“Twinkling silver with a touch of blue,” this line from Japan’s favorite Christmas song (Tatsuro Yamashita’s “Christmas Eve”) perfectly describes what Tokyo Christmas looks and feels like. Given that Japan is almost exclusively Shinto and Buddhist, the popularity of Christmas may seem surprising. In many ways, the Japanese celebrate Christmas as a fun holiday, similar to other Western holidays such as Valentine’s Day or Halloween.
Hundreds of thousands
of blue LEDs
One of the most popular Tokyo Christmas places is Shibuya Blue Cave. When its hundreds of thousands of blue LEDs are switched on, the area is packed with people in no time. If you prefer a quieter atmosphere, the cherry blossom-like lights along the Meguro River make for a relaxing Christmas stroll. The area is located near the Yamanote Line between Gotanda and Osaki stations, just a short hop from Shibuya.
