There are so many cute quirks about Tokyo during Christmas.
Folks wolf down KFC "party barrels," a super unique custom. Strawberry shortcakes (or kurisu masu keki) get whipped out of refrigerators en masse. And couples go out on romantic dates, with Christmas more or less considered Valentine's Day in the country.
But one of the best things to do in Tokyo during the festive period? That'd be heading to a winter illumination event. From mid-November through February, tree-lined boulevards, plazas, and entire parks glow after dark.
Best of all? Most of them are free, and all of them photogenic. Here’s the best of the best when it comes to the glowiest illuminations in the city.
Overview of Illumination Displays in Tokyo
When do Christmas lights start in Tokyo? Typically mid-November for most displays, but some begin as early as late October or the first week of November. Most run way beyond Christmas to mid-Feb or even until cherry blossom season in April (in the case of theme parks).
What time are they switched on? Late afternoon or dusk (4pm or 5pm) to 11pm or even midnight is typical. But do note that hours vary by venue.
Do I need tickets? Good news is most are free. Although there are paid exceptions like Tokyo Mega Illumination and Yomiuriland Jewellumination.
Top Tokyo Winter Illuminations
1) Marunouchi Illumination (Tokyo Station / Yurakucho)
Cobblestone streets. 1 million fairy lights. Lit-up sculptures. You’d be forgiven for thinking you’d stumbled into a European city.
That’s exactly the vibe at the classy Marunouchi Illumination along Nakadori Avenue.
It’s not just the lights, though.
For instance, last year's event had the lovable local mascot Maru-kun, an ice skating rink, a merry-go-round, and super Christmassy street food like sausages and mulled wine.
And we expect more or less the same in 2025!
Pro tip: Start at Marunouchi Naka-dori, then head up to KITTE’s rooftop garden for a night view of Tokyo Station’s red-brick dome. Want to see more in one go? Join an e-bike tour and chase down even more winter illuminations around the city.
Dates: Mid-Nov 2025 - mid-Feb 2026 (TBC)
Hours: Typically 4pm to 11pm
Entry: Free
How to get there: Exit the main Tokyo Station building to face Marunouchi. Or walk from the Otemachi Station side of Naka-dori Avenue.
2) Roppongi Hills Keyakizaka Illumination (+ Christmas Market)
One of the best winter illuminations in Tokyo, and for good reason. The Roppongi Hills Christmas lights will be back in full force this 2025.
Mori Garden will be lit up, and the Christmas Market will be back. There'll also be the bouquet-themed tree at Roku-Roku Plaza.
But what's cool is this year's theme of "Snow Blue." It's basically a magical 400-metre street down the Azabu side of the hills with 800,000 white and blue LED lights.
Photo: @joshuamellin on Instagram
Oh, and just past O-Yane Plaza is the absolute perfect spot to snap a photo of Tokyo Tower with all the light displays in the background.
That is, if you don't want to be a nuisance in Keyakizaka Street. Other great photo spots include taking photos from Roppongi Tsutaya Books, TV Asahi, or Giorgio Armani.
Dates: 4 Nov to 25 Dec 2025
Hours: 5pm to 11pm
Entry: Free
How to get there: Board the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line to Roppongi Station. After that, it's a short 400-metre walk to Keyakizaka Street.
3) Tokyo Midtown: MIDTOWN CHRISTMAS (Roppongi)
We can't have a list of the best illuminations in Tokyo without Midtown, can we?
This year’s theme is “Your Christmas Story.” As you walk through the Garden, the lights shift from a cool city vibe into classic Christmas decor.
Photo: @coopii1982 on Instagram
For a dose of yuletide kawaii, head inside the building to see the 4-metre-tall Santa Tree. It’s decked with 1,600 tiny Santa ornaments, each with its own unique expression.
Dates: 13 Nov to 25 Dec
Hours: 5pm to 11pm
Entry: Free
How to get there: Directly connected to Roppongi Station on the Tokyo Metro and Toei Oedo Line - fully covered by the Tokyo Subway Ticket.
4) Shibuya Blue Cave (Ao no Dokutsu)
With the bluest of sapphire-blue LED lights, Shibuya Blue Cave is one of the coolest illumination events in Tokyo. And yes, the vibe really does feel that way.
