Two Weeks in Tokyo: Christmas Magic, Shopping, Food, and Adventure

Spending two weeks in Tokyo with my husband over the Christmas holidays was nothing short of unforgettable. Tokyo is a city that feels alive in every season, but during the holidays Tokyo is cold! While still a good time to visit but make sure you pack warm clothes even that ugly Christmas sweater ! I’ve been lucky enough to visit Japan more than 25 times, traveling from its vibrant cities like Osaka , Yokohama and Nagoya to the peaceful countryside and remote islands. Tokyo always feels like a world of its own. What I love most is how safe and welcoming it is for all kinds of travelers — whether you’re exploring as a couple, solo, with friends, or as a family. In this post, I’ll be sharing where we stayed, the restaurants and food experiences we loved, the best spots for shopping, must-see historical sights, and plenty of fun things to do in Tokyo during Christmas.

Where We Stayed in Tokyo

This trip we stayed at the  Cerulean Tower Tokyu. Spacious rooms, a lot of amenities , with great dining options . The Shibuya Excel is another great option and has the most wonderful bakery on the ground floor  . The Shibuya subway – train station  is a 5 minute walk and you must stop and see the Beautiful statue of Hachiko !

Shibuya Crossing feels like being in the middle of organized chaos — hundreds of people surge across from every direction at once, yet somehow it flows perfectly, a true symbol of Tokyo’s energy and rhythm.  Shibuya is fantastic for walkability and of course shopping!

Shopping in Tokyo at Christmas

Shibuya 109 is a fantastic iconic mall right in the heart of Shibuya. You will find the most amazing make -up , skin care, really unique lingerie , clothes  and shoes. I love to buy lingerie , and hosiery here because it’s 100% unique and you won’t find many of these Japanese brands anywhere else in the world .

Ginza is where you’ll find all the of the designer shops and high end shopping   Mitsukoshi is their chain department store and Dover Street Market  is another high end shoppe with beautiful unique things. Japanese people are kind, humble and friendly. Their style and design give great aesthetic pleasure .Good manners always go a long way and it’s respectful to slightly bow right back when you’re greeted this way . At 5’10 it can be challenging for me to find clothes that fit me so I stick to buying cosmetics and skincare. Tsubaki is a fantastic shampoo and Conditioner and there’s Canmake for make-up that is inexpensive and a good range of products. Japan is know for their high end beauty products but those two products I mentioned are fantastic and a great price point. You can’t come to Japan and not try all of their cute snacks, I LOVE their cute packaged anime snacks!

Fun Things to Do in Tokyo

If you’re a Hello Kitty Fan like me you’ll love this Sanrio themed park. Puroland I stood in line to meet Hello Kitty in previous years and my sweet husband took me to see her again. That’s love! I was actually ok with not going this trip because I wanted to show Alberto more of Japan since it was his first time. He was curious about this character I love so much and it gives him pleasure to see me happy so off we went!

Godzilla is located in the neighborhood of Shinjuku and it’s at The Gracery Hotel  He comes out every hour on the hour so enjoy a tea and cake then run out like everyone else when you hear him roar!

Tokyo Tower in the late afternoon has the best views ! As the sun sets watch as the city transforms into a glittering sea of lights . Check for times and tickets here

Asakusa is located in the Taito, District. Asakusa is where old Tokyo still shines. Centered around the iconic Senso-ji Temple, the city’s oldest Buddhist temple, this neighborhood is filled with traditional shops, street food stalls, and the vibrant energy of Nakamise Street. From the scent of incense to the sound of temple bells, Asakusa offers a beautiful glimpse into Japan’s rich history and timeless charm. We had the most delicious cream puffs filled with green tea tea ice cream .

 

Akihabara is a fun area, a lot of Anime, sexy and video game shoppes .Akihabara, often called Electric Town. Tokyo’s vibrant hub of anime, gaming, and tech culture. Neon lights, multi-story arcades, and endless shops selling electronics, manga, and collectibles make it a paradise for pop culture fans. We had fun browsing vintage video games, and soaking in the electric energy. Akihabara perfectly captures Tokyo’s playful, futuristic side.

