Marunouchi Illumination 2025: Ultimate Winter Tokyo Guide with Local Tips &Best Spots
Marunouchi is an office area that spreads around Tokyo Station. In addition to modern office buildings, luxury hotels and high-brand boutiques line the streets.
With beautiful architectural buildings such as the brick-built Tokyo Station and the Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum, it's a sophisticated and refined area. The neighboring Ginza area is within walking distance from the Marunouchi area.
Every winter in Marunouchi, a spectacular illumination event takes place. This article introduces the spots you can enjoy at the Marunouchi Illumination and recommended points from the author, a local resident.
We've also compiled information about illuminations and various types of events you can enjoy in Tokyo during winter, beyond just Marunouchi.
If you're planning to visit Tokyo Station or Ginza, please use this article as a reference to enjoy the illuminations in the Marunouchi area.
Table of Contents
-3 Spots to Deeply Enjoy Marunouchi Illumination 2025
-3 Popular Tokyo Illumination Events Along with Marunouchi Illumination 2025
-It's Not Just Illuminations! 3 Events to Enjoy in Winter Tokyo
What is Marunouchi Illumination?
Marunouchi Illumination is an event held annually from around November to February in the Marunouchi area surrounding Tokyo Station. In Marunouchi, one of Tokyo's premier office districts, a wide range of streets, plazas, and buildings are beautifully decorated with illuminations.
At Marunouchi Illumination, approximately 286 street trees in the Marunouchi area are decorated with gold LED lights. The illuminations are centered on Marunouchi Nakadori Avenue, and the elegant streets lined with office buildings and shopping facilities are gorgeously colored.
Additionally, on Gyoko Street, also located near Tokyo Station, a large-scale illumination using approximately 36,000 LED lights is displayed.
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-Schedule: November 14, 2024 -February 16, 2025, 16:00~23:00 /December 1-31: 16:00-24:00(2025~2026 dates to be determined)
-Access: Get off at JR/Subway "Tokyo Station" → 1 minute walk from the South Exit → Marunouchi Nakadori
-Admission: Free
-Website: https://visit-chiyoda.tokyo/app/event/detail/743 (2024 site)
Why Many Locals and Tourists Visit Marunouchi Illumination Every Year
Marunouchi Illumination is a traditional illumination event that has continued for over 20 years, and many people look forward to visiting every year due to its elegant luxury.
The refined decorations that enhance the sophisticated atmosphere of the area are also a reason for its popularity. In recent years, the illumination color scheme of Marunouchi Illumination has been unified in champagne gold every year.
You can enjoy a chic space glowing in gold at various spots in Marunouchi, where office buildings and luxury boutiques line the streets.
Every winter, I really look forward to walking along Marunouchi Nakadori Avenue while viewing the illuminations, and strolling from Tokyo Station to Yurakucho and Ginza.
On Nakadori Avenue, food trucks and shops selling Christmas goods are set up every year, and in the past, street pianos have even appeared. Additionally, the stylish Christmas decorations inside each office building and luxury boutique are one of the highlights.
3 Spots to Deeply Enjoy Marunouchi Illumination 2025
Marunouchi Nakadori Avenue
Marunouchi Nakadori Avenue is the main street of the Marunouchi area. In winter, the tree-lined avenue stretches for 1.2km, with the trees adorned in beautiful champagne gold illuminations.
Marunouchi Nakadori Avenue is the main spot of Marunouchi Illumination. Many people gather to stroll along the golden glowing street, and Christmas markets are held at various spots along the wide avenue.
Special shops selling food trucks, Christmas goods, and accessories are set up. Along the street that extends from Tokyo Station to the Yurakucho Station area, office buildings and high-rise buildings line up, and winter-limited illuminations are displayed inside each building.
When you walk along Marunouchi Nakadori Avenue during the illumination season, you'll feel very romantic, as if you're walking through a golden tunnel.
Gyoko Street
Gyoko Street is a ginkgo tree-lined street near Tokyo Station that connects Tokyo Station Marunouchi Exit and Imperial Palace Outer Gardens.