The 800-metre zelkova tree-lined avenue in Yoyogi Park is inspired by the famous Blue Cave on Italy’s Capri Island. It’s ultra-photogenic and an excellent spot to soak up the romantic winter atmosphere.
Photo: @@sanbonsuge1986 on Instagram
Want something ridiculously cute before your evening stroll? Pop into the nearby Pignic Café Yoyogi, where you can feed and hang out with the most adorable piglets.
Dates: 6 to 25 Dec
Hours: 5pm to 10pm (TBC)
Entry: Free
How to get there: Head to Shibuya Station, exit at Hachiko Exit or Miyamasuzaka Exit, cross the iconic Shibuya Scramble, and walk uphill Park Street for about 10 minutes.
5) Tokyo Dome City Winter Illumination (Suidobashi)
A whopping 2,000,000 LED lights and a humongous Christmas tree, plus last year's theme of "Snow Dome," where interactive snow domes were set around the space, made this event a hit.
Details for 2025 are still under wraps, but you can expect something just as epic.
Even if you’ve been before, Tokyo Dome City is always worth a visit. Beyond the light-ups, there’s the amusement park, LaQua spa, or the chance to watch a baseball game.
Dates: Mid-Nov 2025 to late Feb 2026 (TBC)
Hours: Typically into late evening (often to midnight)
Entry: Free (although paid attractions require a ticket)
How to get there: Hop on a train to one of the three nearest stations: Toei Subway Korakuen Station, JR Suidobashi Station, or Toei Oedo Line Kasuga Station.
6) Caretta Shiodome Illumination (Shimbashi/Shiodome)
For pure fairytale vibes, head to one of the city’s most famous light shows — the Caretta Shiodome.
By day, it’s a sleek shopping mall tucked between high-rises and posh hotels. By night in winter, it transforms into a glowing plaza of colour and sound.
Photo: @lucasz_ben on Instagram
Past shows have synced to Disney classics like Aladdin’s “A Whole New World,” so expect a full-on theatrical ambience.
For a different angle, ride up to The Sky View on the 46th floor. From here you’ll get a bird’s-eye look at the lights below, plus sweeping views of Tokyo Bay.
Dates: Nov 2025 to Feb 2026 (TBC)
Hours: 4pm to 11pm
Entry: Free
How to get there: Take the train to Shinbashi Station on the Ginza Line, Asakusa Line, or Yamanote Line.
7) Yebisu Garden Place Illumination and Christmas Market
For a Christmas market and light displays that are as fancy as it gets around Tokyo, Yebisu Garden Place is a safe bet.
Last year's event had a 10-metre-tall Christmas tree and a massive crystal Baccarat chandelier (talk about posh).
Although details on this year's event have yet to be released, you can expect more of the swank this 2025.
Foodies may want to pair their visit with a local food tour around Ebisu - y'know, just to fully soak in the area.
Dates: Early Nov 2025 to mid Jan 2026 (TBC)
Hours: 11am to 11pm
Entry: Free
How to get there: Hop on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line or JR Yamanote Line to Ebisu Station, then follow the moving walkway to Yebisu Garden Place.
8) Omotesandō Illumination (Harajuku/Jingūmae)
For one of Tokyo’s chicest winter walks, make a beeline for the Omotesandō Illumination.
Nearly one kilometre of 900,000 LED-lit Japanese Zelkova trees glow in unison, turning the avenue into a golden tunnel of lights.
In any case, you can expect this event to always go big - let's give you an example.
2023's event unveiled the world’s largest 3D-printed Christmas tree, built from 500 sparkling snowflakes.
Whether 2025 tops that or not, chances are it’ll be dazzling either way.
To experience Omotesandō at its best, try a private architecture-themed walking tour. This iconic boulevard is often compared to Paris’s Champs-Élysées - only with Tokyo flair.
Dates: Early Dec to Early Jan (Dates TBC)
Hours: 5pm to 10pm
Entry: Free
How to get there: Use the Tokyo Metro by taking the Ginza, Chiyoda, or Hanzomon lines to Omotesandō Station.
