10 Winter Illumination Spots in Tokyo (2017 ~ 2018)

Shibuya / Nakameguro Area

Ao no Dokutsu SHIBUYA

Ao no Dokutsu SHIBUYA Illumination

The Ao no Dokutsu (meaning “blue cave”) SHIBUYA illumination can be seen at Yoyogi Park in the Shibuya area. Trees are lit up with a dreamy blue light from Shibuya Koen-dori Street and all the way through Yoyogi Park’s zelkova-lined road.

Ao no Dokutsu at Yoyogi Park

Throughout 800 meters, over 600,000 blue LED lights are used to light up the trees. The zelkova-lined road at Yoyogi Park measures 300 meters, and feels like a real cave surrounded by blue lights.

・ Information
Light-up period: Nov. 22, 2017 (Wed.) – Dec. 31, 2017 (Sun.)
Venue: Shibuya Koen-dori Street to Yoyogi Park Zelkova Avenue
Light-up time: 5:00p.m. – 10:00p.m. (times may vary)
Access:
　　- Shibuya Station: 5-minute walk from Hachiko Exit of Exit 7
　　- Harajuku Station: 10-minute walk from Omotesando Exit
Website: Ao no Dokutsu SHIBUYA

Omotesando Illumination

The Omotesando Illumination was held for the fist time in 7 years in 2017. It will be held from Nov. 30 to Dec. 25 in 2017.

Omotesando Illumination

From Jingu-bashi bridge Crossing to Omotesando Crossing, over 900,000 champagne gold lights illuminate 150 zelkova trees. All 1.1 kilometers of Omotesando Avenue is lit up during the winter months.

・ Information
Light-up period: Nov. 30, 2017 (Thur.) – Dec. 25, 2017 (Mon.)
Venue: From Jingu-bashi Bridge Crossing to Omotesando Crossing (approx. 1.1 kilometers)
Light-up time: sunset to 10:00p.m.
Access:
　　- JR Harajuku Station: 4-minute walk from Omotesando Exit
　　- Tokyo Metro Omotesando Station: 1-minute walk from Exit A3
Website: Omotesando Illumination

NAKAMEGURO JEWEL DOME 2017

Meguro River light-up

The NAKAMEGURO JEWEL DOME illumination features 110 cherry blossom trees planted by the Meguro River. In 2017, the cherry blossom trees are set to light up between December 15 and December 24.

Illuminated cherry blossoms by Meguro River

The lights used here are a warm orange-gold and a bright white shade, and over 500,000 of them illuminate the cherry blossom trees. The theme of the illumination is “a winter illumination as brilliant as spring’s flowers”, and the beautiful lights definitely live up to it.

・ Information
Light-up period: Dec. 15, 2017 (Fri.) – Dec. 24, 2017 (Sun.)
Venue: Meguro River (Horai-bashi Bridge to Asahi-bashi Bridge)
Light-up time: 4:00p.m. – 9:00p.m.
Access: 1-minute walk from Nakameguro Station

Yebisu Garden Place Winter Illumination

Promenade

Between Nov. 3, 2017 (Fri.) and Jan. 8, 2018 (Mon.), you can witness the illuminations at Yebisu Garden Place. The theme for 2017 is “Baccarat ETERNAL LIGHTS”, and features an impressive Baccarat Chandelier.

Baccarat Chandelier

The Baccarat Chandelier is one of the biggest in the world, and made from over 8,000 crystal pieces and 250+ lights. ◎

By the Clock Plaza, a French-inspired Christmas Market is held. There, you can buy Christmas goodies and warm up with some hot wine or hot chocolate.

・ Information
Light-up period: Nov. 3, 2017 (Fri.) – Jan. 8, 2018 (Mon.)
Venue: Yebisu Garden Place
Light-up time:
　　- Baccarat Chandelier: 12:00p.m. – 12:00a.m.
　　- Center Plaza: 4:00p.m. – 12:00a.m.
Access: 5-minute walk via Skywalk from Ebisu Station
Website: Yebisu Garden Place Winter Illumination

Roppongi / Azabu-juban Area

MIDTOWN CHRISTMAS 2017

Tree Illumination at Tokyo Midtown

At Tokyo Midtown in Roppongi, an illumination event is held as a part of MIDTOWN CHRISTMAS.

