The Best Places to See Winter Illuminations in Tokyo

Seeing traditional celebrations is one of the many things visitors can enjoy while in Japan. Japanese know how to adapt foreign celebrations into their lives such as Valentine’s Day, Halloween, and Christmas. And one of our absolute favorites is the Tokyo winter illuminations that light up the city every year.

Preparations for Christmas in Japan begin on November 1. After Halloween, all the pumpkins and costumes disappear to make room for Christmas decorations, trees, and carols. From the beginning of November, you can enjoy the Christmas spirit until December 25. After this, many illuminations remain until the end of winter into the new year. 

Here is a guide to the best winter illuminations in Tokyo for your illumination hunt this Christmas! 

Shinjuku Minami Lumi Illuminations

Shinjuku Minami Lumi is located around the enormous Shinjuku Station, near the JR train line’s south exit. Shinjuku Southern Terrace connects to many different areas of Shinjuku and typically there is little foot traffic in this area. It is an excellent place to take a quiet break within the city.

From the beginning of November, the ordinarily green space transforms into an illuminated forest. There’s a wooden path with benches where you can take beautiful pictures of the Docomo Tower in the background (if the foliage of the trees allows it).

Illuminations dates	From November 15, 2024 to February 14, 2025
Hours	5pm-midnight
Closest Station	Shinjuku Station (JR Yamanote Line, JR Chuo Line, Marunouchi Line, Keio Line, Odakyu Line, etc.)

Roppongi Hills Christmas Illuminations

Roppongi has one of Tokyo’s most iconic illuminations. Four hundred meters of Keyakizaka-Dori, one of the main streets in the area, becomes illuminated with blue and white LEDs. The lights hang from the tree branches and create an incredible and magical illuminated pathway. In addition to all this scenery, we can see Tokyo Tower at the end of the street.

There’s a bridge that crosses over the main street of Keyakizaka-Dori, where you can take photos of the tower and Roppongi Hills illuminations. I recommend having a lot of patience, as it is usually full of photographers jostling to get a shot from this vantage point.

Illuminations dates	From November 7, 2024 to December 25, 2024
Hours	5pm-11pm
Closest Station	Roppongi Station (Hibiya Line or Oedo Line)

Tokyo Midtown Christmas Illuminations

Near Roppongi Hills is Tokyo Midtown. These sensational illuminations cover 2000 square meters around the building complex, with a different theme each year and art installations.

Illuminations dates	From November 7, 2024 to December 25, 2024
Hours	5pm-11pm
Closest Station	Nogizaka Station (Chiyoda Line) or Roppongi Station (Hibiya Line or Oedo Line)

Winter Illuminations at Yebisu Garden Place

Yebisu Garden Place is a well-known square located in the Ebisu district. And in winter, it is also a point of interest for its illuminations and its small Christmas market.

Illuminations dates	From November 13, 2024 to January 13, 2025
Hours	4pm-11pm
Closest Station	Ebisu Station (JR Yamanote Line, JR Saikyo Line, JR Shonan Shinjuku Line or Hibiya Line)

Marunouchi Winter Illuminations

The Marunouchi illuminations last over four months of the year, from late autumn to mid-February. Beginning near Tokyo Station along Naka-Dori, this elegant district increases its beauty with the many illuminations covering the trees.

In addition, many of the buildings in the area join forces to make communal decorations annually, with famous themes such as Harry Potter, Disney, Star Wars, and Super Mario. You can even do a stamp rally to get several stamps and win a prize.

Illuminations dates	From November 14, 2024 to January 16, 2025
Hours	4pm-11pm
Closest Station	Tokyo Station (JR Yamanote Line, JR Chuo Line, Marunouchi Line, etc.) Mitsukoshimae Station (Hanzomon Line, Ginza Line) Nihombashi Station (Tozai line)

Shibuya Ao no Dokutsu Illuminations

Near Yoyogi Park, a large avenue connecting Harajuku to Shibuya becomes a 250-meter blue cave.

Illuminations dates	From November 6, 2024 to December 25, 2024
Hours	5pm-10pm
Closest Station	Harajuku Station (JR Yamanote Line), Meiji-Jingumae Station (Chiyoda Line or Fukutoshin Line) or Shibuya Station (Ginza Line, Hanzomon Line, Keio Line, etc.)

Omotesando Winter Illuminations

Omotesando is decorated for a month with one kilometer of 90,000 yellow LED lights. You can also find decorations on the Tokyu Plaza shopping mall terrace.

Illuminations dates	From December 2, 2024 to January 5, 2025
Hours	5pm-10pm
Closest Station	Harajuku Station (JR Yamanote Line) or Meiji-Jingumae Station (Fukuntoshin Line or Chiyoda Line) or Omotesando Station (Chiyoda Line, Ginza Line or Hanzomon Line)

Caretta Shiodome Winter Illuminations in Tokyo

There is a magical forest of lights within Caretta Shiodome lasting from mid-November to mid-February. The Shiodome entertainment and shopping complex is a part of the Dentsu Headquarters Building that borders the open courtyard. Each year, Dentsu Corporation hosts an impressive illumination winter scene for visitors to enjoy during the winter season.

Illuminations dates	Not confirmed for 2024
Hours	Not confirmed for 2024
Closest Station	Shiodome Station (Oedo Line) or Shimbashi Station (JR Yamanote Line, Ginza Line)

Tokyo Dome Winter Illuminations

The large entertainment area of Tokyo Dome is very popular and has an amusement park, a spa, hotels, a sports indoor area, and much more. For the last few years, Tokyo Dome Winter Illumination has been held at Christmas, where several areas are illuminated and decorated. Each year the theme changes, as do the illuminated areas.

Illuminations dates	From November 18, 2024 to February 28, 2025
Hours	5pm-midnight
Closest Station	Suidobashi Station (Mita Line or JR Chuo Line) or Korakuen Station (Marunouchi Line or Namboku Line)

We hope you enjoyed our Tokyo winter illuminations guide If you know of any other interesting places illuminated this winter, don’t hesitate to tell us!