During the Marunouchi Illumination season, the ginkgo trees are decorated with illuminations and beautifully lit up. On Gyoko Street, which has a road width of 73m, a skating rink also appears during the illumination period, allowing you to enjoy skating while viewing the fantastic light scenery.
Also, from Gyoko Street, you can see the brick-built Tokyo Station building directly in front. The Tokyo Station building is also beautifully lit up at night, and in the past, colorful winter-limited lighting displays have been held.
I love viewing Tokyo Station from Gyoko Street and always check out the winter light-up every year. Gyoko Street is very wide with plenty of benches, so you can enjoy the illuminations without worrying about crowds.
Marunouchi Building 1F MARUCUBE
Source:VISIT Chiyoda
Marunouchi Building is a 37-story high-rise building on Marunouchi Nakadori Avenue. At MARUCUBE, the first-floor plaza of Marunouchi Building, special decorations and illuminations are displayed every Christmas season.
Last year, decorations featuring Super Mario, a Japanese game character, appeared and attracted attention. The scene from the game where Mario becomes invincible was brilliantly recreated, and when I visited, many people had gathered to take photos.
In 2025, Disney characters are scheduled to be the theme of the Marunouchi Building illumination event. Mickey and characters from "Frozen" and "Zootopia" will appear.
Marunouchi Building's illumination is known for exhibiting high-quality character objects every year. When strolling along Marunouchi Nakadori Avenue, be sure to stop by Marunouchi Building to enjoy the decorations.
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-Schedule: November 13, 2025 - January 4, 2026
-Access: Get off at Tokyo Station → Marunouchi North Exit, Marunouchi Central Exit, 2 minutes walk from Marunouchi South Exit → Marunouchi Building
-Admission: Free
-Website: https://www.marunouchi.com/pickup/event/7575/
Tips from Locals to Further Enjoy Marunouchi Illumination
At the commercial building "KITTE" located right near Tokyo Station, a spectacular annual Christmas illumination takes place every year from November to December. Each year, a massive Christmas tree exceeding 10 meters in height appears and is beautifully decorated according to the year's theme.
When I visited last year, I was impressed not only by the sophisticated decorations but also by the spectacular display featuring colorful lighting and musical performances. When you depart from Tokyo Station to explore Marunouchi, be sure to start by viewing KITTE's Christmas tree first.
Additionally, the tree-lined street illumination along Marunouchi Nakadori Avenue begins to light up around 17:30 every evening. Although it's a bit chilly, I also recommend sitting on a bench along Nakadori Avenue to witness the incredibly beautiful moment when the lights turn on.
Many other spectacular illuminations take place around Marunouchi. You might want to extend your visit to illumination spots in the surrounding areas, such as the plaza in front of Yurakucho Station and the Imperial Hotel.
If You Visit Marunouchi, Enjoy Supreme Japanese Cuisine in Neighboring "Ginza"!
If you're visiting Marunouchi, why not join a tour where you can enjoy the finest Japanese cuisine in neighboring Ginza?
For example, the "Finest Quality Sushi & Tempura Dining Experience in Ginza" allows you to enjoy dinner at Ginza's finest sushi restaurant with a guide. Afterwards, you'll also visit a Michelin-starred high-end tempura restaurant.
Experience the highest level of Japanese cuisine in Ginza, where renowned Japanese restaurants from across the country gather. It's sure to become an unforgettable memory of your Japan trip.
If you love wagyu beef, try joining the "Wagyu Beef & Sake Pairing Foodie Tour in Ginza." You can enjoy A5-ranked wagyu at a high-class, stylish teppanyaki restaurant. Additionally, you can visit a sake specialty bar with a local guide.
Learn expert knowledge about how to properly enjoy first-class sake and food pairings. You'll be able to enjoy Japanese gourmet cuisine on a deeper level.
