Tokyo’s Top 15 Winter Illuminations For 2019-2020

Tokyo shines bright this winter.

One of the highlights of the winter season in Japan, these free festivals of light provide a welcome chance to get out in the evenings as the temperature dips and rejuvenates everyone’s spirits during the cold, dark winter months — not to mention its the perfect backdrop to take a few selfies. This year, once again, we see stunning, bright illuminations in all shapes and forms light up every part of Tokyo in preparation for the festive season. So whether alone, with a partner, or with family and friends, we promise you that these lights will make your holiday a little more special, joyful and warm. Here are our 15 top picks for this year.

1. Tokyo Midtown Christmas 2019  

The areas around the popular shopping complex Tokyo Midtown are lit up with a total of 500,000 LED lights each night, gathering tens of thousands of visitors and enthusiastic photographers. Though the whole complex shines brightly during the festive season, the one must-stop place is the space-inspired Starlight Garden illumination in the park behind the main tower. Some 190,000 LED lights and 100 balloon lights are spread before your eyes forming the most breathtaking space lights in the heart of the city. This year, for a limited time until December 18, a special collaboration with soap bubbles lets visitors enjoy around 450,000 soap bubbles and mist daily, floating through the night’s sky. Catch them before it’s too late!

Access: Roppongi Station
Date & Time: Now through Wed, Dec. 25, 2019, 5 p.m.-11 p.m.

2. Caretta Shiodome: Arabian Night

Themed “Arabian Night,” this popular winter lights display surrounding the shopping complex Caretta Shiodome, brings the story of Disney’s Aladdin to life this year. Whether a Disney fan or not, this is one of the most beautiful and romantic illuminations in the city, and this year especially, it calls for all couples to gather around the lights, accompanied by soundtrack tunes and other love-inspired vibes. Recommended for anyone, but if you don’t have a significant other, you may feel a bit lonely.

Access: Shiodome Station, Shimbashi Station
Date & Time: Now through Fri, Feb. 14, 2020, 5 p.m.-11 p.m.

3. Yebisu Garden Place Baccarat Eternal Lights

This annual light-up event at the historic Yebisu Garden Place has a stylish vibe based on simplicity and class. Baccarat Eternal Lights features an eight-meter spectacular chandelier and beautifully decorated trees amongst its numerous illuminations and is, with no doubt, one the most romantic outings for mature couples. 

Access: Ebisu Station
Date & Time: Now through Mon, Jan. 13, 2020, 11 p.m.-12 a.m.

4. Shinjuku Terrace City Illumination

Business town during the day but as soon as dawn hits Shinjuku, the area changes into a stage of multiple illumination displays that will take your breath away. This year’s concept is “Be connected!” and the entire area around JR Shinjuku Station is decorated with floral-themed lights that will make you feel more positive — and inspired to share with someone! 

Access: Shinjuku Station, South Exit
Date & Time: Now through Sun, Feb. 16, 2019, 5 p.m.-12 a.m.

5. Omohara Illumination 2019

The flagship Tokyu Plaza Omotesando-Harajuku complex — thus the “Omohara” — with its wall-of-mirrors entrance and green, rooftop park “Omohara no Mori” will once again add to the area’s brightness with a nostalgic illumination that goes back to the basics and does it better than anywhere else. Grab a cup of coffee from the store’s rooftop Starbucks and enjoy the lights!

Access: Meiji Jingumae Station
Date & Time: Now through Wed, Dec. 25, 2019, 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

6. Roppongi Hills Keyakizaka Illumination

The area around the massive complex Roppongi Hills is festooned with light, including the parade of trees down Keyakizaka-dori, the romantically lit-up Mohri Garden (don’t miss out on the heart-shaped illumination) and the giant Christmas tree at Roku-Roku Plaza, the doorway of the complex. Wherever you go in Roppongi this season, you will be surrounded by light! 

Access: Roppongi Station
Date & Time: Now through Wed, Dec. 25, 2019, 5 p.m.-11 p.m.

7. Omotesando Illuminations

Commonly referred to as Tokyo’s “Champs-Elysees,” Omotesando — the broad, tree-lined avenue and one of the symbols of Tokyo’s high fashion and style — is lit-up magnificently this year as well with some 900,000 lights in champagne gold colors. The stylish Omotesando Hills complex in the area also runs its own spectacular illumination — an Aurora-inspired Christmas tree and a massive “curtain of light” created by 6,000 icicles.  Whether taking a stroll down the streets or shopping at the Hills, Omotesando is a spot that gives you a truly festive vibe throughout the winter season.   

Access: Harajuku Station, Omotesando Station, Meiji Jingumae Station
Date & Time:Now through Sun, Jan. 5, 2020, Sundown-10 p.m.        

