Osaka Christmas Markets: Which Are Worth Visiting in 2025?
Last Updated on December 15, 2025 by Kay
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As a longtime Osaka resident, I’ve visited the top Christmas markets in the city several times over the years, so I figured I would share my thoughts on which ones are best to visit, as well as the pros and cons of each.
Keep in mind that I’ve only been to Christmas markets in Japan. (Although I’m Canadian, I don’t think there are any in my hometown, and I haven’t been fortunate enough to visit any in Europe.)
All of these Christmas markets in Osaka are completely free to enter. However, they get very busy on weekends, as well as on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I recommend visiting an Osaka Christmas Market during the day or early evening before 6 PM.
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Umeda Sky Building Christmas
This Christmas market is located within walking distance (about 10-15 minutes) from Osaka Station and is right in front of the Umeda Sky Building.
The 25-meter-tall LED tree that changes patterns is impressive, although I would have preferred something more resembling a traditional Christmas tree. But I suppose I shouldn’t complain because this is the only Christmas market in Osaka in 2025 (and in previous years) to even have something Christmas tree-like on display.
There are musical performances at this Christmas market throughout the day, which help create a cheery atmosphere.
The Umeda Sky Building Christmas Market boasts several food stalls, although the number pales in comparison to the Tenshiba Christmas Market (which I’ll talk about later). I’ve ordered a few dishes from here and find that most of it is overpriced and disappointing. Perhaps I’ll grab a hot chocolate, but that’s about it.
There are some stalls that sell ornaments and other little Christmas knick-knacks, but I find the Christmas market in the Hankyu Department store is much better.
In the evening, especially on weekends, the Umeda Sky Building Christmas Market gets very crowded, to an unpleasant degree. Lines for food are long, and sometimes you can barely even move throughout the market.
The Umeda Sky Building Christmas Market runs from November 14th to December 25th from noon until 10 PM.
If you decide to go up to Umeda Sky Building’s Kuchu Teien Observatory, they have some seasonal Christmas decor as well:
Hankyu Christmas Market
The Hankyu Christmas Market is located on the 9th floor of the Hankyu Department Store in Osaka-Umeda Station.
This one is the smallest Christmas market in Osaka, but it’s entirely indoors, making it perfect for those who want to escape from the cold but still enjoy a festive atmosphere.
I think the Hankyu Christmas Market is the best place to buy ornaments or other Christmas goods. But the decor could be a bit better, I’m not a fan of the weird chandelier thing they have going on in the middle of SHUKUSAI Plaza. (I am a traditionalist, I want a Christmas tree!)
There is a small merry-go-round here as well that kids can ride for 350 yen. However, you need to buy tickets online (there’s a QR code in front of the ride that you can scan).
If you venture past the main market in SHUKUSAI Plaza, you’ll find a food and goods market. There’s not much in terms of food, so don’t go with any huge expectations, but I love their selection of German Christmas trinkets. They even have stalls selling ornaments you can personalize, like “[Name]’s First Christmas”.
The Hankyu Christmas Market runs from November 19th to December 25th.
Note that everything closes on December 25th at 5 PM, which is probably one of the most disappointing things about this Christmas market, next to the fact that they don’t have a proper Christmas tree.
Tenshiba Christmas Market
Here is an aerial view of the market from the Osaka Harukas Observatory:
Held in Tennoji’s Tenshiba Park, Tenshiba Christmas Market is the largest Christmas Market in Osaka and boasts numerous stalls serving a variety of food, such as grilled sausage, fried chicken, crepes, as well as German beer and hot mulled wine.
There are live shows on certain days, including performances from December 20th to 25th.
There are decorations throughout the park, but I think it could be more grand considering how much space they have to work with.
Personally, I think the Tenshiba Christmas Market would be perfect if it had one large tree like the Umeda Sky Building Christmas Market (but a more authentic one, maybe even a smaller version of the tree in New York’s Rockefeller Center… Okay, perhaps I’m asking for too much!).
The Tenshiba Christmas Market also offers ice skating, although as a Canadian, I find it grossly overpriced at 3000 yen for rental skates and access to the rink. (My daughter keeps begging to go skating, though, so I feel like I will cave in eventually…).
The Tenshiba Christmas Market runs from November 28th to December 25th, 2025, and is open from 11 AM to 9 PM.
So, Which Christmas Market in Osaka is Best?
Each Osaka Christmas Market has its own pros and cons, so it really depends on what you’re looking for.
If you want to stay indoors, go to Hankyu Christmas Market.
If you want a large tree, a cheery atmosphere, and to be close to Osaka Station, visit the Umeda Sky Building Christmas Market.
Tenshiba Christmas Market has a little bit of everything and a lot more space, so that’s my pick. It just needs a huge Christmas tree, and it would be perfect!
As a bonus, don’t miss the seasonal lit-up trees lining Midosuji Street, which you can see from Shinsaibashi (the photo below was taken outside of the Shinsaibashi Daimaru).
