Tokyo is taken over by illumination every winter and you can find some of the most famous winter events in, or near Tokyo. From Roppongi to Kanagawa and Tochigi, you’ll find gigantic festivals of light, competing with each other and growing ever more beautiful every year.
The darkness of winter lends a perfect backdrop to these glittering worlds, which feature thousands of LED lights working in tandem with special effects such as bubbles and music to create an unforgettable experience.
Whether you’re looking for something romantic, family-friendly, or purely whimsical there are plenty of options for every imaginable category. Read on to find out about glittering winter Sakura, enchanted botanical gardens, Disney-inspired fantasies, racetracks transformed into an Instagrammers dream and much more.
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― Be Enchanted by Winter Illuminations in Central Tokyo
You can enjoy some of the most enchanting illuminations and winter events while in Central Tokyo. Some of the most popular neighborhoods will be glowing this winter season. Take a look and see if you can find your ideal event.
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Midtown Christmas 2019, Starlight Garden
Midtown Christmas 2019, Starlight Garden
If you’re looking for a dreamy and romantic atmosphere to enjoy while holding hands with your sweetheart, head over to Tokyo’s second tallest building, Tokyo Midtown. Here the main event is the garden, inspired by space, it is absolutely shimmering with LED lights and presided over by glowing spheres and thousands of bubbles. Unsurprisingly, this event is very popular with couples, and you will likely see one aspect of Japanese culture, Kokuhaku, or a confession of love. In the days leading up to Christmas the illuminations get extremely crowded, so our travel tip is to try to go as early as possible. Starlight Garden runs from November 26th, to the big day itself, Christmas!
Midtown Christmas 2019, Starlight Garden
URL:Midtown Christmas 2019 / Starlight Garden
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- Tokyo Minato-ku Akasaka 9-7-1 others
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SHIBUYA BLUE CAVE
SHIBUYA BLUE CAVE
Ao no Dokutsu('Blue Cave') is the illumination show set up from Shibuya park street to Zelkova avenue at Yoyogi park, which will be held for a limited time. When you get thirsty, you can buy beverages such as blue-colored sparkling wine and hot blue lemonade at the the limited pop-up sotre "Ao no Dokutsu Blue Parks" in the Yoyogi park.
SHIBUYA BLUE CAVE
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Meguro River Minna no Illumination
Meguro river Minna no Illumination
Starting from November 19th and continuing through January 6th you can take a 2 km stroll from Gotanda to Osaki station to view the “Winter Sakura”. All of the trees along the Meguro River will be prettily dressed up in pink lights and reflecting onto the dark waters below. Tokyo can get quite cold in the winter season but luckily three clear domes, or “Garden Igloos” are located along the way so that you can warm up and enjoy the spectacle.
As an added bonus this is an environmentally friendly event, with the lights being made of used oil from local restaurants and residents, and they are completely biodegradable. The lights are on from 5 to 10 pm, perfect for a stroll before or after dinner.
Meguro river Minna no Illumination
URL:Meguro river Minna no Illumination
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Caretta Illumination 2019-Arabian Night
Caretta Illumination 2019-Arabian Night
This next event, running from November 14th to February 14th, is must-see for Disney fans. Travel to Caretta Shiodome, a 47-story building with cafes, shops, and restaurants, to see a dramatic light show with a Disney twist. In 2019 Caretta Illumination is collaborating with Disney and their new live action version of Aladdin. There will be costumes from the movie on display, music and even appearances by Japanese voice-actors from the movie. If you’re searching for the perfect photo spot, have no fear, there a few designated throughout the event. The event is centrally located in Tokyo with access from both Shiodome and Shimbashi stations, and it’s also free to enter. Definitely a great option for a night out!
Caretta Illumination 2019-Arabian Night
URL:Caretta Illumination 2019 - Arabian Night
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Tokyo Mega Illumination
Tokyo Mega Illumination
The Oi Racecourse in Shinagawa is no stranger to elaborate events and big crowds. From October 5th to March 29th, excluding racing days, you can witness millions of bright lights in a huge arena. But this is no ordinary light show, they have a number of special performances such as the Rainbow Fountain of Light, Large Tree of Light and Aurora, Sparkling Cherry Blossoms, and the 100 Meter Tunnel of Light.
