2022-2023 Tokyo Winter Illuminations  ｜ 10 Hot Picks of the Fantastic Lighting Scenes

After the re-opening of entry to Japan in October, many foreigners who have hunger for Japan travel for long time cannot wait to visit the country.  If you are one of them, it is not only the amazing maple scenes you can enjoy in November, the stunning illumination in December is also cannot be missed.  

10 hot picks of Tokyo Winter Illuminations in 2022

Every winter, Tokyo is engulfed in tens of thousands of twinkling lights, creating a festive and joyful atmosphere at every corner of the streets. It is not just a sparkling lighting, all lighting shows with its own specialty to amaze the visitors.  Nowadays, illuminations are not just exclusive to the Christmas season, some of them last until early next year!   These illuminations might bring you to the new places in Tokyo so that you can discover more about Tokyo!

Here are some hot picks for illumination shows to help you plan your upcoming Tokyo trip! 

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            (1) Minato Ward - Roppongi Hills Christmas 2022
            (2) Shibuya Ward - Shibuya Blue Cave Illumination 2022
            (3) Minato Ward - Roppongi Midtown CHRISTMAS STORY LIGHTS
            (4) Shibuya Ward - Ebisu Garden Palace Baccarat ETERNAL LIGHTS 2022
            (5) Chiyoda Ward - Tokyo Marunouchi Illumination 2022
            (6) Bunkyo Ward - Tokyo Dome City Winter Illumination 2022
            (7) Minato Ward - Tokyo Tower Winter Fantasy 2022 – Tokyo City Candles
            (8) Shibuya Ward - Omotesando Illumination 2022
            (9) Chiyoda Ward - Tokyo Midtown Hibiya - HIBIYA Magic Time Illumination 2022
            (10) Shinagawa Ward - Tokyo Mega Illumination

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         2. (1)　Minato Ward - Roppongi Hills Christmas 2022
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Minato Ward is located in the center of Tokyo.  It is one of the most international areas of Tokyo, and has one of the highest population ratios of foreign residents. The ward concentrates the majority of the business and diplomatic activity in Japan. Its main business districts are Toranomon, Shimbashi, and Shiba. The main commercial areas include Aoyama, Akasaka, and Roppongi. There are many large-scale commercial complexes, with hotels and conference centers, such as Roppongi Hills, Tokyo Midtown, Toranomon Hills, ARK Hills, etc.  Minato Ward covers an area of 20.37 square kilometers and has a population of around 250,000, ranking 12th in terms of area size and 17th in terms of population size among the Tokyo 23 wards.

Roppongi Hills in Minato Ward of Tokyo is a high-end area with high-class offices and a shopping mall.  It is just a few minutes’ walk from Roppongi Station on the Hibiya Line of the Tokyo Metro.  Roppongi Hills always filled with festive atmosphere especially in Christmas.  Wherever you walk around Roppongi Hills, illuminations and festive events are around.  Other than the Christmas market, performance, installation art of Christmas tree, the spotlight goes to the illumination on Keyakizaka Street with around 800,000 LEDs, which stretches for about 400 meters. Not only the LEDs that shine the road draw the crowd, the fantastic scene that incorporated with the iconic Tokyo Tower also make it became a popular spot.

1. (2)　Shibuya Ward - Shibuya Blue Cave Illumination 2022

Shibuya Ward is located in the western part of Tokyo, and is one of the five central wards in Tokyo, along with Chiyoda Ward, Chuo Ward, Minato Ward, and Shinjuku Ward. Shibuya Station is one of the most important traffic hubs in Tokyo. Its most prominent landmark is the busy traffic intersection in front of the Hachiko Exit. The area surrounding the intersection is heavily decorated with neon advertisements and giant video screens, and always gets flooded by pedestrians each time the lights turn green, making it a popular photo spot in Shibuya. Shibuya Ward covers an area of 15.11 square kilometers and has a population of around 240,000, ranking 12th in terms of area size and 18th in terms of population size among the Tokyo 23 wards.

The illumination event "Blue Cave SHIBUYA" from Shibuya Park Street to Yoyogi Park Zelkova Trees is returning for the first time in 3 years! Over 600,000 LED blue lights are strung along two sides of trees stretching 800 meters, creating an all-blue world. You cannot imagine how impressive it is unless you are walking along this street to discover the attraction of its mysterious blue glow.   This illumination had attracted over 2.8 million visitors in the past, which topped the ranking of Tokyo illumination spots. 

