
Tokyo events & things to do in December 2026
Start with Shibuya Crossing, Imperial Palace East Gardens, plus Tokyo Skytree & Sumida River. December in Tokyo averages 11°C / 52°F highs, 4°C / 38°F nights, and about 11 rainy days.
Expect 11°C/52°F days and about 11 rainy ones in December. Start with these:
- Shibuya Crossing★ 4.5 · 24.7k reviewsThe scramble crossing outside Shibuya Station is a rail-node spectacle rather than a long sight.
- Imperial Palace East Gardens★ 4.4 · 10.5k reviewsThe former Edo Castle site sits in Chiyoda inside the Yamanote loop, with moats, stone walls, and garden paths near Tokyo Station.
By TripSapien · Updated November 3, 2026
Tokyo in December 2026
Weather
TempTemperature
52°F / 38°F
11.2°C / 3.6°C
RainPrecipitation
11d
2.4in · 61mm
LightDaylight
9.9h
Sea
56.1°F
13.4°C
December is dry and bright, good for illuminations in Shinjuku, Roppongi, and Marunouchi with a warm layer after dark.
Events & festivals
Event calendar- Dec 31 – Jan 1
Associated occasion: New Year / winter observance.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival calendar
Holidays, observances & long weekends
Holiday and observance schedules can affect services and venue hours; confirm each place directly.
- Dec 31New Year's EveBank holiday
- Dec 31-Jan 3Long weekend with bridge day
About Tokyo
City overview
Tokyo is a rail-shaped metropolis where the JR Yamanote loop frames the old shogun centre, while Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno, Asakusa, Ginza, and Odaiba pull visitors into separate city-centres. The Sumida River, Tokyo Bay, and the former Edo castle grounds still organize the first-timer map even when the subway makes the city feel borderless.
Food & drink
Tokyo is one of the world's densest restaurant cities, with Edo-mae sushi, tempura, unagi, soba, ramen, tonkatsu, and Tsukishima monjayaki all tied to specific districts. Tsukiji Outer Market is the breakfast anchor, Ginza and Nihonbashi handle high-end sushi counters, Shinjuku and Ebisu cover izakaya nights, and the city has held more Michelin-starred restaurants than any other city in several guide years while still rewarding cheap station-counter meals.
Top sights
Ranked for December suitability using weather, setting, ratings, and review volume.
- 1Tokyo Skytree & Sumida River
- 2Toyosu Market
- 3Meiji Jingu & Harajuku
- 4Ueno Park, Tokyo National Museum & Ameyoko
- 5Senso-ji & Nakamise-dori
- 6Akihabara Electric Town
- 7Odaiba & the Yurikamome
1Tokyo Skytree & Sumida River
4.4★ · 120,208outdoorOpen dailyThe 634-metre Skytree rises on the east side near Oshiage, giving the clearest aerial read of the Sumida River and central Tokyo spread. Combine it with Asakusa by walking or taking a short train hop.
2Toyosu Market
3.6★ · 12,828outdoorClosed Wed/SunToyosu replaced Tsukiji as Tokyo's wholesale fish-market complex and keeps the tuna auction behind observation areas. It pairs with teamLab Planets, Ariake, or Odaiba by rail and foot.
WikipediaAuction viewing windows are early; apply for lottery-style close viewing when that program is open.
3Meiji Jingu & Harajuku
4.7★ · 54,032indoorThe shrine forest beside Harajuku Station creates a quiet break between Yoyogi Park, Takeshita-dori fashion crowds, and Omotesandō shopping. It works best early before school groups and weekend cosplay traffic build.
Show 5 more sights
4Ueno Park, Tokyo National Museum & Ameyoko
Ueno combines major museums, parkland, cherry blossoms, and the Ameyoko market lanes running toward Okachimachi. In sakura season, blue tarps under the trees change the park's rhythm completely.
5Senso-ji & Nakamise-dori
Asakusa's temple approach runs through Nakamise-dori souvenir stalls to Tokyo's most famous Buddhist temple. It is the clearest surviving entry point into the old shitamachi east side.
6Akihabara Electric Town
Akihabara in Chiyoda shifted from electronics stalls to a dense mix of parts shops, anime stores, arcades, maid cafes, and otaku retail. Side streets are better than the main avenue for specialist shops.
