2025–2026 Shibuya Winter Illuminations Complete Guide | Blue Cave, Shibuya Sky, Stream and More Light-Up Events

From Dreamy Blue Lights to Breathtaking City Views Above Shibuya
Shibuya is one of Tokyo’s most exciting districts, known for setting trends in fashion, music, and youth culture. In winter, the area transforms with a variety of illumination events that reflect the many different faces of the city. From the iconic Blue Cave with around 500,000 blue LEDs, to special winter productions at an observation deck overlooking the Shibuya skyline, and brand-new landmark facilities lit up with elegant lights, this guide introduces the must-see Shibuya winter illuminations you can enjoy between 2025 and 2026. Travelers searching for “Shibuya illumination,” “Christmas lights in Shibuya,” or “Tokyo winter lights” will find plenty of ideas here.

■ Recommended for
・Travelers looking for night-time sightseeing spots in Shibuya
・Visitors who want to photograph Instagrammable winter illuminations
・Couples and families visiting Tokyo during the Christmas season
・Anyone planning a winter trip to Tokyo and searching for things to do in Shibuya at night
・People who want to enjoy Shibuya’s night views and seasonal light displays

Ao no Dokutsu SHIBUYA (Blue Cave Shibuya)

What is Ao no Dokutsu SHIBUYA?
This is one of Shibuya’s most famous winter illumination events, known for its approximately 900-meter tunnel of deep blue lights.
A winter tradition: a 900-meter path where Shibuya is wrapped in dreamy blue light

“Blue Cave SHIBUYA” has become a beloved winter tradition in Shibuya. From Shibuya Koen-dori Street to the keyaki (zelkova) tree-lined avenue in Yoyogi Park, a 900-meter stretch is filled with around 500,000 blue LED lights, inviting visitors into a magical, otherworldly scene. The 2025 theme is “Blue Cave THE SNOWMAN.” The giant balloon installation that drew attention in previous years will return in the form of a cute snowman, creating a warm and friendly atmosphere. A Christmas-themed movie is projected onto the enormous snowman balloon standing among the keyaki trees, and combined with the all-blue lighting, it heightens the Christmas mood even more.

Place From Shibuya Koen-dori Street to the keyaki-lined avenue in Yoyogi Park Approx. 900 m in total length
Address Shibuya Koen-dori to Yoyogi Park Keyaki Namiki, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Access
・About a 10-minute walk from JR Harajuku Station and Tokyo Metro Meiji-jingumae Station
・Also accessible from Shibuya Station, Yoyogi-koen Station, and Yoyogi-hachiman Station
Period December 4 (Thu)–25 (Thu), 2025
Illumination hours 17:00–22:00 *Hours and content may change due to bad weather or other circumstances
Admission Free

Recommended visiting times
17:00–18:00 (right after the lights turn on): This is the least crowded time slot, with fewer silhouettes in your photos, making it easier to take clear shots of the blue tunnel.
20:30–21:30: Group tours and peak crowds tend to decrease, so you can stroll and enjoy the illuminations at a more relaxed pace.
After the rain: The blue LEDs reflect off the wet pavement, creating a “mirror blue” effect that looks like a professional-level, fantastical photo.

Best photo spots
Center of the natural keyaki arch: The blue lights form a long tunnel effect, giving you the most dramatic, immersive “cave” composition.
Directly in front of the giant snowman: The combination of the balloon and the projected movie makes this one of the most popular photo spots.
Shooting from the side of the path with a slightly zoomed-in angle: This helps reduce the number of people in the frame and emphasizes a pure, uninterrupted “road of blue light.”

Sparkling View (SHIBUYA SKY)

What is Sparkling View?
A special winter-only illumination and light show at the Shibuya Sky observation deck, combining light, sound, and bubbles high above the city.
A glittering winter scene from 229 meters above ground: a special performance of light, sound, and bubbles

With the concept of “a glittering winter landscape from the skies above Shibuya,” the observation facility SHIBUYA SKY, directly connected to Shibuya Station, offers a unique seasonal experience. In the indoor observation corridor on the 46th floor, “SKY GALLERY,” the original 360-degree lighting system “NEBULA” is synchronized with a three-dimensional sound production by sound artist evala, together with balloon art, transporting visitors into a surreal, dreamlike world.

