(Photo via Wikimedia Commons)

Waxing nostalgic about Christmases past? Wishing you could give your kids a little taste of magic (or terror, as the case may be)? Well, photo ops with the man in red are here, there and everywhere this year, and while kids won’t get a sit and a chat, for young’uns, a photo and a high five is probably enough excitement for one day.

Authenticity abounds with Santas visiting from Finland headlining some events, care of Santa Claus Village. These events will likely be some of the busiest, so prepare yourselves.

No matter where you go, though, expect crowds, long lines, and possibly disappointment if you miss the cut-offs.

Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse
Date: Dec 3, 7, 10, 14, 17, 24
Time: 11-5pm
Santa is…: unknown
Location: various
Extra information: no special photo location or time

Fuchu Babies R Us
Date: Dec 6
Time: 11-11:30am, 1-1:30pm, 3-3:30pm, 4-4:30pm, 5-5:30pm
Santa is…: unknown
Limit: N/A
Location: store

Ichikawa Toys R Us/Babies R Us
Date: Dec 6
Time: 11-11:30am, 1-1:30pm, 3-3:30pm, 4-4:30pm, 5-5:30pm
Santa is…: unknown
Limit: N/A
Location: store

Ochanomizu Saint Clair
Date: Dec 6
Time: 11am (acquire ticket), 2-2:30 (photo time)
Santa is…: from Finland
Limit: 120 groups
Location: B1 special event area

Akishima Toys R Us
Date: Dec 7
Time: 11-11:30am, 1-1:30pm, 3-3:30pm, 4-4:30pm, 5-5:30pm
Santa is…: unknown
Limit: N/A
Location: store

Shisui Premium Outlets, Narita (Chiba)
Date: Dec 7
Time: First round 10:30am (get tickets at 10am); Second round 1pm (get tickets at 12:30pm); Third round 2:30pm (get tickets at 2pm); Fourth round at 4pm (get tickets at 3:30pm)
Santa is…: from Finland
Limit: 50 groups
Location: the food court

Nihonbashi Takashimaya
Date: Dec 13
Time: 12-12:30pm, 2-2:30pm
Santa is…: unknown
Limit: N/A
Location: fifth floor by the toy area

Celeo Hachioji
Date: Dec 13
Time: 1pm (acquire ticket—store receipt required), 3:30-4:30pm, 5-6pm (photo time)
Santa is…: from Finland
Limit: 50 groups
Location: second floor event space

Celeo Kokubunji
Date: Dec 13
Time: 11am-12pm (Santa walkabout), 10am (acquire ticket—store receipt required), 12:45-1:45pm (photo time)
Santa is…: from Finland
Limit: store receipt required
Location: TBA

Fuchu Ekimae Toys R Us
Date: Dec 13
Time: 11-11:30am, 1-1:30pm, 3-3:30pm, 4-4:30pm, 5-5:30pm
Santa is…: unknown
Limit: N/A
Location: store

Tokorozawa Toys R Us/Babies R Us
Date: Dec 13
Time: 11-11:30am, 1-1:30pm, 3-3:30pm, 4-4:30pm, 5-5:30pm
Santa is…: unknown
Limit: N/A
Location: store

Kinshicho Babies R Us
Date: Dec 13
Time: 11-11:30am, 1-1:30pm, 3-3:30pm, 4-4:30pm, 5-5:30pm
Santa is…: unknown
Limit: N/A
Location: store

Kameido Toys R Us
Date: Dec 13
Time: 11-11:30am, 1-1:30pm, 3-3:30pm, 4-4:30pm, 5-5:30pm
Santa is…: unknown
Limit: N/A
Location: store

Minato Mirai Toys R Us/Babies R Us
Date: Dec 13
Time: 11-11:30am, 1-1:30pm, 3-3:30pm, 4-4:30pm, 5-5:30pm
Santa is…: unknown
Limit: N/A
Location: store

Fujisawa Toys R Us/Babies R Us
Date: Dec 13
Time: 11-11:30am, 1-1:30pm, 3-3:30pm, 4-4:30pm, 5-5:30pm
Santa is…: unknown
Limit: N/A
Location: store

Tokyu Department Store, Shibuya
Date: Dec 13
Time: 9:40am (acquire ticket), 2-3pm (photo time)
Santa is…: from Finland
Limit: 50 groups
Location: TBA

