7 of the Best Winter Illuminations in Tokyo

It comes as no major surprise that the stylish neighborhood of Ebisu is also home to some of the most elegant illumination displays in the city. The event runs from early November until late February in the shopping and entertainment area of Yebisu (aka Ebisu) Garden Place. In 2018 this impressive display featured a 5-meter tall and 3-meter wide Baccarat chandelier, one of the biggest chandeliers in the world. With 100,000 other LED lights and plenty of winter attractions on full display, it’s definitely worth braving the cold for.

Yebisu Garden Place

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Tokyo Shibuya-ku Ebisu 4-20

0354237111

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During the holiday seasons, going to admire the city’s stunning winter illuminations is a favorite Tokyo pastime, but because it's so popular, some of the major destinations can get a little overcrowded. If you can’t deal with shouldering your way through clusters of people to get a good view of the lights, head to Caretta Shiodome where it’s not so busy. Each year they display something truly unique, and the late 2018 - early 2019 edition, 'Princess Illumination' crafted in collaboration with Disney MovieNEX was no exception.

Caretta Shiodome

Tokyo Minato-ku Higashishimbashi 1-8-2

0362182100

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Mitsui Garden Hotel Ginza Premier

8-13-1 Ginza Chouo-Ku Tokyo

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As the years go on, it feels like the illumination displays are becoming a silent competition between neighborhoods to see who can put on the most magnificent illuminated spectacles, and Omotesando pulls out all the stops. Flanking the main thoroughfare from Harajuku Station down Omotesando shopping street runs a 1.1-kilometer passageway lit with around 900,000 LED lights. Like a fairytale scene come to life, this display runs from late November until late December, so while it’s a little more fleeting than the others, its central location and sheer size make it near impossible to miss.

Omote-sando

Tokyo

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原宿駅 表参道口

東京都渋谷区神宮前

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Not far from the golden lights of Omotesando, essentially just on the other side of Yoyogi Park sits another display with an entirely different ambiance. The light show is known as Ao no Dokutsu, in English the 'Blue Cavern' and runs throughout late November until the last day of the year. Like moths to a flame, this display of moody dark-glowing blue LED attracts draws countless couples, families, and tourists who come to marvel at the almost intergalactic, canopy of deep blue light.

代々木公園 ケヤキ並木通り

東京都渋谷区神南2丁目

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Shibuya Koendori

Tokyo Shibuya-ku Jinnan 1-chome

0334625181

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Not to be outdone by Omotesando, the ritzy suburb of Roppongi goes out each year in a blaze of LED illuminated glory. As the sun goes down, the street of Keyakizaka behind Roppongi Hills transforms from a concrete jungle to a shimmering ocean of light. An excellent spot for a romantic dinner, waves of loved-up couples basking in the warm glow of lights and holiday cheer take over the streets between early November and late December.

Roppongi Hills

Tokyo Minato-ku Roppongi 6-10-11

0364066000

[Shop] 11:00-20:00 [Restaur…

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Act Hotel Roppongi

7-17-15, Roppongi, Minato-ku Tokyo

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Take a short stroll from Roppongi Hills, and you’ll find Tokyo Midtown, a multi-purpose art, entertainment, and business space, and home to one of the most impressive LED shows in the country. Known as “Midtown Christmas” the event is comprised of separate illuminations, but the star of the show is the famous Starlight Garden which engulfs the 2,000㎡ Grass Square in the center of Midtown. Featuring timed LED shows, music, and sculptural displays, it’s an entirely immersive multi-sensory experience.

Tokyo Midtown

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Tokyo Minato-ku Akasaka 9-7-1 others

0334753100

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remm Roppongi

7-14-4 Roppongi, Minato-ku Tokyo

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Hop off the train at Shinjuku Station, take the south and west gate exit, and you’ll be welcomed by a sparkling cloud of baby pink light that practically swallows venues around Shinjuku Terrace City. Beyond that, scattered around the Odakyu area of the station, there are displays dotted all over the place, so even if you don’t have time to put aside to explore the many Tokyo illumination locations you can always embrace this little taste of festive winter cheer.

Shinjuku

Tokyo

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Anshin Oyado Tokyo Shinjuku Station - Male Only

4-2-10 Shinjuku-ku Tokyo

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