On the rooftop observation area, “SKY STAGE,” a “Sparkling Light Tree” inspired by a Christmas tree is lit continuously after 19:00 during the event period. Every 30 minutes from 19:00 onward, the “Special Celebration” performance takes place, combining powerful lights, immersive sound, and countless soap bubbles drifting through the night sky, turning the city view into a dramatic winter show.

\ウインターイベント「Sparkling View」12/25まで開催中✨/
澄み渡った冬の青空やきらめく都市の夜景が乱反射するミラーバルーンに、クリスマス気分をぐっと高めるツリーも新登場。
屋上では、光のツリーと、都会の夜空へ舞う無数のシャボン玉も✨
詳細はこちらhttps://t.co/T6c9xLLdLk#渋谷スカイ pic.twitter.com/BWTYFUs72V

— SHIBUYA SKY(渋谷スカイ)公式 (@shibuya_sky) November 14, 2024

Place SHIBUYA SKY (14F, 45F, 46F, rooftop)
Address 2-24-12 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Access
・Directly connected to Shibuya Station via JR lines and various Tokyo Metro lines
Period November 6 (Thu), 2025 – December 25 (Thu), 2025
Illumination / event hours 10:00–22:30 (SHIBUYA SKY opening hours; please check event times separately)
Admission Free for the illumination itself, but an admission ticket for SHIBUYA SKY is required (ticket prices vary by time slot)

Recommended visiting times
16:20–17:00 (magic hour): The moment when the sky shifts from orange to deep blue is the best timing to capture both the city lights and the beautiful gradient of the evening sky.
After 19:00: This is when the Special Celebration (light × sound × bubbles) shows begin, so it’s the perfect time to plan your visit.
Weekdays between 20:00–21:00: Crowds tend to thin out, making it easier to take stable photos even without a tripod (within facility rules).

Best photo spots
In front of the glass fence at “SKY EDGE” on the rooftop: You can capture the famous Shibuya Scramble Crossing along with a wide, open view of the city and sky in one impressive shot.
Beside the Sparkling Light Tree: Framing your subject close to the illuminated tree creates a dreamy, romantic atmosphere in your photos.
Inside SKY GALLERY, overlapping the NEBULA lights with your subject: The particles of light look like they’re floating around, allowing you to take surreal, “outer space”-like photos.

“Color & Reflect” SHIBUYA STREAM WINTER ILLUMINATION

What is the SHIBUYA STREAM illumination?
An artistic winter illumination at Shibuya Stream, using the entire complex to explore themes of color, reflection, and movement.
Visualizing intersections and movement: colorful lights painting Shibuya Stream

The “Shibuya Stream Winter Illumination” takes place at Shibuya Stream, a large complex directly connected to Shibuya Station via the C2 exit of the Tokyu Toyoko Line, Den-en-toshi Line, and Tokyo Metro Hanzomon and Fukutoshin Lines. In this area—where a diverse mix of people, ideas, and sensibilities intersect—the illumination expresses how different “colors” and “lights” overlap, blend, and transform into brand-new radiance.

The main installations are set up along the second-floor passageway and the grand staircase, where richly colored light art pieces create an immersive experience. Visitors can feel as if they themselves have become part of the light, sensing the city’s constant change and dynamic energy. With the lights on from 7:00 in the morning until midnight, you can enjoy the atmosphere not only during evening strolls, but also on your commute, during shopping, or on your way to and from dinner.

