A Family-Friendly Winter Activity in Tokyo
If you’re visiting Tokyo in the winter with kids, Tokyo Mega Illumination is one place worth considering.
As parents raising children in Tokyo, we try to share activities that actually work for families traveling here—not just the typical tourist spots.
Before we dive into our experience, here’s the link to check tickets and opening hours on
Tokyo Mega Illumi is held at Oi Racecourse and features around 8 million LEDs across a wide outdoor space. It’s bright, varied, and easy for children to follow, making it one of the more approachable nighttime events for families.
Our Visit With Two Kids
We went here this winter with our two kids, ages 3 and 8.
Our 3-year-old daughter reacted the moment we arrived—eyes wide, pointing everywhere, clearly amazed by the lights. 😊 Moments like this always make me glad we made the effort to take them out.
On the other hand, our 8-year-old boy had visited once before and was happy to be back. This ended up being one of his favorite winter outings, and he stayed in a great mood the entire evening. The venue has many different light areas, each designed with a slightly different style—some even feel a little teamLab-inspired. Because of this variety, neither child got bored, and we were able to enjoy a relaxed walk through the displays.
Moving at an easy pace with a few photo stops, we covered everything in a couple of hours. For families with younger children, I think this is just the right amount of time.
Things Parents Should Know Before Going
The venue is huge since it uses the grounds of Tokyo City Keiba. You’ll be walking outdoors the entire time, and winter nights in Tokyo can feel colder than expected, so dressing warmly makes a big difference.👍
There are a few areas where the path involves stairs only.⚠️ If you’re visiting with a baby, having a carrier can be much more convenient.
Crowds really depend on the day. We visited on a Friday evening and it wasn’t too busy, so walking around felt comfortable. Weekends, however, can get crowded—especially right after opening. If your schedule allows, weekdays are usually the best for families and for taking photos at a relaxed pace.
There are over 700 parking spaces, and we drove this time. But if you’re visiting Tokyo as a traveler, a taxi from Shinagawa Station is by far the easiest—about 15 minutes and very comfortable with kids on a cold night.
Essential Details
This amazing place is winter-only and open until mid-January 2026.
🕒Open until: January 11, 2026
📍Location: Oi Racecourse (Tokyo City Keiba)
Recommended for: Families looking for a winter evening activity that children can genuinely enjoy
Check updated tickets and opening hours here:
📌Buy Tickes in Advance It’s much smoother — just scan the QR code at the entrance!
More Family-Friendly Tokyo Activities
If you’re planning a family trip to Tokyo, here are other guides we’ve written as local parents:
- teamLab Borderless Tokyo – Another Must Visit Art Museum
- Sanrio Puroland – Heaven for Hello Kitty and Kuromi Lover
- Universal Studios Japan – Tips for Families
- Best Family-Friendly Hotels in Tokyo – Hotels we think the best
Short Instagram Reel from our visit
We also shared a short Reel from our visit on Instagram if you’d like to take a look.
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