Written by Selena Hoy
As the weather gets colder, the city glows with spectacular Christmas lights and illuminations. Typically starting in November, some displays stay up until as late as February. Here’s our round-up of the best and twinkliest winter illuminations in and around Tokyo this year.
Looking for other ways to get into the Christmas spirit? Check out the Cheeriest Christmas Markets in Tokyo.
1. Tokyo Mega Illumination
The Tokyo Mega Illumination at Oi Racecourse is one of the largest light-ups in Tokyo. Unlike the other places on this list, it is a destination in itself. As such, the organizers have pulled out all the stops.
In total, there are more than 15 different illumination installations spread over an enormous area — plus, horses! The ample breathing space is welcome, as some of the other places here can get crowded. Get your tickets in advance.
2. Roppongi Hills Christmas Illumination
Going all out with the Christmas lights, Roppongi Hills has a few different spots to visit. Mori Garden will be lit up and the popular Christmas Market will return.
There will be various types of Christmas displays, including a bouquet-inspired tree at Roku-Roku Plaza. But the big guns are saved for Keyakizaka Avenue — the 400-meter-long street that runs down a gentle slope on the Azabu side of the Hills. Here there will be about 800,000 LEDs glowing in the theme of “Snow Blue” (i.e. white and blue).
3. Omotesandō Illuminations
The mature zelkova trees, wide sidewalks, and fancy shops make Omotesandō one of the top Tokyo illumination spots each winter.
There aren’t really any gimmicks — you just go there and walk up and down the street strewn with 900,000 lights. Don’t forget to drop into Omotesandō Hills while you are in the area. This year, they will reveal the world’s largest 3D-printed Christmas tree, featuring around 500 sparkling snowflakes.
4. Marunouchi Illumination
The annual Marunouchi Illumination is one of the classier ones. With cobblestone streets, 220 roadside trees, public sculptures, and the reproduced facades of big banks, this is probably the closest you’ll get to a ye olde European-style Christmas light-up in Tokyo.
Continue the journey by visiting the other illuminations in the area: White KITTE, plus the Hibiya Magic Time Illumination
5. Tokyo Dome City Winter Illumination
Something about the size and all the open space around Tokyo Dome makes it seem really, really cold in winter, but the 2 million twinkly LED lights make up for it.
The theme for 2024 is “Snow Dome”, and there will be a large interactive snow dome and a long Sparkle Tunnel, dotted with dazzling bulbs and lights.
6. Ebisu Garden Place Illumination
The Baccarat Eternal Lights champagne-gold illumination at Ebisu Garden Place definitely goes heavy on the amps.
The area in front of the main tower is typically flooded with fairy lights, illuminated bells, and a giant chandelier, and for 2024 the great Christmas tree is back. There will also be food trucks and DJs to add to the festive atmosphere.
7. Tokyo Skytree Dream Christmas
Tokyo Skytree (and Skytree Town) will be decked out in colorful finery for the festive season.
There is normally a popular Christmas market selling items like German-made ornaments, beer, sausages, and more. You can also expect live music and a general wintery feeling all around.
8. Midtown Winter Lights
This is hands down one of the most popular winter illumination displays in Tokyo. It usually sees thousands of visitors (and hundreds of security guards) every evening, until the dramatic finale on December 25 with monster crowds.
Every year brings something different. Next door, take your chance on the ice at Midtown Ice Rink.
9. Kioi Winter 24/25
Kioi Winter 2024 has not yet been confirmed, but it usually features a 10-meter-tall Christmas tree and Tokyo Garden Terrace’s distinctive giant stag symbol.
You can get some striking pictures from nearby Benkei Bridge, which you will cross if you are coming from Akasaka Mitsuke.
10. Yomiuriland Jewellumination
Yomiuriland is an amusement park less than an hour from Shinjuku Station, heading west on the Odakyu Line. The winter illumination at Yomiuriland is justifiably named “Jewellumination” seeing as Motoko Ishii — a famous Japanese lighting designer — blingified the entire amusement park with literally millions of LED lights.
