The Christmas Market at the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse (Yokohama Aka-Renga Soko) is one of Minatomirai's winter traditions, with rows of wooden chalets, or hütte, evoking a German town square. In 2026 it runs from November 20 to December 25.
Here is the part that catches visitors off guard: for the past few years, admission has required a paid ticket, and one tied to a specific date. Turn up on a whim and that day's tickets may already be gone. This guide walks through the 2026 dates and hours, how the tickets and fees work, and whether you can buy on the day, all from the official announcement — plus how to pick the calmer days and times to visit.
For more on how Japan does the season, we also cover KFC at Christmas in Japan.
For 2026, admission is paid and tickets are valid only for the selected date: no ticket for that day means no entry. The advance and online ticket schedule is due in late October, so check back then before you finalize plans.
2026 dates and opening hours
The venue is the Event Square and Aka-Renga Park at the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse (1-1 Shinko, Naka-ku, Yokohama). Hours change during the run, and the market stays open an hour later in the second half.
Item | Details |
|---|---|
Dates | November 20 (Fri) – December 25 (Fri), 2026 |
November 20 (Fri) | 17:00–21:00 (last order 20:30) |
November 21 (Sat) – December 4 (Fri) | 11:00–21:00 (last order 20:30) |
December 5 (Sat) – December 25 (Fri) | 11:00–22:00 (last order 21:30) |
Venue | Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse Event Square / Aka-Renga Park |
Hours can vary by area and program. If you want to take your time enjoying the lights after dark, aim for December 5 or later, when the market closes at 22:00.
Tickets and fees: what you'll pay, and how to buy
Entry tickets are sold for a specific date and in limited quantity. There are three types, all tax included. The 2026 price bands below have been announced, but exactly which day costs what has not — that breakdown is due in late October.
Ticket | Price (tax incl. |
|---|---|
General admission | ¥500–¥1,000 |
Priority admission | ¥2,000–¥2,500 |
Priority admission (with premium mug) | ¥4,500–¥5,000 |
You can buy a same-day general admission ticket at the venue, but payment is cash only (no cards or e-money), so bring yen if you plan to decide on the spot.
As of this writing, the advance and online ticket schedule had not been posted. If your dates are fixed, the safe move is to wait for the late-October announcement and secure a ticket for the day you want.
Free admission: which days, and who qualifies
Admission is free in a few cases.
- Children: elementary-age and younger enter free with a guardian. Junior-high students are free through December 4; from December 5 they pay.
- Yokohama Residents' Thanks Day: on November 25 (Wed), Yokohama residents can enter free of charge. Note this is for residents only, not general visitors.
- Free areas: you can enter part of the site without a ticket.
Otherwise, you will need a date-specific ticket to enter the paid area.
The best days and times to skip the crowds
A market like this draws people from Friday evening through the weekend, and in the run-up to Christmas. If you would rather browse at your own pace, timing is everything.
- Go early on a weekday: the period just after opening tends to be calmer than the after-work rush.
- Before the lights come on: if the illuminations are not your main goal, the crowd is thinner while it is still light out.
- Skip Christmas itself: the weekend before Christmas and December 23–25 are the busiest stretch. If your schedule allows, a weekday just before that is the sweet spot.
Because entry is by date, tickets for the busiest days can sell out early.
Getting there, and where to stay
The closest stations are Bashamichi and Nihon-odori on the Minatomirai Line, both about a 6-minute walk. Minatomirai Station is about 12 minutes on foot.
If you are using JR or the municipal subway, allow about 15 minutes on foot from either Sakuragicho, via the Kishamichi promenade, or Kannai. Coming from central Tokyo, take a JR line or the Minatomirai Line toward Sakuragicho or Minatomirai. The "Akaikutsu" loop bus, the BAYSIDE BLUE articulated bus, and the Sea Bass boat also reach the area.
December evenings by the water get cold, so dress in warm layers — see our guide on what to wear in Japan for cool-weather sightseeing. If you want to stay for the lights after dark without rushing back, a hotel around Minatomirai puts you within walking distance. Check hotel availability and rates in Yokohama
Highlights, and the rain policy
At the center stands a live Sakhalin spruce (aka-ezomatsu), about 11 meters tall and decorated as a Christmas tree. The wooden chalets serve German staples such as sausages and warm glühwein (mulled wine), and there is an original mug whose design changes every year.
The market runs in the rain, but in severe weather it may close for the day. If the forecast looks rough, check the official site for the latest notice before you head out.
This article was translated from the original Japanese with AI assistance and reviewed by our editorial team. The Japanese version is authoritative.
