Azabudai Hills Christmas Market 2026 Runs Nov 21 to Dec 25
Mori Building, the developer that runs the five Hills complexes in central Tokyo, announced these details on 30 September 2026. The Mori Building Christmas Hills 2026 press release lists the market under its CHRISTMAS HILLS 2026 program. That program also covers Roppongi Hills, Toranomon Hills, Omotesando Hills and ARK Hills. The season opens earlier, on 5 November, when the Keyakizaka Illumination in Roppongi switches on. The market itself starts on 21 November.
This guide puts the dates in one table and explains what the 19 stalls sell. It also shows how to reach Azabudai Hills from Haneda and Narita. It also covers the Tokyo weather in late autumn and the other Christmas events you can add on the same evening.
Azabudai Hills Christmas Market 2026 dates and hours
The Azabudai Hills Christmas Market 2026 opens on Saturday 21 November and closes on Friday 25 December. Every listed day runs from 11:00 to 21:00. Christmas Day is the final day, so there is no market on 26 December.
The illustration above puts the two things most people search for in one place: the date range and the closing time. The market opens at 11:00, so you can come for lunch as well as after dark. The lights on the arch gate look best after sunset, and you have until 21:00 to see them.
The opening weekend falls next to a public holiday. Monday 23 November is Labor Thanksgiving Day, according to the Cabinet Office national holidays page. That gives Tokyo a three-day weekend from Saturday 21 to Monday 23 November. Our November public holidays page lists both November holidays with their weekdays. December 2026 has no national holiday, as our December holidays page shows. So 24 and 25 December are a normal Thursday and Friday for most people in Tokyo.
People start looking for this market weeks before it opens. Google Keyword Planner counted 880 worldwide searches for “azabudai hills christmas market” in October 2025. The figure rose to 5,400 in November and peaked at 74,000 in December 2025, about 84.1 times the October level. If you plan a visit in late November or December, book your hotel near Roppongi or Kamiyacho now.
| Month | Searches |
|---|---|
| Sep 2025 | 480 |
| Oct 2025 | 880 |
| Nov 2025 | 5400 |
| Dec 2025 | 74,000 |
| Jan 2026 | 1000 |
| Feb 2026 | 260 |
| Mar 2026 | 320 |
| Apr 2026 | 210 |
| May 2026 | 210 |
| Jun 2026 | 210 |
| Jul 2026 | 210 |
| Aug 2026 | 480 |
The table below puts the four main Christmas Hills events side by side. Use it to pick one evening for the markets and the lights together.
| Event | Dates (2026) | Hours | Place |
|---|---|---|---|
| Azabudai Hills Christmas Market | 21 Nov to 25 Dec | 11:00-21:00 | Central Square, Azabudai Hills |
| Roppongi Hills Christmas Market | 21 Nov to 25 Dec | 11:00-21:00 | Oyane Plaza, Roppongi Hills |
| Keyakizaka Illumination | 5 Nov to 25 Dec | 17:00-22:00 | Roppongi Keyakizaka-dori |
| Omotesando Illumination (planned) | 1 Dec to 25 Dec | Sunset to 22:00 | Jingumae to Omotesando crossings |
Two of these dates are marked as planned in the release: the Omotesando Illumination period and its hours. Mori Building says it will add more details on the CHRISTMAS HILLS 2026 special site, so check that site again in November.
What is at the market: 19 stalls in the Central Square
The market fills the Central Square, the green open space at the heart of Azabudai Hills. The Mori Building Azabudai Hills facilities page puts the square at about 6,000 m². Inside it sits the Azabudai Hills Arena, an event space under a large wave-shaped roof called The Cloud, designed by Heatherwick Studio. A lawn of about 550 m² lies next to the arena.
The photo shows the Central Square with the Mori JP Tower behind it. The Mori Building Azabudai Hills project overview gives the tower a height of about 330 m. Azabudai Hills opened on 24 November 2023, and the district has about 2.4 ha of green space.
For the 2026 market, Mori Building lists 4 goods stalls and 15 food and drink stalls, 19 in total. The release calls it an authentic Christmas space. An arch-shaped gate of light marks the market and is the symbol of Christmas at Azabudai Hills. Plan to eat here rather than shop for gifts, because food and drink make up most of the stalls.
| Item | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Azabudai Hills: all stalls | 19 stalls | |
| Azabudai Hills: food and drink | 15 stalls | |
| Azabudai Hills: goods | 4 stalls | |
| Roppongi Hills: all stalls | 10 stalls | 20th edition |
The chart compares the two Hills markets. Azabudai Hills has 19 stalls and Roppongi Hills has 10, so Azabudai Hills is the larger of the two by stall count. Roppongi Hills has its own draw, which the next section covers.
| Place | Azabudai Hills Christmas Market 2026 |
|---|---|
| Hours | 21 November to 25 December 2026, 11:00-21:00 |
| Access | Central Square (Azabudai Hills Arena and lawn area), linked to Kamiyacho and Roppongi-itchome stations by a covered walkway |
| Official site | Mori Building Christmas Hills 2026 press release |
You pay each stall for what you eat and buy. Mori Building will post more details for each event on the CHRISTMAS HILLS 2026 special site.
