A winter trip to Tokyo is a great choice which offers unique experiences that only this season can provide.
The city is adorned with beautiful illuminations, creating a romantic atmosphere. During this cold season, warming up at an onsen or a super sento is an exceptional pleasure. Enjoying hot pot dishes and warm noodles, which are especially delicious in winter, is also highly recommended.
Tokyo’s winter is characterized by dry, sunny weather, making it ideal for sightseeing. This article introduces nine sightseeing ideas for those traveling to Tokyo around December and January.
- 1.What to Do in Tokyo in Winter?
- 2.Winter Travel in Tokyo: 9 Itinerary Ideas
- 2-1.Be Amazed by Tokyo’s Illuminations
- 2-2.Shopping in Tokyo
- 2-3.Relax at an Onsen or Sento
- 2-4.Enjoy Winter Cuisine in Tokyo
- 2-5.Go Skiing Near Tokyo
- 2-6.Participate in Winter Strawberry Picking
- 2-7. Eat KFC on Christmas Eve
- 2-8. Enjoy Manga and Anime Culture at Comiket
- 2-9. Visit Shrines and Temples for Hatsumode
- Conclusion
1.What to Do in Tokyo in Winter?
Tokyo in December and January is full of attractions like dazzling illuminations, traditional New Year celebrations, and winter gourmet delights.
For example, Tokyo’s streets are lit up with colorful illuminations on winter nights. Places like Omotesando, Marunouchi, and Tokyo Tower are transformed into magical light displays, creating a romantic atmosphere. In early January, you can experience traditional New Year activities such as Hatsumode, osechi ryori, and ozoni.
There are also many day-trip destinations from Tokyo, including popular spots like Kamakura, Hakone, and Nikko.
2.Winter Travel in Tokyo: 9 Itinerary Ideas
Because Tokyo is quite chilly in winter, you’ll want to dress warmly when you go out. Around Tokyo’s sightseeing spots, there are many stylish cafes and restaurants where you can also enjoy dining and shopping after you finish seeing the sights.
Here are nine itinerary ideas to enjoy a winter trip to Tokyo.
2-1.Be Amazed by Tokyo’s Illuminations
Tokyo has numerous places to enjoy illuminations.
For example, the “Ao no Dokutsu SHIBUYA” near Shibuya Station is a popular winter illumination event featuring a sea of blue LED lights, creating a surreal world.
Yomiuri Land in the suburbs of Tokyo hosts a large-scale illumination event called “Jewelmination” in winter.
Marunouchi, known as a business district, transforms into a romantic place with champagne gold LED lights in winter.
2-2.Shopping in Tokyo
December and January in Tokyo are great for shopping enthusiasts. The city is adorned with festive illuminations, and you can enjoy Christmas and New Year sales, including lucky bags.
Many department stores and shops hold sales at the end of the year. Especially on January 1st, the “hatsu-uri” (first sale) attracts many people seeking lucky bags. These bags, with their surprise contents and great value, are a delight. Check out your favorite brands and shops.
Tokyo also has many charming shopping streets with a traditional atmosphere, such as Nakamise-dori in Asakusa, Ameyoko in Ueno, and Yanaka Ginza.
2-3.Relax at an Onsen or Sento
In December and January, warming up at a Japanese onsen or sento is a great way to take a break from the severe cold.
Onsen are natural hot springs with specific minerals and health benefits, while sento are public bathhouses using heated water, often featuring traditional decorations like paintings of Mt. Fuji.
Popular and accessible onsen from Tokyo include Takaragawa Onsen in Gunma, Yudanaka Onsen in Nagano, and Hakone Onsen in Kanagawa.
2-4.Enjoy Winter Cuisine in Tokyo
Winter in Japan means hot pot dishes! Sharing a hot pot with family or friends warms both the body and soul. In Tokyo, you can enjoy various hot pot dishes like shabu-shabu, sukiyaki, and motsunabe.
Hokkaido’s soup curry is also popular in Tokyo, and offers a spicy broth that warms you up. You can also enjoy ramen, a national favorite, which comes in various flavors such as soy sauce, miso, salt, and tonkotsu. A hot bowl of ramen on a cold night is particularly delightful and will warm you up.
Osechi ryori, traditional New Year dishes, are beautifully arranged in jubako (stacked boxes), each dish symbolizing good fortune for the new year.
2-5.Go Skiing Near Tokyo
Just a short trip from Tokyo, there are many excellent ski resorts.
Fujiten Snow Resort in Yamanashi is about two hours by car from Tokyo, offering skiing and snowboarding with a view of Mt. Fuji.
Fujiyama Snow Resort Yeti in Shizuoka is known for its high-quality snow and scenic slopes with views of Mt. Fuji.
Karuizawa Prince Hotel Snow Resort in Nagano is accessible by Shinkansen in about an hour from Tokyo, with beginner-friendly courses and great for families and groups.
2-6.Participate in Winter Strawberry Picking
Japanese strawberries are famous worldwide, and winter strawberries, sweetened by the temperature difference, are especially delicious.
Popular farms can get crowded, so it’s recommended to make a reservation. While the greenhouses are warm, it’s advisable to dress in layers as it can be cold outside.
2-7. Eat KFC on Christmas Eve
Tokyo in late December is immersed in the Christmas spirit. One unique Japanese custom to experience is eating KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) on Christmas Eve.
Christmas in Japan is a significant event for family and friends, more commercial than religious. The tradition of eating KFC on Christmas was popularized by a campaign with the slogan “Kentucky for Christmas”.
Many KFC locations in Tokyo offer special menus and limited-edition items during this season, and reservations are available. It’s so popular that queues often form on Christmas Eve.
2-8. Enjoy Manga and Anime Culture at Comiket
Late December is a special time for manga and anime fans as the world’s largest doujinshi fair, “Comic Market (Comiket)”, is held.
Comiket, which is held twice a year at Tokyo Big Sight, is a massive event where various genres of self-published works and goods are sold, attracting many cosplayers. The event is filled with excitement and festival-like energy.
Various genres of doujinshi, including manga, novels, and illustration collections, are available, offering a chance to get your favorite works and support your favorite creators.
2-9. Visit Shrines and Temples for Hatsumode
Hatsumode is the first shrine or temple visit of the new year to express gratitude and pray for happiness and health.
Popular Hatsumode spots in Tokyo include Meiji Jingu and Sensoji Temple. Meiji Jingu has expansive grounds and boasts the highest number of Hatsumode visitors every year. Walking through its lush grounds in a solemn atmosphere is a wonderful way to start the new year.
Drawing “omikuji” (fortune slips) for luck is also a popular Hatsumode activity.
Conclusion
Winter in Tokyo shines with beautiful illuminations. The night views from Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Skytree are breathtaking, especially in the clear winter air.
Additionally, there are many hot spring areas near Tokyo, such as Hakone and Atami, perfect for a day trip. Escaping the city’s hustle and bustle to relax in an onsen is highly recommended.
There are also plenty of winter gourmet options, like hot oden, hot pot dishes, and steaming bowls of ramen that warm you up from the inside. Winter delicacies such as crab and oysters are also excellent choices.
*This article is based on information available as of July 2024.
