November

Some years ago, I had the opportunity to visit Europe right before the holiday season was underway. One upside to this trip was experiencing the Christmas Markets that pop up in both major cities and small villages. These markets sell festive food and drink and all sorts of Christmas decorations. My suitcase coming back was nearly as full as my stomach after countless hours spent shopping and eating my way through the market. Years later, I still miss how those markets made the holidays come alive in a way that I rarely encounter in Japan. Luckily, they have started becoming popular here in the metropolis, so I have assembled this short guide to help any of my fellow Kanto residents trying to get into the holiday spirit. Tokyo Christmas Market –  Shinanomachi We’ll start with the biggest offering: the Tokyo Christmas Market, located in this year in Meji Jingu Gaien Niko Niko Park. Usually held in Hibiya, the market moved this year due to construction at the usual location. This market is sponsored by the German Embassy and several German municipalities and business groups, so you know that it will come closest to Germany’s famous Christmas markets. German food, mulled…