Illuminations: Lighting up Tokyo's Summer Evenings

Every summer, illumination events are held all across the city, lighting up the evening sky. Here are three of the best, held at Tokyo landmarks and tourist attractions. Hotel Gajoen Tokyo combines lights with art, Tokyo Tower recreates the Milky Way, and Tokyo Midtown introduces Japanese summer traditions.

The Japanese Harmony of Light and Color Festival—Hotel Gajoen Tokyo

This annual festival, named "Wa no Akari x Hyakudan Kaidan" in Japanese, showcases artwork enhanced with creative lighting. "Wa no Akari" refers to the aesthetics of Japanese illumination, while "Hyakudan Kaidan" refers to the venue, a wooden building that's a tangible cultural property. It's part of Hotel Gajoen Tokyo, a legendary hotel nicknamed "Palace of the Dragon God" throughout the 20th century.

Illuminated bamboo　*Actual event details may vary.

Nagasaki Lantern Festival decorations　*Actual event details may vary.

Milky Way Illumination—Tokyo Tower

Tokyo Tower is known for its warm orange coloring, but it projects a cooler atmosphere on summer evenings by turning its observatory blue. Lights resembling the stars of the Milky Way cover the walls and ceiling, making you feel like you're in outer space. Over the same period, the observatory will also host a project mapping installation by the creative team Naked. Titled "Summer Light Fantasia," it offers an unmissable blend of night views and digital imagery.

Digital Art Garden—Tokyo Midtown

At Tokyo Midtown, a Roppongi shopping hub, lights and mist are used to create a mysterious digital art garden. It's surrounded by seating, so you can sit back and enjoy the atmosphere. The installation is part of a festival called MIDTOWN LOVES SUMMER 2019. Themed around the idea of "cooling off," the event features a refreshing footbath.

Hotel Gajoen Tokyo

Address	1-8-1 Shimomeguro, Meguro City, Tokyo
Exhibition period	July 6 through September 1, 2019
Access	Meguro Station | 3 min on foot JR Yamanote Line | Namboku Line | Mita Line | Meguro Line
Other	For updated information on opening hours, days closed, prices, and more, please check the official website.
URL	Hyakudan Kaidan

Tokyo Tower

Address	4-2-8 Shibakoen, Minato City, Tokyo
Exhibition period	June 1 through September 1, 2019
Access	Akabanebashi Station | Akabanebashi Exit | 5 min on foot Oedo Line Kamiyacho Station | Exit 1 | 7 min on foot Hibiya Line
Other	For updated information on opening hours, days closed, prices, and more, please check the official website.
URL	Tokyo Tower

Tokyo Midtown

Address	9-7-1 Akasaka, Minato City, Tokyo
Exhibition period	July 12 through August 25
Access	Roppongi Station | 6 min on foot Hibiya Line | Oedo Line
Other	For updated information on opening hours, days closed, prices, and more, please check the official website.
URL	Tokyo Midtown