14 Things to Do in Tokyo in December

December in Tokyo is usually a very sunny month with little rainfall, making it the perfect time to enjoy this wonderful city. Although at this time of the year the days are shorter, the country is preparing for Christmas and New Year's Eve, so it is worth experiencing this incredible combination of Eastern and Western culture.

The city is very diverse, and therefore there are many things to do and see in Tokyo, this time I will tell you the best things to enjoy in the last month of the year.

From the end of November to the beginning of December, the city of Tokyo is dressed in its best lights. Shopping malls, shops, streets and avenues display the best light decorations in this last part of the year. So if you want to take a tour of Tokyo, this might be the perfect time.

Tokyo's main street is Marunouchi Street, whose trees are lit up in a distinctive golden colour that further enhances their beauty. Other highlights of the light show include the displays in Omotesando, Roppongi Hills and Tokyo City Station.

The Yomiuri Land amusement park adds to this splendid tradition of light displays with its unique gemstone-themed light show.

During December in Tokyo, you have the chance to transport yourself to the Philippines and immerse yourself in its culture thanks to the Filipino Festival held every December 3rd at Yoyogi Park in the city of Shibuya.

This is a celebration and homage of the Japanese to the Filipino culture, as there are more than 30,000 Filipino citizens living in the city of Tokyo, and this is the festival that year after year makes them feel at home. Performances, dances and parades are just some of the many things you can enjoy at this festival. You can also sample typical Filipino food, including pork dishes and traditional beers.

And to stay on the same wavelength, you can take a guided food tour in Tokyo to get a taste of the best of Japanese cuisine.

A visit to Mount Fuji is a visit to one of Japan's iconic landmarks and therefore not to be missed, no matter what time of year you visit. But the great thing about visiting in December is that you will be able to see the snow-capped mountain, a beautiful sight.

Not only that, you will also have the option of seeing something that only happens between December and April, the Fuji Diamond. At sunset and sunrise the sun and the peak of the mountain meet and the mountain seems to shine like a diamond, something incredible.

It is the highest peak in the country and has been considered sacred since ancient times. I'm sure you have a thousand images of this beautiful stratovolcano in your head, but there's nothing like seeing it in reality.

Tokyo Skytree, also formerly known as New Tokyo Tower, is a telecommunications tower that doubles as a restaurant and observation deck.

It has been the tallest building in Tokyo since 2010 and therefore offers the best views of the capital. That's why it receives many visitors a day, but you can avoid the queues and waiting time by buying your ticket to Tokyo Skytree online, which I highly recommend.

If you have vertigo, I recommend you skip this activity, but if not, don't let anything stop you from seeing Tokyo from the heights! It's also a good place to take shelter from the cold of the Japanese capital during December.

If you feel like getting to know the Japanese capital in a comfortable way and from a different perspective, you can do it on a one-day bus tour. Normally, these activities also include a sightseeing cruise, so you can discover the city in two completely different ways.

I recommend this activity if it's your first time in Tokyo, as it makes stops at the main monuments and tourist attractions. But it's also ideal if you don't have many days to travel and don't want to miss anything, as you'll discover much of the city in just one day.

And on the other hand, as it's winter, the bus can help you stay warm and enjoy the city even though it's December.

Japan in December can be a very cold place, but if you don't want to waste time huddling in cafes (which is also very cool), the best way to combine warmth and sightseeing is to get tickets to the Fuji Art Museum.

This museum houses around 30,000 Japanese, Asian and European works of art. In fact, it is best known for its Western oil paintings.

It is located very close to Soka University, in Hachioji, and is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00 (including public holidays).

Its Japanese name is Kitsune no Gyoretsu and for us that would be The Fox Procession. This celebration is a peculiar tradition that takes place year after year on New Year's Eve in Tokyo and commemorates these creatures

It is held in the Oji neighbourhood, as it is considered to be the prime area for foxes in Kanto and where the enoki, their sacred tree, is located.

Midnight is announced with the typical chimes of midnight and it is at that moment that the procession of the inhabitants dressed as these animals begins towards the Oji Inari Jinja shrine, carrying in their hands Japanese paper lanterns that illuminate their march.

December brings Christmas, and if you visit Tokyo during this month, you can take advantage of all that the holiday has to offer. The streets, shops and the whole environment itself are decorated and illuminated to celebrate Christmas. Traditions and festivals take place in this month when the Christmas atmosphere invades the city of Tokyo.

One of the activities that can not be missed is the traditional tour of one of the Christmas markets. Whether you want to treat yourself or bring something nice for a loved one, these Christmas markets are ideal.

You can find a huge variety of handmade products, decorative items, textiles and delicacies of all kinds, and even have the opportunity to try a good mulled wine. These markets also often host art exhibitions, such as concerts and small Japanese plays.