7Odaiba & the Yurikamome
Odaiba sits on Tokyo Bay, reached by the automated Yurikamome line over the Rainbow Bridge. It is a useful change of scale after dense rail hubs, with waterfront views, malls, and big exhibition spaces.
8Tsukiji Outer Market
Tsukiji Outer Market still feeds visitors with breakfast sushi, tamagoyaki, and knife shops after the wholesale fish market moved to Toyosu.
Neighborhoods
1Shinjuku
Shinjuku is a transport machine, nightlife district, and hotel base in one: the station, Tokyo Metropolitan Government towers, Kabukichō, Golden Gai, and department-store basements all stack together.
2Shibuya, Harajuku & Ebisu
This west-side belt is youth fashion, crossings, music shops, cafes, and shrine forest. Shibuya and Harajuku bring the crowds; Ebisu is the calmer dinner-and-bar release valve.
3Ueno, Asakusa & Taito
Taito keeps the old-town Tokyo feeling with Senso-ji, Ueno museums, Ameyoko, kitchenware streets, and Sumida River access. It is better for temples and markets than late-night skyscraper views.
Show 27 more neighborhoods
- 4Ginza, Nihonbashi & Tsukiji
Chuo is polished and expensive: Ginza stores, Kabuki-za, Nihonbashi department stores, and Tsukiji breakfasts sit on a gridded east-centre map.
- 5Chiyoda, Marunouchi & Akihabara
Chiyoda mixes the Imperial Palace, Tokyo Station, Marunouchi offices, Jimbocho bookshops, and Akihabara hobby retail. It is the business core with sudden specialist pockets.
- 6Minato, Roppongi & Odaiba
Minato covers embassies, Roppongi museums and nightlife, Tokyo Tower, Shiodome, and bayfront Odaiba. It is spread out, so rail-line choice matters more here than in Taito.
- 7Adachi
Access to popular spots like Ueno, Akihabara, and Asakusa is quick from 足立, which has a traditional downtown feel with plenty of affordable restaurants and shops. The area is also home to Kosuge Station.
- 8Akasaka
Many restaurants, cafes, and bars. Nearby attractions include the Imperial Palace and Akasaka Sacas, with easy access to Roppongi and other major areas.
- 9Akatsuka
- 10Akihabara
Known for its electronics shops, anime culture, and maid cafes, with Akihabara Station at its center. The area features Akihabara Electric Town and nearby Akihabara Neribei Park for a mix of shopping and relaxation.
- 11Aoba Ward
- 12Aomi
Leisure facilities and parks, with a mix of office buildings and warehouses. The area is adjacent to Daiba, where there are Fuji Television's headquarters.
- 13Aoto
A mix of local shops and restaurants, with supermarkets and drugstores nearby for convenience. The area is quiet and residential, with parks along the Arakawa River for jogging or relaxing, and it's just a short train ride to the Tokyo Skytree and Asakusa.
- 14Aoyama
Known for its international fashion houses and trendy cafes. The Meiji Shrine Outer Gardens and Nezu Museum offer cultural spots, while Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium adds to the local atmosphere.
- 15Arai
A mix of residential calm and urban convenience, with parks, convenience stores, and various restaurants within easy reach. Nearby, Nakano Broadway offers a lively shopping experience, while Arai Yakushi Baishoin Temple adds a touch of culture to the area.
- 16Arakawa
荒川 has convenient access to Narita Airport and offers a mix of multinational food shops, including sushi and Korean food, along with a 24-hour supermarket. Yanaka Ginza, a traditional shopping street, is nearby for local shopping.
- 17Asagaya
A mix of traditional and modern Japan, with several major shopping streets and an Anime street to explore. The area includes Shinmei-gu Shrine and various convenience stores, along with local eateries like Osakana Shokudo.
- 18Asagaya Minami
A mix of thrift shops, cafes, and restaurants, along with antique and craft shops that showcase local creativity. The area features Asagaya Park, perfect for walking or jogging, and is well-connected by train to central Tokyo.
- 19Asagaya-Kita
A mix of traditional and modern Japan with multiple shopping streets, restaurants, and bars. The area is home to Shinmei-gu Shrine and a variety of convenience stores.
