Tokyo Mega Illumination 2026 – Christmas Lights + Photos

The 2026 Tokyo Mega Illuminations switch on from early November 2026, so ‘race’ on over to Oi Racecourse (also known as Tokyo City Keiba) for festive Christmas lights.

Until mid January 2027, this is one of the biggest Tokyo Christmas light events with over 10 large-scale illumination scenes including an epic ‘Twinkle Tunnel’, a magical ‘Mega Tree’ plus fountains, festive treats, live entertainment and even miniature horses!

This post may contain affiliate links to tours and hotels. These help us earn a small commission at no additional charge to you.

Tokyo Mega Illumination Christmas winter lights 2024 at Oi Racecourse Japan

For us, Tokyo Mega Illuminations is one of the top 5 Tokyo Christmas events in 2026 (we visited last year in 2024 and it was amazing value). It took us almost two hours to see everything and the Tokyo Mega Illumination ticket price is cheap too, starting from only 600 Yen (a 20% discount when booked with Klook).

From food and drink to the various themed zones, here is our guide to the 2026 / 2027 Tokyo Mega Illuminations at Oi Racecourse with new photos.

This article was originally published on 24 November 2024.

Tokyo Mega Illumination Christmas winter lights 2024 at Oi Racecourse Japan

Check out all our Tokyo at Christmas guides!
Christmas lights, markets and events in Tokyo >
Tokyo Skytree Christmas Market >
Tokyo Christmas Market >
Midtown Christmas Lights /Ice Skating >
Tokyo Mega Illuminations >
Roppongi Hills Christmas Lights >
Tokyo Dome Christmas Lights >
Marunouchi Street Christmas Lights >

Tokyo Mega Illuminations 2026 / 2027 dates

Tokyo Mega Illuminations take place at Tokyo Oi Racecourse (AKA Tokyo City Keiba) from early November 2026 until early/mid January 2027, from 4.30pm daily until 9pm. Last entry is at 8pm via the north gate only. Dates and times TBC.

Tokyo Oi Racecourse
Tokyo Oi Racecourse

Japan checklist

We love using booking.com and agoda.com (use the Agoda code TAIWANDERERS for a discount) for researching and booking all our hotels. You can also purchase eSIMs from Airalo.

For booking tours, transfers and SIM cards we recommend Get Your Guide, Viator or Klook.

For booking rental cars visit Discover Cars.

Check out our Japan travel resources page >

Tokyo Mega Illuminations 2026 ticket prices

Given how many illuminations you can see at the racecourse, we think this is one of the best priced Tokyo Christmas events and one for all the family.

You can buy discounted Tokyo Mega Illuminations tickets with Klook here later this year >

Tokyo Mega Illuminations ticket prices in 2026 will probably start from 600 Yen per adult when booked in advance, and 300 Yen for children.

Tickets on the door will probably start from 1,000 Yen upwards, depending on the day you visit so it is best to book in advance.

Tokyo Mega Illumination Christmas winter lights 2024 at Oi Racecourse Japan

Join our Facebook Japan Travel Tips Group!
Need help with your Japan itinerary or have any questions?
Head on over to our friendly Facebook group with 130,000+ members and ask the experts!
Click here to join our group >

We also run a brand new Japan Hauls, Souvenirs and Shopping Tips group >

Or if you just want to see more of our Japan photos and videos, follow our Plan My Japan Facebook page >

How to get to Tokyo Mega Illuminations in Japan

Held at Tokyo City Keiba / Oi Racecourse, the closest station to Tokyo Mega Illuminations is Ōikeibajōmae Station on the Tokyo Monorail. The station is about a 3 minute walk from the main illumination entrance (north gate at the racecourse).

Alternatively, it is a longer 10 minute walk (around 0.6km) from Tachiaigawa Station on the light blue Keikyū Main Line.

Tokyo City Illuminations sometimes also provides a free shuttle bus from JR Oimachi Station on Saturday and Sundays in December, plus on other selected dates in late 2026 and early 2027, around Christmas and Tokyo New Year.

Our Tokyo Mega Illuminations 2024 video

Tokyo Mega Illuminations 2026 – photos and what to expect

Consistently named as one of Tokyo’s best Christmas lights, Tokyo Mega Illuminations will be back bigger and better than ever in 2026 and into 2027.

Its focus is purely on Christmas lights and providing fun family entertainment so if you are after Christmas markets, you are better going to Tokyo Christmas Market itself.

