Oi Racecourse (also known as Tokyo City Keiba) was the first racecourse in Japan to introduce nighttime horse racing and illuminate the grounds for evening events, with night races that came to be known affectionately as “Twinkle Races.” In 2018, however, the racecourse took the nighttime festivities to the next level and began hosting a winter “illumination” on days without races, eventually turning it into the event now known as Tokyo Mega Illumination. Today, the racecourse comes alive with lights for the winter, offering seasonal attractions and special events, and completely transforming the racecourse into a winter evening destination for visitors of all ages—not just a place to watch horse racing.

Tokyo’s Most Popular Illumination: It’s Tokyo Mega Illumination’s Final Season!

In Japan, winter is the season when cities across the nation sparkle with light displays they like to call “illuminations,” and Tokyo Mega Illumination (often shortened to “Tokyo Mega Illumi”) is one of Tokyo’s best-known winter light events. Held every year at Oi Racecourse, this large-scale outdoor illumination event has ranked No. 1 nationwide among “Illuminations People Most Want to Visit” (according to Walker Plus) for six consecutive years since 2020! And not only is it massively popular, but it’s surprisingly easy to access—not only from central Tokyo, but also from Haneda Airport.

Despite the event’s success, however, the 2026~2027 season will be the last for Tokyo Mega Illumination as we know it. The event has been a winter destination for the past nine years, but due to facility improvements planned at Oi Racecourse, the expansive light displays will all be shut down indefinitely. That means this season is the last chance to enjoy some of Tokyo Mega Illumination’s beloved attractions, from the Edo Cherry Blossom Tunnel and the Primeval Japanese Landscape to the giant Mega Tree. Don’t miss the opportunity to see them for yourself before it’s too late!

Tokyo Mega Illumination (東京メガイルミ) 2026~2027
Oi Racecourse, 2-1-2 Katsushima, Shinagawa City, Tokyo
Event Period: October 31, 2026 (Sat) ~ January 10, 2027 (Sun)
Hours: 16:30 – 21:00 (final admission 20:00)
Closed: Nov. 16~20, 2026 | Nov. 30 ~ Dec. 4, 2026 | Dec. 24, 2026 ~ Jan. 1, 2027
Directions: 2 min from Tokyo Monorail Oikeibajo-Mae Station, 12 min from Keikyu Tachiaigawa Station
Official Website (en)

Light Display Highlights at Tokyo Mega Illumination

The Forest of the Mega Tree

One of the event’s most iconic highlights is the enormous illuminated “Mega Tree” at the center of everything! The towering tree is lit up with synchronized light and sound effects, making it a memorable sight.

Around the Mega Tree you’ll find the Aurora Forest, where colorful laser lights create a dreamy effect reminiscent of the northern lights. The changing music, shimmering lights, and lively fountains come together in a dramatic display that feels so otherworldly you might forget you’re still in Tokyo.

A Traditional Japanese Landscape Made of Light

Part of what makes Tokyo Mega Illumination so special is the way it uses light to recreate scenery that feels unmistakably Japanese, particularly in the area referred to as the “Primeval Japanese Landscape,” inspired by the traditional rural scenery of sprawling rice paddies, far from Japan’s big cities. The little shoots of light spread across the landscape and shift in color in time with the music, reflecting the quiet beauty of Japan’s countryside and the changing seasons.

A Walk Through the Edo Cherry Blossom Tunnel

A short walk from the Primeval Japanese Landscape is the Edo Cherry Blossom Tunnel, an illuminated arch that stretches 100 meters across the racecourse grounds, completely lined with little lights shaped like cherry blossoms.

From a distance, the tunnel looks like a swath of tiny fairy lights, but take a close look, and you’ll see that each individual light is shaped like one of Japan’s beloved sakura blossoms! It’s a gorgeous spot to take pictures, and despite the winter weather, walking through this light display feels a spring stroll beneath the cherry blossoms in full bloom.

Meet the Horses While Enjoying the Lights!

Tokyo Mega Illumination takes place at a racecourse, and that means visitors can also check out some real horses! The event brings the sparkle of Japan’s illumination culture to the world of horses, creating a truly unique evening destination in Tokyo, with a variety of special horse-related events.

If you’re visiting with kids, you won’t want to miss the “Miniature Horse & Pony Event”—basically a meet and greet for the racecourse’s celebrity horses. Line up to see the miniature horses and ponies up close, pet them, and even take photos together. Visitors of all ages get to enjoy the experience, making it a fun area for families to visit together.