 

Ginza is so elegant and nice to stroll around in. In December it’s cold and snowing but Ginza is so calm and pretty with beautiful parks. The Imperial Palace is there you have to see the garden and the grounds. We also stopped into the Ginza Lion Beer Hall  which we stumbled upon by mistake ! We were looking for a warm place to recharge ourselves since it was mid afternoon and we had been up early sightseeing hard ! As soon as we walked it we loved the vibe. I mean it’s a beer hall so you’re bound to find jovial people sipping – chugging – enjoying Japan’s beer and we decided to join in. Cold Sapporo and crispy Tonkatsu  hit the spot ..

Eating Our Way Through Tokyo

We had ramen everyday during our two week stay . This soup staple is a must during the cold wet season. We found ourselves at Ichiran in Shibuya – Shinjuku . There are multiple locations , it’s open 24 hours and you can customize your ramen however you want . On our last day we took a taxi to Nakiryu which to our disappointment was closed for the holidays . I’ll never know IF it surpasses the “chain ramen shops” we found but I thought Ichiran was super tasty !

 

Then we found this sliding plate sushi place that had amazing reviews. I’ve never ordered sushi from a computer then had it slide on down to me on a  conveyor belt but it was tasty FUN and CHEAP! Have you ever used those three words to describe your sushi experience? You’ve never said CHEAP! I recommend  Uobei Sushi

Nobu still holds a spot as one of  mine and Alberto’s go to’s. We’ve been to almost every location around the world and had to visit the Tokyo location . For Alberto and me, it became one of those rare, timeless moments that turned a beautiful dinner into a cherished memory.

Tips For Traveling in Tokyo

1. Use the ATM at 7-11 .When withdrawling cash in the local Yen or any local currency remember to ALWAYS choose the option to DECLINE the conversion . The rate will be much better this way and you avoid any extra surcharges. The airport exchange or those touristy exchange places can be an option if you have cash to exchange just make sure to check for the best rates.

2. Bring your medications- vitamins – drugstore essentials . Yes you can find a huge variety of those things in Japan BUT it most likely won’t be written in English . It’s also a good idea to to check and see IF your medications are legal in Japan . Here’s a list to check what medications are and are not permitted …

3. Taxis are great and convenient for getting around but can be expensive. Japan had EXCELLENT public transport and it can be an adventure!! It was for us especially trying to read the signs , find the correct tickets for the routes and decipher the color coded subway lines . We found our way each time but we had a lot of laughs trying to navigate it all . This article is great at explaining the easiest ways to get around Tokyo .

4. Download the  Safety Tips app This is a great way to get updates in case of an emergency situation .

My final thoughts about this incredible country and city . Always exercise caution and pay attention to your surroundings. I’ve always felt safe in Tokyo and after exploring Tokyo for so many years and getting lost (constantly )  I’ve found people to be generally helpful and friendly . It can be difficult to find English spoke widely as well so download a good translate app .

Most of my encounters with Japanese people gave me the impression that they are humble and polite , however I have on a few occasions experienced racism . Most people who have shared a similar experience with me were also southeast asian or African ..

LGBTQ+ travelers are very welcomed in Japan and Tokyo has one of the largest districts in asia.

You’ll also find women only subway cars at peak weekday (I believe also weekends ) hours .

Japan still remains one of my favorite travel destinations in the world and leaving Tokyo always feels bittersweet. After two unforgettable weeks filled with dazzling lights, incredible food, quiet temples, and endless adventures, I’m reminded why Japan holds such a special place in my heart. From the festive energy of Shibuya to the peaceful traditions of Asakusa, Tokyo is a city that never stops surprising me — no matter how many times I visit. It’s safe, inspiring, and endlessly fascinating for every kind of traveler. I hope my tips and experiences help you plan your own trip to this incredible city, and if you haven’t been yet… trust me, Tokyo is worth every moment. XO Tera

 

---