I didn’t plan on spending Christmas in Tokyo. In fact, the whole trip started as a casual scroll session, the kind you do when work is suffocating and the brain is begging for a break. A friend had just returned from Japan and wouldn’t stop raving about how December transforms Tokyo into something straight out of a dreamy holiday movie. Two days later, I was on a plane—armed with a Japan travel package from Catch A Trip, way too many sweaters, and zero expectations.
What I didn’t realise was that Tokyo during Christmas has its own rhythm… soft, glowing, and surprisingly heart-warming for a city known for its speed.
The First Night: Illuminations That Don’t Feel Real
The moment I stepped out near Marunouchi, I froze—not because of the cold, but because the entire street looked dipped in gold. Every tree shimmered with warm fairy lights. I swear, for a moment, I thought I’d walked into a parallel universe where winter felt cinematic instead of gloomy.
People around me weren’t rushing. They were strolling, couples holding hands, tourists spinning slowly to get the perfect shot. I joined them, obviously. There’s no way you walk through Marunouchi’s Christmas lights and not feel the urge to take a hundred photos.
If anyone ever asks me when to take a Japan holiday package, I’d say December. Without blinking.
A Day of Pure Tokyo Magic
The next morning, my Tokyo city tour began. I usually dread guided tours—they often feel rushed—but somehow, this one felt like a warm invitation into the city’s festive heart.
Our guide, Yuki, greeted us with a Santa hat perched awkwardly on his head. “It’s Christmas season,” he said, grinning. “Tokyo gets… extra.” He wasn’t wrong.
We stopped at Asakusa first. The red lantern of Senso-ji temple stood bold against the crisp winter sky. The smell of freshly grilled mochi drifted in the air. I watched a Japanese family offer prayers while their toddler, bundled up like a dumpling, kept trying to eat a snowflake that didn’t exist yet.
I bought a tiny omamori charm—gold and white—because Yuki insisted it brings good luck during winter travel.
Then came Odaiba. A giant Christmas tree sparkled beside the waterfront while the Rainbow Bridge changed colours like it was syncing with the holiday vibe. Street musicians played familiar carols, but with a soft Japanese twist. It was the kind of moment that stays with you even after a trip ends.
Shibuya: Christmas Chaos (In the Best Way)
By evening, I found myself in Shibuya where the crossing looked like a festive river of people. Neon signs blinked, Christmas sales popped up everywhere, and café windows fogged up from the warmth inside.
I ducked into a tiny café that seated maybe eight people. They served hot cocoa with a toasted marshmallow the size of my palm. As I sipped it, watching the world rush outside, I wondered why no one ever told me Tokyo was secretly one of the best winter cities.
A Romantic Twist (Unexpected, But Welcome)
On my last night, I met a couple from Pune on their Japan honeymoon package. They were glowing—partly from love, partly from Tokyo’s charm. We ended up sharing stories over ramen at a local joint run by an elderly couple. The husband made us laugh, the wife kept refilling our bowls without asking. The newlyweds told me they chose December specifically because “Christmas in Tokyo feels surreal.” I couldn’t argue.
Why This Trip Stays With Me
I’ve travelled a lot, but something about Tokyo during Christmas felt personal… intimate, even. Maybe it was the lights. Maybe the warmth of strangers. Maybe the way winter felt alive instead of cold.
If you’re considering Japan holiday packages—go in December. Go for the lights, the food, the small moments you don’t see on Instagram. Go because Tokyo in winter feels like it’s letting you into a softer version of itself.
And trust me—once you’ve walked those golden streets, you’ll think about them every December after.