Tokyo Winter Illumination Guide 2023-2024
Best Winter Illuminations in Tokyo: Shibuya Blue Cave, Caretta Shiodome, Roppongi Hills and more
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Check out the best Tokyo illuminations 2023-2024 winter!
What’s the best thing to do in Japan during winter? Ski, hot spring or eating winter foods?? One thing you shouldn’t definitely miss is winter illumination events which are held across the country during winter! Especially in Tokyo, there are numbers of spots offering gorgeous illuminations brighten up the city.
I have picked the most recommended illumination events held in a central Tokyo in 2023-2024 winter. Most of them are FREE to visit and totally photo-worthy winter wonderlands.
*Please note that this article contains affiliate links.
1. Yebisu Garden Place
The annual winter light-up event at Yebisu Garden Place features over 100,000 LED lights, the 10 m high Christmas tree and “Baccarat ETERNAL LIGHTS” the 5 m large Baccarat chandelier. Besides, there will be a 10m tall Christmas tree and gold champagne LED lights illuminating several spots in the venue during the season. Yebisu Garden Place Winter Illumination offers the most romantic and festive atmosphere in Tokyo!
Access: 5 mins walk from Yebisu Station East Exit
Date: 11 Nov 2023 to 8 Jan 2024
Hours: 11:00～23:00
2. Roppongi Hills Christmas
Roppongi Hills Christmas features the spectacular illumination at the 400m Keyakizaka Street with approx 800,000 LED lights. Moreover, there are several illuminations display at the site during the season. Don’t miss the gorgeous illumination view with Tokyo Tower on the background.
Access: direct access available from Roppongi Station C1 Exit
Date: 6 Nov to 25 Dec 2023
Hours: 17:00～23:00
3. Marunouchi Illumination
The long-running winter illumination, Marunouchi Illumination is held in front of Tokyo Station. It will be the 21st year in 2022, and the event gets better year by year. The 1.2 km long promenade is lined with over 300 trees decorated by about 1.2 million LED lights in classic champagne gold colour.
Access: short walk from Tokyo Station Marunouchi Exit
Date: 16 Nov 2023 to 18 Feb 2024
Hours: 16:00～23:00 (till 24:00 in December)
4. Meguro River Minna no Illumination
The trees along the Meguro River between Gotanda and Osaki stations (JR Yamanote Line) are decorated by 380,000 pink LED lights to represent cherry blossoms, and it stretches for about 2.2 km.
Access: 6 mins walk from Gotanda Station OR Osaki Station
Date: 10 November 2023 to 8 January 2024
Hours: 17:00~22:00
5. Midtown Christmas
The illumination event is annually held at Tokyo Midtown, featuring gorgeous and festive LED light displays including the illumination at the tree-lined promenade, snow dome and colourful Christmas tree. Besides the illumination, an outdoor ice staking rink will open during winter season as well as the Christmas decorations.
Access: direct access available from Roppongi Station 8 Exit
Date: 16 Nov to 25 Dec 2023
Hours: 17:00~21:00
6. Shinjuku Southern Terrace Winter Illumination
Shinjuku’s annual illumination event, Shinjuku Minami Lumi is held in the area around the south exit of the station including Shinjuku Southern Terrace, Shinjuku Takashimaya Times Square and Shinjuku MAYNDS Tower. Under the theme of “What lies beyond the sparkle“, a variety of illumination will be displayed at each location such as Christmas trees, interactive illumination and a welcome gate of Suice’s penguin mascot. It’s also a great spot to pop by along with shopping or dining in Shinjuku area.
Access: short walk from JR Shinjuku Station Southern Exit
Date: 17 November 2023 to 14 February 2024
Hours: 17:00～24:00
7. SHIBUYA Blue Cave
The Shibuya Blue Cave is the most popular winter illumination event in Tokyo, drawing over 2 million visitors every year. Approx 770,000 LED lights turn the avenue into the blue winter wonderland for about 800 m between Shibuya Koen Dori Street to Yoyogi Park Keyaki Namiki Street.
Access: Shibuya Koen Dori Street ~ Yoyogi Park Keyaki Namiki (approx 800 m)
Date: 1 to 25 December 2023
Hours: 17:00~22:00
8. Omotesando Street
Tokyoite’s favourite winter illumination located in Harajuku and Omotesando area. The shopping street lined with Zelkova trees is lightened up with over 90,000 champagne gold LED lights.
