10 best events and things to do in Tokyo this winter 2023

Illumination displays are one of the main attractions of winter in Tokyo. An outing to see the illuminations is a popular date idea because the spectacle of all those dazzling lights in gold or majestic blue is just so romantic at night (and, frankly, all the better for your wallet as these public displays are free). Even if you’ve decided not to give in to the pressures of cuffing season this year, these displays are worth a quick detour when you’re making your way around the city.

Having a long, hot onsen bath is a favourite local pastime. So with the weather being so cold, it’s a good time to ease your tired body with a nice warm soak. Most bathhouses will have a number of different baths, indoor as well as outdoor, with different kinds of minerals in the water to soften your skin. While there are many famous areas around Japan known for natural volcanic hot springs, there are still plenty of options within the city that are easily accessible and open all hours of the night.

You don’t have to be a world class figure skater to go for a glide around the rink. A number of outdoor skating facilities have popped up around Tokyo, where people of all ages gleefully take to the ice to practice some impressive tricks, or learn to skate a little more smoothly than last year. Whether you’re a seasoned skater or prefer to stay close to the sidelines as you make your way around the rink, these outdoor skating spots are sure to add some flair to the winter months. 

Nabe, or nabemono, is the Japanese word for hot pot cuisine, where diners can have a casual get-together and share a communal, belly-warming meal that’s as delicious as it is nourishing. The dishes are similar in that they typically involve simmering a variety of meat and vegetables in one large pot to be enjoyed on chilly nights by a large group of people, but differ in the base of their broth and the way they’re meant to be eaten. Check out our guide to the most common types of nabemono with a few of our favourite spots for hotpot.

A winter staple that often gets overlooked in favour of ramen, soup curry is a Hokkaido speciality of tender meat and seasonal vegetables in a soul-warming curry broth. At Rojiura Curry Samurai, you can have your soup tailored exactly to your liking, from the number of nutrient-packed veggies to add as toppings to the spice level of your broth.

Soup bases, which are all additive-free, range from coconut shrimp flavour to Japanese-style curry broth. The range of toppings, on the other hand, includes slow cooked pork belly, crispy fried chicken and cheese mochi, among other nourishing delicacies. The soup shop can also be found on UberEats, so you don’t even have to leave the house to fill your belly with this warming dish.

In the coldest days of the year, one might even start dreaming longingly of Tokyo’s roasting summer heatwaves. If you find yourself chilled to the bone and missing the sensation of sweating, one way to revive your body is through a leisurely sauna session at one of the city's many bathhouses.

Most of the onsen and designer sento facilities in the city like Paradise or Koganeyu have communal saunas in addition to hot spring baths, but there are also places like Solo Sauna Tune, where you can book a private sauna booth all to yourself.

Digital art collective teamLab is branching out from its immersive exhibitions with its scenographic debut in a new production of Giacomo Puccini's opera Turandot. Devised by American theatre director and choreographer Daniel Kramer, the modern interpretation of the classical opera premiered in Geneva in 2022 and is set to be performed with a local cast in Tokyo from February 23 to 26. You can learn more about the upcoming production here.

The circus is coming to town! It’s been five years since Cirque du Soleil’s last show in Tokyo, so we’re thrilled that the Canadian company’s world-class acrobats and performing artists are coming back to Japan in early February. For this upcoming season, Cirque du Soleil will be putting on a revived version of Alegría – one of the company’s most popular shows that has toured over 255 times since it was first performed in 1994. Alegría: In a New Light will open in Odaiba, Tokyo on February 12 and run through June 4. You can read more about the show and how to get tickets here.