Hotels near Marunouchi Illumination

Marunouchi Naka-dori, the tree-lined avenue running north-south between Tokyo Station and the Imperial Palace, glows with champagne-gold LEDs through the winter. The Marunouchi Illumination usually starts in mid-November and continues until mid-February, so it outlasts most of the city's Christmas lights. The avenue is about 1.2 km long and lined with designer shops and office towers.

Combine the walk with a look at Tokyo Station's red-brick Marunouchi building, which opened in 1914 and was restored to its original domed design in 2012. It is lit up at night and makes a striking backdrop. From the station, the Imperial Palace East Gardens are about 10 minutes away on foot, though they close in the late afternoon.

Pro Tip: The free rooftop garden on the 6th floor of the KITTE building, opposite Tokyo Station, gives a view over the station and its train tracks after dark. It is usually open until 23:00.