Access: short walk from Harajuku Station, Meiji Jingumae Station OR Omotesando Station
Date: 1 December 2023 to 5 January 2024
Hours: sunset to 22:00
9. TOKYO ILLUMILIA
The event features illuminations taking place at Sakura Dori and Yaesu Naka Dori streets. The gorgeous champagne gold LED lights lit up the cherry tree lined avenues in the area around Tokyo Station and Nihonbashi.
Access: short walk from Tokyo Station or Nihonbashi Station
Date: 7 November 2023 to 14 February 2024
Hours: 16:30~23:30
10. Tokyo Skytree Town Dream Christmas
Tokyo Skytree is the tallest building in Japan, standing as a new symbol of Tokyo and one of must-visit sightseeing spots among tourists. Tokyo Skytree hosts an annual Christmas event “Tokyo Skytree Town Dream Christmas” with the winter illumination decorating an entire area with approx 460,000 LED lights. There will be also a 4 m tall twinkle three stars object with the official character Sorakara-chan and a 8m tall Christmas tree. The event features various contents in addition to the illumination including projection mapping, a special lighting of Skytree, live music performance and German style Christmas market.
Access: short walk from Tokyo Skytree Station or Oshiage Station
Date: 1 November to 25 December 2023
Hours: 16:00~24:00
11. Tokyo Midtown Hibiya
The winter illuminations displayed around Tokyo Midtown Hibiya, “Hibiya Magic Time Illumination”will be held from mid November to mid February with the concept of “Magical Moments”. The event features gradation coloured streetlights decorating trees, garden and Christmas trees in Hibiyanaka Street and Tokyo Midtown area.
Access: Hibiyanaka Street and Tokyo Midtown area
Date: 16 November 2023 to 14 February 2024
Hours: 17:00~23:00
12. Tokyo Dome City
Tokyo Dome City is an amusement park/entertainment complex located next to Tokyo Dome baseball stadium in Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo. The winter event “Tokyo Dome City Winter Illumination” will be held at several locations in the site from mid November until late February next year, featuring spectacular and photo-worthy illumination displays.
Access: 5 mins walk from Korakuen Station or Suidobashi Station
Date: 21 November 2023 to 29 February 2024
Hours: 17:00~24:00
Related article: Tokyo Dome City: the Popular Entertainment Complex in Tokyo
13. Odaiba Illumination
Odaiba is a man-made island on Tokyo Bay, which is highly popular for shopping and entertainment. Also it’s one of the best areas to enjoy the stunning city view of Tokyo, especially at night. The winter illumination event, Illumination Island Odaiba is held at various different facilities within the area until Christmas including the Odaiba Statue of Liberty, Decks Tokyo Beach, Aqua City and DiverCity.
Location: several facilities at Odaiba area
Date: 24 November to 25 December 2023
14. OMOHARA Christmas illumination
The iconic shopping complex in the center of Harajuku and Omotesando area, Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku hosts a light-up event “OMOHARA Christmas illumination” on the rooftop during winter. With the concept of “Starry Night Forest”, the Omohara Forest, the rooftop terrace with green and trees will be decorated with approx 20,000 lights and Christmas ornaments.
Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/bq1emahSLqYSSETB8
Access: Short walk from Meiji Jingumae Harajuku Station
Date: 16 N0vember 2023 to 16 January 2024
Hours: 17:00～22:00
15. Harry Potter Studio Tour Tokyo Christmas Lights Up
Entertainment Inc. – Wizarding World publishing rights © J.K. Rowling
Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo – The Making of Harry Potter is a new entertainment facility that opened in 2023 summer at the former site of the Toshimaen amusement park in Nerima Ward, Tokyo. The world’s largest indoor Harry Potter attraction features the wizarding world of Harry Potter and allows visitors to step behind the scenes of the production of the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts film series. The Studio Tour Tokyo is holding their first Christmas event starting from 15 November, featuring a park-wide Christmas theme decoration, light-up and food menu with festive atmosphere.
▶︎Book tickets to Harry Potter Studio Tour Tokyo !
Access: 5 min walk from Toshimaen Station (Seibu Ikebukuro Line/ Oedo Line)
Date: 15 November 2023 to 8 January 2024
16. Tokyo Tower Winter Illumination
The symbol of the city, Tokyo Tower is celebrating winter with the illuminations held at both inside and outside of the tower. TOKYO TOWER CITY LIGHT FANTASIA is held at the main observatory of Tokyo Tower featuring the spectacular art of lights and projection mapping. The outdoor illumination, TOKYO TOWER WINTER FANTASY is held at the foot of the tower with special effects of lights.
