Extensive experience in PR for commercial facilities! A staff member introduces seven must-see illumination spots in Tokyo for 2021, along with their highlights
Hello!I am Terui from Public Relations Division Headquarters, Department 1.
With 2021 almost over, this year saw many requests for self-restraint and restrictions on going out. However, as Christmas approaches, the city is decorated with illuminations, and simply walking through town on the way to work naturally lifts your Christmas spirit.
At SUNNY SIDE UP, we have a strong track record in PR for commercial facilities, and our staff have surely developed a discerning eye through PR for illuminations and Christmas promotions that become more elaborate every year!
We asked PR representatives for commercial facilities about the highlights of each facility’s illuminations and Christmas promotions.
Presenting: “Here Are the Top Picks from Seasoned Commercial-Facility PR Pros! Seven Illuminations Christmas Promotions in Tokyo”!!
Let’s take a look by area. First is the Shibuya area, close to Sendagaya where SUNNY SIDE UP’s office is located.
■ Shibuya Area
1) WINTER PRISM OF LIGHT ~Hope for a Future Connected to Tomorrow~ (Shibuya Stream) │ Thu, Nov 18, 2021 – Mon, Feb 28, 2022
Shibuya Stream’s winter illumination, colored with a “prism” theme
As a first-time initiative at Shibuya Stream, the winter illumination “WINTER PRISM OF LIGHT,” created together with the building’s dining tenants and reflecting their sentiments, is being held through Monday, February 28, 2022. With the concept of “Hope for a Future Connected to Tomorrow,” a hope-filled light “prism” spreads outward from Shibuya Stream. From 4:30 PM onward, a light-and-sound show is held every 30 minutes, along with a contactless, participatory illumination experience featuring light and sound effects you join via smartphone, as well as a linked scratch-off campaign and more. On the 3rd floor, within the “PRISM SKY” light “prism” production, “prisms” displaying messages of “hope for the future” from Shibuya Stream dining tenants and official ambassadors will be exhibited.
★ Highlights from the person in charge
This Christmas promotion was created together with our dining tenants. The prism spreading across the 2nd-floor through-passage becomes a contactless, participatory illumination with light and sound effects when you select a keyword on your smartphone, and after the lights go out, you can enjoy a scratch-off lottery on the spot to get a “gourmet ticket.” In addition, the “prisms” placed randomly on the grand staircase are designed to form one large “prism” when photographed from a certain point. We encourage you to take this opportunity to capture the large “prism” in a photo.
(Shibuya Stream PR Office, Hayashida)
2) OMOHARA Christmas illumination (Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku) │ Fri, Nov 19, 2021 – Sat, Dec 25, 2021
At Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku, “OMOHARA Christmas illumination” is being held on the rooftop terrace “Omohara no Mori” through Saturday, December 25, 2021.
Surrounded by trees, “Omohara no Mori” is adorned with approximately 16,000 lights, creating a bright, gentle space that feels nostalgic and comforting. This year, a photo spot has also appeared, decorated with garlands and illuminations on a ring resembling a Christmas wreath, further enhancing the Christmas mood.
In addition, inside the building, the collaboration project with the magazine “TOKYO GRAFFITI,” titled “Love is Free Exhibition,” themed around diverse forms of love, is being held, and a wide selection of apparel, goods, and Christmas coffrets ideal for holiday outings and gifts is also available.
★ Highlights from the person in charge
This year, a photo spot inspired by a Christmas wreath has appeared at the ever-popular “OMOHARA Christmas illumination.” Please enjoy the fantastical glow of the illuminations on the open terrace “Omohara no Mori,” surrounded by greenery and easy for anyone to use.
Also, during this period, illuminations are being held on Omotesando as well, including the zelkova-lined street and low trees, so if you visit the Omotesando–Harajuku area, we recommend stopping by both.
(Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku PR Office, Michishita)
https://omohara.tokyu-plaza.com/
■ Ginza Tokyo Area
3) BRIGHT HOPE ~Making Wishes in Winter’s Glow~ (Tokyu Plaza Ginza) │ Wed, Nov 3, 2021 (Holiday) – Sat, Dec 25, 2021
At Tokyu Plaza Ginza, a Christmas promotion titled “BRIGHT HOPE ~Making Wishes in Winter’s Glow~” is being held from Wednesday, November 3, 2021 (holiday) through Saturday, December 25, 2021.
With wishes for an end to the COVID-19 pandemic and for a bright future for all who visit Ginza, the winter illumination is developed under the theme “BRIGHT HOPE ~Making Wishes in Winter’s Glow~.” Inspired by fireworks—long loved as symbols of prayers for good health, protection from misfortune, and heartfelt wishes for people—it features “winter fireworks” as its motif.
★ Highlights from the person in charge
Christmas trees decorated with “winter fireworks” motif ornaments—made in part with recycled paper—are displayed throughout the building. They create a glamorous moment unique to this season.