9) Shinjuku Southern Terrace & Terrace City (Minamillumi)
A non-negotiable when visiting Shinjuku? Well, that'd be eating your way through the neighbourhood on a food tour, be it Golden Gai or Kabukicho.
But the next best thing this winter? That'd be the Shinjuku Southern Terrace & Terrace City winter light-up.
Photo: @sarah__travels__ on Instagram
In 2025, 170,000 LED lights will jazz up the neighbourhood, with the Suica penguin character making appearances near the Shinjuku Station South Exit.
For locals thinking of dating around this spot, most lights will stay on from 25 December till Valentine's Day next year - nice touch.
Dates: Mid-Nov 2025 - Feb 14, 2026 (TBC)
Hours: 5pm to 11pm
Entry: Free
How to get there: Hop on any train to Shinjuku Station and exit via the South Exit or New South Gate.
10) Meguro River Minna no Illumination Display (Osaki–Gotanda)
You'll find some of the best Christmas lights in Tokyo this 2025 at the Meguro River.
A cherry blossom hotspot in spring, you can, well, see the winter version of sakura with pink LED bulbs along the river mimicking the iconic flower.
What's cool is that last year's event was powered by cooking oil waste from local homes and businesses. Alright for saving the earth and looking pretty at the same time.
Dates: Mid-Nov 2025 to mid-Jan (TBC)
Hours: 5pm to 10pm
Entry: Free
How to get there: Head to either Gotanda or Ōsaki Station. It’s a quick 6-minute walk from either station.
11) Tokyo Mega Illumination (Oi Racecourse)
This isn’t just one of the largest illumination events in Tokyo - it’s one of the best winter spectacles in all of Japan.
The Tokyo Mega Illumination at Oi Racecourse lives up to its name.
Expect colourful water fireworks, dazzling digital installations, glowing tunnels, food trucks, and even horses and mini ponies. It’s a full-on winter carnival of lights.
Photo: @_marianadelarosa on Instagram
The only catch?
Unlike most Tokyo illuminations, this one isn’t free. You’ll need a ticket. But it’s absolutely worth it in our opinion.
Dates: Nov to mid-Jan 2026 (TBC)
Hours: 4:30pm to 9pm
Entry: Tickets required, but you can grab them easily here before your trip
How to get there: Use the Keikyu Main Line to Tachiaigawa Station or Omorikaigan Station, and walk from there to the main entrance
12) Yomiuriland Jewellumination® (Inagi, Tokyo)
Maybe you need a break from city views (why would you, though).
But if you do, an amusement park visit for some Christmassy spirit is in order.
Photo: @aina_041117 on Instagram
Enter Yomiuriland Jewellumination.
This winter spectacle starts early, right at the end of October.
And besides enjoying rollercoasters, the Ferris wheel, and a fountain show, just the sight of millions of LED lights decorating the place will have you transported into a terebi dorama (Japanese TV drama) in no time.
Dates: Oct 23, 2025 to Apr 5, 2026
Hours: 4pm to 8:30pm
Entry: This is a paid attraction, so get your Yomiuriland tickets beforehand
How to get there: Hop on the Keio Line to Keio Yomiuriland Station, then use the Sky Shuttle gondola. An alternative is to use the Odakyu Line to Yomiuri-Land-mae Station, then take the Odakyu Bus.
13) Tokyo Skytree
No surprise that some of the best winter illuminations in Tokyo can be found at the tallest tower, not only in the city but in the world.
Photo: @traveling.toes11 on Instagram
In 2025, expect the entire Skytree Town to light up in style. Think glowing displays, a Christmas market, projection mapping shows, and festive performances.
Want to level things up? Grab tickets for the Observation Deck and soar 350 metres above the city. The views are mind-boggling.
Dates: Early Nov to 25 Dec (TBC)
Hours: 5:30pm to midnight
Entry: Free
How to get there: The easiest way is the Tobu Skytree Line to Tokyo Skytree Station. Or take the metro to Oshiage (Skytree) Station, or walk 20 minutes from Asakusa.
14) White KITTE
Photo: @ariel1162km on Instagram
Who needs fake LED trees when you can have real fir ones? Yep, that’s right. That’s the charm of White KITTE and why this illumination event is special.