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Meeting point: In front of Lion Statue at Ginza Mitsukoshi near Exit A8 of Ginza Station/4-6-16 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Tour area: Ginza
Start times: 15:30, 16:30
Finest Quality Sushi & Tempura Dining Experience in Ginza
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Meeting point: JR Shimbashi Station North Exit, in front of black pillar near SAZA Coffee in Ecute Edition Shimbashi/2-17-14 Shinbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Tour area: Ginza
Start time: 17:00
Wagyu Beef & Sake Paring Foodie Tour in Ginza
3 Popular Tokyo Illumination Events Along with Marunouchi Illumination 2025
Tokyo Mega Illumi
Source:Official website
Tokyo Mega Illumi is an illumination event held at Oi Racecourse, a horse racing track in Hamamatsucho. Taking advantage of the vast grounds, numerous illuminations are displayed, and events where you can interact with the racecourse horses are held daily.
At Tokyo Mega Illumi, you can enjoy many elaborate and spectacular illuminations from adults to children. The long light tunnels, giant Christmas tree, and rainbow-colored fountains that appear on the vast grounds are impressive enough in quality and scale to entertain even adults.
There are also projection mapping playgrounds that react to human movements and cute horse objects, with plenty of features prepared for children to enjoy.
When I visited for the first time last year, I was surprised by the atmosphere that felt more like a theme park than a racecourse. If you're traveling with family or want to see spectacular illuminations, please visit Oi Racecourse.
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-Schedule: November 1, 2025 - January 11, 2026
-Access: Get off at Oi Keibajo-mae Station on the Tokyo Monorail → 2-minute walk → Oi Racecourse
-Admission fee: (Same-day tickets) Adults: ¥1,600 or ¥1,000 / Children: ¥900 or ¥500 (Prices vary by day)
-Website: https://www.tokyomegaillumi.jp/enjoy.html
Roppongi Hills Christmas Keyakizaka Illumination
Source:Yahoo! News
Roppongi Hills Christmas Keyakizaka Illumination is a popular event that has become synonymous with winter in Roppongi. On Keyakizaka Street surrounding the Roppongi Hills complex, trees are beautifully decorated with illuminations.
The distinctive feature of Keyakizaka Illumination is that every year you can enjoy fantastical scenery of blue and white lights. The trees along Keyakizaka are decorated all at once with blue and white LED lights, and you can enjoy the illuminations from the Christmas season through Valentine's Day.
From Keyakizaka, you can also see Tokyo Tower glowing red beautifully. It boasts high popularity as one of Tokyo's most romantic winter spots, with many couples visiting Keyakizaka every year.
A Christmas market is also held at Roppongi Hills, so please enjoy them together.
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-Schedule: December 26, 2024 ~ February 14, 2025, 17:00~23:00 (2025~26 event dates to be determined)
-Access: Get off at Tokyo Metro Roppongi Station → 4 minutes walk from Exit 1C → Roppongi Keyakizaka Street
-Admission fee: Free
-Website: https://www.roppongihills.com/events/2024/12/0406.html
Odaiba Illuminations "YAKEI"
Source:FASHION PRESS
Odaiba illuminations "YAKEI" is an illumination event held in Odaiba, a waterfront area. At Decks Tokyo Beach, a commercial facility in Odaiba, you can enjoy illuminations of giant trees and other trees throughout the year.
On the 3rd floor of Decks Tokyo Beach, there is a seaside deck where you can leisurely enjoy a giant tree 20 meters tall and the beautiful night view of Tokyo Bay. Around the rest space on the deck, winter-limited illuminations appear when winter comes.
Last year, with an ocean theme, the lighting was a refreshing blue. From the deck, you can also beautifully view Tokyo Tower and Rainbow Bridge, which lights up in rainbow colors at night.
The night view with soft lights visible in the evening and the illuminations beginning to light up are also very beautiful—it's my favorite time of day. If you're going to visit Odaiba, be sure to enjoy Tokyo's night view and illuminations from the seaside deck.
