Tis’ the season of love and light!
This year, once again, Tokyo outshines itself with the beautifully bright illuminations around the city. Sucker for festive lights, here are some places definitely worth visiting this holiday season – trust me, I’ve been to a little too many illuminations this year. So, as nice as it is to be bundled up around a heater as the temperature dips; use this chance to get out in the evenings to view this signature winter sight of Tokyo!
Caretta ‘Story of True Love’
Caretta Shiodome celebrates its 12th year of illumination during the holiday season. The illumination is themed around Beauty and the Beast and imitates the dance hall scene from the movie. With over 250,000 LED lights, the site is too pretty to be missed!
Roppongi Hills Artelligent Christmas
Roppongi Hills has been known for its blue and white illumination show for years now. Wait around for the bulbs to switch colors to wintry warm colors to see Roppongi in a new…light.
TOKYO MIDTOWN
Tokyo Midtown celebrates its 10th annual Christmas celebration in the heart of Roppongi. Themed on a “trip to outer space” the installation displays the moon, sun and planets using over 200,000 LED lights.
Omotesando Illuminations
With over 900,000 champagne colored LED lights veiling the zelkova streets, Omotesando tops my list of places to visit during the holidays! Walk the entire block from Jingumae to Omotesando for this annual light-fest.
Tokyo SkyTree Town Dream Christmas
Tokyo SkyTree is lit this season based on the theme of “a town illuminated by glittering stars.” The base of the tower is filled with 520,000 warm glow bulbs followed by projection mapping!
Marunouchi Bright Christmas
Naka-dori street, one of the most popular illuminated districts is once again lit with over a million LED bulbs in champagne gold color and is known to be one of the most environmentally-friendly illuminations in Tokyo.
Ginza Street
Ginza’s illumination has easily become one of the popular year-end and new year tradition since it started in 2011. The theme, ‘light flower basket’ designed by the French creation studio, PITAYA will continue to illuminate the streets of Ginza with a warm glow.
Tokyo Tower Winter Fantasy Orange illumination
As Tokyo Tower celebrates its 60th year in the coming New Year, a special ‘orange illumination’ winter fantasy market has been set up. To commemorate this occasion, a 60 year old living fir tree is lit up with ornaments to match the Tokyo Tower which also turns 60.
Blue Cave (Ao no Dokutsu “青の洞窟”)
Blue Cave is a popular illumination event that takes place annually in Tokyo. The blue lights start from Shibuya Koen Dori street to Yoyogi Park – 800 meters filled with 600,000 blue LED lights!
With all these wonderful spots offering gorgeous illuminations, don’t miss the romance and wonder of the season in Tokyo.
Spread the holiday cheer, sparkle and lights, literally.
Happy Holidays! ♥
Check out AllTheRooms “Tokyo at Night: Where to Go & What to Do” where they round up the best things to do in Tokyo when the sun goes down.
