The Japanese seem to be taking Christmas to a whole new level every year. Of course, being a non-traditional holiday, adopting celebratory practices from other cultures is somewhat of a given. One of the most trending adoptions of the past couple of years is the German Christmas market, where the Japanese trade grilled fish for bratwurst and hot sake for mulled wine.
Like most things “foreign” in Japan, expect to pay more for your market fare, but unlike a lot of foreign cuisine in the country we'd label it as reasonably authentic. At the very least it seems to be the general consensus that the Glühwein recipe has not been lost in translation. You can trust us; we made a point of visiting almost all the major Christmas markets in Germany on our last visit.
So if you feel like joining the Japanese in their European take on the season, or perhaps just taking a night off Japanese cuisine for some foreign fare, here are five German-style Christmas markets where you can get your glow on this holiday season in Tokyo. Prost!
1. Solamachi Christmas Market
Located next to the most recent attraction to hit the Tokyo skyline, this German Christmas market by Tokyo Skytree is sure to get a lot of foot traffic this season. Wooden stalls selling holiday trinkets, Glühwein and stollen give a homely vibe amongst the downtown city-scape. Combine it with a look at the twinkly illuminations on the pathways connecting the Skytree's Solamachi Mall 4th floor Sky Arena and Tokyo Skytree and Oshiage Stations.
Location: Tokyo Solamachi, Oshiage
Dates: Until December 25th, 2015
Time: 11am-10pm
Access: Tokyo Skytree Station (Tobu Skytree line); Oshiage Station (Tobu Skytree, Keisei Oshiage, Asakusa, Hanzomon lines)
More info: Official website
2. Christmas Marche
Replacing the usual farmers' markets that take place at Ebisu Garden Place's Clock Plaza throughout the year, this Christmas market will offer the usual European favourites. Check out the beautiful Christmas tree by the stalls and head into the shopping complex for a look at the illuminations display, including the impressive 5m x 3m Baccarat chandelier.
Location: Yebisu Garden Place, Ebisu
Dates: Until January 11th, 2015 (from December 27th – January 11th the market will take on a New Year theme).
Time: 12 noon-8pm (shopping complex illuminations will stay on until midnight)
Access: Ebisu Station (Yamanote line), east exit; (Hibiya line), exit 1
More info: Official website
3. Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse Christmas Market
Minato Mirai is a popular date spot anytime of year with its ferris wheel and waterside promenades, but this German Christmas market at the ever-evolving Red Brick Warehouse space gives one an extra incentive to brave the chilly evenings. Apart from stalls with good bratwurst and even better Glühwein, craft workshops, visits from Santa and Friday night fireworks (December 11th and 18th) are also on the cards. For even more winter holiday fun, head to the adjacent open-air ice rink (starting from December 5th).
Location: Minato Mirai, Yokohama
Dates: Until December 25th, 2015
Time: 11am-10pm (light-up from 4pm)
Access: Bashamichi Station (Minatomirai line), Nihon-Odori Station (Minatomirai line)
More info: Official website
Research in progress: Sampling all the Glühwein in Germany.
4. Roppongi Hills Christmas Market
Set-up within the Roppongi Hills shopping center, this one perhaps feels a little more manufactured than the outdoor markets. But rest assured, if a German bier, sausage, mug of mulled wine or a snow globe is what you're after, you won't come away disappointed. Combine it with a visit to the ‘Artelligent Christmas' display within the same complex.
Location: Roppongi Hills, Roppongi
Dates: Until December 25th, 2015
Time: 11am-9pm
Access: Roppongi Station (Hibiya line), exit 1C; (Oedo line), exit 3
More info: Official website
5. Tokyo Christmas Market
Of all the German-style Christmas markets of the season, this installation at Hibiya Park is perhaps the one we are most looking forward to. Along with the usual German fare, expect a 14m tall traditional ‘Christmas Pyramid' imported straight from Dresden, the home of one of Germany's most famed Christmas markets. What's more, it's apparently the largest of its kind in the world!
Location: Hibiya Park, Hibiya
Dates: December 11th-25th, 2015
Time: 4pm-10pm (11 December), 12 noon-10pm from then on.
Access: Hibiya Station (Hibiya and Chiyoda lines), exit A14 (1 min); Kasumigaseki Station (Marunouchi line), exit B2 (5 mins); Uchisaiwaichō Station (Toei Mita Line), exit A7 (5 mins); JR Tokyo Station, Marunouchi Exit, (20 mins); JR Yurakucho Station, Hibiya Exit (10 mins)
More info: Official website
Here's a photo we took of the Guinness World Record Christmas Pyramid at Dresden's Striezelmarkt. The Germans are not seriously lending it to Tokyo for the holidays, are they?
Love this! Of course the Japanese are going to get all the details right. I visited a German-style Christmas market in Shanghai a few years ago and … not so much. LOL!
Thanks, Heather! At least they tried? Haha
Hi Have been to some german xmas markets and I think these markets would not be far from those. :)
Thank you! The Japanese don’t do a bad job of them. We’ve been pleasantly surprised!