Things to do in Tokyo today

The spacious Japanese garden at Shirokanedai's Happo-en stays open until 10pm during the autumn foliage season. Admire the fiery red momiji maple trees reflected off the surface of the garden pond while sipping on a cocktail sold at the on-site Garden Bar. Also, make sure to jot down December 5 in your calendar – that's when you can enjoy the tunes of DJ Shuya Okino in the beautiful autumnal landscape.

Chapelle des Anges chapel in Minami-Aoyama gets into the Christmas spirit by affixing hundreds of shiny champagne-gold elements to its ceiling to create a mesmerising view of a starry sky. From December 1, you can write a wish on a bell and put it on the Christmas tree outside the chapel (Wed-Mon 5pm-7pm; free). There are live performances, too: the ‘Symphonic Gospel Concert’ on Dec 17 (tickets available here) promises to be a rousing music showcase while the ‘Christmas Candle Night x Mini Christmas Concert’ on Dec 22 (reservation essential) will serenade you with festive Christmas tunes in candle light. 

Always one of Tokyo's most popular light-up shows, the Omotesando illumination is back as an annual occurrence, with some 900,000 champagne-coloured LED lights shrouding the zelkova trees that run between the Jingumae and Omotesando crossings.

This year’s Christmas Market is inspired by the traditional Weihnachtszauber Gendarmenmarkt in Berlin and features many handmade goods from Germany. Look forward to mulled wine and German stews to keep you warm as well as a selection of desserts and sausages for snacking. If you're in the area, don't miss the Keyaki Hiroba Illuminations featuring 150 trees decked out with blue and champagne gold lights. Keep an eye out for a special pastel-coloured music box that’ll light up and play when you touch the secret key hidden inside.

Among Tokyo’s German-style Christmas markets, this Shiba Park extravaganza is the most worthy of your festive free time: in addition to workshops and stalls hawking everything from handmade holiday decorations to hot chocolate, German beer and mulled wine, you can look forward to a 14m-tall ‘Christmas pyramid’ imported from Germany. The whole yuletide shebang will be soundtracked by a German band and gospel music.

Yokohama's Yamashita Park is popular for its beautiful rose garden, and now you can see this floral patch lit up beautifully for Christmas until December 27. About 1,900 roses of 160 varieties are illuminated with LED lights, creating an awe-inspiring and romantic atmosphere. Look out for the special light show every 15 minutes. In conjunction with this event, a special cocktail named 'Snow Rose' will be served at selected bars in Tokyo and Kanagawa prefecture. For location details, check the event's official website.

The Keyakizaka street next to Roppongi Hills is lit up in sparkling white and blue lights until Christmas Day. From the pedestrian bridge near the Roppongi Hills Arena, you'll get a stunning view of the shimmering lights with Tokyo Tower in the backdrop. For more festive Christmas vibes, check out the Roppongi Hills Christmas market nearby.

Shopping mall Bay Quarter in Yokohama boasts a massive 8m-tall fir tree that's decorated with 15,000 lights. At every hour on the dot, you can watch a sparkling light show called ‘Champagne Spark’. Make sure to move a bit closer towards the base of the tree to check out the many miniature houses laid out to resemble Santa Claus’ hometown. The mall's rooftop garden is decked out with illuminations as well, complete with a scenic photo spot featuring Santa's house.

Get ready for the holiday season at Daikanyama T-Site. Come shop for Christmas-themed illustrations and prints by local artist Juanida while surrounded by Christmas decorations. There will be Christmas corals too, taking place throughout the store.  On the candle-lit first-floor of the massive Tsutaya bookstore you’ll find a Christmas tree designed by Natale, a shop that specialises in modern Christmas decorations, as well as a host of stalls offering vintage, antique and handmade goods you can fill your Christmas stockings with. 

The spacious Japanese garden at Shirokanedai's Happo-en stays open until 10pm during the autumn foliage season. Admire the fiery red momiji maple trees reflected off the surface of the garden pond while sipping on a cocktail sold at the on-site Garden Bar. Also, make sure to jot down December 5 in your calendar – that's when you can enjoy the tunes of DJ Shuya Okino in the beautiful autumnal landscape.

Chapelle des Anges chapel in Minami-Aoyama gets into the Christmas spirit by affixing hundreds of shiny champagne-gold elements to its ceiling to create a mesmerising view of a starry sky. From December 1, you can write a wish on a bell and put it on the Christmas tree outside the chapel (Wed-Mon 5pm-7pm; free). There are live performances, too: the ‘Symphonic Gospel Concert’ on Dec 17 (tickets available here) promises to be a rousing music showcase while the ‘Christmas Candle Night x Mini Christmas Concert’ on Dec 22 (reservation essential) will serenade you with festive Christmas tunes in candle light. 

Always one of Tokyo's most popular light-up shows, the Omotesando illumination is back as an annual occurrence, with some 900,000 champagne-coloured LED lights shrouding the zelkova trees that run between the Jingumae and Omotesando crossings.

This year’s Christmas Market is inspired by the traditional Weihnachtszauber Gendarmenmarkt in Berlin and features many handmade goods from Germany. Look forward to mulled wine and German stews to keep you warm as well as a selection of desserts and sausages for snacking. If you're in the area, don't miss the Keyaki Hiroba Illuminations featuring 150 trees decked out with blue and champagne gold lights. Keep an eye out for a special pastel-coloured music box that’ll light up and play when you touch the secret key hidden inside.

Among Tokyo’s German-style Christmas markets, this Shiba Park extravaganza is the most worthy of your festive free time: in addition to workshops and stalls hawking everything from handmade holiday decorations to hot chocolate, German beer and mulled wine, you can look forward to a 14m-tall ‘Christmas pyramid’ imported from Germany. The whole yuletide shebang will be soundtracked by a German band and gospel music.

Yokohama's Yamashita Park is popular for its beautiful rose garden, and now you can see this floral patch lit up beautifully for Christmas until December 27. About 1,900 roses of 160 varieties are illuminated with LED lights, creating an awe-inspiring and romantic atmosphere. Look out for the special light show every 15 minutes. In conjunction with this event, a special cocktail named 'Snow Rose' will be served at selected bars in Tokyo and Kanagawa prefecture. For location details, check the event's official website.

The Keyakizaka street next to Roppongi Hills is lit up in sparkling white and blue lights until Christmas Day. From the pedestrian bridge near the Roppongi Hills Arena, you'll get a stunning view of the shimmering lights with Tokyo Tower in the backdrop. For more festive Christmas vibes, check out the Roppongi Hills Christmas market nearby.

Shopping mall Bay Quarter in Yokohama boasts a massive 8m-tall fir tree that's decorated with 15,000 lights. At every hour on the dot, you can watch a sparkling light show called ‘Champagne Spark’. Make sure to move a bit closer towards the base of the tree to check out the many miniature houses laid out to resemble Santa Claus’ hometown. The mall's rooftop garden is decked out with illuminations as well, complete with a scenic photo spot featuring Santa's house.

Get ready for the holiday season at Daikanyama T-Site. Come shop for Christmas-themed illustrations and prints by local artist Juanida while surrounded by Christmas decorations. There will be Christmas corals too, taking place throughout the store.  On the candle-lit first-floor of the massive Tsutaya bookstore you’ll find a Christmas tree designed by Natale, a shop that specialises in modern Christmas decorations, as well as a host of stalls offering vintage, antique and handmade goods you can fill your Christmas stockings with.