More to eat and see in the same building
The market is outdoors, but Azabudai Hills has plenty under a roof. The facilities page lists about 150 shops across fashion, food, beauty, culture, art and wellness. Under the Central Square sits the Azabudai Hills Market, a food hall of about 4,000 m² with specialist food shops. This is a good place to warm up between stalls.
The Mori Building Digital Art Museum: EPSON teamLab Borderless moved here from Odaiba in February 2024. Our guide to teamLab Borderless Tokyo tickets and timing explains how long to plan for it. A late-afternoon museum slot followed by the market after dark fits one visit well.
When you arrive, look for signs that say 中央広場 (Chūō Hiroba), which means Central Square. If you get lost, ask staff: “中央広場はどこですか？” (Chūō hiroba wa doko desu ka?), meaning “Where is the Central Square?”
Christmas Hills 2026: Roppongi Hills, Toranomon and Omotesando
CHRISTMAS HILLS 2026 links five Mori Building complexes. Each one runs its own Christmas events, and two of them hold Christmas markets. Here is what each Hills complex plans this year.
The three points in the illustration are the ones to remember. Both markets start on 21 November, both close on 25 December, and both stay open until 21:00.
Roppongi Hills Christmas Market
The Roppongi Hills Christmas Market reaches its 20th edition in 2026. It recreates the Christmas market of Stuttgart in Germany, which the release describes as said to be the largest in the world. Ten stalls take part. They include Käthe Wohlfahrt, a shop known for selling traditional German Christmas items all year, and stalls with mulled wine, sausages and stollen. For the 20th year, the market adds limited-edition goods and special events.
The photo shows the wooden German-style stalls you can expect at Roppongi Hills. The market runs from 21 November to 25 December, 11:00 to 21:00, in the Oyane Plaza.
| Place | Roppongi Hills Christmas Market 2026 |
|---|---|
| Hours | 21 November to 25 December 2026, 11:00-21:00 |
| Access | Oyane Plaza, Roppongi Hills. From Haneda: Keikyu Line and Toei subway to Roppongi, about 37 min, 550 yen |
| Official site | Mori Building Christmas Hills 2026 press release |
Lights at Roppongi Hills
Three illuminations run at Roppongi Hills. Each one lists a different end date, so check the one you want.
- Keyakizaka Illumination “SNOW & BLUE”: About 400 m of SNOW & BLUE lights along Roppongi Keyakizaka-dori, 5 November to 25 December, 17:00 to 22:00. The start time on the first day may differ.
- 66 Plaza Illumination: Champagne-gold lights at the main entrance, 13 November to 27 December, 17:00 to 24:00. The last day ends at 23:00.
- Mohri Garden Illumination: Two shades of gold with white lights, 13 November to 25 December, 17:00 to 23:00.
A large flower-themed Christmas tree also stands in the West Walk 2F south atrium from 13 November to 25 December.
Toranomon Hills, Omotesando Hills and ARK Hills
Toranomon Hills runs TORANOMON HILLS CHRISTMAS 2026 with the theme “COSMIC HOLIDAY” from 12 November to 25 December. The Station Atrium holds “THE WONDER OF CHRISTMAS”, a group of real Christmas trees with ornaments and large balloons. It is planned from 24 November to 25 December. Lights also go up on the T-Deck and the Step Garden.
The Omotesando Illumination 2026 lights the zelkova trees between Jingumae crossing and Omotesando crossing. The planned period is 1 to 25 December, from sunset to 22:00.
ARK Hills plans a Christmas tree in Ark Karajan Plaza from 7 November to 25 December. The Hills Marché runs every Saturday with Christmas goods. On Sunday 22 November, the Akasaka Flea Market holds a special Christmas edition with more sellers than usual.
Stamp rally and wish a wish
From 5 November to 25 December, a stamp rally covers all five Hills. You earn one stamp for each payment of 1,000 yen or more, tax included, at a Hills shop. Collect stamps at three different Hills and you receive a 1,000-yen coupon to use in Hills shops.
The steps above follow the release. You need to download the Hills App, register as a member for free and log in. At checkout, show the app so the shop adds Hills Points. Some shops, goods and payment methods do not count.
The “wish a wish” event runs from 1 to 25 December at Roppongi Hills and Azabudai Hills. You buy an original Christmas card at either complex, write a message and post it in a special postbox. The Hills then deliver the letter at Christmas one year later.
Getting to Azabudai Hills from Kamiyacho and the airports
Azabudai Hills sits between two subway stations: Kamiyacho and Roppongi-itchome. The project overview describes a barrier-free, umbrella-free pedestrian network that links the two stations through the complex. You can walk between them under cover, which helps on a rainy December evening.