- 20Asagayaminami
Conveniently located near Minami-Senju Station, 南千住 has various izakayas, fast food, and family restaurants, along with a shopping street featuring fruit and vegetable stores. Notable nearby sites include Jokanji Temple and the retro arcade shopping district.
- 21Asahigaoka
Higashi Nagasaki Station provides quick access to Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, and Shibuya. The area features a 24-hour supermarket, various restaurants, and a retro cafe, maintaining a local vibe while being close to Sunshine City and its attractions.
- 22Asakusa
Famous for the historic Senso-ji Temple. The area offers a glimpse of old Tokyo, with rickshaws and the Tokyo Skytree looming in the background.
- 23Asao Ward
- 24Ayase
Many convenient shops near Ayase Station, including restaurants and large supermarkets, while further from the station, it offers a calm residential atmosphere. It's close to the Tokyo Budokan and Higashi-Ayase Park, a peaceful spot for relaxation.
- 25Babashitacho
The area around Waseda Station has easy access to major stations like Shinjuku and Ikebukuro. With many supermarkets and convenience stores, daily shopping is easy, and the pedestrian-friendly streets near the university are lively with students.
- 26Bancho
Located west of the Imperial Palace, with Yasukuni Avenue running through it. The area features historical significance and is bordered by Shinjuku Avenue to the south.
- 27Botan
Convenience stores and supermarkets are nearby, and the area features historical sites like Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine and Fukagawa Fudo-do Temple.
- 28Bunka
The Tokyo Bunka Kaikan is a concert hall in Ueno Park, designed by architect Kunio Maekawa and seating over 2,300 people. It's a notable venue for performances and events in the area.
- 29Bunkyo City
The Tokyo Dome and the University of Tokyo's Hongo Campus, alongside Judo's Kōdōkan. The Nezu and Sendagi neighborhoods offer a connection to the Shitamachi area in Ueno, providing a mix of cultural experiences.
- 30Cat Street
A half-mile stretch known for Tokyo's street fashion culture, attracting stylish teens and shoppers. Key spots include the Tadao Ando-designed Armani Casa and the collectible figure store Pook et Koop.
Day trips
50km / about 1h by JR from Tokyo or Shinjuku
Kamakura
Kamakura gives Tokyo visitors temples, beach air, and the Kotoku-in Great Buddha in a manageable day. It is the best first temple-town escape from the capital.
85km / about 90m by Odakyu Romancecar from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto
Hakone
Hakone is the onsen and Fuji-view circuit, with Lake Ashi, the ropeway, and the Open-Air Museum. It works as a long day, but ryokan nights make the transport loop less rushed.
140km / about 2h by Tobu limited express from Asakusa
Nikko
Nikko is a full-day shrine and forest trip north of Tokyo, anchored by Tokugawa mausoleums and mountain air. Start early because the rail ride and bus transfers consume real time.
Getting around
Tokyo runs on JR, Tokyo Metro, Toei Subway, and private railways; Suica and PASMO IC cards remove fare math across almost all of them, while the Yamanote loop is the mental map for first-timers. Haneda is the closer airport, Narita is about 70km east, and subway fares in 2026 start around 180 yen with Tokyo Metro/Toei passes useful only on heavy subway-only days.
Planning a Tokyo trip?
Add your dates and we'll check every place for closures, limited hours, and booking needs in December.
Common questions about Tokyo in December
- What to pack for Tokyo in December
Pack for December's weather, not a generic Tokyo checklist.
- Layerable daytime clothes for average highs around 11°C / 52°F.
- A heavier evening layer because nights average 4°C / 38°F.
- Compact rain gear and shoes that handle wet pavement across about 11 rainy days.
- How many days do you need in Tokyo
- 4 days covers the main Tokyo highlights at a realistic pace. Add 3 extra days if you want the listed day trips.
- Is Tokyo worth visiting in December
- Yes. December in Tokyo averages 11°C / 52°F highs, 4°C / 38°F nights, and about 11 rainy days.
Ready to plan Tokyo?
You've seen what's on — now get a day-by-day Tokyo plan for December 2026, every place checked for your exact dates.