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Plan your trip to the 2026 Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse Christmas Market. Discover the free Pokémon Christmas Village, live-kitchen German food stalls, hours, tickets, and access tips.
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🔄 Updated 2026-10-30
#Yokohama
#Christmas Market
#Winter Illuminations
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If you are planning a trip to Japan in late 2026, your winter itinerary is about to get a massive, highly anticipated upgrade. While Tokyo boasts several fantastic winter illuminations, the undisputed king of seasonal atmosphere in the Kanto region is just a short train ride south in the port city of Yokohama.
Welcome to the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse Christmas Market 2026 (横浜赤レンガ倉庫 クリスマスマーケット2026).
Held at the historic Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse (Akarenga Soko) Event Plaza and adjacent Akarenga Park, this massive German-style Christmas market is celebrating the 2026 holiday season in unprecedented style. Running for 36 spectacular days from November 20 to December 25, 2026, the event is transforming the Minatomirai waterfront into a European winter wonderland.
But for inbound tourists and pop-culture fans, there is one monumental, exclusive hook for 2026: The free-entry "Christmas Village" zone featuring an official Pokémon collaboration illumination display.
Combining the romantic, mulled-wine-scented atmosphere of a traditional German Christmas market with the globally beloved charm of Pokémon, this event represents a uniquely Japanese take on the holiday season that you simply cannot experience anywhere else in the world.
In this exhaustive, 5,000+ word guide, we will break down everything you need to know about visiting the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse Christmas Market in 2026. From securing your entry and navigating the new live-kitchen stalls to exploring the Pokémon Christmas Village, mastering Yokohama’s train system, and planning the ultimate Minatomirai day trip, here is your complete roadmap to Japan’s premier winter event.
1. Why the Yokohama Christmas Market is Japan’s Best Winter Event
Christmas in Japan is celebrated quite differently than in the West. It is primarily a secular, romantic holiday for couples, or a time for friends to gather and eat KFC and strawberry shortcake. However, over the last decade, authentic "German-style" Christmas markets have exploded in popularity across Japan, with major events popping up in Roppongi, Hibiya, and Sapporo.
So, what makes the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse market the absolute best one to visit in 2026?
The Historic Brick Backdrop
Most Christmas markets in Japan are held in modern city parks surrounded by glass skyscrapers. Yokohama’s market, however, is held in the courtyard of the Akarenga Soko—two massive, historic customs buildings constructed from red brick in 1911 and 1913. This authentic masonry architecture perfectly mimics a traditional European town square. When the sun goes down, the golden lighting against the red bricks creates a magical, old-world ambiance that modern venues simply cannot replicate.
The Official Pokémon Collaboration
Japan is the birthplace of Pokémon, and tourists constantly seek out ways to interact with the franchise. While you can visit a Pokémon Center or look for Pokémon Cards in Akihabara, seeing an official Pokémon Christmas illumination set against the backdrop of the Yokohama oceanfront is a rare, seasonal treat.
The Massive Scale
With a soaring 11-meter Christmas tree, roughly 60 food, drink, and retail stalls, and new immersive features like live-kitchen cooking stations and ornament-making workshops, this is one of the largest and most interactive holiday events in the country.
2. Essential 2026 Event Details: Dates, Hours, and Tickets
Before you plan your transit, you need to lock in the fundamental facts of the 2026 market. According to official announcements by the venue, here are the hard details you need to plan your itinerary.
Dates and Duration
The Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse Christmas Market 2026 runs for exactly 36 days:
Start Date: November 20, 2026 (Friday)
End Date: December 25, 2026 (Friday)
Operating Hours
The market adjusts its hours as the season progresses and the crowds grow larger.
November 21 to December 4: 11:00 AM – 21:00 (9:00 PM)
December 5 to December 25: 11:00 AM – 22:00 (10:00 PM)
(Note: Hours for the opening day, November 20, may vary slightly as opening ceremonies take place. Always check the official site upon arrival in Japan.)
Admission and Ticketing
In recent years, to control massive weekend crowds, the main market area requires a small admission fee.
Base Admission: Tickets to enter the main enclosed market area start from 500 yen per person.
What this includes: This fee grants you access to the main Event Plaza where the 11-meter tree, the 60+ stalls, the live-kitchens, and the premium lounge are located.
What is excluded: Food, drinks, and merchandise at the stalls are sold separately. Prices will vary by stall.
Traveler Tip: You can often buy tickets at the gate, but on peak weekends (especially the weekend immediately preceding Christmas), advance digital tickets via the official website are highly recommended to avoid long entry queues.
