What to Eat at a Japanese Christmas Market

Twinkling illuminations, ice rinks and dreamy snowfall — there’s much to love about the holiday season in Japan, but the real highlight might be the Christmas markets themselves. While Christmas wasn’t widely observed here until the Meiji era, Japan has since embraced the festive tradition, crafting some of the most magical holiday markets inspired by the centuries-old bazaars of Germany and Europe, which date back to the 15th century.

In the weeks leading up to Christmas Eve, popular locations like Roppongi Midtown, Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse and Hokkaido’s Odori Park transform into vibrant markets. Here, charming stalls reminiscent of gingerbread houses spring to life, and you’ll find every mouthwater German-inspired grubs like bratwursts, hot chocolate and beer to elevate the festive spirit.

Don’t know what to eat at a Japanese Christmas market? If you want to kick off the holiday season with a taste of European flair, follow our recommendations for the best foods to enjoy at Japanese Christmas markets, and you’ll leave with a full, warm belly.

Read more: Best Japanese Christmas Foods 

Some Christmas markets in Japan welcome walk-ins and don’t charge an admission fee. Still, due to their growing popularity and for crowd-control purposes, several major sites now require visitors to purchase tickets in advance. 

For instance, the famous Tokyo Christmas Market in Jingu Gaien typically opens ticket sales in mid-November and often sells out a week before Christmas. Meanwhile, although free to enter, the Roppongi Christmas Market is situated in a courtyard at Roppongi Midtown, which can become incredibly crowded.

To avoid disappointment, it’s wise to check the entrance policies and any admission fees for the Christmas market you plan to visit at least a month in advance. Remember that the closer it gets to Christmas, the more crowded these markets will be.

Interestingly, Christmas in Japan is considered a romantic occasion, unlike in many other countries that focus more on religious or family gatherings, so be prepared to brush shoulders with couples enjoying the festive atmosphere.

Instead of buying a store-bought Christmas cake, why not learn to make Japan’s beloved holiday cake, the strawberry shortcake, from scratch in Tokyo? Join a hands-on class where you’ll whip up a fluffy sponge and expertly decorate it like a seasoned baker!

If you can only choose one drink at the Christmas market — we certainly hope that’s not the case, as it’s Christmas after all — make it gluhwein, or mulled wine. 

The word "gluhwein" translates to "glow wine," a nod to the red-hot irons once used to heat the wine back in medieval times, dating back to 1420. This beloved beverage has been a staple in Eastern France and Germany for centuries.

Gluhwein is made with heated red wine infused with aromatic spices like cinnamon, cloves, star anise and orange, with a touch of sugar and sometimes even vanilla pods for added warmth. 

Throughout the Christmas market in Japan, you'll find various takes on gluhwein, from the traditional red wine blend to twists featuring white wine or infusions of peach, apple and cranberry. These cups typically cost between ¥700 and ¥1,000.

For a sweet treat, seek out stalls selling stollen, a German sweet bread filled with almond paste and an array of fruits like cranberries, raisins and candied citrus. We know — the idea of fruitcake can be polarizing, but this festive loaf seems to have a winning way among the crowd, especially with its generous dusting of powdered sugar on top.

The dough for stollen resembles soft, buttery bread, and while it's packed with dried fruits and almonds, it avoids the dense, heavy texture often associated with fruitcake. Instead, stollen offers a light, soft bread with just the right amount of chew.

Bratwurst is an iconic staple at any German food festival — and Christmas markets are no exception. Like beer, it’s so woven into the holiday tradition that we urge you to experience it at least once. You'll find bratwurst sold alongside mulled wine at many food stalls, typically priced between ¥700 for a single sausage and ¥2,000 for an assortment.

One notable variation is the Silesian Bratwurst, also known as Silesian Weisswurst, which is a pale sausage resembling Munich Weisswurst but longer and thinner. Traditionally, it hails from the former region of Silesia and is often enjoyed as a pre-Christmas or Christmas treat. This flavorful sausage is typically fried in butter, baked in the oven and rolled in flour.

While beer isn’t traditionally associated with Christmas, at a German-themed market, might as well, right? Expect to pay around ¥1,000 for a pint. Yes, it is a bit pricier than usual Japanese beer, but you’d come to appreciate why German beer ranks among some of the best in the world. 

Also, keep an eye out for gluhbier, or mulled beer. It’s a hybrid of beer and mulled wine that showcases the Germans’ knack for blending their two favorite beverages.

A rich, creamy hot chocolate is a must-have at any Christmas market. It's the perfect warm treat, often topped with whipped cream and delightful extras like roasted nuts and marshmallows. Just a fair warning: these drinks come piping hot.

Describing the flavor of eggnog to someone who has yet to taste it is a bit tricky, but here goes: it's custardy, rich, creamy and sweet, reminiscent of melted ice cream spiced with nutmeg. Think of it as a custard drink in a mug, enhanced with a splash of alcohol like bourbon or rum.

While it’s less common at Japanese Christmas markets than mulled wine and hot chocolate, if you look closely enough, you’ll find this festive treat waiting for you.

These sugar-coated fried treats have quickly become a favorite at Japanese Christmas markets, and who could resist? Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, they’re dusted with cinnamon sugar for that perfect holiday sweetness.

And since it is Christmas and you can do whatever you want, get that extra hot chocolate dipping sauce.

While not necessarily a traditional Christmas item or exclusively German, we’ve noticed that minestrone has been gracing the menu in a few Christmas market stalls in Japan. Sure, they might not be as popular as German sausages or beer, but sometimes, you need a warm, healthy soup as a pick-me-up.

Minestrone is traditionally an Italian, tomato-based soup made from vegetable scraps, usually loaded with beans, vegetables and herbs. We recommend getting the pretzels to make it more filling for those particularly hungry nights. 

These soft, thick German pretzels, also known as laugenbrezeln, aren’t specifically Christmas treats, but their popularity means you’ll often find them at warm snack stalls. 

A perfect pretzel should be crunchy (but not dry) on the outside, salty, soft and doughy on the inside, reminiscent of a bagel, all shaped into three equal loops.

Another option on the menu is Eisbein, a cured pig knuckle that is simmered for several hours in broth, typically served with sauerkraut. Its savory taste and satisfying bite make it a flavorful choice for those looking to indulge in traditional German cuisine at the Christmas market.

While you’re in the festive spirit, check out our extensive selection of winter guides, showing you what to eat, wear, see and do this winter in Tokyo, Kyoto and Nikko.

Japanese Christmas markets typically feature traditional German foods like bratwurst, gluhwein (mulled wine), pretzels and beer. 

Yes, many Japanese Christmas markets offer a selection of alcoholic beverages, including glühwein, beer and sometimes even spiked hot chocolate or eggnog.

No, entry to most Christmas markets in Japan is free. However, some markets, such as the Tokyo Christmas Market and the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse Christmas Market, require visitors to purchase an admission ticket. 

Check the specific market's details before you go, as this can vary by location.

Christmas markets in Japan typically begin in mid-November and run until Christmas day. The exact start dates can vary by location, so it's a good idea to check the schedule for specific markets.