For the past 4 years, organizers have been putting up the Tokyo Christmas Market, in Hibiya Park in Chuo-ku. Modeled after the Dresden Striezelmarkt in Germany (the first Christmas Market), it’s complete with all the bells and whistles, babble and baubles. It even has a replica of the Christmas pyramid. And a nativity scene is placed somewhere different within the Market every year. This year, however, the organizers have mixed things up and set up Tokyo Christmas Market 2019 in Shiba Park in Minato-ku.
Tokyo Christmas Market’s Special Features
Though it is far from being the only Christmas Market in town, the Tokyo Christmas Market, certainly stands out. For one thing, it makes its mark as the largest of its kind in Tokyo. And although it lacks the heartwarming projection show that is the main attraction at the Tokyo Skytree, it more than makes up for this with the excess of live music and merry making by Japanese and German performers. The infectious cheer is enough to charm people of any age and nationality to sing and dance along.
Also, compared to Ebisu Garden Place’s little corner of stores, every twist and turn within the Tokyo Christmas Market is occupied with stalls. Each one peddling Christmas-themed goods. So, there’s a little bit of something for everyone to enjoy. From little toy houses sparkling with tiny lights, to snow globes and matryoshka dolls (Russian nesting dolls).
Everywhere you look there are also German sweets and pastries, in addition to platters of sausages. You definitely will want to try some stollen (German fruit bread) and lebkuchen (spiced German cookies), at the very least!
Likewise, glühwein (a type of mulled wine or spiced wine) is another amazing treat you don’t see much of during other times of the year. It also comes in souvenir mugs designed for that year’s Market.
There are also fun workshops for kids, and kids-at-heart, on how to make your own decorations! And what could put you more in the Christmas spirit than doing a little DIY with friends and family, right?
The Tokyo Christmas Market 2019 will be open from December 6th to the 25th, from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm daily. The park is right by Exit A6 of Onarimon Station on the Mita Line.