Taking part in regional markets during your travels is one of the best ways to get deep into the culture of the place you are visiting, especially at the end of the year, when Christmas comes and it's time to go shopping for family gifts.

Dating back to 1578, the market known as Setagaya Boro-ichi originated as a place to buy just scraps of cloth, known to the Japanese as "Boro". Today, the popular market brings together more than 700 exhibitors and vendors offering various products such as antiques, handicrafts, clothes and traditional dishes.

It is nationally recognised as a Japanese cultural heritage site. Without a doubt, if you go to Tokyo in the month of December you can't miss a stroll and try a delicious daikan mochi, which is one of the most typical dishes of the place.

In the winter in Tokyo, several ice rinks open their doors, where you can have a lot of fun. This is an ideal family activity, and one of the best ways to warm up while having a good time. Some of the most popular ice skating rinks in Tokyo are:

• Tokyo Midtown
• Futako Tamagawa Rise shopping centre
• Lalaport Toyosu.

Tokyo is known for its modernism, and its ice skating rinks are among the best in the world. What better time to enjoy them than when the season begins and the city is immersed in beautiful Christmas weather.

Say goodbye to the year in Tokyo! After Christmas is the perfect time to visit the shrines and temples of Tokyo and soak up the culture and traditions of Japan. The main temples of this city (and the most popular ones during the end of the year) are:

• Sensoji Temple in Asakusa
• Meiji Shrine
• Zōjō-ji Temple

On the last night of the year, hundreds of people, both locals and tourists, gather at these centres of faith to offer their prayers and petitions for their family's well-being, and their wishes for prosperity and good fortune for the coming year. In addition, at these temples you can hear the Joya no Kane, which is when these shrines ring their bells 108 times, once for each sin according to Japanese tradition.

Every December 14th, at Sengaku-ji Temple in Minato-ku, Tokyo, the Ako Gishi-sai Festival is held to honour the samurai heroes of the Edo period. It is just one of the many samurai and ninja experiences you can have in Tokyo...

This shrine houses the tombs of the 47 samurai and their master, who ended their lives by harakiri. These 47 soldiers are the well-known and glorious heroes of Akoh, popular in Japanese culture and often depicted in films.

The event took place in the year 1703 where these samurai avenged the death of their master. 300 years later the Akoh Gishi Memorial Museum was erected to pay tribute to them by displaying images of the heroes and related items of all kinds.

Every Saturday in December, at around 7pm, more than 2000 fireworks are set off in Daiba Park. This magnificent park is a large green space by the waterfront, which has one of the best views of the Rainbow Bridge, as well as a privileged view of the city of Tokyo.

In case you didn't know, Odaiba is an artificial island connected to the city of Tokyo through the Rainbow Bridge. This place is a must-see for all tourists passing through Tokyo, and what better way to see it than while enjoying this special fireworks show.

All these light shows are choreographed and synchronised with music, which makes it an unforgettable spectacle. If you are visiting Tokyo in December, don't miss this opportunity.

This is one of the most peculiar and curious festivals of Japanese culture celebrated in Tokyo. The Oshiroi Matsuri, as it is called in Japanese, is held year after year on December 2nd, and is a tradition that is more than 400 years old.

Hundreds of participants, both locals and foreign tourists, gather at the festival of painted faces. Originally, the festival was a ritual exclusively for farmers and herdsmen who prayed to the deities for good crops and good health for their livestock.

The Oshiroi Matsuri is held at Ōyamazumi Shrine, minutes away from the city of Tokyo. It's definitely worth a visit if you're around this time of year and are interested in Japan's oldest traditions.

What the ritual is like

The ritual consists of participants smearing their faces with a paste called oshiroi, which is made from rice flour. Those who undergo this tradition must keep their faces unwashed throughout the day. Tradition has it that those who participate in the face-painting festival attract prosperity and good fortune in their lives.

December is a very cold month in Tokyo, with temperatures averaging around 12 degrees Celsius in the afternoon, and can drop as low as 5 degrees Celsius at night and in the early morning.

The great advantage of December is that it is the least rainy month of the year, with an average of four days of light rain. In the middle and end of the month, you may encounter some snow in the city, although this is not the most common.

December is a month with extremely low temperatures in Tokyo, so I advise you to pack a few items of clothing that are warm enough to tolerate these temperatures so that you can enjoy your trip and walk around the various attractions of this magnificent city. Sweaters, a wool hat, gloves and a good jacket are a must.

It is also very important to have good footwear, which is comfortable and if possible waterproof, to ensure you are comfortable while visiting this amazing city.

And as with any trip, remember to bring a universal power adapter so you can recharge your electronic devices at the place you are staying. Keep in mind that the Japanese use the American-style plug.