Tokyo Mega Illumination Christmas winter lights 2024 at Oi Racecourse Japan

We’ve been to a lot of Tokyo Christmas events so far this year from Tokyo Skytree Christmas Market to the Marunouchi street lights but for us, Tokyo Mega Illuminations is one of the best Christmas light displays in Tokyo.

It is a magical place to explore, with huge light installations and displays like the immersive twinkle tunnels.

On the night we visited, there was a juggler plus miniature horses on display – there is also a light show featuring fountains every 15 minutes. But the Christmas lights are the star of the show!

Tokyo Mega Illumination Christmas winter lights 2024 at Oi Racecourse Japan

Oi Racecourse Christmas Zones

In 2026/ 2027, there will likely be over a dozen different light installations of various sizes and shapes. Last year, there was also a Twinkle Light Show, Tokyo’s Christmas “must see event” (their words).

We visited every single Christmas light installation and light tunnel and these were our favorite Tokyo Mega Illuminations this year:

Twinkle Tunnel

The main tunnel beneath the race-course that leads you from the stands to the main light show has been transformed into Twinkle Tunnel West.

Tokyo Mega Illumination Christmas winter lights 2024 at Oi Racecourse Japan
Twinkle Tunnel West

The tunnel has thousands of LEDs that pulse, flicker and change colors – the effect is genuinely stunning and one of the most popular photo spots.

That said, Twinkle Tunnel East was disappointing with just a few lights – do better!

Twinkle Tunnel East

Edo Cherry Blossom Tunnel

This is a huge tunnel of twinkling white LED lights which is likely the image you’ve seen to promote the Tokyo Mega Illuminations. Kids and couples love posing here and it a magical and sparkly stroll.

Tokyo Mega Illumination Christmas winter lights 2024 at Oi Racecourse Japan

Mega Tree

A little bit of Disneyland at Oi Racecourse, this huge tree has Santa Claus and his sleigh below plus regularly lights up and has horses projected onto it.

It looks so cool and the lights twinkle in time to the light show. Little kids loved the Mega Tree so much (plus big kids like us)!

Tokyo Mega Illumination Christmas winter lights 2024 at Oi Racecourse Japan

Shining Stream and Dazzling Waterfall

‘Water’ a display- these were two light displays that recreated running water and the natural beauty of Japan’s landscapes – the LED wall also displayed aquatic creatures like whales.

Tokyo Mega Illumination Christmas winter lights 2024 at Oi Racecourse Japan

Primeval Japanese Landscape

One of the biggest Christmas light installations was the Japanese Garden – although this one had bulbs of a different kind (LED, not flower bulbs).

Complete with a traditional red wooden bridge, this garden starts off with green grass and quickly becomes a rainbow field!

Tokyo Mega Illumination Christmas winter lights 2024 at Oi Racecourse Japan

Rainbow Fountains

One of the best bits of Tokyo Mega Illuminations is the giant water jets / fountains that light up and gush forth every 15 minutes as part of the light show. It looks amazing and the best view of this is from the horse race stands.

Tokyo Mega Illumination Christmas winter lights 2024 at Oi Racecourse Japan

Other light attractions at Oi Racecourse

Some of the other Tokyo Mega Illumination installations include a wisteria garden (not so good), a rose garden, a giant book with projection mapping plus a chance to pose with the horse starting gates.

Tokyo Mega Illumination Christmas winter lights 2024 at Oi Racecourse Japan

Meet Miniature Horses and Ponies

As it is a working race-course, you can also get up close and take photos with miniature horses every night from 5.30pm to 7pm (although we chose not to as we think it’s a bit weird).

Other things to know about Tokyo Mega Illuminations 2026

Tokyo Mega Illumination Christmas winter lights 2024 at Oi Racecourse Japan

You might like these Tokyo neighbourhood guides:
Akihabara
Asakusa
Ginza
Harajuku
Ikebukuro
Nakano
Odaiba
Ryogoku
Shibuya
Shimokitazawa
Shinjuku

Also check out our
Where to stay in Tokyo guide

Found this guide helpful?

Support us on Ko-fi! >

Did you enjoy our Tokyo Mega Illumination at Oi Racecourse guide blog post? Let us know in the comments or by sharing it on social media. 

You can follow us on:

Instagram
Tik Tok
Facebook
Pinterest
YouTube

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *