Top five Christmas markets

If you hadn't noticed, Tokyo is buzzing with Christmas spirit. Besides the ubiquitous illuminations, there's a bit of a market frenzy going on too. The Christmas market tradition has been imported from Germany and seems to be growing as more stalls pop up each year offering gifts, glühwein and general festive-season cheer. With less than a week to go before the big day, we've narrowed down the markets to our top five, all of which are open until the 25th. Step to it.

Roppongi Hills Christmas Market

Back for its eighth edition, the German-style Roppongi Hills Christmas Market always features a wealth of over-the-top decorations, overplayed carols, and sellers toting snow globes, but also rather more unseasonal Teutonic classics such as sausages and bier. The cliché overload will probably get to you rather quickly, but at least the glühwein is warm and authentic. Map and details

Christmas Marche

Taking over from the farmers' markets that happen year-round at Ebisu Garden Place's Clock Plaza, this European-style Christmas market offers all the usual knickknacks and goodies, from snow globes to mulled wine and continental grub. An impressive tree is set up right next to the stalls, while the shopping complex below is decorated with a massive Baccarat chandelier and thousands of shining LEDs. Map and details

Marché de Noël

Tokyo Midtown gets into the seasonal mood with this market where sellers tout wares ranging from ornaments and tableware to seasonal sweets and gift items. The selection is slightly more varied here than at some of the other Tokyo markets, so those who haven't decided on presents yet might want to check this one out. Map and details

Tokyo Skytree Town Dream Christmas 2014

The Skytree and its surrounds have been in Christmas mode since November, with the pathways that connect the tower with Tokyo Skytree and Oshiage stations decorated with hundreds of thousands of LED lights. Added spectacle is provided by the projection mapping shows, which paint the lower part of the world's tallest TV antenna white, gold, green, red and orange. Also check out the German-inspired Solamachi Christmas Market and its ample selection of seasonal sweets and mulled wine. Map and details

Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse Christmas Market 2014

The fir trees lining the entrance to this annual German-style Christmas market have been dressed for the occasion with colourful lights, and the main plaza features a massive Christmas tree complete with flashy decorations. The actual market area is filled with stalls selling various ornaments and other holiday paraphernalia, and visitors can also enjoy Teutonic goodies such as schnitzels, stollen cakes and glühwein. If you need to work up an appetite before digging in, try the neighbouring ice skating rink. Map and details