The Premium Lounge Option
For those looking for a luxury experience, the market often features bookable "Premium Lounge" seating—private, enclosed glass huts or reserved tables where you can escape the ocean breeze and enjoy your food. These require separate, advance reservations via the official venue website (yokohama-akarenga.jp/christmas) and usually sell out weeks in advance.
3. The Ultimate Hook: The Free "Christmas Village" Pokémon Zone
If you are traveling on a tight budget, or if you simply want to experience the magic of Yokohama’s winter without paying the 500 yen main market admission, the 2026 event has a massive surprise for you.
Adjacent to the main ticketed Event Plaza is a separate, FREE-entry zone known as the "Christmas Village."
The Pokémon Collaboration
For 2026, this free Christmas Village zone has been taken over by an official Pokémon collaboration. This is the primary draw for inbound tourists and a brilliant way to blend traditional European winter aesthetics with Japanese pop culture.
While specific character lineups are kept under wraps to surprise visitors, official Pokémon illuminations in Japan typically feature dazzling LED displays, themed photo-spots, and ambient light installations synchronized to holiday remixes of classic video game music.
Why This Free Zone Matters
For families traveling with children, this free zone is an absolute lifesaver. You can take stunning photos of the Pokémon illuminations with the Red Brick Warehouse and the Yokohama ocean in the background, entirely for free. If you are comparing this to other character events like the Chiikawa Christmas Market 2026, the fact that you do not need to fight a lottery system or pay an entry fee just to see the Pokémon lights makes Yokohama an incredibly accessible choice.
Photography Tips for the Pokémon Christmas Village
Arrive at Blue Hour: The best time to photograph illuminations is just after sunset (around 4:30 PM to 5:00 PM in late November/December). The sky will be a deep cobalt blue, which contrasts beautifully with the warm gold and yellow LEDs of the Pokémon displays.
Use Portrait Mode: The crowds will be thick. Use your smartphone’s portrait mode to blur the background crowds while keeping the Pokémon light sculptures in sharp focus.
Dress Warmly: The Christmas Village is located right on the edge of the port. The ocean breeze can make it feel much colder than the stated temperature, making holding a camera still quite difficult!
4. Inside the Main Market: Food, Drink, and the 11-Meter Tree
If you pay the 500 yen admission to enter the main Event Plaza, you will be rewarded with one of the most immersive holiday experiences in Asia. Here is what to expect inside the ticketed gates.
The 11-Meter Christmas Tree
Serving as the majestic centerpiece of the market is a towering, approximately 11-meter real fir tree. Sourced locally and decorated with thousands of warm LED lights and traditional ornaments, this tree acts as the visual anchor of the venue. A traditional Japanese winter date involves taking a photo directly in front of this tree with the illuminated brick warehouse flanking both sides.
60+ Stalls: Craft Shopping and Ornament Workshops
Surrounding the tree are roughly 60 wooden huts (Hütten) styled exactly like those found in Nuremberg or Munich.
Retail Stalls: You will find vendors selling imported German ornaments, snow globes, wooden nutcrackers, and handmade crafts.
Workshops: For a more hands-on experience, there are ornament-making workshops available inside the market. For a small fee, you can craft a custom Christmas ornament—a perfect, highly personalized souvenir to take back home to your own tree.
First Time in 2026: Live-Kitchen Style Cooking Stalls
One of the most exciting upgrades for the 2026 iteration is the introduction of "live-kitchen" style food stalls. In previous years, space constraints meant that a lot of food was pre-prepared or cooked out of sight. This year, specific stalls have been redesigned to allow visitors to watch chefs grill massive spiral sausages, carve fresh meats, and prepare hot dishes right in front of your eyes. The visual spectacle—combined with the sound of sizzling meat and the rising steam in the cold winter air—adds a massive sensory boost to the market.
What to Eat and Drink (German Staples)
While specific menu items and exact prices per stall vary, the Yokohama Christmas Market rigorously adheres to German traditions. You can expect to find:
Glühwein (Mulled Wine): The lifeblood of any Christmas market. Red or white wine heated with cinnamon, cloves, citrus, and star anise. A popular tradition in Japan is to buy your first cup of Glühwein in a commemorative, yearly-dated ceramic mug (usually costing around 1,500 to 2,000 yen for the drink and mug combo). You can keep the mug as a souvenir.
Hot Cocoa & Kinderpunsch: For those who don't drink alcohol, rich hot chocolate and non-alcoholic hot fruit punches are widely available.
