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Updated December 2025
Japan during the winter is a magical place for many reasons. Whether you like winter sports or relaxing in an onsen in the mountains, there’s a lot to choose from. But what if you live in a city like Tokyo? There’s still a lot to do, but our favorite is to go see Tokyo Winter Illuminations. Japan does illuminations like no other country, and most of them are free.
Here are our top seven picks of the best Tokyo Winter Illuminations you don’t want to miss.
1. Tokyo Mega Illumination
At the Oi racecourse, also known as Tokyo City Keiba, you can pet and take photos with real horses year-round. But, for a limited time during the winter, you have the chance to step into an illuminated wonderland packed full of twinkling lights, projection mapping, immersive performances, and multi-colored photo spots. Welcome to the Tokyo Mega Illumination.
Walk through an aurora forest, watch a rainbow water fountain light show, get lost in a traditional Japanese light-up town, and grab a horse-themed bite to eat while enjoying beautiful winter illuminations on an unparalleled scale.
The event takes place Nov. 1 – Jan. 11 daily from 4:30 pm to 9 pm.
Location: Oi Racecourse – Oi Keibajo-mae Station.
Price: ¥1,000-¥1,600 (advanced online: ¥800-¥1,300).
2. Roppongi Hills Christmas Illumination
Roppongi Hills is a popular place amongst the international community at most times of the year. and even more so in the wintertime. The incredible lights are accompanied by an excellent Christmas market where you can get your fill of bratwurst and glühwein (mulled wine).
The most famous part of these illuminations is along Keyakizaka Street, stretching 400 meters with 700,000 lights in blue and white. Millions of people visit each year to admire the lights, so if it’s a bit too crowded, you can always check out the garden at the Mori Tower. It’s a much quieter spot to relax with your spoils from the Christmas market.
The event takes place Nov. 4 – Dec. 25 daily from 5 pm – 11 pm.
Location: Roppongi Hills – directly outside exit C1 at Roppongi Station.
3. Shinjuku Minami Lumi
There are many reasons to visit Shinjuku — plenty of shops, restaurants, and a Godzilla. But did you know that it also has an excellent set of illuminations?
Known as the Minami Lumi (新宿, ミナミルミ), or the Shinjuku South Illumination, it envelops the entire Shinjuku South Exit area with a mixture of lights and Christmas trees. This event gives you something a bit different — and more traditionally “Christmas” — from the other displays around Tokyo.
There are six spots that make up the whole illumination area: Shinjuku Mine’s Tower, JR Minami-Shinjuku Building, JR Shinjuku Miraina Tower, Takashimaya Times Square, Suica Penguin Square, and the Shinjuku Southern Terrace and Odakyu Southern Tower. Generally, they’re open from morning until midnight, but times vary with each location, so please check online.
The event takes place Nov. 12 – Feb. 15 daily.
Location: Around Shinjuku – Shinjuku Station New South Exit.
4. Marunouchi Illumination
With the backdrop of Tokyo station, the Marunouchi Illuminations are one of the best in the city. Organizers line the streets of Tokyo’s central city business district to admire the millions of lights on hundreds of trees. It’s a beautiful display, and you can see why it’s been so popular over the years. This year, the trees will be decorated in a champagne golden glow.
For those of you that are a bit worried about the massive amount of electricity being used, then you’ll be pleased to know that a large number of the lights used are eco-friendly and use around 65% less power.
The event takes place Nov. 13 – Feb. 15 daily from 4 pm to 11 pm.
Location: Marunouchi exit at Tokyo Station.
5. Meguro Minna no Illumi
The Meguro River Illuminations or the “Minna no Illumi” are some of the most Japanese-styled lights on display. With over 400,000 pink lights designed to remind you of the cherry blossoms from spring, this illumination is another way to keep the Meguro River encased by the colors of sakura.
With the 100% eco-friendly lights (powered by cooking oil waste from local homes and businesses) stretching around two kilometers down the river, it makes a perfect romantic walk.
The event takes place Dec. 5 – Jan. 31 daily from 5 pm to 10:30 pm.
Location: Meguro River – 5 minutes from Gotanda or Osaki Stations.
6. Omotesandō Fendi Illuminations
Fendi, the Italian fashion house, is here to light up Omotesandō Avenue’s Zelkova tree-lined street with 900,000 LEDs in their iconic yellow hue. Stop by for a stroll to take stunning photos and shop for Christmas gifts among the glow of the lights.
Don’t miss out on the chance to bask in the ambiance of this warm-colored illumination, as it only lasts for 28 days a year!
The event takes place Dec. 2 – Dec. 28 daily from sunset until 10 pm.
Location: Omotesando Station Exit A2 or B5.
7. Shibuya Blue Cave Illumination
The Blue Grotto, situated in Shibuya, is possibly one of the most famous sets of Tokyo winter illuminations. Commonly known as the Ao no Dokutsu (青の洞窟), these illuminations originally started in Nakameguro in 2014, but moved to Shibuya, just outside of the NHK headquarters.
As you might have guessed, the 600,000 lights that line this short but stunning stretch are all blue, and there are strip lights along the site as well to make the avenue of trees seem like a blue cave as you wander through them. Extending along Shibuya Koen Dori Street and down through Yoyogi Park, it’s another magical winter wonderland. In recent years, a small Christmas market with delicious food and holiday goods has popped up along the route!
The event takes place Dec. 4 – Dec 25 daily from 5 pm to 10 pm.
Location: Shibuya Koen Dori Street – Yoyogi-Hachiman or Harajuku Station
Experience Tokyo winter illuminations with Go! Go! Nihon
So, which to choose? There are plenty of choices available on our list, as well as options outside of this blog. Why not spend your next winter in Japan exploring these Tokyo winter illuminations? Contact us to find out how to live and study in Japan.
To read more about all the winter activities to do in Japan, check out our main article on winter in Japan. To learn more about life in Japan, Japanese culture, and other activities, check out our blog.