Machida Tama-Sakai Toys R Us/Babies R Us
Date: Dec 14
Time: 11-11:30am, 1-1:30pm, 3-3:30pm, 4-4:30pm, 5-5:30pm
Santa is…: unknown
Limit: N/A
Location: store

Toshimaen Toys R Us/Babies R Us
Date: Dec 14
Time: 11-11:30am, 1-1:30pm, 3-3:30pm, 4-4:30pm, 5-5:30pm
Santa is…: unknown
Limit: N/A
Location: store

Odawara Toys R Us/Babies R Us
Date: Dec 14
Time: 11-11:30am, 1-1:30pm, 3-3:30pm, 4-4:30pm, 5-5:30pm
Santa is…: unknown
Limit: N/A
Location: store

Ikebukuro Sunshine City Toys R Us/Babies R Us
Date: Dec 14
Time: 11-11:30am, 1-1:30pm, 3-3:30pm, 4-4:30pm, 5-5:30pm
Santa is…: unknown
Limit: N/A
Location: store

Tokyu Department Store, Kichijoji
Date: Dec 14
Time: 9:40am (acquire ticket), 11:30am-12:30pm (photo time)
Santa is…: from Finland
Limit: 50 groups
Location: acquire tickets at south entrance

Tokyu Department Store, Tama Plaza
Date: Dec 14
Time: Dec 7, 9:40am (acquire ticket), 3:30-4:30pm (photo time)
Santa is…: from Finland
Limit: 50 groups
Location: TBA

Ichirin Ageo-shi
Date: Dec 15
Time: N/A
Santa is…: from Finland
Limit: only those who have ordered Christmas cakes from Ichirin (~¥3,700) are eligible
Location: store

Royal Park Hotel Suitengu
Date: Dec 15, 16
Time: N/A
Santa is…: from Finland
Limit: only those eating at the hotel’s restaurant are eligible. Special room packages where Santa will visit your room are also available.
Location: restaurant/room

Ichirin Kunitachi
Date: Dec 17
Time: N/A
Santa is…: from Finland
Limit: only those who have ordered Christmas cakes from Ichirin (~¥3,700) are eligible
Location: store

Yokohama Bay Quarter
Date: Dec 20, 21
Time: 12-12:30pm, 2-2:30pm, 4-4:30pm
Santa is…: unknown
Limit: N/A
Location: various

Kawasaki More
Date: Dec 21, 23, 24
Time: 1:30-3pm, 3:30-5pm, 5:30-7pm
Santa is…: unknown
Limit: N/A
Location: N/A

Gate City Osaki
Date: Dec 23
Time: 11am-1:30pm (acquire tickets), from 1pm (photo time); 3-4:30pm (acquire tickets), from 4pm (photo time)
Santa is…: from Finland
Limit: N/A
Location: tickets and event in the Atrium (B1)

Odaiba Toys R Us/Babies R Us
Date: Dec 23
Time: 11-11:30am, 1-1:30pm, 3-3:30pm, 4-4:30pm, 5-5:30pm
Santa is…: unknown
Limit: N/A
Location: store

Tressa Yokohama
Date: Dec 23
Time: from 1pm, from 3pm
Santa is…: unknown
Limit: N/A
Location: North Tower, Lyon event space

Kunitachi Daigaku Dori Shops Christmas Event
Date: Dec 23
Time: from 10am (Santa photos take place within other activities)
Santa is…: unknown
Limit: N/A
Location: Kunitachi Daigaku Dori area

Sunroute Plaza
Date: Dec 23, 24, 25
Time: 7-8pm, 8:45-9:45pm
Santa is…: unknown
Limit: N/A
Location: first floor lobby

Hotel Chinzanso
Date: Dec 23-25
Time: 11:30am-1pm, 2:30-4pm
Santa is…: unknown
Limit: N/A
Location: hotel lobby

*Dates/times/locations are subject to change without notice

**For more Toys R Us/Babies R Us store events in Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, etc., please see the Toys R Us/Babies R Us store finder. While store finder information is available in English, event information is only available on the Japanese site. Please note that some locations have already finished with their Santa Claus visits, while other stores are not scheduled for Santa Claus events.