Yanaka Event December 2025: 6 Local Festivals & Traditional Year-End Experiences Complete Guide in Historic Tokyo
Yanaka, where Tokyo's shitamachi (old downtown) atmosphere remains deeply rooted, is an area where you can stroll while experiencing history through its ancient temples, alleyways, and traditional shopping streets. Known as a district where the scenic beauty of "Teramachi" (temple town) dating from the 1600s coexists with modern elements like art galleries and cafes, Yanaka offers a unique blend of old and new.
December brings a particularly year-end atmosphere, with numerous local events and festivals taking place. For the Yanaka Event December 2025 season, we've carefully selected events held in Yanaka and its surrounding areas during December. Each offers a perfect way to fully enjoy Japan's winter season.
3 Local Events to Enjoy in Yanaka This December
Yanaka hosts various local events every December. These events offer the charm of experiencing the local atmosphere and authentic Japanese experiences. From these, we've picked three events you should definitely visit during the Yanaka Event December 2025 celebrations.
Yanaka Antique Market
Source:Official website
The Yanaka Antique Market is an antique market held within Yanaka's historically rich townscape, with the venue being the parking lot of Enmeiin Temple. Enmeiin Temple is a historic temple dating from the 1600s, with a large zelkova tree said to be 600 years old on its grounds, conveying the atmosphere of old Japan to the present day.
At this antique market, various antique items line up including old tools, pottery, glassware, Japanese-style miscellaneous goods, old books, vintage furniture, and kimono fabrics. Each item carries traces of past lifestyles and serves as an opportunity to learn about Japanese craftsmanship, design, and living styles.
Among the vendors, some offer precious antique items, making it highly likely you'll encounter "one-of-a-kind" pieces. The venue is close to Yanaka Ginza shopping street, making it an easily accessible location for exploring the surrounding area with street walking, dining, and cafe hopping after enjoying the antique market.
Information:
- Dates:
October 4th (Sat) & 5th (Sun)
November 1st (Sat) & 2nd (Sun)
December 6th (Sat) & 7th (Sun)
- Access: 3-minute walk from Nippori Station West Exit
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://www.yanaka-antique-market.com/
Year-end Grand Appreciation Festival
Source:Official website
The "Year-end Grand Appreciation Festival" is an annual December year-end sale event held at Yanaka Ginza shopping street in Yanaka. This event, where the shopping street expresses daily gratitude by providing special benefits to shoppers, is popular not only with locals but also with tourists.
When shopping at member stores of the shopping street, you receive one stamp sticker for every 100 yen spent, and collecting 50 stamps earns you a 100 yen gift certificate. During the appreciation festival period, campaigns such as double stamps are held.
By collecting these stamps, you can participate in "Fukubiki," a uniquely Japanese lottery drawing, with chances to win luxurious prizes. "Fukubiki" involves rotating a hexagonal or octagonal wooden box containing balls of various colors, with prizes awarded according to the color of the ball that emerges. The suspense of not knowing what you'll win creates an exciting experience.
The Grand Appreciation Festival covers the entire Yanaka Ginza shopping street area, with sales and special services held at various stores including restaurants, traditional sweet shops, prepared food stores, and souvenir shops. Please enjoy strolling and food walking while exploring the area.
Information:
- Dates: Usually early to mid-December annually
- Access:
5-minute walk from "Nippori" Station (JR Yamanote Line, Joban Line, Toei Nippori-Toneri Line, Keisei Line)
5-minute walk from "Sendagi" Station (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line)
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://www.yanakaginza.com/
Bikkuri-ichi (Surprise Market)
"Bikkuri-ichi" is a short-duration sale event held approximately four times a year at Yanaka Ginza shopping street in Yanaka. Open for just one hour in the evening, participating stores suddenly offer products and services at "surprising" bargain prices.
Items are often significantly discounted from regular prices, with target products mainly being everyday items and foods typical of shopping streets, though you may sometimes encounter unusual products.
The event runs for a limited one hour in the evening, for example from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM, with bells or announcements marking the beginning, creating an exciting "here we go" atmosphere. Local people sometimes form lines to buy ingredients for their daily side dishes and dinner, allowing you to experience the atmosphere of life in Japan's shitamachi firsthand.
I was able to purchase delicious prepared foods at surprisingly low prices and ate them for dinner that day.
Information:
- Dates: TBD (Please check the website for latest information)
- Access:
5-minute walk from "Nippori" Station (JR Yamanote Line, Joban Line, Toei Nippori-Toneri Line, Keisei Line)
5-minute walk from "Sendagi" Station (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line)
To Deeply Enjoy One of Tokyo's Premier Local Towns, Local Guide Assistance is Essential!
While Yanaka, with its remaining history and atmosphere, is an attractive place, compared to bustling districts like Shinjuku or Shibuya, it has a local atmosphere that might leave first-time visitors wondering where to go.
That's where we recommend walking tours guided by English-speaking guides. The "Yanaka Historical Walking Tour in Tokyo's Old Town" covers Yanaka's main spots in approximately 3.5 hours.
