Shinjuku Event December 2025: Complete Guide to Winter Illuminations, Christmas Events & Traditional Festivals
Shinjuku is the most crowded place in Japan. High-rise buildings such as office buildings and commercial buildings line the streets, and many people come and go through the city.
On the other hand, there are also large parks and temples and shrines where you can enjoy nature and tradition. Furthermore, there are entertainment districts such as Kabukicho that are bustling with people until late at night, so you can enjoy it 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
This time, we will introduce events you can enjoy in Shinjuku in December 2025. The always lively Shinjuku becomes even more vibrant with events. Visiting events is one of the secrets to enjoying Shinjuku 100%.
Table of Contents
-Illumination & Gourmet Events You Can Enjoy Around Shinjuku in December
-Numerous Christmas Events are Held Around Shinjuku
-Two Events Other Than Illuminations to Enjoy in Shinjuku
-Three Recommended Shrines and Temples for New Year's Eve in Tokyo
Illumination & Gourmet Events You Can Enjoy Around Shinjuku in December
Nishi-Shinjuku Illumination Market
Source:FASHION PRESS
At the Nishi-Shinjuku Illumination Market, the streets of Nishi-Shinjuku are illuminated by approximately 200,000 LED lights. When you exit the west exit of Shinjuku Station, you can see the street trees on both sides of the approximately 200-meter road radiating a champagne gold glow.
LED lights are densely attached from the trunks to the branches, making it bright enough to feel dazzling. Walking through the vivid and dazzling light makes you feel very happy.
Also, during the Nishi-Shinjuku Illumination Market period, food trucks and markets are also open. You can casually taste Japanese food such as sushi and soba, and purchase miscellaneous goods and accessories that give you a sense of Japanese culture.
The sight of the entire street shining in golden color is a spectacular view that you cannot see much in other places.
<Information>
Schedule: To be determined (In 2024, it was held from November 28, 2024 to January 13, 2025)
Access: About 10 minutes walk from JR "Shinjuku Station" West Exit
Admission: Free
Website: https://tokyo-nighttime-project.jp/en/
(*All information is from 2024)
Belgian Beer Weekend Shinjuku 2025
Source:Official website
Belgian Beer Weekend is an event where you can enjoy Belgian beer and beer culture from Belgium, which is known as one of the world's leading beer countries. It features over 150 types of Belgian beer, dishes that go well with beer including Belgian fries, and music performances.
Belgian Beer Weekend is recommended for both beer fans and people who don't have a habit of drinking beer. This is because the beers offered have their taste characteristics indicated in categories such as aroma, sweetness, acidity, bitterness, body, and crispness.
It's perfect for finding the type of beer you like or as a guide for trying various types of beer. I didn't have much of a habit of drinking beer until now. At Belgian Beer Weekend, I realized that I like beers with strong acidity, and in the second half, I was able to compare beers focusing on those with strong acidity, so I was very satisfied.
<Information>
Schedule: December 3-7, 2025
Access: Directly connected to "Tocho-mae Station" A6 Exit (Oedo Line)
Admission: Free (food and drinks are charged)
Website: https://belgianbeerweekend.jp/en/shinjuku
Shinjuku Park Tower Winter Illumination
Source:Tokyo Shimbun
At Shinjuku Park Tower, the fountain plaza is illuminated with approximately 60,000 LED lights. It is unified in warm colors, and you can enjoy a peaceful and beautiful scenery. Also, the sight of the illumination lights reflecting on the fountain and the illumination floating in the darkness of the background are very calming.
In contrast to the bright and exciting atmosphere of the Nishi-Shinjuku Illumination Market I introduced earlier, this illumination spot is attractive because you can enjoy a mature and relaxed atmosphere. It's the perfect place to spend time leisurely while viewing the beautiful scenery.
I really enjoy talking with family and friends while looking at the illumination at Shinjuku Park Tower. I also sometimes think about various things slowly by myself.
<Information>
Schedule: November 10, 2025 - February 14, 2026
Access: JR Line: About 12 minutes walk from Shinjuku Station South Exit
Admission: Free
Website: https://www.shinjukuparktower.com/en/
Shinjuku Kabukicho Kuyakusho-Dori Illumination
Source:Official website
In Kabukicho, one of Japan's leading entertainment districts, you can enjoy illuminations with a wine motif. Approximately 90 trees on Kuyakusho-Dori Ave are decorated so that the trunks look like the stems of wine glasses and the spreading branches look like the glass portion. The sight of wine glasses appearing to line up all the way down the street is very characteristic of Kabukicho, an entertainment district.
