DECEMBER: Festivals + Events

Click on Tell me more to read about the event, then use the search term below to find out the exact dates and times for the year you’ll be there.

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Setagaya Boroichi Flea Market

From wooden molds to antique kimonos, the Setagaya Boroichi flea market’s got you covered, and at unbelievably reasonable prices. It happens every December 15-16.

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Search terms: Setagaya Boroichi

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Illuminations

Tokyo lights up the night with free holiday illuminations that get bigger and sparklier each year. Click the link to find the best ones

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New Year’s Celebrations

Celebrating New Year’s in Japan is a three-day affair. Start with the first shrine visit of the year, then eat and drink your way through every shrine entertainment in town

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Search terms: Japanese new year Tokyo

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Midnight Fox Parade

Out in the neighborhood of Oji, everybody dresses up like foxes and parades at midnight

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Search terms: Oji fox parade

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Other events in the month of December that might be worth checking out:

Heiwajima Antiques Fair

47 Ronin Parade

You can search for information on these by Googling the names in bold or searching for them on Tokyo Cheapo or TimeOut Tokyo, which I think have the most reliable info for events that change dates from year to year.

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While you’re in Japan, read a novel set in Tokyo!

When Tokyo Detective Kenji Nakamura’s phone rings with the news that his mother’s death wasn’t an accident, his world begins to unravel. New evidence links her to…read more