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-Schedule: Regular illuminations held year-round (winter-limited illuminations: typically mid-November - mid-February)
-Access: Get off at Odaiba-Kaihinkoen Station on the Yurikamome Line → 2-minute walk → Decks Tokyo Beach
-Admission fee: Free
-Website: https://www.odaiba-decks.com/yakei/event
It's Not Just Illuminations! 3 Events to Enjoy in Winter Tokyo
Christmas Markets Arranged in Japanese Style
Source:Official website
In winter Tokyo, Christmas markets arranged in Japanese style are held at various locations. In Japan, Christmas is considered like a lively festival, which is a major characteristic.
Many people look forward to going with their lovers, friends, and family to see the gorgeous illuminations, and at Christmas markets across the country, great effort is put into creating elaborate illuminations. While events like **Marunouchi Illumination 2025** showcase Tokyo's winter brilliance, the city's Christmas markets offer their own unique charm with spectacular light displays.
For example, at the Tokyo Christmas Market in Jingu Gaien, which is Tokyo's largest-scale event, you can enjoy luxurious illuminations that brightly light up the vast grounds.
At the Christmas market in Shiba Park located in Minato Ward, you can enjoy the beautiful Tokyo Tower night view together with the illuminations.
Also, the Christmas market at Roppongi Hills is recommended to enjoy together with the large-scale illuminations being held in the Roppongi area.
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Meiji Jingu Gaien
-Dates: November 21 - December 25, 2025, 11:00-21:30 (First day only 16:00-21:30) (Last entry 21:00 / Last order 21:30)
-Access: Get off at Aoyama-itchome Station on the Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line or Oedo Line → 10-minute walk → Meiji Jingu Gaien
-Admission:
[12/5-12/19] Adults (middle school students and above) Weekdays ¥1,000, Weekends and holidays ¥1,500
[12/20-12/25] Adults (middle school students and above) ¥2,000
-Website: https://tokyochristmas.net/jingu/
-Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tokyochristmas/
Shiba Park
-Dates: December 5 - December 25, 2025, 11:00-22:00 (First day only 16:00-22:00) (Last entry 21:00 / Last order 21:30)
-Access: Get off at Onarimon Station on the Toei Mita Line → 1 minute walk → Tokyo Metropolitan Shiba Park No. 4
-Admission:
[12/5-12/19] Adults (middle school students and above) Weekdays ¥1,000, Weekends and holidays ¥1,500
[12/20-12/25] Adults (middle school students and above) ¥2,000
-Website: https://tokyochristmas.net/shiba/
Roppongi Hills
-Dates: November 23 - December 25, 2024 (2025 dates to be determined)
-Access: Get off at Roppongi Station on the Hibiya Line → 1 minute walk from Exit 1C → Roppongi Hills Big Roof Plaza
-Admission: Free
-Website: https://www.christmas.hills-site.com/illumination-event/roppongi/101/
New Year's Eve at Shrines and Temples・New Year's Eve Bells
What you should definitely experience in winter Tokyo is the traditional New Year's Eve at shrines and temples. In Japan, the first visit to a shrine or temple in the New Year is called "Hatsumōde." Many people go to shrines and temples from the night of December 31st for Hatsumōde.
From around 23:00 on the night of the 31st, New Year's Eve bells are rung at temples in various regions. People wait for 0:00 on January 1st while listening to the New Year's Eve bells, and when the new year begins, they pray for health and happiness in the new year at the shrine hall.
Many people gather for Hatsumōde at famous shrines and temples in Tokyo. Sensoji in Asakusa and Tsukiji Hongwanji in Tsukiji are recommended spots where you can hear the New Year's Eve bells up close.
Also, at Meiji Jingu Shrine, where the largest number of people in Japan gather for Hatsumōde, you can experience a lively New Year's Eve celebration.