Kuyakusho-Dori Ave, where you can see the illuminations, is an area with good security within Kabukicho. When I visited around 9 PM last year, I didn't have any particularly scary experiences, so I think women and children can safely visit at early hours. Also, since the nightlife-rich area of Kabukicho is right nearby, I also recommend it for people who want to enjoy nightlife in Kabukicho.
<Information>
Schedule: To be determined (In 2024, it was held from November 1, 2024 to February 28, 2025)
Access: 3 minutes walk from JR Shinjuku Station
Admission: Free
Website: https://city-shinjuku.j-server.com/LUCAISHINJ/ns/tl.cgi/https://www.city.shinjuku.lg.jp/whatsnew/pub/2023/1101-02.html?SLANG=ja&TLANG=en&XMODE=0&XCHARSET=utf-8&XJSID=0
(*Information is from 2024)
In Addition to Illuminations, You Can Enjoy Numerous Excellent Foods in Shinjuku!
Shinjuku is also famous as a gourmet city. I will introduce two tours that are perfect for enjoying Shinjuku gourmet food.
First, the Tokyo Bar Hopping Night Tour in Shinjuku allows you to visit three Japanese-style bars while savoring alcoholic drinks and classic local foods that are standard at drinking parties. It is recommended for people who are interested in Japanese drinking culture or who like alcohol.
Next, the Tokyo Night Foodie Tour in Shinjuku allows you to enjoy traditional classic Japanese food such as sushi, wagyu beef, and Japanese sweets. It is recommended for people who want to eat authentic Japanese cuisine.
The common point of the two tours is that they are guided by local tour guides. The attractive point is that they take you to hidden gem spots that only locals know about. Also, the reason I recommend these two tours is that you can not only just eat Japanese food, but also learn knowledge about Japanese food itself and Japanese food culture.
<Tokyo Bar Hopping Night Tour in Shinjuku>
Meeting point: In front of black pillar (Next to Uniqlo Shinjuku Nishiguchi shop)
Tour area: Shinjuku
Start time: 17:00, 17:30, 18:00, 18:30, 19:00
<Tokyo Night Foodie Tour in Shinjuku>
Meeting point: In front of black pillar (Next to Uniqlo Shinjuku Nishiguchi shop)
Tour area: Shinjuku
Start time: 17:00, 18:00, 19:00
Numerous Christmas Events are Held Around Shinjuku
Source:Official website
As Christmas approaches, various Christmas events take place not only in Shinjuku but throughout the area. My top recommendation is the Tokyo Christmas Market in Jingu garden. The impressive large Christmas pyramid that stands as a symbol is particularly striking. Hot wine, Christmas sweets, and Christmas goods are sold there. It's an enjoyable event where you can truly feel the Christmas atmosphere.
There are also many other Christmas events packed with excitement, such as the charity event Santa Parade Tokyo, where participants walk in parade formation dressed as Santa Claus, and Broadway CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND, a Christmas show featuring non-stop performances including singing, dancing, skating shows, and performances by Santa Claus.
Please experience Japanese Christmas culture for yourself.
<Information>
[Tokyo Christmas Market in Jingu garden]
Dates: November 21 (Fri) - December 25 (Thu), 2025
Access: 10-minute walk from Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line/Oedo Line "Aoyama-itchome Station"
Admission: [November 21 - December 19]Adults (junior high school and above) ¥1,000 on weekdays, ¥1,500 on weekends and holidays/ Children (elementary school) ¥500/Preschool children Free [December 20 - December 25] Adults (junior high school and above): ¥2,000/ Children (elementary school): ¥1,000/ Preschool children: Free
Website: https://tokyochristmas.net/
[Santa Parade Tokyo]
Date: November 16 (Sun), 2025
Access: Approximately 3-minute walk from JR Shinjuku Station
Participation fee: Adults ¥3,300/ High school, university students ¥2,200/ Junior high school students and younger ¥1,100
Website: https://santarun.jp/en
[Broadway CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND]
Dates: December 13 (Sat) - 25 (Thu), 2025
Access: Directly connected to JR Line/Keio Inokashira Line "Shibuya Station" via 2nd floor connecting passage
Admission: S seats ¥11,800, A seats ¥7,800
Website: https://bcw-japan.jp/
Two Events Other Than Illuminations to Enjoy in Shinjuku
Anahachimanguu Winter Solstice Festival
Source:tenki.jp
The winter solstice is the shortest day of the year, which falls on December 22, 2025. Days gradually become shorter leading up to the winter solstice, but after the solstice, days slowly become longer, and it is believed that things move in a positive direction.