Want to spend even more time with the horses? Stop by the paddock to join the “Horse Watch,” and admire the miniature horses and ponies as they relax and graze in their grassy enclosure. As the little horses nibble at the winter greenery, lay down, and frolic to and fro, it feels like visiting the tiniest ranch.

Oi Racecourse doesn’t just keep miniature horses, however. During the Lead Horse and Fountain Show, the racecourse’s lead horses clip-clop in a line and arrive at the fountains, where they move together with the water, the lights, and the music for one big, breathtaking production! It’s another big hit with families.

Miniature Horse & Pony Event
Location: Around G-FRONT
Times: 17:30 – 19:30 (daily during the illumination period)

Horse Watch
Location: Grazing Ground
Times: 19:00 – 20:00 (daily during the illumination period)

Lead Horse and Fountain Show
Location: In front of the fountain show area inside the racecourse
Times: 17:20 & 18:20 (Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays only)
^{*Horse appearance schedules may be canceled or changed depending on the weather, the condition of the horses, or other circumstances.
*Photography with the horses is permitted, but in some cases, staff may ask you to stay a safe distance away.}

The World’s Cutest Balance Ball, Rody, Returns for the Final Season!

There’s more to see for Tokyo Mega Illumination’s 2026~2027 finale season—Rody, the horse-shaped bouncy balance ball toy loved by children around the world, is returning to add even more fun to the event.

^{_{Rody Light-Up Candy / Glow-in-the-Dark Rody Keychain}}

Visitors will find a special area dedicated to Rody, along with some cute horse-themed collab merchandise, including a new flavor of the Rody Light-Up Candy and a glowing Rody keychain (a particular favorite last year)!

Lean into the Japanese entertainment culture and join the Stamp Rally, which takes visitors around the venue collecting stamps. If you complete your stamp collection, you can enter a prize drawing for Rody and Tokyo Mega Illumination merchandise.

Plus, Rody fans can also join special Rody meet-and-greet photo events at the Paddock from November 21~23, 2026, and January 2~3, 2027, where visitors can see Rody up close and take commemorative photos.

^{*Further details TBA—check the official website. Events may be changed or canceled due to weather or other unavoidable circumstances.}

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More Illumination Recommendations & Photo Ops

Families and visitors with young children will be happy to find plenty of interactive activities throughout the venue, including a space called “Color Shadow.” Kids can move around in front of a wall illuminated with colorful lights, wriggling around and watching each silhouette appear in a mix of different colors. Little ones have a blast playing with light and shadow and getting a little bit of that extra energy out.

The Rainbow Grand Staircase is always a popular spot, but the visual impact of a staircase illuminated in bright rainbow colors makes it an especially great place for photos. Stand among the lights and your dark silhouette appears as a stark outline against the staircase—try a few different poses to get a memorable photo!

⭐️ Tokyo Illumination Tips: How to Make the Most of Tokyo Mega Illumination

It might just be your last chance to experience this once-in-a-lifetime destination, so the Japankuru team has put together a few tips to help you get the most out of your visit to Tokyo Mega Illumination!

The most important thing to keep in mind is that Tokyo Mega Illumination is an outdoor event, and that you’ll spend most of your time on your feet. We recommend wearing warm clothing and comfortable walking shoes so you can stay comfortable and focus on the experience, without worrying about the cold.

Also, be careful when planning your itinerary—Tokyo Mega Illumination is not open every day. Check the calendar on the official website before planning your visit. Event schedules inside the venue also vary from day to day, so if you’re aiming to check out a particular attraction or event (especially horse-related events), check the latest updates online to make sure you’re planning your trip for the right day.

Don’t Miss One of Tokyo’s Best Winter Illumination Spots Before It Disappears!

If you’re looking for a place to enjoy the sparkling light this winter in Tokyo, Tokyo Mega Illumination is one of the city’s most beloved seasonal attractions. So spend a full winter evening at the racecourse—take a stroll through the Edo Cherry Blossom Tunnel, look out across Japan’s rural rice paddies like you’ve never seen them before, pet some horses, and play around in all the interactive areas.

Whether you’re a first-time visitor hoping to catch Tokyo Mega Illumination before it shuts down, or you’re a long-time fan hoping to catch Tokyo Mega Illumination one last time, remember to check the official calendar before you head out and experience this unique Tokyo winter illumination for yourself.

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