Marunouchi Illumination — Tokyo's champagne-gold winter street
Right next to Tokyo Station, Marunouchi's main street turns into a tunnel of light every winter. Around 250 trees along the 1.2 km Naka-dori are wrapped in champagne-gold LEDs, and the whole street glows from dusk until late at night. It's free, it's easy to reach, and it's one of the most elegant winter walks in the city.
Quick facts
Area: Marunouchi, Chiyoda, Tokyo (next to Tokyo Station)
Best season: Mid-November to mid-February. Late November to Christmas for the Christmas market
Getting there: A short walk from Tokyo Station (JR and Tokyo Metro)
Time needed: About 1 hour
Cost: Free
Winter illuminations in Japan
In Japan, winter is illumination season. From November to February, streets, parks and theme parks across the country are covered in millions of lights, and going to see them is a classic winter outing.
Christmas works a little differently here, too. It isn't a national holiday, and Christmas Eve is seen as a romantic night for couples rather than a family day. That's why you'll see plenty of couples walking under the lights in December.
Our weekend in Marunouchi
We went at the end of November and arrived in the early evening, just as the lights were coming on. The illumination runs the full length of Naka-dori, so you can walk the whole street under a ceiling of light.
At the end of November, the trees still had their yellow autumn leaves. The warm glow of the lights mixed with the leaves made the whole street look golden.
Along the street, small wooden stalls were selling Christmas ornaments and gifts, and the shop windows of the brand stores along Naka-dori add even more light to the walk.
Local tips
Arrive at dusk. The lights come on at 4 pm. Arriving just before that lets you see the street change from twilight to full glow.
December runs late. In December, the lights stay on until midnight instead of 11 pm.
Visit before Christmas. The Christmas market and food trucks on Naka-dori usually run until December 25.
Walk to Gyoko-dori. The wide boulevard between Tokyo Station and the Imperial Palace is also lit up from late November to Christmas.
Check this year's dates. The schedule is announced every autumn, so check the official site before you go.
Plan your visit
Find Marunouchi and other spots nearby on our map.