From December 22, 2025 (the winter solstice) through February 3, 2026, a special amulet called Ichiyo Raifuku Omamori is distributed at Anahachimanguu. The Ichiyo Raifuku Omamori is an amulet that carries wishes for money to circulate without shortage or excess.
Actually, the Ichiyo Raifuku Omamori works by being attached to your home. Moreover, there are various rules about where to attach it, what time to attach it, how to attach it, how to remove it, and so on, and it won't be effective unless you follow all the rules. It may seem a bit challenging, but carefully checking the rules and actually carrying them out is highly recommended as it connects you to Japanese faith and beliefs.
<Information>
Date: December 22, 2025
Access: 5-minute walk from Exit 3B of Tokyo Metro Tozai Line "Waseda Station"
Admission: Free
Website: https://www.anahachimanguu.jp/ichiyouraifuku/
Joya no Kane (New Year's Eve Bell Ringing)
Joya no Kane refers to the custom practiced at temples throughout Japan of ringing a bell 108 times on the night of December 31. It is believed that humans have 108 earthly desires (bonnou), meaning emotions such as greed, anger, and complaints that cause us suffering. By ringing the bell 108 times, the Joya no Kane carries the wish to eliminate these desires one by one at the end of the year so that the next year can be spent happily.
Below, I'll introduce two temples in Shinjuku where you can enjoy Joya no Kane.
Shojuin
Source:Wikipedia
Shojuin is a temple cherished by local people as a place that provides memorial services for deceased fetuses and babies.
Joya no Kane is also performed at Shojuin. The recommended point about Shojuin is that general tourists can also ring the bell. I had the opportunity to ring it myself. The rope was heavier than I expected, and when I rang the bell, a surprisingly large impact resonated through my body. By feeling the sound of the bell with my whole body, memories of the past year came back to me, and I felt hope for the coming year.
By actually experiencing the solemn atmosphere and the weight of the bell's sound, you can reflect on both the current year and the coming year, which I highly recommend.
<Information>
Date: December 31 annually
Access: 5-minute walk from Shinjuku-gyoemmae Station Exit 3
Admission: Free
Website: https://www.kanko-shinjuku.jp/spot/-/article_371.html
Tenryu-ji Temple
Source:Wikipedia
Tenryu-ji Temple is famous for its Bell of time. The Bell of time was used from the late 17th century to the 19th century to inform common people of the time when clocks were not yet widespread among the general public.
Today, with the widespread use of clocks, the Bell of time is rarely active. The Joya no Kane on December 31 is the one chance per year to hear the beautiful sound of the Bell of time. Doesn't it feel romantic to hear the same sound as hundreds of years ago, just once a year? While reflecting on the past year, please also think about the lives of people in the era when there were no clocks.
<Information>
Date: December 31 annually
Access: 3-minute walk from Toei Subway Shinjuku Line Shinjuku-sanchome Station
Admission: Free
Website: https://www.kanko-shinjuku.jp/spot/-/article_373.html
If You're Spending the Year-End and New Year Period in Shinjuku, Join the Countdown Event at Hanazono Jinja!
Hanazono Jinja is a verdant shrine that serves as an oasis in the metropolis of Shinjuku.
At Hanazono Jinja, a countdown is held at the moment the year changes. When everyone gathers in the shrine grounds and counts down loudly together, you can feel a sense of unity throughout the entire shrine, which is very enjoyable. The countdown at Hanazono Jinja is so enthusiastic that it attracts coverage from nationally broadcast television stations.
Additionally, Japan has a culture called "Hatsumode," which involves visiting a shrine at the beginning of the year. I recommend participating in the countdown at Hanazono Jinja and then doing your Hatsumode right there at Hanazono Jinja. You can spend an exciting time enjoying traditional Japanese performing arts including Japanese instrument performances and experiencing shrine worship.