Yanaka is an area that has survived World War II and multiple major earthquakes, making it a place where you can feel Tokyo's authentic "shitamachi" character. You can tour while receiving various explanations from guides about real life in Japan's shitamachi.
The tour visits places like Nezu Shrine, one of Tokyo's oldest shrines, and cafes that utilize traditional Japanese houses. There's also an experience of creating "Manekineko" (lucky cat figurines that bring happiness) by painting your favorite colors and patterns, making it a memorable part of your Japan trip.
- Meeting point: Tokyo Metro Nezu Station
- Tour area: Around Nezu Station to Yanaka Station
- Start time: 1:30 PM
3 Must-See Events Around Yanaka in December
Many events are held in Yanaka during December, but diverse events are also held in the surrounding areas. By including events along with Yanaka in your itinerary, you can enjoy experiences that are only possible during this season.
These Yanaka Event December 2025 opportunities offer tourists an unforgettable winter experience in Tokyo.
Tokyo Dome City Winter Illumination
Source:PR TIMES
The "Tokyo Dome City Winter Illumination" is an annual winter light event held at Tokyo Dome City, a large complex facility that includes a baseball stadium and is located about 20 minutes by train from Yanaka.
While detailed information for 2025 has not yet been released, the 2024 theme was "SNOW DOME." White illuminations inspired by snow were displayed at multiple locations throughout the grounds, allowing visitors to experience a scene as if they were inside a snow globe.
The centerpiece of the event is a giant tree approximately 15 meters tall, decorated with about 250,000 LED lights, creating a fantastical show with light and bubble effects.
I visited last year myself, and illuminations were shining throughout the venue - once I started taking photos, I couldn't stop!
Besides the illuminations, Tokyo Dome City also features amusement facilities, restaurants, shopping malls, and hot spring facilities, so I recommend not only thoroughly enjoying the light displays but also spending an evening that includes dining and relaxation time.
Information:
- Schedule: November 18, 2024 (Mon) February 28, 2025 (Fri)
- Access: 3-minute walk from JR Suidobashi Station
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://www.tokyo-dome.co.jp/illumination/ (2024 version)
Tokyo Christmas Market 2025 in Shiba Park
Source:PR TIMES
The "Tokyo Christmas Market 2025 in Shiba Park" is a winter event held at Shiba Park, an urban park located about 20 minutes by train from Yanaka.
Every year, a large-scale Christmas market has been held at Meiji Jingu Gaien, but in 2025, it will be held at two venues - Meiji Jingu Gaien and Shiba Park - making it even more enhanced.
Each of the two venues will be held with different themes, and the Shiba Park venue aims to recreate a "traditional Christmas market" with authentic German crafts, decorations, and food and drink.
A distinctive feature of the Shiba Park venue is the installation of Dresden's traditional "Christmas Pyramid." While a Christmas Pyramid will also be installed at Meiji Jingu Gaien, having two Christmas Pyramids installed in the same city will apparently be a world first!
Additionally, food stalls will offer European winter staples such as sausages, baked goods, and hot wine, while warm light displays will envelop the entire venue.
I also visited the Meiji Jingu Gaien venue last year. Despite the cold season, the illuminations and delicious food made me feel warm.
Information:
- Schedule: December 5, 2025 (Fri) December 25, 2025 (Mon)
(Meiji Jingu Gaien venue: November 21, 2025 (Fri) December 25, 2025 (Thu))
- Access:
1-minute walk from Onarimon Station on the Toei Subway Mita Line
5-minute walk from Kamiyacho Station on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line
- Admission: Adults (junior high school and above) weekdays 1,000 yen, weekends and holidays 1,500 yen, elementary school students 500 yen
(December 20-25: Adults 2,000 yen, elementary school students 1,000 yen) - Preschool children free
- Website: https://tokyochristmas.net/
Whisky Festival 2025 in Tokyo
Source:Official website
The "Whisky Festival 2025 in Tokyo" is Japan's largest whisky tasting event, held in Takadanobaba, about 20 minutes by train from Yanaka.
The appeal of this festival is not just tasting, but also the rich offerings of seminars by distillery personnel and brand blenders.
Leading figures in Japan's whisky industry explain the role of barrels, distillation processes, and flavor differences, so by learning while tasting, you can gain a deep understanding of whisky.
Additionally, nearly 100 companies exhibit booths at the venue, where you can enjoy not only domestic Japanese whisky but also whisky from around the world.
Rare brands, limited bottles, and whisky-related goods are also sold, allowing you to choose while comparing aromas and flavors.
Furthermore, there are also food booths, so you can enjoy food pairings with whisky. Since I also love whisky, when I visited last year, I was able to find a bottle that suited my taste while asking various questions to the distillery staff.
