Last Updated on 21/11/2020 by secretmoona

With Christmas around the corner, Tokyo comes to life in the most magical way possible with a spectacular display of winter illuminations. The Christmas events and lights shows in Tokyo are extremely popular. You’ll find lots of young couples strolling down the streets and taking selfies. If you are currently in the city, don’t miss out on some of the most dazzling and unforgettable light festivals.

Tokyo light shows are found everywhere in the city from the shopping districts of Shibuya and Omotesando to Odaiba. Every light display is more beautiful than the other as each spot comes up with unique ways to impress visitors. Although with the current Covid situation, some of the events might be cancelled, a few are still being held. Read on to find out where to see the best Christmas lights in Tokyo. 

*Please note that some of the Christmas events in Tokyo in 2020-2021 might be reduced or cancelled due to COVID-19

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Christmas lights near Tokyo Station

Marunouchi Illumination

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Located between Tokyo Station and the Imperial Palace, Marunouchi is another great spot to see Tokyo Christmas lights. The streets of Marunouchi, home to luxury shops and brands have been hosting Christmas illuminations for years. To see the most spectacular lights head towards Marunouchi Nakadori Street where the street, which extends over 1.2 kilometres long, along with the shops are decorated with bright yellow and goldish colours. The million LEDs lights create a sophisticated atmosphere which pairs well with the surroundings.

• Date: November 5, 2020 – February 14, 2021high-class shops and luxury brands is decorated subtly and beautifully. Most shops will have their windows decorated with a Christmas theme and Christmaschristmas tree. 
• Date: November 5, 2020 – February 14, 2021
• Location: Roppongi Station (Oedo line), exit 8; (Hibiya line), exit 8 via underground passageway near exit 4a; Nogizaka Station (Chiyoda Line), exit 3
• Cost: Free

Christmas lights in Roppongi

Tokyo Midtown Winter Lights

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Tokyo Midtown Christmas Illumination is located in the Roppongi district between offices, hotels, shops and fancy restaurants. The Midtown Tower is an iconic building in Tokyo and its park is where you would find one of the most magical illuminations. More than 200,000 digitally controlled LEDs create a magical gold scenery. This year, however, the event will be toned down.

• Date: November 19, 2020 – February 28, 2021
• Time: 5:00pm – 11:00pm
• Location: Roppongi Station (Oedo line), exit 8; (Hibiya line), exit 8 via underground passageway near exit 4a; Nogizaka Station (Chiyoda Line), exit 3
• Cost: Free
• More info: Tokyo Midtown

Roppongi Hills Artelligent Illuminations

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Every year during the festive period, Roppongi Hills hosts the Roppongi Hills Artelligent Christmas along the busy streets of Keyakizaka-Dori. The busy business neighbourhood transforms itself into a European street with Christmas markets selling seasonal food and drinks, festive decorations, and so on. Plus the branches of Zelkova trees lining the streets get decorated with more than 300,000 LED lights. The white and blue lights create a heartwarming scene, especially with the white and red Tokyo Tower in the distance!

• Dates: November 13, 2020 – December 25, 2020
• Time:5 pm to 11 pm
• Location: 6 Chome-10-1 Roppongi, Minato City, Tokyo 106-6108, Japan. Roppongi Station
• Cost: Free
• More info: roppongihills.com

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Other Tokyo Christmas lights events

Omotesando Street Illumination

Omotesando Street Illumination was a favourite of shoppers. The iconic street has always enjoyed a unique sense of style. You’ll find a classy and impressive light display as you shop along the shopping street. The Zelkova trees lining the streets of JinjuMae and Omotesando are usually lit up with bright orange lights. However, due to Covid, the trees will not be decorated. 

If you are in the area, head down to Omotesando Hills which is just a short distance by foot. The shopping mall always displays a Christmas tree but this year they are making the event even better. The 4-metre tree will shine with Champagne coloured lights. 

• Date: November 13 – December 25  (cancelled due to Covid 19)
• Location: Main Building 1F Main Entrance. 4-12-10 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku. Omotesando Station (exit A2) on Ginza Line, Chiyoda Line, and Hanzomon Line. Or Meiji-Jingu Mae (Harajuku) station (exit 5) on Chiyoda Line and Fukutoshin Line.
• Cost: Free
• More info: https://www.omotesandohills.com/en/events/event/2020/006758.html

Odaiba Yakei Illumination

The man-made island of Odaiba, located in Tokyo Bay, is known for being an entertainment hotspot. You’ll find lots of popular attractions including Aqua City Odaiba, Decks Tokyo Beach, a shopping complex filled with shops, restaurants and entertainment stores. As well as trees being lit up, a 20-metre Christmaschristmas tree also gets dressed up with colourful LED lights. The sparkly Christmaschristmas tree and surrounding trees give Odaiba a magical feel, especially with the Rainbow Bridge as a backdrop. 

• Date: All year round 
• Time: sunset to midnight, subject to change depending on the season 
• Location: Decks Tokyo Beach, 3F Seaside deck. Tokyo Teleport Station 
• Cost: Free
• More info: Odaiba Decks

Cancelled Christmas lights shows in Tokyo

Meguro River Minna no Illumination 

Each year, Meguro River is visited by millions of people to celebrate two big events: cherry blossom viewing and Christmas cherry blossom illumination.  Usually, more than 420,000 LED lights decorate the trees lining the river. But this year, the Meguro River Minna no Illumination will be done online. For the Fuyu no Sakura, people are asked to prepare their cherry blossom illuminations and upload them on Instagram. All participating pictures will then be displayed online from December 1st to December 24th.  Instructions (in Japanese) on how to make your own cherry blossom illuminations can be found on the Meguro River website. 

• Dates: December 1, 2020 – December 24, 2020
• Location: Online event
• Cost: free

Klook.com

Shibuya Ao no Dokutsu (Shibuya Blue Cave)

Each year, the neighbourhood famous for its crossing and loyal dog hosts one of the best Christmas lights in Tokyo. With more than 2 million visitors last year, the Shibuya Blue Cave is one of the most visited and popular Christmas illuminations in Tokyo. The Shibuya Cave located between Shibuya Park and Yoyogi Park is made of 600,000 blue LED lights. By wandering inside the arcade, you feel like you are in a blue cave!

• Date: This event has been cancelled due to Covid-19
• Location:  Shibuya Station / Harajuku Station

Caretta Shio Illumination

Caretta Shiodome Winter Illumination is one of the most popular spots for Christmas illumination. Last year saw 250,000 LED lights transforming the shopping complex into Aladdin’s Arabian Nights with Magic Lamp and more. The shopping complex of more than 50 shops, cinema and museum which is located near Shinjuku Station was a perfect place to hang out while shopping. Sadly due to covid, this year’s show has been cancelled.

• Dates: cancelled 
• Location: Shiodome Station or Shimbashi Station

Other locations with stunning Christmas illumination

Other locations with stunning Christmas illumination

The above locations are not the only spots where you can see amazing Christmas illuminations. Despite the fact that most of the popular shopping areas like Ginza, Omotesando, Nihonbashi, Shibuya or Shinjuku have cancelled their illuminations, you can still enjoy some beautiful lights. The below hotels have amazing displays worth checking out. 

As always some of these events might me cancelled so please check beforehand.

• Hotel Chinzanso
• The Ritz-Carlton
• Hotel New Otani Tokyo the Main
• Grand Hyatt Tokyo
• Hilton Tokyo Hotel
• Intercontinental Tokyo Bay
• Conrad Tokyo

Have you been to any of these Christmas events? If not, what was the best illumination show you have seen back home or elsewhere?

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