Tokyo Streets X Exhibition: December
This multidisciplinary exhibition will display a vibrant mix of photography (predominantly street and portrait), visual art, and DJs.
Bungu Joshi Haku Stationery Festival
For all things stationery, head to the biggest festival in Japan: the Bungu Joshi Haku. There will be all your regular favorites as well as smaller brands and limited-edition items with plenty of new designs to discover. Whether you’re after new pens, organizers, or washi tape, you’ll be spoiled for choice.
121st Wonderland Market
The market is held twice a year by Sunset, one of Japan’s most well-known vintage toy stores. It specializes in miniature cars, with collectors and dealers from across Japan coming to buy and sell classic models.
| At the door: ¥1,000 | ||
Akutai Bad Mouthing Festival
This centuries-old tradition combines spiritual offerings with, well, a lot of shouting. Here, shouting rude words and grabbing sacred offerings are part of the ritual to invoke good health and prosperity in the coming year.
Jump Festa
The event introduces new manga, anime, films, games, and merchandise relating to titles and characters (think One Piece, Dragon Ball, Naruto, Slam Dunk, Bleach, and many more) that are featured in the line of Jump magazines. A weekly night of comedy in Roppongi that transcends language and culture. Don’t expect extended monologues, though — the comedy at Yoshimoto is largely driven by non-verbal physical humor, skits, prop comedy, and feats of sheer amazement. This out-of-season fireworks display takes place every Saturday in December. Around 1,300 fireworks are shot into the sky between Odaiba and the Rainbow Bridge — so there are some awesome photo opportunities. Light Walk Odaiba is an illumination trail that stretches across the two-kilometer path of Odaiba’s Yume-no-Ōhashi Bridge in Symbol Promenade Park. While many illuminations feature seasonal themes — think snowflakes and cute woodland creatures — Light Walk Odaiba leans into fantasy. Hanayashiki rolls out a cozy, slightly kitsch Christmas lineup with dance performances from the in-house Hana Hana Troupe, roaming Santas, hands-on winter craft workshops, and a gemstone hunt in the carnival game corner. Shibuya Scramble Square lights up with the theme “all kinds of love sparkle”. At the top of the building, Shibuya Sky hosts Sparkling View, a light-and-sound installation featuring LED lights and drifting soap bubbles. Inside the Sky Gallery, hundreds of mirrored balloons scatter light across the glass corridors. This year’s display will feature around 500,000 LED lights (guess what color) stretching between Shibuya Koen Dori and Yoyogi Park (just south of Yoyogi Park Events Square). Each year, the 400 meters of Keyakizaka Street behind Roppongi Hills become one of the most popular spots for couples to stroll. Don’t let the name confuse you — this is actually a Christmas market, and it stretches across Nakadori Avenue and Gyoko-dori Avenue. One of Japan’s most beloved Christmas events is coming to Tokyo. Like many Christmas markets, this one, too, is going for a European vibe. Expect an outdoor market atmosphere with lights, food stalls, and seasonal art installations. Looking for more winter illuminations and Christmas markets? Check out our dedicated guides. Enjoy Setsubun, early cherry blossoms, Lunar New Year, kawaii monsters — and more. Tokyo events for Monday, January 19, to Sunday, January 25, 2026. Updated with a raft of big names—including BTS and Lisa Loeb. The gorgeous "winter cherry blossoms" are about to bloom. The latest info on when to hanami around the capital — including Yokohama and Chiba. Where to go for drinks, dancing, and good vibes. Everything you need to know, including food, the first sunrise, and where to celebrate. Start the new year with some festive fun — and ward off the winter blues. 
Yoshimoto Comedy Night OWARAI
Advance sales: ¥3,800 At the door: ¥3,800 Odaiba Rainbow Fireworks
Light Walk Odaiba
Hanayashiki Christmas
At the door: ¥1,600 At the door: ¥800 At the door: ¥800 Shibuya Scramble Christmas
Shibuya Blue Cave Illumination
Roppongi Hills Christmas Illumination
Marunouchi Street Park Christmas Market
Christmas Advent Tokyo
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