Tokyo Skytree Town Dream Christmas 2024
It’s 2024 and you no longer have to go to Yokohama or Sapporo to visit a Christmas market in Japan. Tokyo itself has multiple markets. I’ve already covered the one at Ueno Park. How does the Tokyo Skytree Town Dream Christmas fare?
I visited the Tokyo Skytree Town Dream Christmas 2024 in the evening. This adds quite a bit of atmosphere. In Germany, I’d go in the afternoon if I actually want to sample the food or buy something from a Christmas market. In the evening, those markets are usually a lot more crowded but the lights add to the atmosphere. This is especially true for the market at Tokyo Skytree.
A giant tree and a smaller one
Tokyo Skytree is well known for seasonal colours. The Sky Arena at the base is decorated as well. That’s the backdrop for the Christmas market.
Approaching the market, I was greeted by a big nutcracker. This was also one of multiple photo spot. The Christmas market is free, which is how it should be n my opinion. I never paid to enter a Christmas market in Germany.
There are a total of twelve booths, each with a specialisation: sausage (Frankfurt and Weisswurst), meat, bread strew, hot dog, churros, fried (french fries, fish & chips), beer, soup, cafe (hot chocolate), wine, glühwein/beer and stolen/Christmas goods. This would be similar to a mid-sized Christmas market in Germany.
The stands are grouped around a central square, where lots of benches and a Christmas tree were set up. Although offering different foods and goods, the vendor’s booths were styled similarly, giving the whole market a cohesive look. This avoids making the whole thing look like a random gathering of food trucks.
As for imagery used, it’s a mix of seasonal, mascots and Christian.
Differences
Of course this isn’t a German Christmas market that has just been brought to Japan. Crowd management is much more efficient here, with lines drawn on the ground and people respecting them. There’s also no space for eating next to the booths.
Another thing that’s definitely more Japanese is photos of the drinks and food next to the price. Looks cluttered as opposed to a simple menu, but is helpful.
What is missing
Tokyo Skytree Town Dream Christmas 2024 doesn’t have an event stage, an ice rink or a carousel. But then, not every Christmas market in Germany has these either. As far as getting into the Christmas mood, the market at Tokyo Skytree is quite good.