Place Shibuya Stream
Address 3-21-3 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Access
・Tokyu Toyoko Line / Den-en-toshi Line
・Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line / Fukutoshin Line, directly connected from Shibuya Station C2 exit
Event period November 7 (Fri), 2025 – February 28 (Sat), 2026
Illumination hours 7:00–24:00
Admission Free

Recommended visiting times
18:00–20:00: This is when the colors appear most vivid, and the higher number of pedestrians adds lively movement to your photos—perfect for dynamic “street snapshot” shots.
21:00–23:00: The area becomes quieter, allowing you to focus on details and photograph the light installations more carefully.
On rainy days: Reflections on the ground and stairs intensify, creating kaleidoscope-like images where light and reflection blend into a fantastical scene.

Best photo spots
Center of the bridge-like passage on the 2nd floor: Balanced lighting from both sides makes it easier to capture bright, flattering portraits.
Looking up from the bottom of the grand staircase: The colorful lights reflecting off each step emphasize depth and make the illumination look more three-dimensional.
A straight-up “from below” shot of the ceiling lights: The geometric patterns of light stand out, resulting in highly artistic, abstract photos.

SHIBUYA WINTER ILLUMINATION 2025–2026

What is SHIBUYA WINTER ILLUMINATION?
A large-scale winter illumination event that lights up the main areas around Shibuya Station, creating a unified nighttime cityscape.
Lighting up Shibuya’s key areas: a champagne gold and cherry blossom pink collaboration

Starting from Shibuya’s symbolic Hachiko Square, this large illumination project lights up Dogenzaka and the new “Shibuya Sakura Stage” complex at Sakuragaoka Square with warm, elegant lights. In Hachiko Square and along Dogenzaka, champagne gold and white LEDs decorate the trees, creating a sophisticated, urban winter mood.

Meanwhile, at Shibuya Sakura Stage’s Sakuragaoka Square, soft pink lights inspired by cherry blossoms glow gently, giving each area a unique yet harmonious atmosphere. From the moment you step out of Shibuya Station, the entire district is transformed into a festive “city of lights” for about three months, making it a perfect winter strolling route.

Place Hachiko Square, Dogenzaka, and Shibuya Sakura Stage Sakuragaoka Square
Address
Hachiko Square, Shibuya Station
Dogenzaka
Shibuya Sakura Stage Sakuragaoka Square

Access
・Just outside the Hachiko Exit at Shibuya Station (JR and multiple Tokyo Metro lines)
Event period November 21 (Fri), 2025 – February 28 (Sat), 2026
Illumination hours 17:00–23:00
Admission Free (entire area)

Recommended visiting times
17:00–18:00 (right after the lights turn on at Hachiko Square): A relatively calm time when you can peacefully enjoy the moment the illuminations begin.
19:00–21:00 (Dogenzaka and Sakuragaoka at their best): The density of lights and the flow of people combine to create dynamic photos that capture the “energy of Shibuya at night.”
22:00–23:00 (the quiet end of the night): If photography is your main goal, this is the best time—especially around Sakuragaoka Square, where crowds tend to thin out.

Best photo spots
Hachiko Square: Use the champagne-gold tree lights as a backdrop to capture an iconic “Shibuya winter” shot.
Dogenzaka: Take vertical shots along the uphill street to highlight perspective and depth, with layers of lights receding into the distance.
Sakura Stage (Sakuragaoka Square): Use the warm pink lights as intentional “bokeh” in the background to create especially cute, dreamy portraits.
From the pedestrian overpass overlooking Dogenzaka: This angle lets you capture Shibuya’s unique bustle and streams of light in a single, dynamic composition—particularly popular with overseas visitors.

In closing

In 2025, Shibuya offers a wide range of winter light experiences—from the grand, immersive world of the Blue Cave, to the three-dimensional light productions that blend with the sky at Shibuya Sky, and the refined illuminations decorating various parts of the city. All of these spots are easily accessible from Shibuya Station, making them perfect destinations for evening walks. If you are planning to enjoy Shibuya’s winter illuminations, use this guide to discover the best places to see Christmas lights and night views in Tokyo.