Ongoing & Upcoming Events in Tokyo
Happy New Year from Japan!
- Watch-Night Bells: Buddhist temples toll bells 108 times at 0:00 on 1 January to blow away bad desires for a fresh start. See Sensoji-Temple in Asakusa.
- New Year Decorations: Hotels, stations, museums and any public places set Japanese decorations to celebrate the new year.
- Shrines: It is a custom for Japanese people to visit a shrine to pray on 1 January. Meiji-Jingu Shrine in Harajuku is one of the biggest shrines in Tokyo. So many people visit there.
- Happy Bags: Most big shopping centers sell "Happy Bags," which are sets of items at discount prices, on the first business day. It is often 1, 2 or 3 January.
In Japan, many public places such as museums, shops, etc, are closed from the last days of December to early January to celebrate New Year. It depends on the place, so check out the opening days in advance if you have some particular shopping centers, museums, etc, to visit.
Winter Peony Garden
Winter Peony Garden is open at Toshogu Shrine in Ueno!
1 January - 24 February, 2019
Opening Hours: 9:30 -16:30
Admission Fee: 700 yen for adult, free for children under 13.
If traveling in Tokyo in this season, I strongly recommend the beautiful Japanese garden that is full of peony flowers with straw snow fences. The shrine is inside Ueno Park.
See more photos
Winter Peony Garden in Ueno (2014)
Daikoku Festival
Yearly Daikoku Festival at Kanda Myojin Shrine is on 26 - 27 January!
See photos & practical visitor information: Daikoku Festival at Kanda Myojin Shrine - Things to See & Get
Winter Lighting
Winter Lighting starts in November lasts until February!
Top Places to View Winter Lighting in Tokyo
Odaiba
In Chrismas season, the beautiful Christmas tree becomes a great addition to the views of Tokyo Bay, Rainbow Bridge and Tokyo Tower.
From November, 2018 (depending on the shopping center, building, hotel, etc.)
Shiodome
Shiodome is a very popular place in Tokyo for winter lights. It is a walking distance from Shimbashi and Hamamatsucho.
17:00 - 23:00, 15 November, 2018 - 14 February, 2019 in Caretta Shiodome
(18:00 - in January and February)
Blue Fantasy at Caretta Shiodome & Travel Planning Tips
Tokyo Tower
Tokyo Tower features warm lights and the living Chrismas tree.
Tokyo Tower Winter Fantasy - Orange Illumination: 16:00 - 23:00, 2 November, 2018 - 28 February, 2019
(12:00 - 23:00 from December)
See Report of Tokyo Tower Winter Fantasy 2016
Ebisu
World's biggest Baccarat chandelier is displayed with lights.
Baccarat Chandelier Light Up: 11:00 - 24:00, 3 November, 2018, - 14 January, 2019
Go to Report of Ebisu Winter Lights
Tokyo Station
The Christmas lights at the very central station of Tokyo are famous for being modern and artistic.
From November, 2018, - February, 2019 (Depending on the street, building, etc.)
Harajuku/Omotesando
The most fashionable street in Japan is lighted up in Christmas season.
Go to Harajuku Guide
4 Seasons in Tokyo
Explore 1 year in Tokyo on Event Calendar!
Cherry Blossoms (Sakura)
Cherry Blossom (Sakura) Forecast & Report 2018
The season of cherry blossoms is late March to early April in Tokyo.
Cherry Blossom Forecast for 2019 will come in late January, 2019.
Trip Planning Advice for Cherry Blossom (Sakura) Festival Visitors to Japan by a Local
Autumn Leaves
Autumn Colors' peak is late November to early December in Tokyo.
Links to Blog: Autumn Colors in Tokyo City - Red Maple Leaves & Genuine Matcha in Rikugien Garden and more!
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The Easiest Tokyo Maps by a Local
If you want a shortcut to understand Tokyo, or you are about to give up to plan a trip to Tokyo with throwing away a thick travel guidebook, or you are lost in the city at this moment (I hope not!), here are the simplest resolutions.
The Easiest JR Train Map of Tokyo - You'll understand the outline of Tokyo and airport transport with only 1 page!
The Easiest Subway Maps of Tokyo - You won't get lost anymore. Tourist attractions are all covered with these maps and instructions.
The Quickest Hotel Booking
If you don't want any explanations and just want to book a good hotel now, the following are the quickest way to reach.
A List of Worldwide Luxury Hotels: All the hotels on this list are convenient because of good airport transport.
A List of Cheap Hostels: Cheap hostels in Tokyo are listed with short comments about their locations to help some backpackers who have the image that it is hard to find accommodation in Tokyo.
A List of Hotels for Tokyo Disney Resort Visitors: If you are visiting Tokyo Disney Resort, it will make your trip much better to book a hotel with partnership with TDR.