Tokyo: Winter Illuminations
When it comes to illuminations during the Holidays, Japan doesn’t hold anything back. There are gorgeous displays in many cities around the country that are worth making a trip for, including a number of locations in Tokyo that are nothing short of gorgeous.
Almost all of them are free to see, and run at varying schedules between November and February.
Here are the ones I’ve been to that I recommend if you’re in town during the season.
MARUNOUCHI
Marunouchi illuminations between Nihombashi and Hibiya
The stretch of Marunouchi Naka-dori Ave between the Gyoko-dori walkway (directly in front of Tokyo Station) and Hibiya Station gets beautifully lit up between early November and mid-February.
The warmer, champagne-colored, low-energy lights are a nice contrast to the cooler blues that are common around Tokyo during the season, and makes for a nice walk.
Some buildings along the street like the Marunouchi Building have their individual decorations or events happening as well. Tokyo Midtown Hibiya also has their own lights, so it’s easy to see at least a few illuminations in one area.
STATIONS: Nijubashimae, Hibiya, Tokyo, Yurakucho
TRAINS: Chiyoda Line, Hibiya Line, Mita Line, Yamanote Line, Keihin-Tohoku Line, Yurakucho Line, Chuo Line, Marunouchi Line, Utsunomiya Line, etc.
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TOKYO MIDTOWN HIBIYA
Starlight Tree and HIBIYA Magic Time illuminations at Tokyo Midtown Hibiya
At the southern end of the Marunouchi Naka-dori Ave illuminations is the second Tokyo Midtown location at Hibiya. The courtyard at the main street level entrance hosts their HIBIYA Magic Time Illumination between mid-November to mid-December.
The main attraction is the “Starlight (Christmas) tree” (until Christmas) that you can walk into. In it is a light show with small, digital animations synchronized to music.
STATIONS: Hibiya, Yurakucho
TRAINS: Chiyoda Line, Hibiya Line, Mita Line, Yamanote Line, Yurakucho Line, Keihin-Tohoku Line
https://www.hibiya.tokyo-midtown.com
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TOKYO MIDTOWN
Starlight Garden at Tokyo Midtown
The illuminations at Tokyo Midtown in Roppongi is one of the most impressive ones. More than just lights, it’s more like an event, putting on a show for a few minutes. Each year differs slightly but tends to focus on a space theme.
While it’s not exactly Christmas-y, it is an installation that will wow. It’s also within walking distance from the Keyakizaka lights near Roppongi Hills nearby.
STATIONS: Roppongi, Nogizaka
TRAINS: Oedo Line, Hibiya Line, Chiyoda Line
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KEYAKIZAKA (ROPPONGI HILLS)
Keyakizaka illuminations in Roppongi
Running right alongside the Roppongi Hills area is Keyakizaka-dori Street. Down below running alongside the street are LED lights alternating between an icy white and red. When viewing them from the bridge above, the surrounding buildings frame a view of Tokyo Tower in the background.
These illuminations are within walking distance from Tokyo Midtown, so you can conveniently check out both. They typically run between mid-November until Christmas.
STATIONS: Roppongi
TRAINS: Oedo Line, Hibiya Line
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OMOTESANDO
Omotesando-dori Ave winter illuminations
What better a way to add to one of Tokyo’s most fashionable areas than to have its main avenue lined with champagne-colored lights during the Holiday season.
The lights run from Omotesando Station to Meji-jingumae Station from the end of November until the start of January. The main avenue is already a nice walk to come across some young trendsetters and models, and the illuminations in the evening adds a magical touch.
STATIONS: Omotesando, Meiji-jingumae (Harajuku), Harajuku
TRAINS: Chiyoda Line, Ginza Line, Hanzomon Line, Fukutoshin Line, Yamanote Line
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OMOTESANDO HILLS
Emanuel Moureaux’s installation at Omotesando Hills
In the middle of the Omotesando area is Omotesando Hills, a higher end shopping mall. The building, designed by Tadao Ando, is in a diamond-like shape that creates an open space in the center. Each year, the mall teams up with artists to put together a Christmas installation.
Being that it’s right on Omotesando-dori Ave, it’s easy to pop in and check out the year’s decorations.
STATIONS: Omotesando, Meiji-jingumae (Harajuku), Harajuku
TRAINS: Chiyoda Line, Ginza Line, Hanzomon Line, Fukutoshin Line, Yamanote Line
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SHIBUYA BLUE CAVE (YOYOGI PARK)
Blue Cave Shibuya at Yoyogi Park
In the section of Yoyogi Park that connects Harajuku to Shibuya, there’s a path that lights up in the most vibrant blue during the Holiday season. This “Blue Cave” might mess with your eyes for a bit, but it’s impressive being surrounded in so much blue.
Because it’s not too far from the Harajuku/Omotesando area, it’s possible to check these illuminations out after Omotesando and Omotesando Hills. It’s free to the public and runs between the end of November until the end of December.
STATIONS: Harajuku, Meiji-jingumae (Harajuku)
TRAINS: Yamanote Line, Chiyoda Line, Fukutoshin Line
SHINJUKU SOUTHERN TERRACE
Illuminations at the Shinjuku Southern Terrace
Of course Shinjuku has lights as well. Around the most southern part of the station on street level is a promenade-like space. You’ll find Starbucks, Shake Shack, Eddie Bauer, Delirium, and more.
There’s a section of that area that is lit up, and in it, a little path to walk on and enjoy being surrounded by the lights until mid-February.
STATION: Shinjuku
TRAINS: Yamanote Line, Chuo Line, Sobu Line, Shinjuku Line, Odakyu Line, Keio Line, Saikyo Line, Shonan-Shinjuku Line, etc.
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CARETTA ILLUMINATION
Caretta Illumination in Shiodome
The courtyard at the Caretta mall in Shiodome is filled with tiny LEDs and spires or trees that put on musical light shows during the Holidays.
Crowds of people gather around the area to see the synchronized show, each running a few minutes in evenings between mid-November and mid-February.
STATIONS: Shiodome, Shimbashi
TRAINS: Yurikamome Line, Oedo Line, Yamanote Line, Ginza Line, Asakusa Line, Joban Line, Keihin-Tohoku Line, etc.
YEBISU GARDEN PLACE ILLUMINATIONS
Christmas illuminations at Yebisu Garden Place
The Yebisu Garden Place illuminations transforms the terrace into a very Christmas-y space in the evenings. The main attractions are the Christmas tree that sits up on street level and a Baccarat chandelier, one of the biggest in the world, that sits down at the bottom of the sloped walkway.
Free for the public to walk through and runs from early November to mid-January.
STATIONS: Ebisu
TRAINS: Yamanote Line, Hibiya Line, Saikyo Line, Shonan-Shinjuku Line
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If you’re looking to try to conveniently see more than one, here’s a few combinations I recommend:
Omotesando → Omotesando Hills → Shibuya Blue Cave (Yoyogi Park)
Tokyo Midtown → Keiyakizaka (Roppongi)
Marunouchi → Tokyo Midtown Hibiya