Late
Dec

Winter Solstice Festival

Free

Also called the Tōji Matsuri or Tōjisai in Japanese, this festival takes place at both a shrine (Ana Hachinmangū) and a temple (Hōjōji) in the Nishi Waseda area on the Winter Solstice each year.

What happens?

Traditionally, this time of year marks the plunge into the depths of winter, so to protect yourself from the cold weather, you can buy a mamori or charm from either the shrine or the temple — or both for good measure.

The charm is called Ichiyo Raifuku, which means to turnaround a negative into a positive. The idea being that the Winter Solstice is the darkest day of the year and from the next day, it gets lighter and lighter.

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!

Additionally, there is a large winter market with stalls selling winter produce (such as yuzu citrus) as well as hot food to keep you warm.

Organizers may cancel events, alter schedules, or change admission requirements without notice. Always check official sites before heading to an event.

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