Shinjuku in the Christmas season feels festive across the entire area, with plenty to enjoy—from events and store campaigns to illuminations. With options ranging from outdoor attractions to department store programs, you may be planning to spend the whole day in Shinjuku, from daytime into the evening.
For anyone thinking about spending Christmas in Shinjuku, this article compiles recommended lunch and dinner spots, illuminations, and events. I hope it helps.
Christmas Events in Shinjuku: 3 Picks
Tokyo offers a wide variety of Christmas-themed events, and Shinjuku is no exception. Here are three options featured in this roundup.
First, the Tokyo Christmas Market runs at Meiji Jingu Gaien (Kasumigaoka-machi, Shinjuku) through December 25. You can browse Christmas-ready goods such as hand creams, teas in charming packaging, and “gnome” themed items—an easy choice for a date.
Next, Tokyu Kabukicho Tower hosts a seasonal project titled “Christmas Awa Odori in Tokyu Kabukicho Tower.” The entire building gets into the holiday mood, including in-house background music featuring classic Western Christmas songs.
Finally, Isetan Shinjuku Store runs a Christmas campaign through December 25, themed around “Fushigi no Fuyugeshiki.” Christmas items such as snow globes are sold, and purchases can be wrapped in limited-time original holiday packaging.
Christmas Lunch in Shinjuku: 4 Restaurant Picks
Because Christmas falls on a weekday this year, lunchtime may feel calmer than dinner, which is likely to be crowded. For those who want a relaxed holiday meal, four lunch-friendly restaurants are highlighted.
Le Bistrot da Côte (Shinjuku-gyoemmae) is a French restaurant located about 20 meters from Shinjuku-gyoemmae Station—roughly a one-minute walk. It offers four lunch course options: A course 1,980 yen, B course 2,420 yen, C course 2,970 yen, and D course 4,130 yen. The article notes that authentic French cuisine can be enjoyed without feeling overly formal, with courses that can include items like carpaccio, bouillabaisse, a main dish, and dessert.
Trattoria Matsumoto (Higashi-Shinjuku), about a five-minute walk from Higashi-Shinjuku Station, is introduced as a casual neighborhood Italian spot. There is no course menu, but four lunch sets are available, each including soup, salad, and a drink. Depending on the day, omurice may also be offered. It is recommended for those who want good-value Western-style meals.
L’amitie (Takadanobaba) is a popular French restaurant where reservations are described as essential. The article highlights the lunch course experience in a Paris-like setting, and encourages trying the restaurant’s signature desserts after the meal.
Chaika (Takadanobaba), a long-established Russian restaurant, is also included. With a wide variety of lunch set menus, you can enjoy classic Russian dishes such as borscht and piroshki. It is recommended when you want a more grown-up, slightly different style of Western meal than usual.
Christmas Illuminations in Shinjuku: 2 Areas
As it gets dark in the evening, Christmas lights begin to glow around Shinjuku. This roundup introduces two recommended areas for illuminations.
The first is the Nishi-Shinjuku area, including Shinjuku West Exit and the surroundings, where many hotels and office buildings display Christmas trees and illuminated décor on their ground floors. At Shinjuku Sumitomo Building Sankaku Hiroba, a photo spot called “snow flow” appears, featuring a Christmas tree and a spiral staircase, and it is described as livelier than in previous years.
The second is “Shinjuku Minamirumi” around Shinjuku’s South Exit. While walking through places such as the Suica Penguin Square and Shinjuku Southern Terrace, you can enjoy illuminations and Christmas trees. A digital stamp rally is also held, where you can aim to visit all six locations (applications are possible by scanning four out of six).
Christmas Dinner in Shinjuku: Selected Picks
For Christmas night, many people choose to reserve an Italian or French restaurant. The original article introduces four dinner options; here are two selected highlights from that list.
Enoteca Vita (Kagurazaka) is presented as an Italian wine-focused enoteca run by a couple, with around 500 varieties of Italian wine. Course options listed include the Enoteca Course (five appetizers and pasta) at 5,500 yen, the Vita Course (four appetizers, pasta, and a meat dish) at 6,600 yen, the Piccolo Course (either five appetizers only, or four appetizers plus pasta) at 4,950 yen, and an additional truffle dish option (Enoteca Vita Specialite) at 1,100 yen. The article notes the casual style of shared-plate Italian dishes and emphasizes that wine lovers can enjoy choosing wines that match the food.
Pizzeria LUMEN (Kabukicho) is also recommended. There is no course menu; instead, you order à la carte, one dish at a time. The article suggests trying the oven-baked Margherita pizza and the pasta of the day.
Make Christmas in Shinjuku Special
Shinjuku’s Christmas season lets you freely combine events, dining, and illuminations. You can spend the daytime on lunch and shopping, then enjoy dinner and an evening walk later on. If you are planning a memorable holiday, consider spending Christmas day in Shinjuku.
Japanese Version Link
Looking for the original article in Japanese?
Click here to view the Japanese version on Daily Shinjuku.
https://daily-shinjuku.tokyo/2025/12/17/shinjuku-update-christmas/