And if you’re on the hunt for that perfect Instagram photo they have a number of spots that would be perfect for that, such as a huge Merry Go-Round. As an added bonus to attending an event at a racetrack you can meet and pose with adorable miniature horses and ponies. The racetrack will also feature a number of restaurants for your dining pleasure so that you can dine up close to the illuminated scenes and make memories to last a lifetime.
Tokyo Mega Illumination
For more information:Tokyo Mega Illumination 2019 : A Stunning Display
URL:TOKYO MEGA ILLUMINATION- สนามแข่งม้าเมืองโตเกียว TCK (สนามแข่งม้าโออิ)
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― Head out of Tokyo for Even Grander Winter Events and Illuminations
Hop on a train and head out of busy Tokyo to nearby Kanagawa, Saitama and Tochigi Prefectures. There are a number of Illuminations and Winter Events taking place there. Amusement Parks, Sea-side towns, and Botanical Gardens are all going to be transformed into illuminated masterpieces.
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Moomin Valley Park “WINTER WONDERLAND in MOOMINVALLEY PARK”
WINTER WONDERLAND in MOOMINVALLEY PARK
Its first winter since opening in March 2019, Moomin Valley Park will present Moominland Midwinter. “WINTER WONDERLAND in MOOMINVALLEY PARK” is an experiential event that combines art and technology, featuring lights, music and projection mapping.
The restaurant in the park is also serving a special, limited time only menu. It is out in the countryside - an hour and a half from the center of Tokyo - it is a great day trip escape.
WINTER WONDERLAND in MOOMINVALLEY PARK will run from Saturday, November 30, 2019 to Sunday, March 8, 2020.
WINTER WONDERLAND in MOOMINVALLEY PARK
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Sagami Lake yl million 2019
Sagami Lake yl million 2019
Sagamiko Resort is a super-resort featuring an amusement park, Onsen, camping, and BBQ. There are over 6 million lights decorating the grounds as well as a giant Christmas Tree, Glowing Maze, and a shimmering Rainbow Road that you can view from the comfort of a ski-lift. Finish off your evening with a 15-minute hot air balloon ride!
This event also features live shows and a number of restaurants, so it’s really the complete package. The illuminations start on November 2nd and continue through the new year until April 5th.
Sagami Lake yl million 2019
URL:Sagami Lake yl million 2019
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Enoshima Sea Candle
Enoshima Sea Candle
From November 23rd to February 16th Enoshima Island will be covered with a variety of illuminations, and if you want to see them all you can simply hop on the Enoden Line. The main event is at Samuel Cocking Garden which will be transformed into a bright fantasy forest. After walking the paths of the garden, you should travel a tunnel of light to Enoshima’s Sea Candle Tower which will be spectacularly dressed up. Climb to the top to get a bird’s eye view!
At Kamegaoka Square you can find a great photo spot, a gigantic Welcome Sign made of light. All of Enoshima is participating in the festivities so whilst walking around you can enjoy Glowing stations, illuminated staircases, and Christmas Trees.
URL:Enoshima Sea Candle- เอโนะชิมะซีแคนเดิล
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Ashikaga Flower Park / The Garden of Illuminated Flowers
Ashikaga Flower Park / The Garden of Illuminated Flowers
Last but certainly not least is the Ashikaga Flower Park. Approximately 120 minutes by car or train from Central Tokyo this event is a bit further than the others, but well-worth the trip. It was actually voted first place for Japan’s Illumination Award for three consecutive years.
The entire park is dressed up in thousands of LED lights, but the main focus is their three thematic events. The first one is “One Earth for All”, which features a scene of humans, animals, and plants above a reflecting pool of water. The next one is “The Miraculous Great Wisteria”, you can witness a sprawling wisteria tree with thousands of tiny lights trailing from above. The final one is “Japan’s Four Seasons: The home of your spirit”, take in a story of Japan told using the natural beauty of the mountain and the power of illumination. This remarkable winter event runs from November 2nd to February 6th and it’s not to be missed.
Ashikaga Flower Park / The Garden of Illuminated Flowers
URL:Ashikaga Flower Park / The Garden of Illuminated Flowers
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