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Looking to do something different this New Year’s Eve? Consider a countdown cruise (no longer available) around Tokyo Bay. It includes fireworks, live music, champagne and more.

Tokyo events for Monday, December 3 to Sunday, December 9, 2018

Photo by Takahiro Hayashi used under CC

Chichibu Yomatsuri

See one of Japan’s biggest (top three) nighttime float parades dazzle the Chichibu area. The event takes place around the traditional 2,000-year-old Chichibu Shrine and boasts a rare chance to see fireworks in the wintertime.

Suggested Activity
Official Street Go-Kart in Shibuya
Dress up in costume and drive through the famous Shibuya Crossing, Harajuku and Omotesando. You'll get a whole new view of the city. This is one of the most popular activities in Tokyo!

Akibasan Fire Festival

Want to see priests play with fire? They do just that, wielding the hot stuff on sticks and arrows, at the Akibasan Fire Festival, an event dating back to the 16th century.

Oji Kumade Ichi Fair

A colorful local festival where visitors can pick up kumade—a beautifully decorated bamboo rakes which brings good luck and prosperity to its new owner.

Nerd Nite #28: Eye Candy

Nerd Nite is “the Discovery Channel with beer”, a worldwide monthly event series that mixes presentations, performances, trivia, demos, music, and of course drinking.

Downtown Drinks #33

Join the TC gang and fellow cheapos for a drink (or few) and casual mingling at Commune 2nd. This is our 33rd casual meet-up and all are welcome—from readers to travelers to mysterious strangers.

Odaiba Rainbow Fireworks

See a grand fireworks show every Saturday night throughout December. Makes for a good date night!

Tokyo Romantic Flea Market

Do a little holiday shopping at this Shibuya flea market with over 100 stalls.

National Museum of Western Art – Free Admission Day

Check out the extensive permanent collection at the Museum of Western Art in Ueno Park for free. Works include paintings from the late Medieval period through to the 20th century and modern French sculpture.

Sekino Boroichi Market

This evening-time winter market is a great spot to peruse stalls, pick up antique souvenirs or just grab some toasty festival food on a chilly night. This market boasts over 300 stalls and over 80,000 visitors.

Last chance: Autumn Evening Illumination at Rikugien Gardens

The famously beautiful Edo-period gardens of Rikugien will be illuminated until December 9th from sunset to 9pm daily. The gardens are known as one of the best spots for autumn foliage viewing, so it’s a perfect for an evening stroll.

Suggested Activity
Navigate Japan with a Saily eSIM from $US3.99
With mobile data packages from $US3.99 for 1GB to $US22.99 for 20GB, Saily has your Japan data needs covered. Saily is brought to you by the people behind NordVPN. Use TYOCHEAPO5 at checkout for a 5% discount.

Christmas illuminations

Christmas season in Japan is already upon us with light-up festivals galore taking place all over the city. There are plenty to choose from, with some running until February 2018, and some finishing on Christmas Day—so be sure to note the end dates. With new themes, music accompaniments and increasingly impressive displays every year, you’re sure to enjoy what the bright city streets have to offer. Click here for the top 10 Tokyo illuminations.

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