This year's theme is Heart, Wrapping, Christmas, so the whole department store will be embellished with white.
Also, cool thing to note: it's close enough to the Marunouchi and Hibiya illuminations for some winter-lights hopping, but it's definitely unique enough to deserve its own stop.
The main draw?
A soaring 12-metre tree in the centre of the mall, perfect for snapping photos to your heart’s content.
Dates: Mid-Nov to late Dec (TBC)
Hours: 12pm to 10pm
Entry: Free
How to get there: Exit through the Marunouchi South Exit and follow the signs to the building.
15) Tokyo Tower City Light Fantasia
Ah, the Tokyo Tower. If you’ve binged Alice in Borderland on Netflix, you’ll remember its dramatic cameo in the show’s post-apocalyptic Tokyo.
Hard to believe, but the tower is set to look even more spectacular in real life this winter.
For 2025, Tokyo Tower teams up with digital art collective NAKED to transform the city’s most iconic landmark (a paid area, not the free view outdoors).
In any case, expect dazzling projection mapping, festive light-ups, and a skyline that glows in every direction.
One thing’s for sure. This is set to be one of the most epic winter illuminations in Japan.
Dates: Mid-Nov to mid-Feb (TBC)
Hours: 5pm to 11pm
Entry: Paid - you’ll need Tokyo Tower observatory entry tickets to see the illuminations
How to get there: It’s a short walk from nearby subway stations like Akabanebashi (about 5 minutes) or Onarimon (around 6 minutes).
16) Hibiya Magic Time Illumination 2025
For a dose of festive sparkle, head to the Hibiya Magic Time Illumination 2025.
The light-up is spread across three zones. Hibiya Midtown shines with elegant displays, Step Square hosts Christmas trees and glowing arches, and Park View Garden gives you a 6th-floor vantage point to take it all in.
The best part? It’s just a short walk from the Marunouchi Illumination, so you can easily combine the two in one magical night.
Dates: 13 Nov 2025 to 28 Feb 2026
Hours: 4pm to 11pm
Entry: Free
How to get there: Take the subway to Hibiya Station or Uchisaiwaicho Station and walk to Tokyo Midtown Hibiya.
Christmas Markets to Pair With Your Lights in 2025
Photo: @haneda.keikyu.en on Instagram
Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse Christmas Market: Not technically in Tokyo, but worth the quick day trip from the capital. Expect German-style stalls, bratwurst, mulled wine, and a giant Christmas tree glowing against the historic red-brick backdrop.
Nishi-Shinjuku Illumination Market: Champagne-gold LEDs meet food trucks and market stalls. Add in the nearby Shinjuku Twinkle Park, and you’ve got a cosy winter hangout right in the middle of the city.
Roppongi Hills Christmas Market: A slice of Germany in Tokyo. Think sizzling sausages, wooden chalets, handmade ornaments, and even advent calendars - all alongside the famous Roppongi Hills lights.
Ueno Christmas Market: A hidden gem with shorter queues than the big-name spots. Warm up with mulled wine, nibble on pastries, and enjoy a more laid-back festive vibe.
Furusato Tokyo Ouen Festival (Christmas Market): Just a stroll from the Shibuya Blue Cave. This market has a local twist, with food and drinks from all 47 prefectures, plus live music to keep the holiday mood going.
Plan Like a Local: Smart Routes to Consider
Clustering Your Illumination Visits
Roppongi: Keyakizaka → Tokyo Midtown (roughly 10 minute walk). Two moods, one stroll.
Shibuya/Harajuku: Blue Cave → Omotesandō. A perfect mix of trendy and romantic.
Tokyo Station area: Marunouchi → 10–15 min walk to Shiodome/Caretta via Yurakucho & Shimbashi (or hop on a quick train).
Crowds & timing
Weeknights are calmer. Or head out after 8pm, when most displays still glow until 11pm (sometimes midnight).
Warmth & walking
Weather-wise, expect 0-5°C nights in December. Layer up, pack pocket warmers, and wear comfy shoes - you’ll be on your feet a lot. It is Tokyo, after all.
Photography
Use Night Mode, steady your hand on railings, and chase reflections in puddles, windows, or rivers.