You can choose between a viewing ticket or a park pass ticket, which includes access to all of the rides. Get your tickets in advance.
Pro tip: While you’re there, also try the Hana Akari bamboo light illuminations next door.
11. Shibuya Blue Cave Illumination
A cave made up of trees (much nicer than a real cave, in our opinion), this Tokyo illumination is one of the most magical thanks to its impressive colors.
It draws huge crowds for good reason; 700,000 LED lights are strung up on an 800-meter route between Shibuya and Harajuku, and you can access it from either station. Last year, there was a Christmas market held at the same time.
12. White KITTE
Held within the KITTE shopping mall next to Tokyo Station, White KITTE is a unique Christmas light-up event featuring real fir trees and white decorations.
With the Marunouchi Illumination and a light-up in Hibiya happening nearby, this is sure to be a hugely popular free show.
13. Shinjuku Southern Terrace Illumination
These annual illuminations around the south side of Shinjuku Station always attract a crowd and are well worth checking out if you’re in the area.
There are usually around 170,000 LED bulbs — making for a rather festive atmosphere.
14. Meguro River Illumination
See the famous cherry blossom view of Meguro River in winter — well, sort of.
The area along the river bank between Gotanda and Osaki Station will shine with nearly 350,000 pink-colored LEDs from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. every night. The lights will be powered by cooking-oil waste from local homes and businesses.
15. Tokyo German Village
Don’t let the name fool you; these illuminations are actually in Chiba. Although Tokyo German Village is most famous for its beer gardens and traditional fairground rides, it also hosts magnificent winter illuminations.
With giant glowing pretzels and a rainbow tunnel, it is a great choice for families with young children.
| At the door: ¥1,000 | ||
| At the door: ¥500 | ||
Honorable mentions
Catch these other light-up events in winter, too:
Yorunoyo Yokohama Winter Illumination
A new winter event starting this year, Yorunoyo Yokohama Winter Illumination is actually expected to become one of the best illumination spots near Tokyo.
Enjoy glistening illuminations at some of Yokohama’s most popular locations, including Sakuragicho, Minatomirai, Chinatown, Motomachi, and the waterfront.
Shonan Enoshima Illumination
Shonan Enoshima Illumination is one of the most dazzling. Set against the backdrop of Enoshima and Katase Beach, you can see famous landmarks such as the Enoshima Sea Candle and Dragon Love Bell adorned with bright lights.
There is also an amazing display of floating chandeliers covered in Swarovski crystals and even lights inside Enoshima Iwaya Cave. With so many illuminations to see, it is definitely worth the trip from Tokyo.
| At the door: ¥500 | ||
| At the door: ¥250 | ||
Miyashita Christmas Park
See glistening purple lights at Miyashita Christmas Park. While purple isn’t a traditional Christmas color, the top floor of the complex is decorated with these lights to raise awareness for the Purple Ribbon Campaign, a movement aimed at combating violence against women.
There will also be purple-themed food and drinks on sale during the event.
Shinjuku Twinkle Park
Despite being a relatively small illumination, it is definitely worth checking out if you are in Shinjuku. From the end of November onwards, Shinjuku Central Park is lit up with thousands of LED lights and other types of installations.
Nishi-Shinjuku Illumination Market
Another new winter event, the Nishi-Shinjuku Illumination Market, combines the best aspects of Christmas – illuminations and markets. Stroll along the street decorated with champagne gold LED lights while enjoying traditional food and shopping for unique gifts. Since the Shinjuku Twinkle Park and Nishi-Shinjuku Illumination Market are right next to each other, you can easily visit both.
While we do our best to ensure it’s correct, information is subject to change. Post first published in November 2015. Updated every year and throughout the winter season. Last update: October 2024.
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