What's on in Tokyo
37 events in December 2026: 12 exhibitions, 10 illuminations, 6 markets, 6 gardens, 2 festivals and 1 performance, from headline festivals to neighbourhood fairs. 3 of them are annual events whose 2026 dates are still to be confirmed, listed with their usual window.
Illuminations across the city, year-end fairs at Senso-ji and Setagaya, and a quiet, cold, clear final week after offices close on the 28th. More on the season in Tokyo in winter.
Nezu Shrine, Nezu
5 Sept - 6 Dec
A shrine market held roughly twice monthly featuring artisan goods, antiques and crafts. One of Tokyo's authentic neighborhood shopping experiences with deep historical roots.
Mori Art Museum, Roppongi
5 Sept - 13 Dec
A contemporary art retrospective at Tokyo's premier museum featuring carefully curated works exploring themes in modern and contemporary practice across multiple mediums.
Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo, Koto
5 Sept - 13 Dec
Rare large-scale introduction to modern Taiwanese art with approximately 200 Taiwanese artworks and 100 Japanese contemporaneous pieces plus over 500 archival documents. Organized in six thematic chapters featuring paintings, sculptures, prints, and photographs.
Hanazono Shrine, Shinjuku
6 Sept - 6 Dec
A weekly open-air antique market with 25-30 stalls in a Shinjuku shrine with Edo-period roots. Vendors spread ceramics, lacquerware, vintage kimonos and pre-war ephemera across the courtyard.
National Noh Theatre, Sendagaya
7 Sept - 6 Dec
Highly sophisticated classical mask plays featuring traditional music and movements passed down for centuries. The National Noh Theatre offers regular performances with English support.
National Art Center, Tokyo, Roppongi
9 Sept - 13 Dec
Major international touring exhibition bringing Renaissance masterpieces on loan from Paris. Spans September to December with extensive collection of important artworks from one of Europe's greatest museums.
The National Art Center, Tokyo, Roppongi
9 Sept - 13 Dec
Special exhibition featuring contemporary art including works from the Young British Artists movement and other international contemporary pieces. Japan's only national art museum without permanent collection, hosting rotating exhibitions throughout the year.
The National Art Center, Tokyo, Roppongi
9 Sept - 13 Dec
Major international exhibition showcasing Renaissance masterpieces on loan from Paris's Musée du Louvre. Works spanning Italian and Northern European schools displayed in one of Tokyo's premier art venues. Part of the museum's 2026 special exhibition series.
National Art Center, Tokyo, Roppongi
9 Sept - 13 Dec
A special exhibition examining modern Western art movements through roughly 200 Taiwanese and Japanese works from major institutions, exploring shared creative dialogue in Asian modernism.
The National Art Center, Tokyo, Roppongi
9 Sept - 13 Dec
Major international touring exhibition featuring artistic masterpieces from the Louvre, organized into four thematic sections covering travel, technical innovation, classical revival, and portraiture. A rare window into how the world's most famous art institution documents transformative artistic movements.
Tennozu Isle and surrounding areas, Shibuya
13 Sept - 27 Dec
Regular vintage and antique market held on select Sundays throughout the season, featuring clothing, accessories, vintage goods, and curated antique finds from dealers and collectors.
Shinjuku Central Park, Shinjuku
19 Sept - 6 Dec
An amateur-only flea market with nearly 200 stalls offering retro vibes and vintage finds, especially clothing and traditional apparel. Located behind the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Buildings.
Ota Memorial Museum of Art, Minato
19 Sept - 6 Dec
Exhibition of over 300 objects from a two-century-old Tokyo washi paper maker, featuring Meiji through early Showa era creations. Displays include chiyogami paper by renowned artists such as Kawanabe Kyōsai and Kawase Hasui, alongside fan designs and decorative envelopes.
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, Shinjuku
15 Oct - 5 Dec
One of Tokyo's premier autumn gardens featuring 700+ maple and zelkova trees across three garden styles (French, English, Japanese). Peak viewing mid-November to early December with simultaneous rose blooms creating a rare dual-season display.
Yomiuriland, Inagi
22 Oct - 4 Apr (dates to be confirmed)
Amusement park illumination of over 6 million jewel-toned LEDs designed by lighting designer Motoko Ishii, with a fountain show set to music. Runs deep into spring, and the gondola ride up from Keio Yomiuriland Station passes over the lights.
National Art Center, Tokyo, Roppongi
28 Oct - 8 Feb
Major exhibition celebrating pioneering female manga artists and their influence on shojo (girls') manga genre. Comprehensive retrospective featuring original works, manuscripts, and cultural impact of these influential creators.
National Art Center Tokyo, Roppongi
28 Oct - 8 Feb
Major retrospective celebrating three giants of shojo manga: Moto Hagio, Ryoko Yamagishi, and Waki Yamato. First comprehensive exhibition of their pivotal contributions to manga art.
The National Art Center, Tokyo, Roppongi
28 Oct - 8 Feb
Special exhibition dedicated to pioneering female manga artists who revolutionized the shojo manga genre. Explores the creative legacies of three influential artists through original manuscripts, artwork, and cultural impact.