(Tokyu Plaza Ginza PR Office, Hoya)
https://ginza.tokyu-plaza.com/
4) The Show —A Christmas That Shines Just by Walking— (GINZA SIX) │ Mon, Nov 8, 2021 – Sat, Dec 25, 2021
At Ginza’s largest commercial facility, “GINZA SIX,” a Christmas promotion is underway through Saturday, December 25, 2021, under the theme “The Show—A Christmas That Shines Just by Walking—.”
Brightening the holiday season at GINZA SIX is artist Asami Kiyokawa. At the entrance, her new digital artwork “OUR NEW WORLD,” filled with prayers and hope, is on display, and the digital art—projected as imagery using luminous threads—adds color to Christmas in Ginza.
★ Highlights from the person in charge
This year’s Christmas in Ginza is illuminated by a new digital artwork by artist Asami Kiyokawa. The work projected at the entrance faces Chuo-dori, so anyone can view it. The appearance changes between day and night, so we hope you will enjoy that as well. When you visit Ginza, please take a moment to see the work and feel the Christmas spirit.
(GINZA SIX PR Office, Arakawa)
5) Tokyo Michiterasu 2021 ~Dawn Scenery~ │ Tue, Dec 14, 2021 – Sat, Dec 25, 2021
In the Marunouchi area, “Tokyo Michiterasu 2021,” which bathes the Tokyo Station Marunouchi building, the trees in Marunouchi Central Plaza, and the trees along Gyoko-dori in gentle lighting, is being held for 12 days from Tuesday, December 14 to Saturday, December 25, 2021.
This year’s theme is “Dawn Scenery.” Inspired by “the dawn of a new era” that comes after overcoming various hardships, it expresses “sunrise after dusk and through the night (the dawn of the heart).” Colors evoking dawn gradually shift, illuminating the entire venue with warm, gentle light.
★ Highlights from the person in charge
Within the gentle hues based on pale pink to pale lavender, the radiance that conveys a strong hope for the future truly makes you feel as though your heart is clearing. As you reflect on 2021 and all that happened, please experience the fantastical space spreading across the entire Marunouchi area.
In addition, during the period, a linked campaign is also being held at The Tokyo Station Hotel and at dining establishments inside and outside the ticket gates at Tokyo Station, so please enjoy that as well.
(Tokyo Michiterasu 2021 PR Office, Koyama)
https://www.tokyo-michiterasu.jp/
■ Odaiba Area
6) Odaiba “Path of Light Illumination — Bayside Date Night—” │ Mon, Nov 22, 2021 – Mon, Feb 14, 2022
In the Odaiba area, “Illumination Island Odaiba 2021,” in which 19 facilities—including commercial facilities, accommodations, and transportation services—participate to light up various illuminations simultaneously, is being held through Saturday, December 25, 2021.
https://www.tokyo-odaiba.net/illumination2021/
Spanning approximately 1 km along the seaside deck connecting DECKS Tokyo Beach, Aqua City Odaiba, and Hilton Tokyo Odaiba, the “Path of Light Illumination” has appeared. Along the seaside deck with views of Rainbow Bridge and Tokyo’s nightscape, lights shaped like flowers and motifs symbolizing each facility—based on the theme of a “timeline of love” set from each facility’s image—create a vibrant display.
★ Highlights from the person in charge
The heart-shaped lights are sprinkled with hidden marks representing each facility’s image. DECKS Tokyo Beach, with a ship motif, features an “anchor,” Aqua City Odaiba features a “dolphin,” and Hilton Tokyo Odaiba features a “cocktail,” making it fun to search for each mark. The “Path of Light Illumination” can be enjoyed not only during the Christmas season but all the way through Valentine’s season.
(DECKS Tokyo Beach PR Office, Terui)
■ Other Areas
7) Grand Tree Musashi-Kosugi: An Illumination That Warms the Heart │ Thu, Nov 1, 2021 – Mon, Feb 28, 2022
At Grand Tree Musashi-Kosugi, illuminations featuring snowflake motifs of various sizes shine on the glass wall, and in the center, a dazzling, dynamic light production using motion-type LEDs appears. In addition, this year’s Christmas tree is themed around “music,” with a Christmas tree decorated with sheet music and instruments. Around the tree, forest animals gather, and you can enjoy commemorative photos along with the scene of them playing various instruments.
★ Highlights from the person in charge
This year, an animal band has come to celebrate Christmas around the Christmas tree, decorated with sheet music and various ornaments! Find your favorite animal, become the band’s conductor, and enjoy taking commemorative photos!
(Grand Tree Musashi-Kosugi PR Office, Nakane)
That concludes “Here Are the Top Picks from Seasoned Commercial-Facility PR Pros! Seven Illuminations Christmas Promotions in Tokyo.” Even from this partial introduction—such as interactive experiences that combine digital elements and those that look back on the eventful year of 2021 and make wishes—you can see there is a wide variety of illuminations and Christmas promotions.
December is a busy time of year, but when you are walking through the city, why not pause for a moment and let the glow of the illuminations brighten your Christmas spirit?
