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GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!

Winter in Tokyo - Things to do, Events and Festivals

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by GoWithGuide travel specialist:Fidelia A.

Last updated : Apr 28, 20226 min read

Itinerary Ideas

Winter in Tokyo sounds so romantic, right? And it is! Spending your winter holiday in Tokyo could be really romantic, if only you know what special events, festivals, and things that you can do during that specific season!

 

In this article, I will discuss what winter in Tokyo has to offer you! Hop on! 

Events, Festivals, and More... 

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  1. Omotesando Winter Illuminations

Every year, about thousands of LED lights up the trees that paves the road between Harajuku and Omotesando. Visitors that comes during November - December could have a chance to see this romantic view. You can shop around the many shops in Omotesando while enjoying the nice atmosphere the light gives out.

Location

Omotesando (map)

Schedule

Late November - Late December

After sunset - 22.00

 

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  1. Tori no Ichii Festival

Join this festival for good luck! In this festival, locals would celebrate and pray for good luck in business. You would be surprised to find stall vendors selling rakes that would, apparently, “rake in good lucks for businesses”. This early winter celebration is held every 12 days in November, which is the day of the rooster. Although it is held in several locations in Tokyo, the most famous one would be held in Otori Jinja Shrine, Tokyo.

Location

Otori Jinja Shrine (map)

Schedule

November every year (exact date changes every year)

 

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  1. Jingu Gaien Icho Matsuri

For those of you who would come during mid- November until early December, you might still find some autumn colors in Tokyo. Each year, the Ginkgo trees that paved this avenue would all turn into a brilliant yellow color, which attracts both local and international tourists.

Location

Jingu Gaien Icho Namiki  (map)

Schedule

Mid November until Early December

Website

http://www.meijijingugaien.jp/event/

 

  1. Go Strawberry Picking!

Winter is, surprisingly, the perfect time to pick some strawberries. Beyond all the metropolitan areas that Tokyo has to offer, you can find some places where you can enjoy activities like picking seasonal fruits.

My recommendation is the Mizuta-En Farm in Higashimurayama City. They offer different fruits to pick all year round, according to each season. Because of this, you will always find different fruits for each visit!

Location

3-23-8 Onta-cho, Higashimurayama-shi, Tokyo. (map)

Schedule

10.00 - 16.00

Website

http://kazyu-mizutaen.server-shared.com/

 

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  1. Go on a shopping spree!

Look;

New year in Tokyo is the perfect excuse for a shopping spree.

 

Besides the many special deals and discounts that are available during New Year Seasons, you could also join the fun shopping tradition of fukubukuro (lucky bag).

Basically, you’ll buy a certain price for a bag that contains a few items (there is usually a selection of things that you can get in that bag). You wouldn’t know what is inside the lucky bag till you buy it. Then, if you don’t like it you can always exchange or sell it again!

My recommendation is to go shopping in Shibuya, Shinjuku, or Harajuku area. Shibuya 109 is also known to give out crazy discounts and special fukubukuro deals during winter time.

Shibuya 109 (map)

 

6. Skiing

For sports lovers, winter is the one season of the year where they can do their favorite winter sports activities. Although it rarely snows in Tokyo, you can still find places to do winter sports such as skiing in areas near Tokyo! Here in this link, you will find more information regarding ski resorts around Tokyo. 

 

If you prefer to see other events and things you can join in each winter month, you can check these links below!

Things to do in Tokyo in November - Events and Festivals

Things to do in Tokyo in December - Events and Festivals

Tokyo in January - things to do, events and festivals

Things to do in Tokyo in February - Events and Festivals

 

More tips

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Here’s the thing:

You can make your trip way easier by hiring a private guide!

 

By hiring a private guide, you would spend your days in Tokyo more efficiently by saving yourself from the hassle of navigating your way through Tokyo’s complex public transport system.

Moreover, your guide could give you their recommendation about the things you could join in during your winter visit to Tokyo.

If you are thinking to book a guide, then I recommend you to book one from this GoWithGuide. They have the best list of recommended guides that will help your every need during your Tokyo trip.



In this article, I have given several suggestions about some winter activities that you can do in Tokyo. I hope that this article has been useful to you and wish you the best of luck for your holiday!

Tokyo Tour Guide - Yoko Y.

Yoko Y.

