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Dec 11, 2025

Where do you visit Santa Claus?

Firstly, do you visit Santa Claus each year in Japan? And if so, where? I've been posting places you can meet Santa Claus in various parts of Japan on the blog section. If you are looking for somewhere to meet him this year, you'll find at least 25 places on City-cost.

BigfamJapan

BigfamJapan

Former nickname was "Saitama". Changed it to save confusion on place review posts! Irish, 20+ years in Japan! I also write on my personal website: insaitama.com

2 Answers



  • genkidesu

    on Dec 12

    Most years here they have a meet Santa event at the Niigata Christmas Market. I haven't checked this year to see if he's definitely making an appearance, but that would be my first recommendation!

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  • genkidesu

    on Dec 15

    I should also add, it's not something we do as a "must" every year, but if we do come across a Santa at a market or event we try to get a picture!

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Awaiting More Answers

1 Answer

International cuisine that's hard to come by?

In my region - Chiba-Saitama - there are many Thai, Indian, and Vietnamese restaurants serving authentic flavours. Which international cuisines do you see underrepresented in your area? Have you found any rare gems in the Kanto region? I miss Greek/eastern Mediterranean food the most...

TonetoEdo

9 hours ago

4 Answers

Recommendations for next Christmas?

While its somewhat fresh in your mind, what gifts came into your house this Christmas and / or New Year, that you thought were really nice things to receive and / or really good buys, that you think might make a good present for someone else in the future? As you might see in the product reviews, I am going through some of the things I bought for the kids this year and thinking of what I was really happy with. And already thinking of next year!

BigfamJapan

on Jan 11

2 Answers

Under the radar winter festivals

There are some winter festivals that get a lot of hype, like the Sapporo Snow Festival, for instance. However, as someone who doesn't like crowds, I enjoy lower-key festivals a whole lot more. Do you have any favorite winter festivals that aren't really tourist-trappy? What makes them fun or unique?

genkidesu

on Jan 2

3 Answers

Growing Mushrooms

Here's for a weird hobby. I just saw a video by an American Youtuber that I plan to watch about growing shiitake mushrooms. From what I've seen, it probably needs a bit of space. There was a local market in Fukuoka Prefecture that had a "mushroom room" where they grew and sold mushrooms like maitake and eringi. I also saw a video of a couple in Paris that built a mushroom growing shower room! The local hardware store sells "seeded" logs and shiitake mushroom growing kits. I have seen the logs around people's homes on occasion. It seems like a very odd, but sustainable hobby. Has anyone tried it, or is anyone interested to try this? I wonder how involved or beginner friendly it is.

helloalissa

on Dec 29