Roppongi Hills Christmas: Keyakizaka Illumination Dates, Hours and Photo Spots

Every winter, Roppongi Hills turns its tree-lined avenue into one of Tokyo’s best-known light displays. On September 30, 2026, operator Mori Building Co., Ltd. announced the program for ROPPONGI HILLS CHRISTMAS 2026, running from Thursday, November 5 to Friday, December 25. Below are the dates and lighting hours for each spot, where to stand for the classic Tokyo Tower shot, and how to fit it all into one evening.

Schedule for every spot

Each display has its own start date and closing time, so it is worth checking before you go. The Keyakizaka lights start first on November 5, while the other spots follow on November 13 and the market on November 21.

Keyakizaka Illumination: SNOW and BLUE

The Keyakizaka Illumination (けやき坂イルミネーション) is the centerpiece. Roughly 400m of zelkova trees along Roppongi Keyakizaka-dori are wrapped in about 970,000 LEDs in white and blue, a theme the organizers call SNOW & BLUE and describe as a silvery winter scene. The lights run every evening from 17:00 to 22:00 between November 5 and December 25.

• Lighting design: Uchihara Satoshi Lighting Design (内原智史デザイン事務所)
• Sponsor: JRA
• LED since day one: Roppongi Hills has used LEDs for its illuminations since it opened in 2003, as an environmental measure

JRA has added a few extras this year. A moving diorama with miniature horses appears next to the arena, and there is another surprise set up on the connecting bridge. Worth a detour if you are walking the avenue anyway.

Best photo spots for Tokyo Tower

The shot everyone wants is the full stretch of lights with Tokyo Tower at the end. According to Roppongi Hills, two places on Keyakizaka-dori work best, one from the top of the slope and one from the bottom:

• Near Emporio Armani on Keyakizaka-dori
• Near Roppongi Tsutaya Books (六本木 蔦屋書店)

From either spot you can fit the whole illumination and Tokyo Tower into one frame. If you want video, aim to arrive before 17:00 and film the moment the lights switch on. Keep in mind that the start time may differ on opening night.

66 Plaza and Mohri Garden

66 Plaza (66プラザ), the main entrance square of Roppongi Hills, gets a carpet of lights that bathes the surrounding trees in champagne gold. It runs from November 13 to December 27, 17:00 to midnight, and stays lit the latest of all the spots. On the final day, December 27, it closes at 23:00.

Mohri Garden (毛利庭園) takes a softer approach: two shades of gold arranged like blossoms, with pure white lights scattered on top like snow. It is lit from November 13 to December 25, 17:00 to 23:00. After the busy avenue, the garden makes a calmer stop for a slow walk.

Both displays are also by Uchihara Satoshi Lighting Design, and both may start at a different time on their first day.

West Walk Christmas tree

Indoors, the south atrium on the 2nd floor of West Walk (ウェストウォーク) hosts this year’s tree, titled HAUTE COUTURE IN BLOOM (オートクチュール・イン・ブルーム). Instead of ornaments, it is covered in oversized flowers whose petals are shaped by hand from organza and shantung fabric, the way a couture dress would be made. It is on display from November 13 to December 25 and is sponsored by Tiffany & Co. Japan Inc.

The tree was designed by MEGU of PETAL Design, a studio she founded in 2015 that specializes in giant flowers. Drawing on a background in fresh flowers and ikebana, she builds huge blooms petal by petal from paper and fabric. She hopes that people looking up at the tree will feel uplifted and optimistic.

Opening hours for the tree were not included in the announcement. The organizers also plan to release more details about trees around the complex later.

Christmas Market: 20th edition

The Roppongi Hills Christmas Market (六本木ヒルズ クリスマスマーケット) is one of the longest-running Christmas markets in Japan, and 2026 marks its 20th year. It recreates the market in Stuttgart, often called the largest in the world, at Oyane Plaza (大屋根プラザ).

Käthe Wohlfahrt is known for selling traditional German Christmas decorations all year round, so it is a good place to pick up an ornament. The full stall list will be announced in a later press release.

Food and drink prices have not been published yet. If you are planning a whole winter of outings, our guides to the free canal cruises at the Shibaura Canal Festival and where to watch the Setagaya Tamagawa Fireworks cover other Tokyo events this season.

A simple evening route

Because the market closes at 21:00 but some lights stay on until midnight, the order of your stops matters. Between November 21 and December 25, when everything is running, this sequence lets you see it all without rushing:

1. Late afternoon: Start at the Christmas Market at Oyane Plaza (open 11:00–21:00) for a warm drink and a browse.
2. Around 17:00: Head to Keyakizaka-dori for the switch-on, then walk the avenue and take photos near Emporio Armani or Roppongi Tsutaya Books. These lights go off at 22:00.
3. After that: Wander through Mohri Garden (until 23:00).
4. Last: Finish at 66 Plaza, which stays lit until midnight.

If you visit between November 5 and 12, only Keyakizaka is lit, so plan a shorter trip. Nights near Christmas tend to be crowded, and lighting hours on Keyakizaka may change as a result.

For a warm finish on a cold night, the half-price Tokyo sento coupon is worth a look. And if you are still sorting out how to pay for everyday spending in Japan, see which credit card foreigners in Japan should get first.

FAQ

When is the Keyakizaka Illumination lit?

From November 5 to December 25, every evening from 17:00 to 22:00. On the first day the start time may differ, and hours may change depending on crowds.

How many lights are there?

About 970,000 white and blue LEDs line roughly 400m of Roppongi Keyakizaka-dori.

When is the Roppongi Hills Christmas Market open?

From November 21 to December 25, 11:00 to 21:00, at Oyane Plaza. It is the market’s 20th year, with 10 stalls selling German food, drinks and Christmas goods.

Is there an admission fee?

The announcement does not list admission fees or food prices. Check the official Roppongi Hills Christmas site for the latest information.

Where can I photograph the lights with Tokyo Tower?

Near Emporio Armani and near Roppongi Tsutaya Books on Keyakizaka-dori. From either spot you can fit the whole illumination and Tokyo Tower in one shot.

Which spot stays lit the latest?

66 Plaza, which is lit from 17:00 to midnight between November 13 and December 27. On the last day it closes at 23:00.