Sausages (Bratwurst): Massive platters of assorted grilled sausages served with sauerkraut and mustard.
Stollen and Pretzels: Thick, buttery German pretzels and slices of traditional fruit-and-marzipan Stollen bread.
Japanese Twists: Expect a few localized surprises, like matcha-infused hot drinks or premium Japanese beef (Wagyu) skewers cooked live-kitchen style.
Dietary Note: If you have strict dietary restrictions, navigating Japanese festival stalls can be tricky due to cross-contamination and language barriers. Consider reading our guide on Allergy Travel Japan | Nut Egg Dairy Free Dining with Translation Cards to help you communicate your needs to the stall operators.
5. Coming Soon: Yorunoyo x Christmas Gate 2026
Beyond the Red Brick Warehouse itself, the entire city of Yokohama transforms during the winter. One of the largest initiatives is "Yorunoyo"—an annual, city-wide illumination and projection mapping festival that connects the entire Minatomirai waterfront through interactive lights.
For 2026, the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse is hosting a specific, free zone called the "Yorunoyo x Christmas Gate 2026."
Important Note: At the time of this comprehensive guide's publication, the City of Yokohama has stated that full details regarding the "Yorunoyo x Christmas Gate 2026" zone are pending an official mid-November 2026 announcement. However, based on previous iterations, Yorunoyo installations typically feature massive, futuristic light portals that visitors can walk through, often accompanied by synchronized music that echoes across the bay.
We highly recommend checking the official Yorunoyo website or the Yokohama visitor portal in late November to see exactly what futuristic light displays will be waiting for you alongside the traditional German market and the Pokémon Christmas Village.
6. Navigating Yokohama: Access Guide and Transport Logistics
The Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse is located in the Minatomirai district, which is incredibly well-connected to Tokyo. However, the venue itself requires a short walk from the nearest train stations.
Critical Warning: Do not rely blindly on a map pin; the walking routes around the port can be confusing due to elevated walkways and pedestrian bridges. Follow these text-based directions for the smoothest journey.
Using IC Cards
Before embarking on your train journey from Tokyo to Yokohama, ensure your IC Card (Suica, PASMO, or ICOCA) is fully charged or loaded on your smartphone. The trip from central Tokyo spans multiple rail company lines, and tapping in and out is far easier than calculating paper ticket fares. If you are confused about which card to get, check our guide: What is the Best IC Card for Tourists in Japan 2026? | Suica vs Pasmo vs ICOCA.
Route 1: Via the Minatomirai Line (Most Direct Route)
The absolute easiest way to reach the Red Brick Warehouse from Tokyo (Shibuya/Shinjuku area) is to take the Tokyu Toyoko Line, which seamlessly turns into the Minatomirai Line once it enters Yokohama.
From Shibuya Station: Take the Tokyu Toyoko Line (Express or Limited Express) bound for Motomachi-Chukagai. You do not need to transfer; just stay on the train as it becomes the Minatomirai Line. (Approx. 35-40 minutes).
Target Station: Get off at Bashamichi Station (Minatomirai Line) or Nihon-odori Station (Minatomirai Line).
The Walk: From Bashamichi Station (Exit 6), it is a very straightforward, scenic 6-minute walk straight toward the ocean. You will see the illuminated bricks and the Ferris wheel lighting up the sky as you approach.
Route 2: Via the JR Rail Network (Best for JR Pass Holders)
If you are coming from Tokyo Station, Ueno, or Shinagawa, or if you hold an active JR Pass, you will want to use the JR rail lines.
From Tokyo/Shinagawa: Take the JR Tokaido Line, JR Yokosuka Line, or JR Keihin-Tohoku Line south to Yokohama Station.
Transfer: At Yokohama Station, transfer to the JR Negishi Line (often running on the same track as the Keihin-Tohoku Line) and ride one stop south to Sakuragicho Station.
The Walk: From JR Sakuragicho Station, it is about a 15-minute walk to the Red Brick Warehouse. Walk through the scenic Kishamichi Promenade (a beautiful boardwalk built over the water on old railway tracks) which will drop you right at the edge of the market.
Route 3: The Yokohama Air Cabin (The Scenic Route)
If you want to arrive in style, take the train to JR Sakuragicho Station. As you exit the station, you will see a massive, modern ropeway called the Yokohama Air Cabin.
Buy a ticket (approx. 1,000 yen one-way) and ride this urban gondola over the water to Unga Park Station.
