These days, the temperature has started to drop, and the air has turned crisp. Finally, winter in Japan has just come, the season when cities start to shine with beautiful illuminations with a festive atmosphere. In order to help you prepare for the winter events that take place in Tokyo, I would like to introduce several illumination spots that you can enjoy for free!
Tokyo midtown
Tokyo Midtown is a modern place where shops, hotels, offices, restaurants, and museums are all located together in one place. From November 13th to December 25th (17:00〜23:00), you can enjoy illumination under the concept “Your Christmas Story”. In Tokyo Midtown, various types of illumination take place, such as:
- A magical performance with soap bubbles and artificial snow
- Colorfully lit up fir trees lining the plaza
- A glowing light promenade that guides you through the area
Beyond illumination, charming displays and events are there, such as a gathering of Santa Claus figures, and even an outdoor ice skating rink. I am sure you can fully enjoy this great spot both for sightseeing and activities in Tokyo Midtown.
Keyakizaka illumination
Keyakizaka illumination is one of the most iconic winter illumination events, located near Tokyo Tower. Every year, a long Keyakizaka street is known for its stunning blue and white lights that are in the entire area. From November 4th to December 25th (17:00〜23:00), you can enjoy trees wrapped in around 900,000 LED lights, which has a breathtaking, dreamy atmosphere.
As additional information for photographers, the best viewpoint to take a fabulous picture is from near the Tiffany & Co. store. You can capture Tokyo Tower glowing orange with beautiful blue illuminations, becoming a popular Instagram spot. As this area also has many cafes and restaurants, you can also enjoy the place with warm drinks. If you want to experience a magical winter wonderland, the Keyakizaka illumination is for you!
Marunouchi Bright Holiday
Marunouchi Bright Holiday is an event in the Marunouchi area, near Tokyo Station, that is held each winter. This year, the event runs from 13th November to 4th January (11:00〜21:00) with a theme “Disney Joyful Moments”, bringing a magical atmosphere to the area with decorations with motifs of Disney characters. These displays include:
- Life-size character photo spots
- Christmas trees with decorations and ornaments based on a Disney theme
- Interactive displays, such as light-up and color-changing
Beyond Marunouchi Bright Holiday, various parts in Marunouchi also hold events by decorating the entrances and lobbies with Christmas designs, creating an immersive winter atmosphere. Whether you are into Disney or someone who loves winter scenery, you should definitely go see Marunouchi Bright Holiday.
Ao no Doukutsu (Blue Cave)
Ao no Doukutsu (Blue Cave) is an illumination event in Tokyo Shibuya, in which Shibuya Koen-dori and the street to Yoyogi Park is turned into a tunnel of Blue lights. This event is one of Tokyo’s most visually striking illumination with mesmerizing blue lights. You can enjoy this event from 4th December to 25th December (17:00〜22:00). Around 500,000 blue LED lights are wrapped around the trees on the side of the streets, creating a surreal pathway.
The name “Blue Cave” was inspired by the place where sunlight reflects off the water, filling the cave with a deep blue. This illumination event under a unique concept is one of the reasons that makes the event so popular and appealing to the people. Whether you want to stroll with friends or have a romantic winter date, you can enjoy a peaceful and dreamy atmosphere for sure!
Conclusion
Here, I introduced several illumination events in Tokyo that are held for free. As the winter season does not last forever, I recommend you visit at least one of the events before they come to an end. I am sure that these illuminations not only light up the city physically but also bring warmth and a sense of magic to your heart. Visiting these events is not just about seeing lights. Instead, it’s about feeling the season and creating memories in winter. Since all of these events are free, whether you visit Tokyo or already live here, be sure to explore these spots and celebrate the arrival of winter!