Access: 5 mins walk from Akabanebashi Station/less than 10 mins walk from Kamiyacho Station, Onarimon Station, Daimon Station
Date: TBA (16 November 2019 to 11 February 2020)
Hours: 18:00～22:50
17. Yomiuriland Jewellumination
Tokyo’s largest amusement park, Yomiuriland hosts a spectacular winter illumination event “Jewellumination” over the decade, which features approx 6.5 million LED lights decorating the entire park. The fund and thrilling rides and attractions at the park can be enjoyed with colourful lights as well as special light-up show only available this time of the year.
▶ Book Jewellumination in Yomiuriland Admission Ticket
Access: Keio Yomiuriland Station
Date: 9 Oct 2023 to 7 Apr 2024
Hours: 16:00～20:30
18. Tokyo Mega Illumi
Tokyo Mega Illumi is an illumination event that takes place at Oi Racecourse (a.k.a. Tokyo City Keiba) in Shinagawa Ward, Tokyo during winter. The event features a variety of light-up across the racecourse area such as fountain show, aurora lights and a 100 long light tunnel. There are also horse-related photo spots such as starting gate, carriage and horseshoe objects as well as an interactive experience with miniature horses and ponies.
▶ Book Tokyo Mega Illumi Admission Ticket
Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/KxEem74xCEKXdtEf9
Access: Oikeibajo-Mae Station
Fee: The price changes depending on the day and month
Date: 11 November 2023 to 8 January 2024
Hours: 16:30～21:00
19. Hana Biyori Hana Akari
Hana Biyori is a new style of botanical garden opened in 2020 adjacent to Yomiuri Land, the popular amusement park located in the outskirt of Tokyo. The garden offers a variety of flower-related attractions such as flower shows, digital art and Japan’s first botanical Starbucks store. During winter, the Japanese theme illumination event, Hana Akari will be held, featuring approx 1,000 bamboo lights and light-up of trees, flowers and the cultural properties, Hijirimon gate and Tahoto pagoda.
▶ Book HANA BIYORI Admission Ticket
Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/qUjVAspaGyysT5FN7
Date: 28 October 2023 to 25 February 2024
Hours: 16:00～20:00
Related article: HANA BIYORI: Entertainment Botanical Garden in Yomiuri Land Tokyo
20. Miyashita Christmas Park
At “Miyashita Christmas Park 2023”, the shopping complex Miyashita Park will continue to team up with DECORTÉ from the last season to hold the Christmas illumination “DECORTÉ Purple Lightup 2023”. During the event, Miyashita Park in Shibuya Ward will be illuminated with magical purple light, and a sparkling dome-shaped photo spot will be also available.
Access: 1 minute walk from Shibuya Station
Date: 10 November to 25 December 2023
Hours: 17:00～23:00
21. SHIBUYA STREAM LIGHT TRAIL
SHIBUYA STREAM LIGHT TRAIL is a light-up event taking place in the area around the south exit of Shibuya Station including a popular complex building Shibuya Stream and Shibuya River Street which stretches along Shibuya Stream. With the concept of “Line” that connects towns, stations, people and history, the line of illumination represents connections with colourful ribbons. Also, Shibuya River will display a mystical scenery with laser light and mist. A Christmas market will be available for 3 days on 22, 23 and 24 December in front of Shibuys Stream.
Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/h5xasC8c2TBCYqSe6
Date: 25 November 2023 to 29 February 2024
Hours: 16:30～23:00
22. Caretta Shiodome Illumination
In the past years, Caretta Shiodome’s illumination was themed with popular Disney movies such as the “Beauty and the Beast”, “Frozen”, “Tangled” and “Aladdin”, and it was the most romantic illumination event ever. The event features be over 250,000 LED lights and the iconic songs from the movies, which make an amazing harmony and a magical light show.
Access: short walk from Shiodome Station OR 5 mins walk from Shimbashi Station
Date: N/A
Hours: N/A
23. Nihonbashi Illumination
A illumination event, KIBO no Hikari Machi is held in Nihonbashi area including the large shopping and dining complex COREDO Muromachi Terrace and Edo-Sakura Street. The event includes the meteor-linking illumination using the latest technology and over 200,000 champagne gold LED lights on historic streets of the neighbourhood.
Access: Nihonbashi area
Date: TBA
Hours: 17:00~24:00
How many illuminations in Tokyo would you like to visit in 2023-2024 winter season?? Let us known which one is your favourite winter illumination this year!
For more info about things to do in Japan during winter, please check out these articles below!
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