Besides, there is a huge Christmas card installed at the venue lined with zelkova trees in Yoyogi Park this year.  The illumination mapping displays moving light messages, allowing you to enjoy a new form of Christmas card incorporated with the music of a music box.  This is definitely a romantic space that you can enjoy with your beloved one. 

1. (3)　Roppongi Midtown CHRISTMAS STORY LIGHTS

Roppongi Midtown in Minato Ward of Tokyo is a high-end area with high-class offices and a shopping mall.  It is just a few minutes’ walk from Roppongi Station on the Hibiya Line of the Tokyo Metro.  “Midtown Christmas” in Roppongi always creates amazing moments for visitors. This year's illumination "MIDTOWN WINTER LIGHTS" will bring you a special Christmas with a variety of light productions from the plaza area to the garden area.  You can fully enjoy the Christmas atmosphere when you enter the shopping mall. 

The highlight of this year is the huge 3m x 4.5m huge Christmas crystal ball which forms a powerful stage of light to make it feel like an outdoor theater.  The lighting performance inside the crystal ball linked with 300 LEDs aside brings you a fantastic scene that will surely amaze you.  What’s more?  When you walk along the path of the lighting trees, you will find another spot that will draw you to press the shutter.  A tall real tree transforms into a "Party Popper Tree" with a cracker theme that welcomes you with colorful lights and ornaments.

1. (4)　Shibuya Ward - Ebisu Garden Palace Baccarat ETERNAL LIGHTS 2022

Ebisu is located in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward, which is a stylish area with numerous fashionable shops and restaurants. It is also a popular residential area, which has always ranked as one of the most preferable living areas.  Illumination in Ebisu always brings a romantic atmosphere to winter. The attraction of this year’s illumination is the 5m large Baccarat chandelier again!  "Baccarat" is famous crystal brand in France. A total of 8,500 pieces of Baccarat crystal and 250 LEDs formed the world's largest chandelier that makes you feel glamorous!  Together with the trees decorated with LEDs along the path to the chandelier, the Ebisu Garden Place seems to have become a romantic world!   In addition, a dome-shaped stage titled "Music Ball" in the clock square was unveiled for the first time equipped with a piano that is open to the public to play freely. 

1. (5)　Chiyoda Ward - Tokyo Marunouchi Illumination 2022

Chiyoda Ward is located at the heart of Tokyo, with more of the land area dominated by government offices.  It is mainly a government and business district, with the Imperial Palace also located in this ward.  It is also home to major landmarks such as Tokyo Station, Yasukuni Shrine, and Akihabara electronics town, as well as many universities. The Ward has an area of 11.66 square kilometers and is ranked 19th out of Tokyo's 23 wards, but it has the smallest population of around 66,000 people. 

Marunouchi is a famous commercial area in Tokyo.  The area is surrounded by high-rise commercial buildings and world-famous brand shops.  It is close to the high traffic Tokyo station and the Imperial Palace.  Other than offices, it is also a center of many gorgeous shops, such as those for gourmet food and fashion.  It is also a hot spot for shooting wedding photos.

This year marks the 21st year of this annual winter illumination event in Marunouchi area.  Because of its proximity to popular Tokyo Station, walking around Brand Street to enjoy the festive atmosphere has become a habit of both Japanese and visitors. The theme color of this year is champagne gold!  Everyone passing by is dazzled by the 1.2 million Champagne Gold LEDs that line Nakadori Street, which stretches for about 1.2 kilometers. When you walk along this shining street, you can discover more as the world-class luxury brand "Tiffany" has sponsored the decoration of Christmas trees and a big lighting ball in the street.  Together with the Christmas market and the installation of a Merry-go-round, the area of Marunouchi should be one of the illumination spots that you should visit.

1. (6)　Bunkyo Ward - Tokyo Dome City Winter Illumination 2022

Bunkyo Ward is located in the north-central part of Tokyo. It is named Bunkyo because, other than being a residential area, the ward is also a cluster of cultural and educational institutions, like the campus of the top University of Tokyo (Hongo campus). Besides, the renowned Tokyo Dome, the well-known historic gardens – Rikugien Garden and Koishikawa Botanical Garden can also be found in this ward. Bunkyo Ward covers an area of 11.29 square kilometers and has a population of around 240,000, ranking 20th in terms of area size and 19th in terms of population size among the Tokyo 23 wards.

Tokyo Dome City is located in Tokyo's Bunkyo Ward, which includes an amusement park, shopping mall, a hotel, and the world-famous Tokyo Dome. It is an area with convenient transportation as it can be accessed from either Korakuen Station on the Marunouchi Line of Tokyo Metro or Suidobashi Station of the JR Chuo-Sobu Line.