5.00 / 5
(8 reviews)
Japan

Bonjour! Je m’appelle Yoko, je suis guide diplômée. J’habite à Tokyo, dans le quartier appelé Yanesen, depuis plus de 10 ans. J’aime bien mon quartier, il se trouve au milieu de Tokyo, mais il garde l'atmosphère d’autrefois.Il y a plus de 100 temples et sanctuaires, les festivals de sanctuaire sont des événements importants pour les habitants, dans les rues commerçantes, il y a de vieux magasins qui animent les rues même aujourd’hui. C’est comme un village, les habitants sont ouverts, amicaux et sympas, il y a de vrais échanges entre eux. Je crois qu’il y a de vieux Tokyo, de vraie vie quotidienne de Tokyoïtes qui ne changent pas depuis longtemps à Yanesen. J’aime bien aussi voyager, découvrir la culture vivante tout en faisant la connaissance avec des personnes locales. Et c’est pour cela que quand je voyage, j’aime bien aller aux marchés, aux cafés et aux restaurants populaires entre les habitants. J’aime aussi le saké depuis 5,6 ans, mais je n'aimais pas le saké, je croyais que le vin était le meilleur, et qu’il accompagnait presque n’importe quel cuisine. Mais aujourd’hui je crois que le saké est le meilleur pour accompagner la cuisine japonaise et notamment quand on voyage dans des régions au Japon, il permet de communiquer plus facilement avec des personnes locales. Pour approfondir mes connaissances, j’ai obtenu le diplôme de saké sommelier et travaille dans une entreprise de saké. Je vous guiderai dans ce bon vieux Tokyo afin que vous puissiez découvrir une vraie vie quotidienne de Tokyoïte, tout en servant d'intermédiaire entre vous et les habitants du quartier. Et bien sur, je peux organiser également le tour sur mesure, tout en répondant à vos demandes pour votre voyage innoubliable! J’espère que l’on se voit très bientôt à Tokyo!                                                                                                                                 

Tokyo Tour Guide - Grant A.

Grant A.

5.00 / 5
(5 reviews)
Japan

My name is Grant I lived more than 10 years in Japan. I graduated University and translation school in Tokyo. I am fluent in Japanese. I have a degree in Asian studies and have expert-level knowledge of Japanese culture and history. I have memorized the JR rail system across all of Japan, I use the same train timetable calculators as the station staff, and I have experience using bullet train passes that are exclusive to foreign visitors. I can optimally navigate the Tokyo underground and maximize value from a Tokyo metro pass and also understand Tokyo above ground which will allow for seamless transitions between different metro stations and landmarks with minimal backtracking. My tour fee is 20,000yen for 1-6hours (135.28USD) 30,000yen for 7-9hours (202.93USD) 40,000yen for 9-12hours (270.57USD) I have half-day tours listed at 20,000 yen (135.28USD) at the moment but you can combine them or do a custom tour for roughly up to 9 hours for 30,000 yen (202.93USD). The time transiting to and from your hotel for pick up or drop off within Tokyo 23wards does not count towards an increase in the price.                                                                                                                                 

Kanagawa Tour Guide - Kaneo U.

Kaneo U.

4.97 / 5
(35 reviews)
Japan

I’m so excited to have a chance to show you around my favorite spots in Kanagawa prefecture. I was born in Kanagawa. I spent my whole school life, including university, here in Kanagawa. I worked as a high school English teacher here for 40 years. I love Kanagawa so much. We have many interesting tourist spots, like Hakone, Kamakura, Enoshima and Yokohama. I got my tour guide license in English in 2009. I am still an English teacher. To give an interesting and impressive lesson to young high school students, I’ve learnt and gathered many kinds of information. I also have a license to teach social studies, so I have a wide range of knowledge about Japanese culture and history. I’m sure to provide you an interesting tour.                                                                                                                                 

Tokyo Tour Guide - Yasuro C.

Yasuro C.

4.79 / 5
(62 reviews)
Japan

Hello, my name is Yasuro (Mr). I was born and brought up in Kansai, graduated from a univ in Kobe city, after moved into Kanto, 30 years in Tokyo, 2.5 years in Nagoya city, 7.5 years abroad (KL & S'pore) as a rep of a construction company and I got the National Guide Certificate in 2011. My hobbies are making Haiku poems, singing various songs (voice-training for 18 years), playing the folk-guitar, trekking in mountains like Takao and Okutama in the West of Tokyo, visiting museums like in Ueno Park and travelling around Japan to make Haiku poems. Thank you for your attention.                                                                                                                                 

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