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 itself has cost money. In 2026 it is ¥500 or ¥1,000 depending on the day, and the priority tickets that cut the wait are sold for a set date in limited numbers.
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 a calmer day to visit.
For more on how Japan does the season, we also cover KFC at Christmas in Japan.
For 2026, admission is paid. Tickets went on sale on Asoview at noon on November 6, and you can also pay cash at the main entrance. Priority tickets are sold only in advance on Asoview.
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.
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Tickets and fees: what you'll pay, and how to buy
Prices come in two tiers: "peak" days, mostly December weekends, cost more than regular days. Here is what each ticket costs, tax included.
Ticket | Regular days | Peak days |
|---|---|---|
General admission | ¥500 | ¥1,000 |
Priority admission | ¥2,000 | ¥2,500 |
Priority admission (with premium mug) | ¥4,500 | ¥5,000 |
Peak days are December 5–6, 12–13, 18–20, and 24–25. Every other day (November 20–December 4, December 7–11, 14–17, and 21–23) is a regular day.
There is also the Premium Lounge, a private space for up to two adults per unit, which comes with a meal, two priority tickets, and a pair of Noritake mugs. It costs ¥15,000–¥40,000, depending on the date and time slot.
If you buy general admission at the main entrance, payment is cash only. To pay any other way, buy it on Asoview, the official ticket site. Either way, you line up at the regular entrance, and the organizer notes that entry may be restricted when the site gets crowded.
Both priority tickets, with or without the mug, are tied to a date, limited in number, and sold only in advance on Asoview. All tickets went on sale at noon on November 6, so if your day is set and you want a shorter wait, book early.
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, and you must show ID with your current address, such as a My Number card or driver's license.
- Free areas: Christmas Gate at Shinko Chuo Plaza and Christmas Village at Aka-Renga Park (a Pokémon collaboration this year) are free to enter. Details on Christmas Village are due around mid-November.
On other days, you need a ticket for the paid area unless you qualify for free entry.
Picking a calmer day
The organizer doesn't say which days or times get crowded. The clearest guide is its own pricing: the ¥1,000 peak days fall on December weekends (Friday the 18th included), plus Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
If you want to browse at your own pace, skip the peak days (December 5–6, 12–13, 18–20, and 24–25) and pick a regular-price weekday instead. You should find a bit more breathing room. The exceptions are Wednesday, November 25, free entry for Yokohama residents, and opening night, Friday, November 20, when the gates don't open until 5:00 pm, so crowds on those two weekdays are hard to predict.
Priority tickets are tied to a date and limited in number, so they can sell out early for the busiest days.
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.
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.
