Tokyo Midtown Yaesu (東京ミッドタウン八重洲), the complex connected underground to Tokyo Station, is putting on a free Christmas event from November 19 to December 25, 2026. The centerpiece turns the ground-floor Galleria into a 40m shipping route lined with glowing ships, a mirrored canal and the biggest Christmas tree the building has had so far. A large star sculpture out front gets lit up again, and a second set of winter lights runs all the way to February 14, 2027. Here is what you can see, when it is on, and how to plan a visit.
The event at a glance
| Event | MIDTOWN YAESU CHRISTMAS 2026 |
|---|---|
| Dates | November 19 (Thu) – December 25 (Fri), 2026 Yaesu Winter Lights continue until February 14 (Sun), 2027 |
| Lighting hours | 16:00–23:00 |
| Venue | Tokyo Midtown Yaesu, 1F Galleria, Atrium and other areas (Chuo-ku, Tokyo) |
| Admission | Free |
| Organizer | Yaesu 2-chome Kita District Area Management (一般社団法人八重洲二丁目北地区エリアマネジメント) |
| Access | Connected underground to JR Tokyo Station and Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line Tokyo Station, via the Yaesu Underground Mall (八重洲地下街) |
| Announced by | Tokyo Midtown Management Co., Ltd. (October 14, 2026) |
The event is also a partner program of ARTE TOKYO (東京国際文化芸術祭), the Tokyo International Culture and Arts Festival.
Which lights run until when
The three displays share the same hours, 16:00–23:00, but they do not all end on the same day. If you want to see the ships, the big tree and the star sculpture, go by December 25.
| Display | Where | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Mirage Voyage (ships, tree, canal) | 1F Galleria | Nov 19 – Dec 25 |
| STAR light-up | In front of the 1F main entrance | Nov 19 – Dec 25 |
| Yaesu Winter Lights | 1F Galleria, Sotobori-dori sidewalk | Nov 19 – Feb 14, 2027 |
Mirage Voyage: a 40m route of light
The main illumination is called MIRAGE VOYAGE (ミラージュ ボヤージュ ～きらめきを映す、冬の航路～), roughly a winter sea route that reflects the sparkle. It takes its story from local history: in the Edo period, canals ran all around Yaesu, and the area grew as a hub where people and goods arrived by boat. The building’s own exterior was designed around the same idea, with the concept Billowing Sail, a sail filled with wind.
About 40m of the 1F Galleria is treated as one sea route. The floor-level canal is made of mirror material, so the lights on the ceiling reflect in it like the surface of water, and the view shifts as you walk along. Ship objects sail through the space; they are modern takes on kaisen (廻船), the cargo ships that linked ports across Japan in the Edo period.
The tallest tree yet, with a lucky pattern
In the middle of the route stands a Christmas tree about 7m tall, described as the largest the venue has put up. The tree and many other spots use shippo (七宝文様), a traditional Japanese pattern of overlapping circles that stands for bonds between people, harmony and connections that keep spreading.
The cargo: craftwork from around Japan
The ships carry cargo, and that cargo is real craftwork. Items tied to crafts and making from different parts of Japan are on display, including textiles from HOSOO TOKYO, a shop inside the building, and glasswork from Tsugaru Vidro (津軽びいどろ).
This year part of the decoration also uses crafts from Kumamoto Prefecture, as support after the Reiwa 8 Kumamoto Earthquake in July 2026. A donation drive runs alongside the event.
The bridge photo spot and the 10-minute show
A small bridge crosses the canal, and from it you can look back at the tree and the ships, which makes it the main photo spot of the route. Every 10 minutes, the whole space changes with a special light-and-sound show that moves along the route, so it is worth having your camera in video mode.
STAR by Tokujin Yoshioka, lit up again
Outside the main entrance stands STAR, a sculpture about 10m tall by designer and artist Tokujin Yoshioka, whose work includes the torch for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic relay. The single star carries a wish for peace. For the Christmas period only, and for the first time in two years, it is lit with countless lights. The light bounces off its stainless steel mirror rods, so it looks different depending on where you stand and the moment you look.
STAR is lit from November 19 to December 25, 16:00–23:00, in front of the 1F main entrance.
Yaesu Winter Lights, on until February 14
YAESU WINTER LIGHTS is the display that outlasts Christmas. Curtain-style lights hang over the upper part of the 1F Galleria, and new for 2026, the street trees along the Sotobori-dori (外堀通り) sidewalk on the Tokyo Station side are lit as well. It runs from November 19, 2026 to February 14, 2027, 16:00–23:00.
Photo spot, music and workshops
Inside the building there will be a colorful photo spot styled after an advent calendar. A music event, YAESU MUSIC STREET, and workshops are also planned. Dates, times and whether you need to sign up have not been announced yet, so check the official site closer to the start.
Getting there and tips for your visit
You do not need to go outside to get there: the building connects underground to Tokyo Station on the JR lines and the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line through the Yaesu Underground Mall. That makes it an easy stop after work or before catching a train.
- Plan around the 10-minute show. If you arrive just after one ends, the next one is a short wait away.
- Go by December 25 for the full set. After that, only Yaesu Winter Lights remains.
- Keep your phone charged. Night photos and video drain batteries fast. If you rent power banks often, our guide to free, unlimited ChargeSPOT rentals with d VALUE PASS may save you a few hundred yen each time.
- Shopping or dinner in the building? The complex has shops and restaurants. If you are still deciding which card to use for that kind of spending, see which Japanese credit card foreigners should get first.
- Check before you go. All images shown are concept images, and the organizer notes that details may change without notice.
Like canals and boats? The Shibaura Canal Festival guide covers free canal cruises in Tokyo. For more free outings, see our Setagaya Tamagawa fireworks guide and the Musashino Art University festival.
FAQ
- Q. Is the Tokyo Midtown Yaesu Christmas illumination free?
- Yes. Admission is free for all of the displays, including Mirage Voyage, the STAR light-up and Yaesu Winter Lights.
- Q. What time are the lights on?
- All three displays are lit from 16:00 to 23:00. At Mirage Voyage, a light-and-sound show runs every 10 minutes.
- Q. When does the event end?
- Mirage Voyage and the STAR light-up end on December 25, 2026 (Fri). Yaesu Winter Lights in the 1F Galleria and along Sotobori-dori stay on until February 14, 2027 (Sun).
- Q. How do I get there from Tokyo Station?
- Tokyo Midtown Yaesu is connected underground to Tokyo Station on the JR lines and the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line, via the Yaesu Underground Mall.
- Q. Are there music events or workshops?
- Yes, a music event called YAESU MUSIC STREET and workshops are planned, but dates and details have not been announced yet. The official Christmas page is due to open in early November.