As winter begins, the days are becoming shorter in Japan. While this means that your daytime is limited, it’s finally the season for Christmas decorations!
One of the best ways to celebrate Christmas in Japan is to watch illuminations, and this is especially true in Tokyo. Different parts of the city light up with incredible light decorations, competing to attract the crowds.
If you’ll be enjoying Christmas in Tokyo this year, here is a list of different places to check out the winter Christmas illuminations in 2020!
Warning: because of coronavirus, some places may restrict entrance or even cancel to event itself so do further research before you go!
Illuminations in Tokyo
marunouchi
Info
Date & Time: Nov 5 – Feb 4 15:00 – 23:00 (24:00 in December)
Access: Marunouchi Naka Dori, Around Tokyo Station, Otemachi Naka Dori
Admission: Free
Tokyo midtown
Info
Date & Time: 11/19/2020 – 2/28/2021
Access: Tokyo Midtown (Roppongi)
Admission: Free
Website: https://www.tokyo-midtown.com/jp/event/wintermoments/
Ebisu garden place
Info
Date & Time: 11/14/2020 – 1/11/2021 11:00 – 24:00
Access: Ebisu Garden Place Plaza
Admission: Free
Omotesando
Info
Date & Time: 12/1/2020 – 12/25/2020 17:00 – 22:00
Access: Harajuku Station to Omotesando Station
Admission: Free
Website: http://omotesando.or.jp/illumi/
Tokyu plaza rooftop
Info
Date & Time: 11/17/2020 – 17:00 – 23:00
Access: Tokyu Plaza 6th Floor
Admission: Free
Website: https://omohara.tokyu-plaza.com/news/news.html?_id=1214
Tokyo dome city
Info
Date & Time: 11/13/2020 – 12/25/2020 17:00 – 24:00
Access: Tokyo Dome City
Admission: Free
Website: https://www.tokyo-dome.co.jp/en/tourists/illumination/
Keyakizaka street illumination
Info
Date & Time: 11/13/2020 – 12/25/2020 17:00 – 23:00
Access: Roppongi Keyakizaka Street
Admission: Free
Website: https://www.roppongihills.com/sp/christmas/2020/illumination-event/keyakizaka.html
Yomiuri land
Info
Date & Time: 10/22/2020 – 4/4/2021 16:00 – 20:30
Access: Yomiuri Land
Admission: 1,500 yen for adults
Website: https://www.yomiuriland.com/jewellumination/guidance/
tokyo city keiba
Info
Date & Time: 11/7/2020 – 1/11/2021 16:30 – 21:30
Access: Tokyo City Keiba
Admission: 1000 yen
Website: https://tokyomegaillumi.jp/
tokyo midtown hibiya "Magic time illumination"
Info
Date & Time: 11/17/2020 – 12/25/2020 17:00 – 23:00
Access: Tokyo Midtown Hibiya
Admission: Free
Meguro river (online only)
Shibuya ao no dokutsu(Cancelled)
Honorable mention
Tokyo has some amazing Christmas illuminations, but there are places in other parts of Japan that are just as incredible, if not more. Here are some noteworthy places to take a visit to!
nabana no sato (Mie)
Info
Date & Time: 10/24/2020 – 5/31/2021
10:00 – 21:00 (22:00 on weekends, holidays, except January and February)
Access: Nabana no Sato
Admission: 2,300 yen
Website: https://www.nagashima-onsen.co.jp/nabana/illumination/index.html
huis ten bosch (nagasaki)
Info
Date & Time: 11/1/2020 – 12/25/2020
Access: Huis Ten Bosch
Admission: 7,000 yen
Conclusion
While there are many places to see the Christmas illuminations on this list, it’s nowhere close to being a complete list. There are many smaller places and random streets around Tokyo that have fantastic illuminations as well!
What is your favorite place to watch Christmas illuminations?