Tokyo Candle Night 2026: Zojoji Temple and Tokyo Tower Events

1,000,000 People's Candle Night at Zojoji Temple

Zojoji Temple is bringing a slow, mindful night of environmental awareness to its historic grounds right beneath Tokyo Tower on Friday, June 19, 2026.

The event pairs stunning, historic temple views with an eco-friendly lineup of organic food trucks, interactive workshops, and live stage entertainment organized by the sustainable food service brand Daichi wo Mamoru Kai.

Don't miss out on the following highlights!

Temple Grounds Displays, Live Performances, and Special Lighting

The historic grounds of Zojoji Temple will come alive with event-exclusive displays and candle-inspired décor from 15:00 to 21:00. At the heart of the venue is the Candle Spot, where the main temple grounds will be adorned with over 1,500 glowing candles.

This arrangement creates a warm, ethereal landscape against the dark Tokyo sky, offering visitors the perfect backdrop for capturing unique nighttime portraits.

As evening approaches, the atmosphere deepens with a series of rare live performances.

From 18:30 to 19:00, the 90-year-old Zojoji Gagaku Society will make its first-ever appearance at the event to perform a live Kangen (instrumental ensemble) set, allowing guests to experience the world's oldest orchestra form in a mystical, candle-lit setting.

From 19:30 to 20:30, Candle Night Ambassador LiLiCo and singer-songwriter Kenta Dedachi will host a talk session on sustainable living. At exactly 20:00, LiLiCo will lead a live countdown, plunging Zojoji Temple and Tokyo Tower into complete darkness for one hour.

In the sudden dark, the warm glow of the visitors' message candles will light up the venue, setting a serene stage for an exclusive acoustic mini-live performance by the duo to wrap up the night.

Event-Exclusive Organic Treats at Candle Night Marche

The Candle Night Marche, open from 15:00 to 20:00, features roughly 10 environmental and culinary booths providing high-quality, sustainable experiences.

Visitors can choose from hot sandwiches made with cage-free eggs and low-additive ham from grichee, or savory curry from Mogu’s Life.

Daichi wo Mamoru Kai will also host a special market booth selling organic produce and their signature Mottainai Bumper Crop Vegetable Set, which features delicious non-standard fruits and vegetables directly from contracted farmers.

Private Eco-Workshops and Activities

Multiple interactive experiences across the venue allow guests to engage directly with the environment while creating a personal keepsake.

Families visiting the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Bureau of Environment booth can take part in a unique solar lantern decoration workshop.

Targeted at parents and elementary school children, this activity allows participants to customize their own solar lanterns to take home, serving as a fun, hands-on introduction to renewable energy (exclusive to pre-lottery winners).

For those looking to relax at home, nighttime beauty brand YOLU and the Japan Candle Association are hosting a free candle-scooping activity.

By following YOLU's social media, visitors can scoop and take home up to two candles, choosing from night-sky-inspired aroma blends or phosphorescent types that glow in the dark.

Additionally, guests can contribute to the message candle tree installation. For a 1,000 yen fee, you can write your environmental reflections on a candle holder to add to the glowing communal display. Half of the proceeds (500 yen) are donated directly to the Daichi wo Mamoru Primary Industry Support Fund to protect Japanese agriculture.

Event Informations: 1,000,000 People's Candle Night @ Zojoji 2026

Date: Friday, June 19, 2026
Hours: 15:00 – 21:00
Venue: Grand Head Temple Zojoji Grounds (Main Stage from 18:30 – 20:30)
Lights-Out Hours: 20:00 – 21:00 (Tokyo Tower and venue blackout)
Ticket info and official details: https://candle-night.tokyo/