Winter is the time for illumination displays and Tokyo is where you’ll see some of the best! In addition to our piece about the Tokyo Doitsumura Illumination, The Tokyo Life also did a tour of three other displays in Tokyo.
In this list you’ll find more details about each one, plus a couple more bonus offerings.
Tokyo Doitsumura Illumination (Tokyo German Village Illumination)
This massive illumination event, which is actually in Chiba, runs from November 1st until April 5th and the lights are on from around 4:30 pm until around 8:00 pm every day.
Weekends and holidays from November 23rd to the end of December (including the entire last week of December) can get very crowded. Be sure to arrive early enough to avoid the queues at the entrance.
Be sure to check our detailed article as well for more details.
Number of lights: 3 million
Ōi Keibajo Mega Illumi (Ōi Racecourse Mega Illumination)
The Ōi Keibajo Mega Illumi is quite an impressive display featuring various themed areas that are sure to spike your curiosity. There are also light show performances running on schedules several times each night. Yes, on a schedule. This is Japan after all.
The illuminations run from October 5th until March 29th.
The racecourse is accessible from Ōi Keibajo-mae Station on the Tokyo Monorail. It’s about a 10 minute ride from Hamamatsuchō Station.
Number of lights: The exact number is not public. Top secret, it seems.
Meguro-gawa Minna no Illumination (Meguro River Illumination for Everyone)
You have to admit, a beautiful (chilly) 2.2km evening stroll along the Meguro River between Ōsaki and Gotanda Stations on the Yamanote Line, taking in the lights set up in the cherry blossom trees, is certainly nothing short of enchanting.
It’s lovingly referred to as the ‘winter sakura’ because the lights light up the river water with a pink glow, just as the sakura petals form a pink carpet on the water’s surface in Spring.
Another interesting thing is that all of the lights are powered by cooking oil collected from local homes, businesses, and restaurants. That means these lights are pink AND green!
This one runs from October 8th to January 5th from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm every night.
Number of lights: 415,800
Ebisu Garden Place Winter Illumination
Situated in the middle of a shopping precinct, this display near Ebisu Station on the Yamanote Line is a perfectly accessible night out after work. The lights here begin from 4:00 pm and switch off at midnight, everyday from November 5th until February 24th.
The large chandelier, called the Baccarat Eternal Lights, which made of 8,500 crystal pieces, serves as the centerpiece of this spot. The Baccarat Eternal Lights lights up from 11:00 am until midnight, everyday from November 2nd until January 13th.
Number of lights: 100,000
Marunouchi Area Illuminations and Events
Finally, for our bonus pick for illuminations in Tokyo.
Marunouchi in Tokyo hosts various special Christmas events every year as well as winter illumination spots. This year, there are some special Star Wars events for all you Star Wars fans. Only in Japan right? But is there a better way to get hyped for the new Star Wars movie than R2D2 in a Santa hat though? Information for these events are available in both English and Japanese.
The Star Wars events are being held in different buildings in the area from November 7th to December 25th. The website also has a useful, clickable map that shows each building and what you can see there.
The street illumination runs from November 7th to February 16th from 5:30 to 11:00 pm every night.
※ In December, the lights are on from 5:00 pm to midnight.
Tokyo Michi Terrace Illumination is the wide path between the historical Tokyo Station Hotel and the Imperial Palace, between the Marunouchi and New Marunouchi buildings. The lights only run from December 21st to 25th, so don’t miss out!
※ Some of the lights will go up on December 13th, see if you can catch them!
That’s it for our illumination top picks. What did you think of our list? Please let us know in the comments below. Have you been to any of our picks? Let us know about that too. We’re eager to hear about your experiences.
