Tokyo never closes. Almost never. Anyway, around Christmas there are big displays of Christmas lights and it's fun to be around the city at that time. Christmas is not an official holiday but like many western holidays it's been adopted as a time to decorate and have fun. The time when everything closes is for New Year's...New Year's Eve/Day is an occasion to visit the local shrine, when people pay their first visit of the New Year, so there are big crowds. Family shops and businesses are closed for the first few days of the New Year but since you are leaving New Year's Day you should be fine.

Thanks Spendthrift! I didn't mean to sound naive - I'm born and raised in NYC, now in LA, and of course no major metropolis ever 'closes', was just more concerned about the major tourist attractions. Would hate to fly across the pacific to find the tsukiji fish market closed ;)

Tsukiji market calendar. Red days are closed.

tsukiji-market.or.jp/etc/calendar/2008.html

oliviob,

>>> Would hate to fly across the pacific to find the tsukiji fish market closed <<<

I hate to say this, but I don’t think the last week of December would be a good time for any tourists to visit Tsukiji Fish Market for sightseeing. Tsukiji would be extremely crowded at the end of Dec. since many local Japanese people go to Tsukiji to shop in order to prepare for New Years. In my opinion, it would be better to avoid the end of Dec. to visit Tsukiji, if you can, though others may not agree with me. If you guys really want to visit Tsukiji, I’d recommend that you visit there on Dec. 25 (or 26 if 12/25 doesn’t work.) and that you do your best not to bother any local employees doing business at Tsukiji.

If you do come here on those dates, try to visit the big temples between New Year's Eve and Jan 3, it's a great chance to experience how people celebrate New Year's here, and try to drink amazake (hot sweet sake), listen to the temple bells and the monks chanting, put up your wishes on small wooded boards, toss coins and ring the bell. Christmas is not so widely celebrated here (in the traditional sense).

Regarding Tsukiji, don't worry so much, there are lots of others available to see. I've been living in Western Tokyo for almost 6 years and have traveled here extensively, but have never been to Tsukiji! ;)

Have a good trip!

I've been in Tokyo 4 times over the Christmas period and there's always plenty going on. As for Tsukiji, it sounded intersting to go to but I didn't go out of my way. However, we went there after a club once, and I loved it, it's a really interesting experience. In some ways the number of people might add to the buzz, but at that time in the morning it might be a bit much. At the worst case though there's still so much to see. Like Aria said if you can make it to a temple (I guess flight time back diuctates this) it's really intersting to see. If you can stretch a few extra days there are loads of sales (a few start from the 1st) with "lucky dip" (fukubukuro) bags. Either way though you can still get the full Tokyo experience at this time.

All of these suggestions, just fantastic! We won't be able to stay later than Jan 1, since we're using miles to travel. Really do appreciate the info. I would love some suggestions or reco for local non touristy sushi spots, shops, museums, etc? Basically, wife and I love to eat, shop, and play. Not big on clubs, just want to 'blend in' with the locals, even though that's prob not too possible!

If it were me, for New Year's Eve I would relocate to Narita (the town),somewhere near this temple:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narita-san

I think this ryokan is right by it:

japaneseguesthouses.com/db/chiba/wakamatsuho…

you can see the incredible activity on New Year's and then have an easy trip to the airport.

Here's what I'm thinking, would love additional feedback:

Dec 25 arrive NRT 5PM - to Tokyo

Dec 25 Tokyo

Dec 26 Tokyo

Dec 27 Kyoto

Dec 28 Kyoto

Dec 29 ?

Dec 30 ?

Dec 31 Tokyo

Jan 1 depart NRT 4PM