From Unga Park Station, it is a short, beautiful 5-minute walk to the Red Brick Warehouse. Riding the Air Cabin at night offers spectacular aerial views of the city illuminations and is highly recommended for couples.
7. Top 10 Things to Do Around Minatomirai Before the Market
The Christmas Market opens at 11:00 AM, but the illuminations don't begin to shine until around 4:30 PM. To make the most of your trip down from Tokyo, you should spend the daylight hours exploring the surrounding Minatomirai and Yokohama waterfront areas.
Here are 10 highly recommended, specific locations all within a 20-minute walk of the Red Brick Warehouse to build out your day trip:
1. CupNoodles Museum Yokohama
Location: An 8-minute walk from the Red Brick Warehouse.
A fantastic indoor activity for a chilly winter afternoon. Learn about the invention of instant ramen by Momofuku Ando. The highlight is the "My CUPNOODLES Factory" where, for 500 yen, you can design your own cup and choose your own soup flavor and toppings to take home as a custom souvenir.
2. Yokohama Landmark Tower Sky Garden
Location: A 15-minute walk, near Sakuragicho Station.
Before heading to the market, ride Japan's fastest elevator up 69 floors to the Sky Garden observatory. The panoramic views of the Yokohama bay area, the sprawling Tokyo metropolis in the distance, and even Mount Fuji on a clear winter day, are breathtaking.
3. Marine & Walk Yokohama
Location: A 2-minute walk from the Red Brick Warehouse.
Located right next door, this stylish, open-air shopping and dining complex has a relaxed, Californian vibe. It is a great place to grab a proper sit-down lunch or warm up in a premium cafe if you need a break from the outdoor Christmas market crowds.
4. Yokohama Cosmo World & Cosmo Clock 21
Location: A 10-minute walk via the waterfront.
You can't miss it—it's the massive illuminated Ferris wheel that defines the Yokohama skyline. Cosmo World is a retro-style, open-air amusement park (free to enter, pay per ride). Riding the Cosmo Clock 21 Ferris wheel at night offers arguably the best view of the Yorunoyo city illuminations from above.
5. Yamashita Park and the Hikawa Maru
Location: A 15-minute walk south along the water.
Yokohama’s most famous public park stretches right along the water. It is a beautiful, wide-open space perfect for a daytime stroll. Moored at the end of the park is the NYK Hikawa Maru, a historic 1930s ocean liner that you can tour for a small fee.
6. Yokohama Chinatown (Chukagai)
Location: A 20-minute walk from the market, or 2 stops on the Minatomirai Line.
Japan’s largest Chinatown is a sensory overload of neon signs, massive entry gates, and incredible street food. A popular Yokohama itinerary involves eating steamed pork buns (nikuman) and Peking duck wraps in Chinatown for lunch, then walking over to the German market for sausages and mulled wine for dinner.
7. Osanbashi Pier (International Passenger Terminal)
Location: A 10-minute walk east.
This architectural marvel serves as a working cruise ship terminal, but its wooden-planked rooftop (nicknamed the "Whale's Back") is a free public park. It offers the absolute best, unobstructed, wide-angle views of the Red Brick Warehouse and the Minatomirai skyline. Photographers must visit this spot at sunset.
8. Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of Cultural History
Location: An 8-minute walk inland toward Bashamichi.
Housed in the magnificent former Yokohama Specie Bank building (built in 1904), this museum is a must-visit for history buffs wanting to understand how Yokohama transformed from a tiny fishing village into Japan’s first gateway to the West.
9. World Porters Yokohama
Location: A 5-minute walk across the bridge.
A large, multi-story shopping mall. If you find you haven't packed enough warm clothes for the ocean wind, you can pop in here to buy heat-tech innerwear, scarves, and gloves. The ground floor also features a vast food court if the Christmas market queues are too long for impatient children.
10. Bashamichi Street
Location: A 10-minute walk inland.
Meaning "Horse Carriage Street," this historic avenue was the first street in Japan to have gas-powered streetlamps and tree-lined sidewalks. Today, it retains a distinct retro-Western aesthetic and is lined with excellent cafes and historic brick buildings.
8. Crafting the Perfect 2026 Yokohama Winter Itineraries
To help you maximize your time, here are two tailored itineraries combining the Christmas Market with surrounding attractions.
Itinerary A: The Otaku & Anime Pilgrimage Day
Yokohama is a massive hub for anime settings, most notably the Rascal Does Not Dream series.