The theme of this year’s Tokyo Dome City illumination is "Gifts," with the concept of taking a picture with your beloved one to share around. Several photo spots are provided so that one can enjoy the happy moments during the festive period and have a memorable time with their beloved one.  Spots like a 15-meter-tall giant tree, which features six main lights and sound production that takes place three times an hour in the day.  Also, there is a light tunnel called "Milky Way" with a total length of about 140 meters. As the whole area is decorated with sparkling champagne gold illuminations, one can enjoy the amazing view from a high angle if they take a ride on the Ferris wheel at Tokyo Dome City.

1. (7)　Minato Ward - Tokyo Tower Winter Fantasy 2022 – Tokyo City Candles

The 333 meters high Tokyo Tower is located at the heart of Tokyo in Minato Ward which the signature building of Japan.  It is one of the most popular tourist spots for both Japanese and foreigners.  The tower is surrounded by notable temples and parks, and is neighbored by Roppongi, Shiodome, Toranomon.

This winter, Tokyo Tower is perceived as a massive urban candle. With the theme of "Tokyo City Candles" this year, a symbolic Christmas tree amalgamated by numerous candles and lanterns of various colors is the key highlight of the illumination in Tokyo.  The "Symbol Tree" is decorated with 20 candles and 150 lanterns, accounting for about 700 full-color LED bulbs and 80 LMX bulbs with 600,000 colorful expressions.  The gentle color transition has created a lovely and warm urban festive healing space just beneath the Tokyo Tower. Furthermore, the NAKED art project "DANDELION PROJECT" on the main deck area is another location that can provide a fantastic experience with the flower lighting projection (entry fee required). 

1. (8)　Shibuya Ward - Omotesando Illumination 2022

As a famous hub for the world’s famous brand stores, Omotesando in Tokyo is one of the most fashionable areas for both Japanese and foreigners.  Every year, the illumination event shines the street between Jingubashi intersection and Omotesando intersection, as there are approximately 900,000 LEDs decorated on the zelkova trees that line the street, which stretches for approximately 1 km, creating a fantastic glow in the area.

At the same time, the OMOTESANDO HILLS shopping mall hosts another Christmas Illumination event. A glittering 9m high "floating light Christmas tree" with approximately 14,000 hand-made balloons, designed by the renowned artist unit "DAISY BALLOON", is installed at the atrium of the shopping mall. Countless balloons are also scattered at the top around the tree.  The energy of Christmas joy is diffused through a lighting and music show held every 20 minutes 

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2. (9)　Chiyoda Ward - Tokyo Midtown Hibiya - HIBIYA Magic Time Illumination 2022

It is 5th anniversary of Hibiya Magic Time Illumination this year. This event is based on the concept of "magical moments," with an aim to brighten up the Hibiya area around Hibiya Tokyo Midtown in winter.  It is one of the most popular illuminations in Tokyo, with around 3.3 million visitors last year. The theme this year is "Exciting Moments" with three areas of interest including "Hibiya Area Illumination,", "Hibiya Winter Square", and "Park View Winter Garden".  With the starry sky as a decorative motif, one can enjoy the illuminations of different charms.

Among the three area, "Hibiya Winter Square " is the key highlight with numerous Christmas trees "dressed in stars". The tree studded with shooting stars and exuberant stars is a photo spot that can be enjoyed day and night.  Besides, the exciting gradation of aurora colors in the area of "Hibiya Area Illumination", which was inspired by the aurora in northern Europe, illuminates the city of Hibiya in a fantastic way. A full view can be enjoyed from the upper level of Hibiya Tokyo Midtown.

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3. (10)　Shinagawa Ward - Tokyo Mega Illumination
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Tokyo Mega Illumination at Oi Racecourse is claimed to be the largest illumination in Tokyo.  With its extensive area covering several theme zones, the scale itself already attracts the attention of the public.  Attractions include the "Rainbow Fountain of Light" show, the "Large Tree of Light with Aurora," and the "100m Tunnel of Light with Sparkling Cherry Blossoms," etc.  Some of the zones feature a one-of-a-kind digital lighting show that employs cutting-edge technology and a 3D lighting projection effect. It is believed you can enjoy a great day at Oi Racecourse.

The illuminations in Tokyo are fantastic and diversify.  Not only Christmas, but the whole winter that you can enjoy the tens of thousands of twinkly lights in Tokyo.  Just go to Tokyo and enjoy the sparkling winter wonderland.

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(REF: B-TA-E03