Yebisu Garden Place Winter Illuminations 2023: Warm Christmas Lights and Mulled Wine

As soon as it gets colder in Japan you can see illuminations wherever you go. They are the most awaited events of the winter! Ranging from a couple of decorated trees to seas of light, some of these events require an entrance fee, some are free.

The Winter Illuminations at Yebisu Garden Place enjoys a growing popularity every year, being waited anxiously by everyone living in the Tokyo area.

This year, the Yebisu Garden Place Winter Illumination is held from November 11, 2023, to January 8, 2024. Let us show you some of the highlights!

The Yebisu Garden Place Entrance

The first thing you will see when you exit the station is the Yebisu Garden Place entrance building with its famous mechanical clock.

A popular meeting spot, the entrance is decorated with beautiful lights and a bunch of small Christmas trees. It's just a small preview of what's to come, but it is a charm point in itself.

The Colopl Canal Walk

Since last year, there is a new attraction at the Winter Illuminations in Yebisu Garden Place: the Colopl Canal Walk.

The Colopl Canal Walk has the greenery on the right side of the Garden Place entrance decorated in a bright blue light. This is the signature color of Colopl, one of the companies based in Yebisu Garden Place.

They also have a little photo spot with a magician's hat and a magic wand which you can use to take a nice photo. The blue light will be your background and you can't help but think that you've landed in a fantasy world.

A Gorgeous Christmas Tree

If you turn left from the Yebisu Garden Place entrance you will see a large, beautifully decorated Christmas tree and the Christmas Marche.

Let's take a look at this magnificent tree first. This year's tree is about 10 meters high and was brought from the mountains of Gunma prefecture.

The ornaments are brilliant and sophisticated, making the tree look very festive. The area around the tree is a very popular photo spot that makes for great Christmas pictures!

The Baccarat Chandelier - Eternal Lights

Picture courtesy of Yebisu Garden Place

The centerpiece of the Winter Illuminations is the Baccarat Chandelier, a gorgeous decoration made with 250 lights and 8472 crystal parts.

Baccarat Crystal is famous for the way they polish their glassware to sparkling diamond perfection. Five meters tall and three meters wide, the chandelier on display in Yebisu Garden Place is one of the largest chandeliers in the world.

Because Baccarat's signature color is red, there is one small red crystal on the chandelier representing the Baccarat red. How about trying to find it?

The chandelier is surrounded by benches, so you can sit down and admire the piece leisurely.

You will find the the Chandelier at the end of a red carpet lined on both sides with illuminated trees. The warm light of the trees creats a perfect Christmas atmosphere and you might feel like a celebrity walking this red carpet.

Let's Go Skating in the Chateau Place

Up the stairs, in front of the Chateau Restaurant, you will find the newest attraction of the Winter Illuminations event - a Skating Rink!

It's a special laminate rink that's easy to skate on and very safe because it doesn't hurt much if you fall.

This material also allows for a special effect. When skating on it, you will notice that puddles of light will splash from your skates every time you set your foot down.

The rink is also beautifully decorated with projections of moving snowflakes, bells and other Christmas motives.

The Christmas Market

Picture courtesy of Yebisu Garden Place

Right near the Christmas Tree, you'll find the Chrismas Marche, a true European style Christmas Market where you can warm up with drinks and delicious treats or purchase unique souvenirs.

At the booth called La fete de Noel, you can find tasty galette and pastries, hot chocolote drins and even German-style mulled wine.

We warmly recommend the mulled wine. It's made with cinnamon and orange peel among other spices and has just the right level of sweetness. On a cold winter night, it's just the right treat to warm you up and heighten your spirit.

If you don't like alcohol, then go for the hot chocolate. It is a thick, delicious drink lavishly ornated with cream and sweet decorations.

There is also a little shopping booth called The Editorial offering a wide variety of Christmas or winter-related goods and souvenirs.

While many of the items are European-inspired, their most popular item is Japanese: the incredibly soft bamboo cotton blend towels by the brand Hippopotamus. If you're looking for a special souvenir, do check them out.

One of the most interesting booths at the Chrismas Marche is run by Orangeparfait, a Japanese brand specialized in marionettes. A special marionette exhibition called "Christmas Story" is being held here until December 25th.

If you love kowaii (creepy-cute) things, this place is for you. They have a large variety of marionettes on display, which are available for purchase, and you can actually watch the creator, Mr. Noma, at work.

The cute mummies and scarecrows seem to be the artist's signature creations but he offers a great variety of marionettes.

You can even enjoy a short performance of a marionette that's drunk. It will surely warm your heart and make you smile. We highly recommend that you go inside and enjoy Mr. Noma's art. If you ask for permission, they can even teach you how to manouver the marionettes!

Event Details:

Event: Yebisu Christmas Illumination

Period: 11 November 2023 - 8 January 2024

Hours: 11:00-23:00

Location: Tokyo, Shibuya, Ebisu, Yebisu Garden Place

Enjoy a Unique European-Japanese Christmas Experience!

What makes the Winter illuminations at the Yebisu Garden Place so special is that they really capture the warm feeling of Christmas. While many other illumination events are very colorful and bright, the one in Ebisu distinguishes itself through the warm lights and natural materials used.

The Christmas Marche has just the perfect mix of European and Japanese atmosphere and the hot drinks are truly delicious. How about dropping by to enjoy the atmosphere of a winter event that has become a tradition in Ebisu?

Yebisu Garden Place Tower

4-20 Ebisu, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-6018

In cooperation with Yebisu Garden Place