A 5 m lobby tree, opera in the lobby on four December evenings, and lights at both entrances.
Starting Friday, November 13, 2026, Hotel Metropolitan (ホテルメトロポリタン) in Ikebukuro puts up its Christmas decorations. The two things worth planning around are a 5-meter tree in the first-floor lobby and a short opera concert held in that same lobby on four evenings just before and on Christmas. Both are free to enter.
The hotel is about a three-minute walk from the West Exit (South) of Ikebukuro Station, so it is an easy stop on a shopping trip or before dinner. Below you will find the dates, the concert times, and the points the hotel has not announced yet.
Dates and details at a glance
| Event | Hotel Metropolitan Christmas Event 2026 |
|---|---|
| Decorations | From Fri, Nov 13, 2026, in several places inside the hotel |
| Lobby tree | Fri, Nov 13 to Sun, Dec 27, 2026 1F lobby, free entry |
| Concert | Dec 19 (Sat), 20 (Sun), 24 (Thu), 25 (Fri) 5:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. 1F lobby, free entry |
| Illumination | Main entrance and station-side entrance (period not announced) |
| Venue | Hotel Metropolitan |
| Address | 1-6-1 Nishi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo |
| Access | About 3 minutes on foot from the West Exit (South) of Ikebukuro Station |
| Organizer | Hotel Metropolitan |
| Announced by | Nippon Hotel Co., Ltd. (press release, Oct 26, 2026) |
| Official site | ikebukuro.metropolitan.jp |
The 5-meter lobby tree
The centerpiece is a 5-meter tree that greets guests in the first-floor lobby. It stays up from November 13 to December 27, 2026, which gives you more than six weeks to find a free evening. Entry to the lobby is free, and the hotel itself suggests taking a photo with the tree as a holiday keepsake.
The tree is not the only decoration. The hotel says it will also put Christmas decorations in various other spots around the building, so it is worth a short walk around once you are inside.
Christmas Night Concert schedule
The Christmas Night Concert (クリスマス ナイト コンサート) brings opera singing to the lobby on the weekend before Christmas and on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Each date has two 30-minute shows, and entry is free.
| Date | Show 1 | Show 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Sat, Dec 19 | 5:30 to 6:00 p.m. | 7:00 to 7:30 p.m. |
| Sun, Dec 20 | 5:30 to 6:00 p.m. | 7:00 to 7:30 p.m. |
| Thu, Dec 24 | 5:30 to 6:00 p.m. | 7:00 to 7:30 p.m. |
| Fri, Dec 25 | 5:30 to 6:00 p.m. | 7:00 to 7:30 p.m. |
Venue for all shows: 1F lobby, Hotel Metropolitan. The release does not mention seating, a program, or whether you need to arrive early. If any of that matters to you, ask the hotel before you go.
Illumination at the entrances
Outside, both the main entrance and the entrance on the station side are lit up. The colors are festive but kept calm, in a style that suits a hotel, with Santa Claus decorations and reindeer-shaped lights placed among them. You do not have to be staying or eating at the hotel to see them, so it makes a quick detour if you are passing through Ikebukuro in the evening.
Getting there and what is inside the hotel
Hotel Metropolitan stands at 1-6-1 Nishi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, about three minutes on foot from the West Exit (South) of Ikebukuro Station. It opened on June 2, 1985, and is the flagship hotel of JR East Hotels.
- 805 guest rooms
- 8 restaurants and bars run by the hotel
- 15 banquet rooms
- Fitness gym and beauty salon
- Coin laundry and a convenience store
The press release does not list Christmas stay packages or holiday menus, so check the official website for those. If you are new to Japan and want a card that works smoothly for hotel bookings and restaurant bills, our guide to credit cards in Japan for foreigners explains which one to apply for first.
Tips for your visit
- Weekend or weekday: two of the four concert dates fall on a weekend (Dec 19 and 20). Dec 24 and 25 are a Thursday and a Friday, so the 7:00 p.m. show may be easier after work.
- Pair it with dinner: each show lasts 30 minutes, which leaves room for a meal in Ikebukuro before or after.
- Keep your phone charged: photos of the tree and the lights at night drain the battery fast. If you rent power banks around town, see how d VALUE PASS gives free ChargeSPOT rentals.
- Confirm the open questions: lighting hours for the tree, the illumination period and any reservation rules are not in the press release.
- More free outings: for other free events we have covered, take a look at the Shibaura Canal Festival guide and the Setagaya Tamagawa Fireworks guide.
FAQ
- Is the Christmas tree at Hotel Metropolitan free to see?
- Yes. The 5-meter tree stands in the 1F lobby from November 13 to December 27, 2026, and entry is free.
- When is the Christmas Night Concert?
- On December 19, 20, 24 and 25, 2026, with two shows each day: 5:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. It takes place in the 1F lobby and entry is free.
- Do I need a reservation to see the concert?
- The press release lists the concert as free entry in the lobby but says nothing about reservations. Check the official hotel website before you go.
- How do I get to Hotel Metropolitan?
- It is about a 3-minute walk from the West Exit (South) of Ikebukuro Station. The address is 1-6-1 Nishi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo.
- How long is the entrance illumination on display?
- The press release does not give dates or hours for the illumination. Check the official website for the latest details.
Sources: Hotel Metropolitan official website / press release by Nippon Hotel Co., Ltd. (Oct 26, 2026). Details may change, so please confirm on the official site before visiting.
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