3:00 PM: Walk through Yamashita Park toward the Red Brick Warehouse.
4:30 PM: Arrive at the Christmas Market just as the sun sets. Spend an hour in the free Pokémon Christmas Village taking photos of the official illuminations.
6:00 PM: Pay the 500 yen entry for the main market. Grab a hot Glühwein and enjoy the live-kitchen stalls under the 11-meter tree.
8:00 PM: Head back to Tokyo via the Minatomirai line. (If you still have energy, check out the Best Restaurants in Akihabara 2026 for a late-night otaku dinner).
Itinerary B: The Ultimate Romantic Winter Date
1:00 PM: Arrive at Sakuragicho Station. Take the elevator up to the Landmark Tower Sky Garden for breathtaking daytime views.
3:00 PM: Walk to the CupNoodles Museum and make a custom ramen cup together.
4:45 PM (Sunset): Ride the Yokohama Air Cabin ropeway from Sakuragicho to Unga Park. The timing will give you spectacular sunset views over the water.
5:15 PM: Enter the ticketed Yokohama Christmas Market. Browse the German craft stalls, buy a matching pair of ornaments, and share a platter of live-kitchen cooked sausages and pretzels.
7:30 PM: Walk over to Osanbashi Pier to sit on the wooden decks and look back at the fully illuminated Yorunoyo city lights.
8:30 PM: Stroll down Bashamichi Street to catch the train back to Tokyo.
9. Practical Tourist Tips for the Yokohama Christmas Market
Visiting an outdoor winter festival in Japan requires a bit of practical preparation, especially for foreign tourists unused to the coastal climate.
Weather and What to Wear
Late November to late December in Yokohama generally sees daytime temperatures around 10°C to 14°C (50°F - 57°F). However, the Red Brick Warehouse is positioned directly on the edge of Tokyo Bay. Once the sun sets at 4:30 PM, the ocean wind whips across the plaza, making it feel significantly colder.
Dress in layers: A good windproof outer jacket is essential.
Gloves and Scarves: Highly recommended. Trying to eat a hot sausage or hold a camera in the freezing wind with bare hands will cut your night short.
Daytime Sun: Surprisingly, winter days in Kanto are often cloudless and very bright. If you are exploring Minatomirai during the day, UV protection is still necessary. (See our guide on the Best Japanese Sunscreens 2026 | TOP5 for Western Travelers).
Payment Methods at the Market: Cash vs. Card
While Japan has rapidly modernized its digital payments, outdoor festival stalls can be unpredictable. Many of the permanent shops inside the brick warehouse buildings accept credit cards and IC cards, but the temporary wooden Hütten outside in the market might rely heavily on cash, or specific QR-code payments that inbound tourists cannot access.
Recommendation: Always carry at least 5,000 to 10,000 yen in physical cash when visiting festival stalls. For a deeper dive into modern payment logistics, read our updated guide: Cash vs Card in Japan 2026: How Much Cash Do You Need?.
Is the Tap Water Safe?
If you get thirsty eating salty German pretzels, you might wonder if you can just fill a water bottle from a nearby park fountain or restroom tap. Yes, you can. Yokohama has some of the highest-quality municipal water systems in the world. (Read more in our Can You Drink Tap Water in Japan? | City by City Guide 2026).
10. Where to Stay in Yokohama for the Christmas Market
If you don't want to rush back to a Tokyo hotel after drinking mulled wine all evening, staying overnight in Yokohama is a fantastic idea. Minatomirai is famous for its luxury high-rise hotels. Here are three practical recommendations based on your budget:
1. InterContinental Yokohama Grand (Luxury)
This is the iconic, sail-shaped building that defines the Yokohama skyline. Located just a 15-minute walk from the Red Brick Warehouse, it offers unparalleled 5-star service and massive windows looking directly over the ocean and the Cosmo Clock 21 Ferris wheel.
2. Navios Yokohama (Mid-Range / Best Location)
If location is your absolute priority, Navios Yokohama is unbeatable. The hotel is built like a massive archway straddling the Kishamichi Promenade. It is virtually steps away from the Christmas Market and the Air Cabin station. The city-side rooms offer incredible views of the Yorunoyo illuminations.
3. APA Hotel & Resort Yokohama Bay Tower (Budget-Friendly)
Located just across the bridge in the Bashamichi area (about an 8-minute walk to the market), this is one of the largest hotels in Japan. While the rooms are typically small (standard for Japanese business hotels), the tower features a massive, free communal hot spring (onsen) bath for guests—the perfect way to thaw out your frozen bones after a night walking the outdoor Christmas market.
11. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Do I need a ticket to see the Pokémon Christmas Village?
A: No. The official Pokémon collaboration illuminations are located in the "Christmas Village" zone, which is entirely free to enter. You only need to pay the 500 yen admission if you want to enter the main Event Plaza with the 11-meter tree and the live-kitchen stalls.
Q: Can I buy Pokémon merchandise at the market?
A: While the free zone features official Pokémon illuminations, the primary retail stalls inside the ticketed market focus on authentic German Christmas crafts, ornaments, and snow globes. For dedicated Pokémon merchandise, you are better off visiting the Pokémon Center in the nearby Yokohama Landmark Tower during the day.
Q: Is the market open on Christmas Day?
A: Yes! The final day of the market is December 25, 2026. It will be open from 11:00 AM until 22:00 (10:00 PM). Expect Christmas Eve (Dec 24) and Christmas Day (Dec 25) to be the most crowded days of the entire 36-day run.
Q: Are there restrooms inside the market?
A: There are temporary facilities set up for the event, but the best, cleanest, and warmest restrooms are located inside the permanent Red Brick Warehouse buildings (Building 1 and Building 2) right next to the stalls.
Final Thoughts: A Winter Experience You Won't Forget
The Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse Christmas Market 2026 is shaping up to be a monumental event. By seamlessly blending the romantic, historic authenticity of a 60-stall German market with the playful, globally appealing charm of an official Pokémon illumination, Yokohama has created a winter destination that appeals to everyone from budget-packing anime fans to luxury-seeking couples.
With live-kitchen stalls debuting for the first time, 36 full days of operation, and the tantalizing promise of the upcoming Yorunoyo x Christmas Gate installations, a trip down to the Minatomirai waterfront is an absolute non-negotiable addition to your late 2026 Japan itinerary.
Charge your IC card, pack a warm windbreaker, ready your smartphone camera for the blue hour, and prepare to experience the magic of Yokohama in the winter.
FAQ
Q: Do I need a ticket to see the Pokémon Christmas Village?
No. The official Pokémon collaboration illuminations are located in the Christmas Village zone, which is entirely free to enter. You only need to pay the 500 yen admission if you want to enter the main Event Plaza with the 11-meter tree and live-kitchen stalls.
Q: Can I buy Pokémon merchandise at the market?
While the free zone features official Pokémon illuminations, the primary retail stalls inside the ticketed market focus on authentic German Christmas crafts. For dedicated Pokémon merchandise, you are better off visiting the Pokémon Center in the nearby Yokohama Landmark Tower during the day.
Q: Is the market open on Christmas Day?
Yes! The final day of the market is December 25, 2026. It will be open from 11:00 AM until 22:00 (10:00 PM). Expect Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to be the most crowded days of the entire event.
Q: Are there restrooms inside the market?
There are temporary facilities set up for the event, but the best, cleanest, and warmest restrooms are located inside the permanent Red Brick Warehouse buildings right next to the stalls.
Q: How much is the admission for the main Yokohama Christmas Market?
Base admission tickets to enter the main enclosed market area start from 500 yen per person. Advance digital tickets via the official website are highly recommended on peak weekends to avoid long entry queues.
Q: What are the dates for the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse Christmas Market 2026?
The event runs for 36 days, starting on Friday, November 20, 2026, and ending on Friday, December 25, 2026.
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🧾 Before you buy: tax-free, payment and getting it home
Tax-free basics
Bring your passport and spend at least ¥5,000 at one shop on the same day.
Since 1 November 2026 you pay the full price including consumption tax in the shop and complete a refund procedure before you leave Japan. Buying tax-free at the register has ended.
The same reform abolished the general-goods/consumables split, the ¥500,000 daily cap on consumables and the special sealed packaging. What changes on 1 November 2026 →
⚠️ Since 1 April 2025, goods shipped to your home country by international parcel are no longer tax-exempt. If you want the tax break, carry the item out yourself as baggage — shipping is for convenience, not for saving tax.
Paying
Big electronics and chain stores take international cards. Small card shops and second-hand stalls are often cash-only, so keep some yen on you.
Wallets from 17 countries and regions work at PayPay's QR terminals through Alipay+ — including Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia and the Philippines. You pay with your own app and the yen amount converts automatically. Cards from the US, UK and Australia are not part of this, so use your card or cash there.
Sources: Japan National Tourism Organization (japan.travel) / PayPay (about.paypay.ne.jp)