Information:
- Schedule: December 6, 2025 (Sat) December 7, 2025 (Sun)
- Access:
5-minute walk from Takadanobaba Station (JR Line, Seibu Shinjuku Line, Tozai Line)
7-minute walk from Nishi-Waseda Station (Fukutoshin Line)
- Admission: 5,000 yen
- Website: https://whiskyfestival.jp/tokyo2025/outline/
Around Yanaka, there are many spots where you can enjoy a truly Japanese year-end and New Year experience
The Japanese year-end and New Year period is a special time for closing out the year and welcoming the new one. In December, people thoroughly clean their entire homes to purify them and prepare to welcome the New Year. Streets transform into a year-end atmosphere as they sell ingredients needed for New Year celebration meals and traditional decorations to decorate homes for the New Year.
On New Year's Eve, temple bells called "Joyanokane" are struck 108 times, which is said to remove the 108 earthly desires that humans possess. When the New Year arrives, people visit shrines and temples to pray for safety and good fortune throughout the year. This is called "Hatsumoude," and many people visit with family and friends.
The Yanaka area has many old shrines and temples, making it an ideal area to actually experience truly Japanese customs. For those planning to attend Yanaka Event December 2025, this historic district offers the perfect backdrop to immerse yourself in authentic Japanese traditions during the most meaningful time of the year.
From here, we'll introduce spots around Yanaka where you can enjoy a truly Japanese year-end and New Year experience.
Sensoji
Sensoji Temple in Asakusa is one of Tokyo's oldest Buddhist temples, said to have been founded in 628. The temple entrance called "Kaminarimon," famous for its impressive large red lantern, is an iconic symbol. Nakamise Shopping Street in front of the temple is lined with souvenir shops and Japanese sweets stores, and becomes especially crowded with people during the year-end and New Year period.
On New Year's Eve, you can experience the atmosphere of "Joyanokane" bells ringing out, dispelling earthly desires and welcoming the new year. On New Year's Day, the temple grounds are filled with Hatsumoude worshippers, and you can see people praying for safety and good fortune throughout the year.
I have visited during New Year myself, and Nakamise Shopping Street was decorated with New Year ornaments, allowing me to enjoy scenery that can only be seen during this time of year.
Information:
- Access:
Tobu Skytree Line: 5-minute walk from Asakusa Station
Tokyo Metro Ginza Line: 5-minute walk from Asakusa Station
Tsukuba Express: 5-minute walk from Asakusa Station
Toei Subway Asakusa Line: 5-minute walk from Asakusa Station Exit A4
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://www.senso-ji.jp/
Tokyo Daijingu Shrine
Source:Official website
Tokyo Daijingu Shrine is a prestigious shrine in Iidabashi, known for enshrining the deities of "Ise Shrine," the central shrine among Japan's shrines located in Mie Prefecture. Founded in 1880, it has attracted many worshippers as a place where you can receive the same blessings as Ise Shrine while being in central Tokyo.
It's particularly famous as a shrine for matchmaking, with many young worshippers seeking success in love. During the year-end and New Year period, the shrine grounds are beautifully decorated, and Hatsumoude brings crowds of people praying for good fortune and good relationships throughout the year.
There are many types of protective charms available, and when I visited, I purchased a charm with a lily-of-the-valley motif that's said to bring good fortune.
Information:
- Access: About 5-minute walk from "Iidabashi" Station on JR Chuo-Sobu Line, Tokyo Metro Yurakucho/Namboku/Tozai Lines, and Toei Subway Oedo Line
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://www.tokyodaijingu.or.jp/
Kanda Shrine
Kanda Shrine is one of Tokyo's representative shrines, located within walking distance of Akihabara, which could be called the holy land of Japanese culture. It's said to have been founded around 730.
Since the 1600s, it has been widely worshipped as "Edo Sochinju" - a protective presence for the town - and as a deity for business prosperity, family safety, and matchmaking. The shrine grounds feature impressive vermillion-colored buildings, and during year-end and New Year, it bustles with worshippers, popular not only with locals but also tourists.
There's a wide variety of protective charms, and an interesting point is that they have IT-related charms. Since the surrounding area is a business district, charms are sold for people who work surrounded by computers.
If you work with computers, please consider purchasing one.
Information:
- Access:
Chuo/Sobu Line: 5-minute walk from Ochanomizu Station
Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line: 7-minute walk from Akihabara Station
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://www.kandamyoujin.or.jp/
When you come to Tokyo, enjoy exquisite food at shops loved by locals!
What you shouldn't forget during your Tokyo trip is enjoying local flavors. After enjoying downtown strolling around Yanaka during the day, it's also recommended to travel about 20 minutes by train to experience Shinjuku's nightlife.
While Shinjuku is known for its high-rise buildings and Japan's largest entertainment district, when you enter narrow alleys, the back streets are lined with traditional small izakaya (taverns).
However, it might be difficult for first-time visitors to distinguish which shops are popular with locals. Tours guided by local guides who can speak English allow travelers to participate with peace of mind.
Drinking alongside local regular customers allows you to experience not only food but also Japanese people's everyday interaction styles, which is also appealing. Experiencing Japan's unique izakaya culture while enjoying yakitori and Japanese sake will become an unforgettable travel memory.
- Meeting point: Black pillar next to Uniqlo Shinjuku West Exit store
- Tour area: Around Shinjuku Station
- Start times: 17:00, 17:30, 18:00, 18:30, 19:00
