Welcome, listeners, to Things to Do in Tokyo with your globetrotting sports nut pal, Oly Bennet. Today is Thursday, December 18, 2025, and Tokyo is rolling into a crisp winter day: cool, dry, perfect for power-walking between neon lights, steaming ramen, and seriously sparkly Christmas illuminations.

The city’s vibe right now? Festive overload in the best way. Japan Travel reports that Christmas illumination season is in full swing across Tokyo, with spots like Tokyo Skytree Town Dream Christmas and Akihabara UDX’s Happy Rainbow UDX turning the city into a sci‑fi snow globe of LEDs. Over at Tokyo DisneySea, the official Tokyo Disney Resort site says Starbright Christmas fireworks and Disney Christmas Greeting shows are lighting up the night through December 25, so the bay area is basically a holiday movie set.

If you’re craving events today, Broadway Christmas Wonderland is on at Tokyu Theatre Orb in Shibuya, bringing full-throttle festive musical numbers and high-energy dance to the stage, according to Japan Concert Tickets and Japan Travel. Shoppers and families can dive into year-end and Christmas markets around the city, with Japan Travel listing multiple Tokyo Christmas and late-December seasonal events. Anime fans, Tower Records Shibuya is hosting a Togen Anki pop-up shop from today, according to iwafu, serving up limited goods and photo ops that’ll level up your otaku cred.

News-wise, keep an eye on the wider bay area: Toyota has announced THE MOVEUM YOKOHAMA, an immersive mobility museum opening December 20 at Yamashita Pier, according to Toyota Global, so train-access from Tokyo makes this an easy side quest for tech and design lovers. Tokyo Disney Resort just dropped new details on the Tokyo DisneySea 25th “Sparkling Jubilee” celebrations coming in 2026, per Oriental Land Company, so expect early decorations, special merch teasers, and Disney superfans already scouting photo spots along the Resort Line.

Now, what should you actually do today? Start with a classic: hit Asakusa early, grab a hot amazake or sweet dango around Senso-ji, then ride the Tobu Skytree Line over to Tokyo Skytree Town to soak in Dream Christmas illuminations once the sun drops. Swing through Akihabara for the UDX illumination tunnel and some retro arcade action—perfect for testing your reaction time like a true sports nerd. If you’re with family or just a big kid at heart, Tokyo DisneySea’s Christmas programs and fireworks are a slam-dunk evening choice. Night owls can finish in Shibuya, catching Broadway Christmas Wonderland and then hunting down a tiny standing bar in Nonbei Yokocho for late-night yakitori.

Local tip from your boy Oly: when using the trains, stand on the left side of the escalator in most of Tokyo, and always line up where the platform floor markers are—those little rectangles are your VIP ticket to boarding like a seasoned local instead of a confused lost penguin. And if a train looks packed, wait 3 minutes; in central Tokyo, the next one is almost always right behind.

Tomorrow, the pre-holiday buzz only ramps up: more Christmas illuminations, growing crowds at markets, and weekend-sized nightlife even on weeknights. I’ll be back to scout the quirkiest events, coolest lights, and maybe a bizarre winter sport hiding in a Tokyo side street.

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