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Sensoji (You can also hear the New Year's Eve bells)
-Date: January 1, from 0:00
-Access: Get off at Asakusa Station on the Toei Subway Asakusa Line → 5-minute walk from Exit A4 → Sensoji Temple
-Admission: Free
-Website: https://www.senso-ji.jp/annual_event/24.html
Tsukiji Hongwanji (You can also hear the New Year's Eve bells)
-Date: December 31, from 21:30
-Access: Get off at Tsukiji Station on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line → Exit 1 → Tsukiji Honganji Temple
-Admission: Free
-Website: https://tsukijihongwanji.jp/news/6983/
Meiji Jingu Shrine
-Dates: December 31 - around January 5
-Access: JR Harajuku Station, Subway Chiyoda Line, Fukutoshin Line, Meiji-Jingumae Station → 1 minute walk → Meiji Jingu Shrine
-Admission: Free
-Website: https://www.meijijingu.or.jp/hatsumoude/
Events Related to Pop Culture That Japan Takes Pride In
In winter Tokyo, notable events featuring anime, games, and other pop culture that Japan takes pride in are also held. At popular anime and game events, production materials used in the creation of the works are usually exhibited.
These exhibitions are very pleasing to fans of the works, as they can see the ideas that created famous characters and captivating worlds.
For example, at the anniversary event for the anime Neon Genesis Evangelion held in Roppongi, production materials from the entire series spanning the past 30 years are exhibited.
Also, in Yurakucho, an event for the popular game Final Fantasy IX is held, where production materials that created the beautiful fairy-tale-like world are scheduled to be displayed.
In addition, many events also feature special figure exhibitions and limited merchandise sales. If you love anime and games, be sure to check them out.
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30th Anniversary Exhibition "ALL OF EVANGELION"
-Date: November 14, 2025 - January 12, 2026, 10:00-22:00 (last admission 21:00)
-Access: Get off at Roppongi Station on the Hibiya Line → 0 minutes walk from Exit 1C → Tokyo City View (Roppongi Hills Mori Tower 52nd floor)
-Entrance fee: Advance ticket ¥2,200 / Same-day ticket ¥2,400
-Website: https://ao-eva.exhibit.jp/
-X: https://x.com/ao_eva30exhibit
FINAL FANTASY IX 25th ANNIVERSARY THE EXHIBITION
-Date: November 22, 2025 - December 7, 2025, 11:00-20:00
-Access: Get off at JR Yurakucho Station → 0 minutes walk from the central exit → Yurakucho Marui 8F SPACE1
-Admission: Advance ticket ¥1,800 / Same-day ticket ¥2,000
-Website: https://ffix25-exhibition.com/
-Official X: https://x.com/ffix25_EX
Join a Tour Visiting Shops Loved by Locals to Fully Enjoy Authentic Tokyo
So far, we've introduced illuminations and events you can enjoy in Tokyo during winter, including the spectacular **Marunouchi Illumination 2025** that lights up the city's winter nights. To enjoy authentic Tokyo, experience genuine Tokyo gourmet food loved by locals.
On the Tokyo Bar Hopping Night Tour in Shinjuku, you'll visit three izakayas and bars in Shinjuku loved by locals together with a local guide.
You can savor beer, sake, fried chicken, tofu dishes, and other izakaya gourmet at retro izakayas near Shinjuku Station West Exit and at establishments in the famous entertainment district Kabukicho.
Also, in Shibuya, where the famous scramble crossing is located, you can participate in the Shibuya Bar Hopping Night Tour in Tokyo. In Shibuya, enjoy delicious meat dishes at izakayas recommended by local guides while experiencing the lively atmosphere of the establishments.
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Meeting point: In front of Black pillar (Next to Uniqlo Shinjuku Nishiguchi shop)/1-2 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Tour area: Shinjuku
Start times: 17:00, 17:30, 18:00, 18:30, 19:00
Tour in Shinjuku, Kabukicho（2024-2025 Best of the Best Tour in Tripadvisor）
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Meeting point: In front of the floor to ceiling windows under SHIBUYA TSUTAYA sign/21-6 Udagawacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Q Front, B2F-8F
Tour area: Shibuya
Start times: 18:00, 19:00