Winter in Tokyo 2024: Snow, Sumo, Setsubun & More

Winter in Tokyo. Compared to its more beloved counterparts, the cherry blossoms of spring and the fall foliage of autumn, many travelers won’t think of Japan’s capital as a must-visit spot during the winter — until now.

From sparkling winter illuminations and warming nabe hot pot dishes to season-ending festivals and sumo experiences, there’s truly something for everyone if you decide to visit Tokyo in winter.

Grab your winter gear and let’s get going!

Compared to Northern Japan, Tokyo experiences much milder winters, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t get cold. Prepare well and pack a warm jacket, gloves, scarves, hats and thick, fluffy socks. 

Some days you may wake up to clear blue skies and warmer weather, tempting you to shed your winter attire, but be warned… The evening will become much colder.

Not in the mood to pack your bulky winter clothes? Head to Uniqlo, known for creating some of the most affordable thermal clothing — perfect for keeping cozy while you explore the city.

• Tokyo Midtown Illumination: Just a short stroll from Roppongi Station, you’ll find a themed illumination area, changing annually with different visions and musical accompaniment. There’s even an ice-skating rink that’s open all winter.

• Marunouchi Bright Christmas: Meander through Marunouchi from late November to the end of December and you’ll discover trees decorated with fairy lights, illuminated sculptures, yatai street food stalls (including mulled wine!), a merry-go-round and another ice-skating rink.

• Tokyo Skytree Dream Christmas 2024: Tokyo Skytree is an iconic Tokyo landmark that’s hard to miss, but especially during the winter months when it’s glowing green like a chrome-and-glass Christmas tree. But that’s not all… In previous years, there’s also been an 8-meter-tall Christmas tree, plus a Christmas market filled with festive food and drink.

• Tokyo Dome City Winter Illumination: Previously held from late November to the end of February, the winter illuminations at Tokyo Dome can be enjoyed all winter long. Featuring a 15-meter-tall Christmas tree lit by multicolored LEDs and a series of shows for all ages, prepare for family-friendly festivities.

• Yomiuriland Jewellumination: Light is Love: Yomiuriland's "Jewellumination" event is like no other. It has all kinds of illuminations, from twinkling rides and LED cherry blossoms to glowing tunnels and a festive ferris wheel that shows off everything from above. You’ll need to buy tickets for entry, coming in at ¥1,800 for adult tickets and ¥1,000 for children between the ages of 3-11.

Strawberry shortcakes are everywhere in Japan during winter — especially as this is one of the seasons where strawberries are at their freshest — and this cake tends to be what people enjoy as dessert on Christmas Day, with people ordering weeks in advance or lining up for hours. So, don’t you want to try making one for yourself?

In this sweet cooking class, you’ll learn to bake a Japanese strawberry shortcake from start to finish while your expert guide shares the subtle differences between this dessert in Japan compared to other countries.

You’ll also get a quick masterclass in dessert photography, filling your Feed with irresistible cake snaps.

Bear with us as we take a quick detour away from Tokyo for winter-worthy slopes — don’t worry, we’ll be right back for hot springs and hot pot.

Mt. Naeba is where the people of Tokyo go for sliding and swerving through powder snow on skis or snowboards, promising winter vibes only 2.5 hours from Tokyo Station.

So, while this winter activity may not be in Tokyo itsel,f it could potentially work as a day trip. Plus, once you’re tired of the slopes — if that’s even possible — the nearby hotel has shops, amusements, beauty treatments and even fireworks on specific days.

Based in the northwest of Nagano Prefecture, Hakuba Valley attracts adrenaline seekers from far and wide, offering a range of slopes for skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels. 

Only a 3-hour journey from Tokyo Station, you’ll have access to 10 different snow resorts. From gentle slopes of fluffy snow to carving your way down advanced routes, there’s a winter wonderland waiting for everyone in Hakuba.

First time in Nagano? Check out our foodie guide to Japan's winter wonderland.

Finding a natural onsen in the heart of Tokyo can be difficult as the true hot springs, meaning mineral-rich water that’s being pumped up from the earth itself, is usually found in more natural areas outside of the city. That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the luxuries of a soak in Tokyo, though.

Head to a place like Tokyo Dome for LaQua, a spa resort within an attraction-filled area, where you can relax in outdoor baths, indoor spas, private baths, bedrock baths, saunas, massage chairs and so much more. This extravagant venue is located across five floors, some of which allow you to soak your worries away while looking out over Tokyo Dome.

At the time of writing, an adult all-day pass to Spa LaQua costs around ¥5,220 per person. 

Alternatively, search for your local sento (public bath) and do as the locals do: bathe and relax in a traditional public bath!

To get yourself in the mood for the 2025 sumo tournaments which start in January, join this walking tour of Ryogoku, Tokyo’s famous sumo town. 

Visit sumo-related landmarks, learn about the history and development of sumo, view the outside of the training stables, and then cozy up to a feast of chanko nabe, a hearty Japanese hot pot that sumo wrestlers swear by.

Want to watch a real sumo tournament in Japan? The January Sumo Tournament kicks off on January 12, 2024 and runs until January 26, 2024 at Ryogoku Kokugikan National Sumo Arena.

Consider yourself an otaku (Japanese pop culture fanatic)? You’re in the right place. Winter Wonder Festival is an event that’s filled with the latest figurines from professionals and amateurs alike, showcased alongside toy photography booths, anime stage events and talk shows, and a chance to snap a picture of your favorite cosplayers.

Find out more about Tokyo’s Winter Wonder Festival.

Want to grab a few more anime goodies? Discover the best things to do in Ikebukuro, known as paradise for anime and manga lovers. 

Setsubun marks the end of Japan’s winter season, and its a unique winter experience in its own right. Although these festivals are held all over Japan during this time, one of the most memorable is held at Mt. Takao’s Yakuo-in Temple.

After a fire ritual takes place to purify the festival’s bean throwers, beans are thrown into the crowd in an act of chasing away evil spirits from the previous year, preventing them from bringing their negativity into the new year.

If you manage to catch and eat one of these beans, you’re also said to reduce chances of illness and misfortune for the year ahead.

Find out more about Mt. Takao’s Setsubun Festival.

Read more: How To Celebrate Setsubun: Japan's Bean-Throwing Holiday

If thinking about going to Tokyo in the winter has you wondering about other seasons, take a look at the best time to visit Japan, or embrace the colder months with our guide of the best things to do in Japan this winter.

Absolutely! You might need to pack a few extra winter clothes, such as gloves, scarves, thick socks and a thick jacket — or just make a quick stop at the thermal clothing section of Uniqlo — but once you’re used to the chill in the air, there’s so much to see and do in Tokyo during the winter.

Yes! There are winter illuminations all over the city, Christmas decorations and seasonal goods, ice rinks, warming hot pots and mulled wine. Not just that, but there are usually also less people during the winter than in spring and autumn.

December marks the start of winter in Japan, and Tokyo certainly gets colder during this time. However, averaging between 7°C-12°C during this time, it’s certainly not one of the coldest places to visit in Japan over Christmas.

Usually, yes. Flights to Japan tend to spike around Christmas and New Year, but then become much cheaper again during January and early March (just before the sakura blossoms create another spike, of course).

This tends to be the best time for visiting if you want cheaper flights and less crowds, especially if you’ve got an eye on the slopes for skiing and snowboarding in Japan.