Fukagawa Gatharia, a mixed-use complex in Kiba, Koto-ku, Tokyo, is putting up its winter illumination again this season. Running from Thursday, November 5, 2026 to Sunday, February 14, 2027, the display uses about 200,000 LEDs. The one date to remember: the big main tree in the Center Plaza switches off after Friday, December 25, so plan an early visit if the tree is what you want to see.
Key facts at a glance
| Event | Fukagawa Gatharia Winter Illumination Wings to the Future (Hikari to tomo ni, mirai e habataku) |
|---|---|
| Dates | Thu, Nov 5, 2026 – Sun, Feb 14, 2027 Main tree only: until Fri, Dec 25, 2026 |
| Hours | Sunset – 11:30 p.m. (planned) |
| Light shows | On the hour, plus several more times each hour (planned) |
| Venue | Event space inside Fukagawa Gatharia |
| Address | Kiba, Koto-ku, Tokyo |
| Organizer | Fujikura Ltd. (owner and manager of Fukagawa Gatharia) |
| Admission | Not stated in the announcement. Please check the official information. |
Source: Fujikura’s press release (PR TIMES, in Japanese)
The theme: birds flying out of last year’s flowers
This year’s concept is Wings to the Future. Last season, the illumination was built around a Flower of the Future. This time, the story moves on: birds made of light lift off from those flowers and head toward a new future. The whole scene is drawn with roughly 200,000 LEDs spread across the complex.
If you saw last year’s display, it is a nice continuation. If you did not, you can still enjoy it simply as a walk through glowing birds and flowing light.
The 10 m main tree (until December 25)
The centerpiece sits in the Center Plaza: a main tree about 10 m tall, decorated with around 24,000 LEDs. Sparkling birds and streams of light surround it, and the lighting keeps changing its mood.
There is also something to touch. Near the tree there is an interactive box: rest your hand on it and the lights start to move. Kids tend to love this part, and it makes a good short video clip.
Photo spots worth finding
The complex is laid out so that each part you walk through shows a different kind of light. Three spots stand out:
- Arch photo spot in the Welcome Zone: the first thing you pass through, and an easy place for a group photo.
- GATHARIA letters: a sign made with natural materials, set up as a photo spot.
- Tail-feather decorations: optical fibers shaped into the long tail feathers of a bird.
Fujikura also suggests coming in daylight: the decorations are meant to be seen as art during the day and as an illumination after dark. If you are shopping or eating at the complex anyway, a quick look before sunset and another after dark is an easy way to see both sides.
Lighting hours and light shows
The lights come on at sunset and stay on until 11:30 p.m. (planned). Sunset gets earlier as winter goes on, so in December and January you can arrive fairly early in the evening and still see it fully lit.
Light shows are planned at the top of every hour, plus several more times within each hour. If you want to catch a show for sure, arriving a few minutes before the hour is the simple approach.
What is Fukagawa Gatharia?
Fukagawa Gatharia (Fukagawa Gyazaria) is an urban redevelopment that Fujikura completed in 2003 with the aim of giving the Fukagawa and Kiba area a new identity. It brings together office buildings, a large supermarket, a movie theater, a restaurant zone and a fitness club in one site, with the aim of carrying on the culture of Tokyo’s old downtown while building something new.
The name is a made-up word: GATHER + AREA + IA, a suffix from Latin used for places and regions. Put together, it means an area where people and things come together.
Tips before you go
- Want the tree? Go by December 25. After that date, the main tree is no longer lit.
- Check admission yourself. The announcement does not mention any fee, so look at the official information before your visit.
- Time it to the hour. Shows run on the hour plus several more times each hour (planned).
- Bring a backup battery for night photos. Cold weather and long video clips drain phones quickly. If you have docomo’s d VALUE PASS, you can rent ChargeSPOT power banks at no extra cost. See how free ChargeSPOT rentals work with d VALUE PASS.
- Paying for dinner nearby? If you are still choosing a card for everyday spending, our guide to credit cards in Japan for foreigners explains which one to apply for first.
Looking for more seasonal outings? Check our notes on the Shibaura Canal Festival, the Setagaya Tamagawa fireworks, and the Ghibli Park exhibition in Osaka, Yokosuka and Kyoto.
FAQ
- When does the Fukagawa Gatharia illumination run?
- From Thursday, November 5, 2026 to Sunday, February 14, 2027. The main tree is lit only until Friday, December 25, 2026.
- What time do the lights come on?
- From sunset until 11:30 p.m. (planned).
- Is there an entrance fee?
- The announcement does not mention any fee. Please check the official information before you go.
- How tall is the main tree?
- About 10 m, decorated with around 24,000 LEDs. It stands in the Center Plaza.
- When are the light shows?
- Light shows are planned at the top of every hour, plus several more times each hour.