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Christmas in Japan is a season of lights and markets rather than a public holiday. German-style Christmas markets set up in city parks and plazas from late November, shopping streets and landmarks switch on their illuminations, and Christmas Eve is a night out for couples and friends. Here are the Christmas markets and seasonal events on across Japan.

Entertainment

Fujiko F. Fujio Museum Autumn & Winter Fair 2026-27

Christmas trees, winter window art, evening lighting on the Harappa and warm seasonal drinks at the Fujiko F. Fujio Museum in Kawasaki.

From 7 Oct 2026Kawasaki · Kanagawa

Illumination

Kobe Illuminage

A winter illumination in the hills of Kobe, with a heart-shaped tunnel of light, glowing palaces, a rainbow maze, bubble shows and an area for dogs.

23 Oct 2026 – 14 Feb 2027Kobe · Hyogo

Illumination

Yomiuriland Jewellumination

A winter illumination at Yomiuriland in Tokyo, with LEDs in jewel colours, rides running after dark, fountain shows and a view of the city lights.

29 Oct 2026 – 4 Apr 2027Inagi · Tokyo

Illumination

Hikari no Yuenchi: Hirakata Park Illumination

Hirakata Park in Osaka is lit after dark from late autumn into spring, with music and light shows, rides running under the lights and a Christmas stage show.

31 Oct 2026 – 4 Apr 2027Hirakata · Osaka

Illumination

Laguna Illumination - Carnival of Light and Water

A winter illumination at a seaside park in Aichi, built around water, with lit arches over a bridge, fountain shows and fireworks at Christmas.

8 Nov 2026 – 4 Apr 2027Gamagori · Aichi

Market

Tokyo Christmas Market

A German-style Christmas market at two Tokyo venues, the Shin-Toyosu waterfront and Shiba Park below Tokyo Tower, each with a Christmas pyramid about 14 m tall.

20 Nov – 25 Dec 2026Tokyo

Market

German Christmas Market

The Munich Christmas Market brings German Christmas food and crafts to Sapporo, a sister-city celebration held every year since 2002.

20 Nov – 25 Dec 2026Sapporo · Hokkaido

Entertainment

Christmas Unko Party

The poop-themed Unko Museum holds Christmas events at three locations, with seasonal exhibits, decorations and interactive photo spots for families.

28 Nov – 29 Dec 2026Exact date not confirmed yetOkinawa

Market

Sendai Christmas Market

A German-style Christmas market in central Sendai, with wooden huts shipped from Germany, mulled wine, a tall Christmas tree and concerts on winter evenings.

4–25 Dec 2026Sendai · Miyagi

Illumination

SENDAI Pageant of Starlight

About 480,000 LEDs light the 127 zelkova trees of Jozenji-dori in central Sendai each December, and several times a night the lights go out for a minute.

4–27 Dec 2026Sendai · Miyagi

Entertainment

Fujiko F. Fujio Museum Autumn & Winter Fair 2026-27

Christmas trees, winter window art, evening lighting on the Harappa and warm seasonal drinks at the Fujiko F. Fujio Museum in Kawasaki.

From 7 Oct 2026Kawasaki · Kanagawa

Illumination

Kobe Illuminage

A winter illumination in the hills of Kobe, with a heart-shaped tunnel of light, glowing palaces, a rainbow maze, bubble shows and an area for dogs.

23 Oct 2026 – 14 Feb 2027Kobe · Hyogo

Illumination

Yomiuriland Jewellumination

A winter illumination at Yomiuriland in Tokyo, with LEDs in jewel colours, rides running after dark, fountain shows and a view of the city lights.

29 Oct 2026 – 4 Apr 2027Inagi · Tokyo

Illumination

Hikari no Yuenchi: Hirakata Park Illumination

Hirakata Park in Osaka is lit after dark from late autumn into spring, with music and light shows, rides running under the lights and a Christmas stage show.

31 Oct 2026 – 4 Apr 2027Hirakata · Osaka

Illumination

Laguna Illumination - Carnival of Light and Water

A winter illumination at a seaside park in Aichi, built around water, with lit arches over a bridge, fountain shows and fireworks at Christmas.

8 Nov 2026 – 4 Apr 2027Gamagori · Aichi

Market

Tokyo Christmas Market

A German-style Christmas market at two Tokyo venues, the Shin-Toyosu waterfront and Shiba Park below Tokyo Tower, each with a Christmas pyramid about 14 m tall.

20 Nov – 25 Dec 2026Tokyo

Market

German Christmas Market

The Munich Christmas Market brings German Christmas food and crafts to Sapporo, a sister-city celebration held every year since 2002.

20 Nov – 25 Dec 2026Sapporo · Hokkaido

Entertainment

Christmas Unko Party

The poop-themed Unko Museum holds Christmas events at three locations, with seasonal exhibits, decorations and interactive photo spots for families.

28 Nov – 29 Dec 2026Exact date not confirmed yetOkinawa

Market

Sendai Christmas Market

A German-style Christmas market in central Sendai, with wooden huts shipped from Germany, mulled wine, a tall Christmas tree and concerts on winter evenings.

4–25 Dec 2026Sendai · Miyagi

Illumination

SENDAI Pageant of Starlight

About 480,000 LEDs light the 127 zelkova trees of Jozenji-dori in central Sendai each December, and several times a night the lights go out for a minute.

4–27 Dec 2026Sendai · Miyagi

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