Winter illuminations
Light displays light up areas like Roppongi, Marunouchi and Shibuya through the season. Great for an evening walk with a friend.
December is one of Tokyo's best months: crisp blue skies, glowing illuminations and a busy season of year-end parties. It can also be lonely if you're new, because many people leave the city for the New Year holidays. Here's what to expect and how to make the most of it.
Light displays light up areas like Roppongi, Marunouchi and Shibuya through the season. Great for an evening walk with a friend.
German-style markets pop up around the city with mulled wine and food stalls.
Workplaces and friend groups hold "forget-the-year" parties. If you're invited, go.
Nabe hotpot, oden, roasted sweet potatoes and hot drinks from vending machines.
Early December can still have red leaves in Tokyo gardens.
In Japan, Christmas Eve is often a couples' or friends' night out rather than a family holiday, while New Year is the big family time. Between about 29 December and 3 January, many people go back to their hometowns, offices close and the city gets quiet. Christmas in Tokyo and New Year in Tokyo have the details.
Buy Me a Matcha helps you meet new people in Tokyo one at a time over a coffee or matcha. In English, friends only, free on iPhone.
Cool and mostly sunny, with winter illuminations, Christmas markets and year-end parties. The city gets quiet around New Year as many people travel home.
Christmas is festive in Tokyo, with lights and markets, but it's more of a date or friends' night than a family holiday. New Year is the main family holiday in Japan.
A year-end party held by workplaces and friend groups in December to "forget the year". It's a good chance to socialise.
Make plans early, join expat holiday gatherings, and meet new people in early December. Buy Me a Matcha helps you meet people in Tokyo one at a time over a coffee or matcha, in English.