Tokyo offers many sights, and the original visit took place amid heavy international tourism. That made places popular with knowledgeable local residents especially interesting.
Our destination was Oi Racecourse (大井競馬場), a local-racing venue in Katsushima, Shinagawa, described as having marked its 70th anniversary in 2020. The source gives a two-minute walk from Tokyo Monorail Oi Keibajo-mae Station and about ten minutes or five stops from Haneda Airport, making it convenient to combine with an airport journey. But what did a racecourse have to do with illuminations?
The sun was setting on our Tokyo day, and evening arrived.
People began gathering at the station in front of Oi Racecourse.
Usually, I would expect people to leave a racecourse in the evening, so this was intriguing.
There were many families, especially children, as well as couples.
A short walk brought us to Tokyo Mega Illumination (東京メガイルミネーション), described as voted Japan’s most anticipated illumination for three consecutive years. The introductory source paragraph gives November 11, 2023 to January 8, 2023, an inconsistent end year; the detailed schedule below correctly records the source’s intended 2023–2024 season. Horse racing may feel less familiar from my Korean background, but the source describes it as a popular Japanese sport.
A highlight was the fountain and lead-horse show. Riders on white horses walked through the racecourse area; as we photographed them, lasers sparkled behind and the fountain show began. Lively music created a good photo opportunity.
TWINKLE TUNNEL EAST was a light tunnel leading toward the area called Japan’s Sparkle. Various scenes and projection-mapping displays evoked Japanese landscapes.
The large rainbow staircase glowed in different colors. Its bright backdrop made it easy to pose for photogenic pictures.
Nihon Genfukei (日本原風景) recreated Japanese countryside and rice fields in lights on a vast scale. Although presented as a landscape close to Japanese hearts, it also stirred nostalgia for me with my Korean rice-growing cultural background. Quiet, moving music and modern lighting created another world as colors shifted across what we normally imagine as green fields.
The Edo Cherry Blossom Tunnel recreated sakura in lights, each bulb shaped like a blossom petal. It was among the most elaborate and crowded areas, making photographs difficult. Its roughly 100-meter pink-lit length evoked cherry-blossom viewing, and the fountain show visible behind it added another worthwhile sight.
Four model horses, a lawn, and sparkling lights marked the lawn plaza. The horse models allowed safe, memorable photos with children. A horseshoe-shaped arch was another photo setting.
A garden of about 4,000 illuminated roses followed. Glowing spheres hung from delicate branches, casting soft light across velvet-like petals. Light and shadow intensified the colors and details as the night deepened, making the rose garden especially atmospheric.
Near the exit was the Mega Tree, a huge illuminated tree. Horse models and a carriage below provided photo settings for couples and families. Children especially loved them, and the flowers decorating the horses were a memorable detail.
Food was another part of Tokyo Mega Illumination’s appeal. Several restaurants offered choices to suit different tastes, with freshly prepared dishes beyond what I expected from an ordinary sports venue.
A seasonal Tokyo City Keiba original craft beer had a mild opening taste and an appealing bitter finish. A warm, cheese-covered hot dog added something of a picnic feeling.
There were also freshly prepared hot ramen, fried dishes, and curries. They did not rival a famous restaurant, but gave a chance to try familiar Japanese foods while there.
Original desserts were sold too, with horseshoe-shaped churros especially popular.
For that winter’s Tokyo visit with family or a partner, the source strongly recommended considering Tokyo Mega Illumination: a large light display, photo opportunities, and food together. This recommendation concerns the archived season.
Tokyo Mega Illumination 2023–2024: source event details
Dates: November 11, 2023, Saturday, through January 8, 2024, Monday and a public holiday,
excluding Oi race days and January 1, for a total of 42 operating days in the source schedule.
Hours recorded: 4:30–9 p.m.; last admission 8 p.m.
Hours could change with crowd levels, sunset, or events.
The source directs readers to the official website for the latest information.
https://www.tokyomegaillumi.jp/guide.html
東京メガイルミ〈TOKYO MEGA ILLUMI〉
東京メガイルミ冬季限定開催中#競馬のない日はメガイルミ@大井競馬場/かわいいお馬さんと光の演出の数々に癒される開放的な屋外アミューズメントパーク/浜松町駅からモノレールで約8分
www.tokyomegaillumi.jp