Rikugien Garden, Komagome
1 Nov - 6 Dec
An Edo-era garden glowing at night with maple trees reflected in tranquil ponds. One of Tokyo's most romantic autumn scenes with illuminations from 6pm during peak foliage.
Meiji Jingu Gaien, Aoyama
1 Nov - 10 Dec
Celebration of 146 golden ginkgo trees lining the 300-meter 'Golden Avenue'. Features food stalls, craft markets, and weekend illuminations bathing the golden corridor in warm light after sunset.
Tokyo Midtown, Roppongi
1 Nov - 23 Feb
Holiday illumination event featuring the Midtown Garden with illuminated walkway of light and 3-minute light-and-music show. Paid ice rink runs through February 23, 2026.
Marunouchi area, Marunouchi
1 Nov - 28 Feb
Over 1.2 million champagne-gold LEDs lining 200 zelkova trees along the boulevard. One of Tokyo's most popular seasonal illuminations featuring elegant European-avenue styling.
Roppongi Hills, Roppongi
4 Nov - 25 Dec
Signature seasonal illumination with over 800,000 blue and white LEDs creating a breathtaking light tunnel on Keyakizaka Street. Complementary Christmas market with European-style treats and gifts, free entry.
Yebisu Garden Place, Ebisu
7 Nov - 11 Jan (dates to be confirmed)
A five-metre Baccarat crystal chandelier with 250 lights and 8,472 crystal parts glows in the open plaza at Yebisu Garden Place, alongside tree illuminations and a small Christmas market. Lit daily from 11am to 11pm.
Marunouchi Street, Marunouchi
13 Nov - 15 Feb
Over a million lights illuminate Nakadori Avenue from November 13 through February 15. Street park with market and musical performances featuring December midnight extension, 1.2-kilometer stretch from Tokyo Station area.
Nakadori Avenue and Gyōkō-dōri Avenue, Marunouchi
13 Nov - 15 Feb
Over 800,000 fairy lights strung along 1.2 kilometers of trees in Tokyo's financial district. The 24-year-old illumination runs nightly with lights until 11 p.m. in January, extending to midnight in December, creating an enchanting winter atmosphere through mid-February.
Meiji Jingu Gaien (Ichō Namiki Avenue), Aoyama
15 Nov - 1 Dec
146 ginkgo trees line a 300-meter avenue turning brilliant yellow in late autumn. Free daytime viewing mid-November to early December. Evening illuminations November 23-30, 4:30-7:30 pm create golden tunnel effect. Approximately 30 food stalls during the season.
Meiji Jingu Outer Garden, Shinjuku
15 Nov - 1 Dec
Celebration of 146 golden ginkgo trees lining a 300-meter avenue planted in 1923. The festival features food stalls, craft booths, street performers, and evening illuminations casting the brilliant yellow foliage in soft light, creating a spectacular autumn spectacle.
Rikugien Garden, Bunkyo
15 Nov - 6 Dec
Nighttime illumination of autumn foliage in one of Tokyo's most famous gardens. Red and golden leaves are lit by green and white light creating a unique nighttime view.
Otaguro Park, Ogikubo
15 Nov - 6 Dec
100-year-old ginkgo, zelkova, and maple trees illuminated at night. The illumination presentation changes yearly, with the main draw being tree reflections on the park's pond.
Meiji Jingu Gaien (Meiji Shrine Outer Gardens), Aoyama
15 Nov - 6 Dec
A celebration of the iconic golden ginkgo tree avenue with 300 glowing trees, featuring food stalls, live performances and craft markets during peak autumn foliage season.
Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Ueno
18 Nov - 8 Jan
Exhibition exploring modern and contemporary thread, needle, and fabric creations from the Tokyo Metropolitan Collection. Features works ranging from traditional embroidery techniques to contemporary fiber art installations.
Meguro River, Gotanda Fureai Waterside Square, Gotanda
4 Dec - 31 Jan (dates to be confirmed)
The cherry trees along a 2.2km stretch of the Meguro River near Gotanda and Osaki are lit with around 390,000 pink LEDs, a winter version of the famous spring blossoms. The whole display runs on biodiesel made from cooking oil collected from local homes and restaurants.
Boroichi-dori, near Setagaya Daikan Yashiki, Setagaya
15 Dec - 16
A street market held on the same two days each December and January for over 440 years, with around 700 stalls of antiques, old kimono, tools, plants, and food along Boroichi-dori by the thatched-roof magistrate's residence. Ride the two-car Setagaya Line to Kamimachi to get there.
Senso-ji Temple, Asakusa
17 Dec - 19
Year-end fair held on the same three days every December since the Edo period, with around 50 stalls near the main hall selling ornate hagoita battledore paddles decorated with kabuki actors and celebrities of the year. Sellers and buyers clap hands together to close each sale.
Oji Inari Shrine, Oji
31 Dec
On New Year's Eve around 300 participants in fox masks and kimono walk by lantern light from Shozoku Inari Shrine to Oji Inari Shrine, recreating the fox gathering in Hiroshige's woodblock print of Oji. The main procession sets off around 11pm; a children's parade runs in the afternoon.