The photo shows Kamiyacho Station, a common way in. Pay for the subway with an IC card. Our page on using IC cards in Tokyo explains that 10 different cards work in the PASMO and Suica areas. Visitors can buy a Welcome Suica with no deposit, and it stays valid for 28 days.
From Haneda Airport
Haneda connects directly to the Keikyu Line and the Tokyo Monorail, as the Haneda Airport train and monorail access page explains. For Roppongi, our Haneda Airport to Roppongi transfer page lists the Keikyu Line and Toei subway: about 37 min and 550 yen with one change. The airport lists the limousine bus to Akasaka and Roppongi as suspended, so take the train. The Haneda Airport guide covers the airport in more detail.
From Narita Airport
From Narita, the Airport Limousine bus runs to hotels in Toranomon, Roppongi and Akasaka. Our Narita Airport to Roppongi and Akasaka transfer page lists the trip at 105 to 120 min for 3,600 yen. The first bus leaves at 08:55 and the last at 19:05. Board at stop 10 in Terminal 1, stop 17 in Terminal 2 or stop 9 in Terminal 3. The Narita Airport guide has the train options too.
Weather, crowds and the best time to go
Dress for a cold evening. The Japan Meteorological Agency Tokyo climate normals give November an average daily high of 16.7°C and a low of 8.8°C. December drops to a high of 12.0°C and a low of 3.8°C. These are 1991 to 2020 averages for central Tokyo.
The screenshot is the agency’s normals table for the Tokyo station, with one row per month. December is the drier month, with 57.9 mm of rain on average against 96.3 mm in November. December also averages 174.4 hours of sunshine. Expect sunny afternoons and a cold walk home.
- Late November: A light coat is enough in the afternoon. Add a scarf after dark.
- December evenings: Wear a warm coat, gloves and a hat. You will stand outside between stalls.
- Hot drinks: Mulled wine at Roppongi Hills and food stalls at Azabudai Hills help you stay warm.
The photo shows the Keyakizaka lights in Roppongi, which run from 17:00 to 22:00. Their late hours help you plan the evening. Visit the Azabudai Hills market before it closes at 21:00, then walk to Roppongi for the lights until 22:00.
When to go
Weekends and the 23 November holiday are days off for most Tokyo workers. If you want a calmer visit, go on a weekday afternoon. The market opens at 11:00, and you can see the stalls in daylight before the evening rush. Arrive before sunset if you want both: walk the stalls first, then stay to see the arch gate lit up.
The last two days, 24 and 25 December, are Thursday and Friday in 2026. Both markets close for the season on Christmas Day. If your trip ends before Christmas, aim for a weekday in mid-December instead.
Planning a Tokyo Christmas trip in late November and December
Azabudai Hills is one stop on a wider Tokyo Christmas trip. Our guide to Christmas in Japan covers the lights, the markets and what is open on 25 December. For a ticketed market, see Tokyo Christmas Market tickets by date.
The screenshot is the Cabinet Office list of national holidays for 2026 and 2027. It confirms Labor Thanksgiving Day on 23 November and shows that no national holiday falls in December. New Year’s Day, Friday 1 January 2027, is the next one.
Year-end closures
If your trip runs into the New Year, plan around the closures. Our New Year 2026–27 holidays page shows that banks close from 31 December to 3 January. Government offices close from 29 December 2026 to 3 January 2027. JR Central makes every Nozomi bullet train reserved-seat only from 25 December 2026 to 5 January 2027.
Shopping under the new tax-free system
Japan changed its tax-free system on 1 November 2026, before the market opens. The Japan Tourism Agency new tax-free system page explains the refund method. You now pay the tax-inclusive price in a tax-free shop. You get the tax back after customs checks the goods when you leave Japan.
- Minimum: 5,000 yen or more, before tax, in one shop on one day.
- Deadline: Within 90 days of purchase, do the check at the airport when you leave.
- Food and cosmetics: If you eat or use them in Japan, you cannot get the refund.
That last rule matters for Christmas food. Stollen or chocolate you eat at the hotel will not qualify. Our guide to the customs check at the airport walks you through the kiosk step before you check in your bags.
FAQ
Is the Azabudai Hills Christmas Market free to enter?
The market is set up in the open Central Square, and you pay each stall for the food, drinks and goods you buy. Mori Building will post more details for each event on the CHRISTMAS HILLS 2026 special site. Check it before you go.
How late is the Azabudai Hills Christmas Market open?
It is open until 21:00 (9 p.m.) every day from 21 November to 25 December 2026. It opens at 11:00. The Roppongi Hills Christmas Market keeps the same hours.
Which station is closest to Azabudai Hills?
Kamiyacho and Roppongi-itchome are the two stations next to Azabudai Hills. A covered pedestrian network links both stations through the complex. You can stay out of the rain on the walk.
Can you visit the Roppongi Hills and Azabudai Hills Christmas markets on the same day?
Yes. Both run from 21 November to 25 December, 11:00 to 21:00. Start at one market in the afternoon, then move to the other before 21:00. Finish with the Keyakizaka lights in Roppongi, which stay on until 22:00.
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