Artistic illuminations around Christmas have become a popular attraction in various areas in Tokyo. Streets and avenues are brightly decorated and Christmas trees are assembled. This creates a lovely and romantic atmosphere and brightens the clear night sky of winter.
Here are some of the illumination places around Tokyo:
Diver City Winter Illumination
(Nov 1 – Dec 25 | 17:00 – 23:00)
The illumination around the diversity festival square features a winter time limited Gundam statue light-up with a chime and melody production linked to the video displayed on the wall of the diversity Tokyo Plaza.
Where: Diver City Tokyo Plaza, 1-1-10 Aomi, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Nearest Station: Saiba Station – Yurikamome Line
Omotesando: Omohara White Christmas
(Nov 1 – Dec 25 | 10:00 – 20:00)
The 6th floor terrace of Tokyu Plaza Omotesando is decorated with forest-inspired illumination in line with the theme ‘Gifts from the Forrest’. A 5-minutes special light and music show are also incorporated (with 30 minutes interval) to create a lively and breathing forrest atmosphere.
Where: Tokyu Plaza Omotesando, 4-30-3 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Nearest Station: Meiji-Jingumae Station – Fukutoshin and Chiyoda Lines (Exit 5)
Yebisu Garden Place: Baccarat Eternal Lights
(Nov 2 – Jan 13, 2014 | 16:00 – 23:00)
With this year theme of ‘The form of Joy’, warm colors and soft illuminations decorate the streets and trees of Yebisu Garden Place highlighting a lighted up huge Baccarat crystal chandelier which is 5 meters tall and 3 meters wide.
Where: Yebisu Garden Place, Central Plaza, and Clock Plaza, 4-20 Ebisu, Shibuya, Tokyo
Nearest Station: Ebisu Station – Yamanote Line (East Exit) and Hibiya Line (Exit 1)
Midtown Christmas 2013
(Nov 5 – Dec 25 | 17:00 – 23:00)
The galleria shopping area of Tokyo Midtown will be decorated with Santa Claus themed materials while the garden area will have a ‘Starlight Garden’ theme using 280,000 blue LEDs and creating a magical wintery atmosphere. The illumination will also feature a 360-degrees arch of light that will envelop the entire garden.
Where: Tokyo Midtown Garden (behind the main tower), 9-7-1 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Nearest Station: Roppongi Station – Oedo Line / Hibiya Line (Exit 8 via underground or Exit 4a)
Roppongi HIlls 10th Anniversary Christmas
(Nov 5 – Dec 25 | 17:00 – 23:00)
Each year, Roppongi Hills is admired for its luxurious Christmas decorations with each feature in three different locations: Keyakizaka Street, Mori Garden, and 66 Plaza. (Read more)
Where: Keyakizaka Street, Mori Garden and 66 Plaza; 6-10 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Nearest Station: Roppong Station – HIbiya Line (exit 1c), Oedo Line (Exit 3)
Happiness Town Project: Bright Christmas 2013
(Nov 7 – Dec 25 | 17:00 – 23:00)
An entire district light-up for Marunouchi’s holiday events with over a million golden LED lights spread out over a stretch of 1.2 kilometers along Naka-dori. Disney influence is also evident in the decorations as Walt Disney Company celebrates its 90th anniversary.
Where: Marunouchi Naka-dori and around 2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Nearest Station: Tokyo Station
Tokyo Dome City
(Nov 7 – Feb 16, 2014 | 17:00 – 25:00)
For its 25th anniversary, Tokyo Dome will be lit-up with displays featuring variety of colors. The surrounding area, adjacent amusement parks, and malls are also decorated with vibrant lights and Christmas designs.
Where: Tokyo Dome City; 1-3-61 Bunkyo, Tokyo
Nearest Station: Korakuen Station – Marunouchi & Namboku Line (Exit 2)
Suidobashi Station – JR Chuo Line (West Exit), Mita Line (Exit A3, A4, A5)
Shinjuku Terrace City Illumination
(Nov 13 – Feb 16, 2014 | 17:00 – 24:00)
With the theme of ‘Starfall Town’, the area and the trees around Shinjuku Southern Terrace is decorated with lights that imitates shooting stars. The Mosaic street in Shinjuku’s West exit is also adorned with gold and diamond lights with light show accompanied with music taking place every 10 minutes.
Where: Shinjuku Soutern Terrace and Mosaic Street, Shinjuku MyLord, Shinjuku, Tokyo
Nearest Station: Shinjuku Station – South and West exits
Caretta Illumination 2013: White Christmas in the Sea
(Nov 15 – Dec 25 | 17:00 – 22:30)
This year’s illumination combines marine life and Christmas lights creating an Christmasy underwater world experience. It features interactive 3D projection that illuminates and animates the walls of the shopping centers.
Where: Caretta Shiodome, 1-8-2 Higashi-Shinbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Nearest Station: Shiodome Station – Oedo Line (Exit 5 and 6)
Ginza: Mikimoto Jumbo Christmas Tree
(Nov 16 – Dec 25 | 11:00-20:00)
A huge Christmas tree will be lit up at the Mikimoto main store and with this year’s theme, ‘Treasure Box’, the tree will be highlighted with 12 jewel-shaped rings of original LED lights. Special music will be played every hour to create an extraordinary Christmas atmosphere.
Where: Mikimoto Main Store, 4-5-5 Ginza Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Nearest Station: Ginza Station – Hibiya, Ginza, and Marunouchi Lines (Exit B1, A10, A9)
Odaiba Memorial Tree
(Nov 16 – March 16, 2014 | 17:00 – 24:00)
A large winter illuminated and decorated tree in Odaiba Kaihin Park is in display. The illumination also provides a view of the colorful Rainbow Bridge and lighted-up Tokyo Tower from afar.
Where: Decks Tokyo Beach, Daiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Nearest Station: Odaiba Kaihin-Koen Station – Yurikamome Line