Zojo-ji Temple, Shibakoen
31 Dec - 1 Jan
Zojo-ji's great bell is struck 108 times around midnight on New Year's Eve, once for each earthly desire in Buddhist belief, with Tokyo Tower lit directly behind the main hall. Watching is free; a limited number of tickets to strike the bell are sold in advance.
Tokyo International Forum, Yurakucho
1st and 3rd Sundays of the month (dates occasionally shift, no August edition)
Japan's largest outdoor antique market, held on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month with 250 or so dealers selling old kimono, ceramics, woodblock prints, and retro homeware. Dates occasionally shift and there is usually no August edition, so check the official schedule before going.
Hanazono Shrine, Shinjuku
Almost every Sunday, roughly 6:30am to 3pm, except festival days and rain
Small, atmospheric antique market held almost every Sunday from early morning in the grounds of Shinjuku's Hanazono Shrine, with 25 to 40 stalls of old ceramics, kimono, coins, and curios. Skipped on festival weekends and in bad weather, so go early and have a backup plan.
Yasukuni Shrine outer approach, Kudanshita
Sundays, sunrise to sunset, weather permitting
A modest Sunday antique market along the tree-lined outer approach to Yasukuni Shrine, with 10 to 20 dealers selling pottery, old tools, and militaria from sunrise to sunset. Small enough to browse in half an hour on the way to the shrine or nearby Chidorigafuchi.
Koganji Temple and Jizo-dori Shopping Street, Sugamo
4th, 14th, and 24th of every month
Temple fair days at Koganji, home of the healing Togenuki Jizo, held on the 4th, 14th, and 24th of every month when food and trinket stalls line Jizo-dori shopping street. Nicknamed the Harajuku for grandmas, it is one of Tokyo's most charming old-school street scenes.
Kishimojin Temple, Zoshigaya
3rd Sunday of the month, 10am to 4pm (check the schedule, some months move or skip)
Craft market held on the third Sunday of most months in the cedar-shaded grounds of Kishimojin Temple, where up to 200 makers may only sell things they made themselves. One of the best places in Tokyo to buy ceramics, leather goods, and prints directly from the artists.
Takahata Fudoson Kongoji Temple, Hino
3rd Sunday of the month, 8am to 4pm
Around 120 dealers fill the grounds of this major Kanto temple on the third Sunday of every month, selling old kimono, clocks, toys, and farmhouse finds. The name Gozare roughly means anything goes as long as it is old, and prices run cheaper than central Tokyo markets.
United Nations University plaza, Aoyama
Every Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 4pm
Tokyo's best-known farmers market runs every Saturday and Sunday on the plaza in front of the United Nations University, with around 50 stalls of produce, honey, coffee, and baked goods from farms across Japan. An easy, food-truck-fuelled stop between Shibuya and Omotesando.
Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine, Fukagawa
Antique market on 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th Sundays; flea market on the 15th and 28th of every month
This Edo-era shrine in old-town Fukagawa runs an antique market on most Sundays plus a bigger flea market on the 15th and 28th of each month, with dealers in Imari porcelain, old kimono, and vintage toys. Markets pause in January and are cancelled in rain.
Oi Racecourse, Shinagawa
Most Saturdays and Sundays (skips race days, check the calendar)
Tokyo's biggest regular flea market takes over the Oi Racecourse parking area most Saturdays and Sundays, with 300 to 600 stalls of secondhand clothes, household goods, toys, and the occasional genuine antique. Pure local bargain-hunting rather than a curated antiques fair.
Ark Hills, Ark Karajan Place, Akasaka
Every Saturday, 10am to 2pm
One of Tokyo's longest-running weekly marches, held every Saturday morning at Ark Hills since 2009 with farmers and small producers selling vegetables, bread, and prepared food. A relaxed local scene ten minutes from Roppongi.
Ark Hills, Ark Karajan Place, Akasaka
4th Sunday of the month (2nd Sunday in December), 11am to 5pm
Around 70 vendors of antiques, vintage jewellery, art, and old kimono fill the plaza at Ark Hills on the fourth Sunday of each month, moving to the second Sunday in December. More polished and design-minded than the shrine markets, with food stalls alongside.
Tokyo Ryutsu Center, Heiwajima
About five times a year over three days, typically March, May, July or September, and December (Sep 13-15 and Dec 6-8 in 2026)
Japan's biggest indoor antiques fair, held about five times a year over three days with nearly 300 dealers from across the country under one roof. Because it is indoors it runs rain or shine, making it the safest bet of Tokyo's big antique events.
37 events are listed for December 2026: 12 exhibitions, 10 illuminations, 6 markets, 6 gardens, 2 festivals and 1 performance. 34 have confirmed dates and 3 are annual events whose exact 2026 dates are still to be announced, shown with their usual window. Every listing links to the interactive map.
Illuminations across the city, year-end fairs at Senso-ji and Setagaya, and a quiet, cold, clear final week after offices close on the 28th.
Near-term events are refreshed every week as organisers announce dates, and finished events drop off automatically. Annual events further out carry their typical dates until the official ones are published.