<Information>
Dates: December 31 - January 1 annually
Access: 0-minute walk from Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line/Fukutoshin Line/Toei Shinjuku Line "Shinjuku-sanchome Station" Exit E2
Website: http://hanazono-jinja.or.jp/ceremony/
Three Recommended Shrines and Temples for New Year's Eve in Tokyo
Sensoji
Sensoji, a famous tourist destination known for Kaminarimon, is also recommended for New Year's Eve. You can enjoy all the activities introduced so far: ringing the temple bell on New Year's Eve, New Year's countdown, and Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year).
What makes Sensoji's New Year's Eve attractive is that you can enjoy food stall cuisine. You can eat various things such as candy sculptures, charcoal-grilled sweetfish, fried manju (sweet buns), and tonjiru (miso soup containing pork, vegetables, konjac, and more).
At Sensoji, many tourists and locals gather together to ring in the New Year in a lively and fun atmosphere. When I celebrate New Year's Eve with my group of friends from my student days, I often choose Sensoji.
<Information>
Schedule: Every year from December 31st to January 1st of the following year
Access: 5-minute walk from Asakusa Station on Tobu Skytree Line
Admission: Free
Website: https://www.senso-ji.jp/
Meiji Jingu Shrine
Meiji Jingu Shrine is a shrine where the emperor and empress from four generations ago are enshrined. The number of Hatsumode visitors is among the highest in the nation, with over 3 million people visiting every year.
Meiji Jingu Shrine is also a perfect place to spend the moment of the New Year. A huge monitor is installed in a position visible from the worship line, where you can watch live broadcasts of Shinto rituals. The attractive point of Meiji Jingu Shrine is that you can feel tradition and formality.
I often choose Meiji Jingu Shrine for New Year's Eve when celebrating with my family. It's recommended for people who want to welcome the new year with a solemn feeling while getting excited about the New Year.
<Information>
Schedule: Every year December 31st
Access: 9-minute walk from the exit of Sangubashi Station on Odakyu Odawara Line to the main hall
Admission: Free
Website: https://www.meijijingu.or.jp/
Tokyo Daijingu Shrine
Tokyo Daijingu Shrine is a shrine visited by about 50,000 people for Hatsumode. Compared to Sensoji and Meiji Jingu Shrine introduced earlier, it has fewer crowds and you can ring in the New Year in a relatively calm and homely atmosphere.
Tokyo Daijingu Shrine is also a shrine famous for its deity of Enmusubi (building good relationships between people, including romance). Therefore, it's a shrine particularly popular with young women, and many people with romantic wishes they want to come true or those who want to get married visit.
It's a perfect place for people who want to build wonderful relationships throughout the year and spend time happily with their loved ones.
<Information>
Schedule: Every year December 31st
Access: About 5-minute walk from Iidabashi Station
Admission: Free
Website: https://www.tokyodaijingu.or.jp/
If You're Interested in Japanese Tradition and Culture, Walk Through Historical Streets with a Local Guide!
Finally, I'll introduce tours where you can experience Japanese tradition and culture while walking through the streets.
First, the Asakusa Cultural Walk & Matcha Making Tour not only takes you around popular Asakusa spots like Sensoji mentioned earlier, but also includes matcha experiences and exposure to local lifestyles.
The Yanaka Historical Walking Tour in Tokyo's Old Town takes you around Yanaka, an area that preserves Japan's old townscape. You'll enjoy Yanaka from corner to corner, visiting Tokyo's oldest shrine and experiencing painting lucky cat statues.
Both tours are guided by local guides. With their abundant knowledge, they'll resolve our questions and teach us how to enjoy Asakusa and Yanaka.
And above all, the experience of walking through the streets while talking with locals is sure to be unforgettable.
<Information>
Asakusa Cultural Walk & Matcha Making Tour
Meeting point: In front of Kaminarimon Police Box, Senso-ji
Tour area: Asakusa
Meeting time: 11:00
Yanaka Historical Walking Tour in Tokyo's Old Town
Meeting point: Outside of Tokyo Metro Nezu Station Exit 1
Tour area: Yanaka
Meeting time: 13:30