8. Odaiba Yakei Illuminations

With Rainbow Bridge, the giant Daiba Wheel and endless harbor lights, Odaiba is in itself a year-round unique and breath-taking illumination location, but don’t miss on the “Yakei” Illumination at Decks, one of Odaiba’s largest commercial facilities. The must-see spots include the 20-meter-high “Daiba Memorial Tree,” the heart-shaped statue, which allows you to take a rare triple-shot of Tokyo’s city lights, Rainbow Bridge and the “Illusion Dome.”

Access: Daiba Station, Odaiba Kaihinkoen Station
Date & Time: Year-round, Sundown-12 a.m.

9. Tokyo Tower Winter Fantasy Orange Illumination

Embrace the warmth of the season at Tokyo’s number one indisputable symbol, Tokyo Tower, and its ground-based illuminations. This year, as part of their 23rd Winter Fantasy illumination, Tokyo Tower introduced for the first time, “The Candle Tower”, an 11.1 meter version of the Tokyo Tower. The Candle Tower will be impressively decorated with approximately 1000 LED lights and surrounded with 200 natural pines.

Access: Akabanebashi Station, Onarimon Station
Date & Time: Now through Sun, Jan. 5, 2020, 12 p.m.-1 a.m.

10. Meguro River Minna No Illumi

A spectacular cherry blossom site in spring, the Meguro River brightens up the Nakameguro area equally gorgeously in winter too, using 500,000 LED lights used in the display around the river. This year, the river is lit-up with beautiful pink colored lights to imitate the famous cherry blossoms even during the cold season. The river-side walk makes up for one of the most romantic experiences this season. 

Access: Nakameguro Station
Date & Time: Now through Sun, Jan. 5, 2020, 5 p.m.-10 p.m.            

11. Tokyo Dome City Winter Lights Garden

One of the largest illuminations sites in Tokyo, the Tokyo Dome Illuminations are spread throughout the entire dome area, including magnificent tunnels of lights, decorated Christmas trees and a mini-Tokyo Dome right in front of La Qua shopping center. This year’s theme is “Edo Scenic Beauty” with one of the main must-see spots including the Edo Kiriko gate near the main entrance, which changes its display like a kaleidoscope depending on people’s movements. If you have to choose one spot for your winter illuminations journey, let this be the one!

Access: Tokyo Dome (Korakuen Station, Suidobashi Station)
Date & Time: Now through Wed, Feb. 26, 2020, 5 p.m.-12 a.m.

12. Blue Cave Shibuya

Despite being blue, blue and nothing but blue, this illumination (ranked No.1 in Tokyo, by the way!) can never make you sad — take our word for it. Sponsored by the famous pasta sauce maker Ao No Dokutsu (Blue Cavern), the Koen-dori street leading toward Yoyogi Park are lit-up by 600,000 blue LED lights creating a spectacular monotone glow. 

Access: Shibuya Station and Yoyogi Park
Date & Time: Fri, Nov. 29-Tue, Dec. 31, 2019, 5 p.m.-10 p.m. 

13. Marunouchi Illuminations 2019

Marunouchi Naka-Dori is one of the most popular illumination sites in Tokyo. This year, you can admire the glittery trees covered in light-emitting bulbs while walking around the stylish street full of small shops and cafes. A classy display of light, this one can even make you a bit nostalgic. 

Access: Marunouchi Naka-dori Street (Tokyo Station)
Date & Time: Now through Sun, Feb. 16, 2020, 5 p.m.-12 a.m.

14. Tokyo German Village Illumination

Tokyo German Village will again celebrate the winter season this year with their amazing illuminations all over the park using over 3 million LED lights. One of the biggest highlights of the event is the 70m long tunnel of lights. This year’s theme is “Game Center” where the illuminations collide with a world of nostalgic 80’s games. The price of entry is charged per car if driving, so you may as well bring a full house of friends and loved ones.

Access: Express Bus from Chiba Station
Date & Time: Now through Sun, Apr. 5, 2020, Sundown-8 p.m.
Cost: ¥3,000 Per Car, ¥500 Walkers Over 4          

15. Tokyo Mega Illumi 

Once in a while, there comes an event so massive and inspiring that it leaves you wondering where the heck it has been all this time. Tokyo Mega Illumi, held for just the second time this year, is an event like this. Occupying one of Tokyo’s most famous horse race fields, Tokyo City Keiba in Oimachi, this massive land is decorated with eight million lights, each organized in different themes focusing on Japan’s history, culture, and evolution. If you enjoy the occasional time travel that takes you through some of Japan’s most peaceful and turbulent time periods, this is your spot this winter. It’s spectacular!

Access: Oimachi Station (Tokyo City Keiba)
Date & Time: Now through Sun, Mar. 29, 2020, 4:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
Cost: ¥1,000 (Adult), ¥500 (Child)

Got a great shot? Share your best illuminations photos from this season with us for a chance to be featured on our website and social media channels. Send your best shots to editorial@gplusmedia.com, or via Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with a hashtag #savvyilluminations2019

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