Starlight Garden

The theme for 2017 is “a trip in outer space”. The illumination at the Starlight Garden embodies the celestial elements. The staging and presentation of the lights vary every day of the week.

・ Information
Light-up period: Nov. 15, 2017 (Wed.) – Dec. 25, 2017 (Mon.)
Venue: Tokyo Midtown
Light-up time: 5:00p.m. – 11:00p.m.
Access: Connected to Roppongi Station
Website: MIDTOWN CHRISTMAS 2017

ARTELLIGENT CHRISTMAS

Between Nov. 7 and Nov. 25 (in 2017), the ARTELLEGENT CHRISTMAS illumination event is held at Roppongi Hills.

ARTELLIGENT CHRISTMAS at Keyakizaka Street.

Illuminations are held at four different areas throughout Roppongi Hills: at Mori Garden, 66 Plaza, Keyakizaka Street and West Walk. Each has their own charms and specialties. For example, at Keyakizaka, you can walk through a 400-meter path surrounded by lights and see the Tokyo Tower as well.

10-minute illumination on Keyakizaka Street

In 2017, the illumination on Keyakizaka Street have a special 10-minute amber light-up. You can catch the amber lights every 30 minutes.

・ Information
Light-up period: Nov. 7, 2017 (Mon.) – Dec. 25, 2017 (Mon.)
Venue: Roppongi Hills
Light-up time: 5:00p.m. – 11:00p.m. (until 12:00a.m. between Dec. 15 and Dec. 25)
Access: Connected to Roppongi Station
Website: ARTELLIGENT CHRISTMAS

Tokyo Station / Shiodome Area

Marunouchi Illumination 2017

Marunouchi-dori Street, known to be home to several luxury brand shops, will be decked out in holiday lights between Nov. 9, 2017 and Feb. 18, 2018.

Marunouchi-dori Street

The 1.2kilometer street is decorated with an elegant champagne gold color. This scenery is registered as a Japan Night View Heritage Site.

・ Information
Light-up period: Nov. 9, 2017 (Wed.) – Feb. 18, 2018 (Sun.)
Venue: Marunouchi-dori Street
Light-up time: 5:30p.m. – 11:00p.m.
Access: about a 1-minute walk from Tokyo Station’s Marunouchi Exit
Website: Marunouchi Illumination 2017

Tokyo Michiterasu

Tokyo Station

The Tokyo Michiterasu Illumination is held in the Tokyo Station / Marunouchi Area between Dec. 24, 2017 and Dec. 28, 2017. The event aims to illuminate Japan from the heart of its capital city.

Flower art during the daytime

The theme for 2017 is “Celebration!”, and the entire venue area is decorated with flowers. Gyoko-dori Street, in front of Tokyo Station, has a beautiful flower garden, that utilizes lights for a spectacular view at night.

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Flower art during the nighttime

・ Information
Light-up period: Dec. 24, 2017 (Sun.) – Dec. 28, 2017 (Thur.)
Venue: Marunouchi Area
Light-up time: 5:00p.m. – 9:00p.m.
Access: Direct from Tokyo Station’s Marunouchi Exit
Website: Tokyo Michiterasu

Caretta Illumination 2017

2017 marked the commercial facility Caretta Shidome’s 15th anniversary. Its illumination, Caretta Illumination, is a popular wintertime event.

Caretta Illumination

The theme for this year’s illumination is “the story of true love”, and is based on the Disney film “Beauty and the Beast”. Some of the illuminations are inspired from some scenes in the movie, and you can enjoy a fantasy-like time at Caretta Illumination.

・ Information
Light-up period: Nov. 11, 2017 (Thur.) – Feb. 14, 2018 (Wed.) (Excluding Jan. 1 and 2)
Venue: Caretta Shiodome
Light-up time: 5:00p.m. – 11:00p.m. (6:00p.m. – 11:00p.m. from Jan. 3)
Access:
　　- JR Shimbashi Station: 5-minute walk from the Shiodome Exit
　　- Shiodome Station: 1-minute walk from the Shimbashi Exit
Website: Caretta Illumination 2017

Varying light-up periods

Illumination events can get pretty crowded and hectic during the Christmas season. If you want to avoid the crowds, a good idea might be to go after the New Years. Some of the illumination spots above are still open after the New Years.