Tokyo Garden Terrace Kioicho will hold "KIOI ILLUMINATION 2026 –Color me Happy–" from Thursday, November 12, 2026, to Sunday, February 28, 2027.
The Beauty of Viewing From Outside, the Surprise of Stepping Inside
Alongside the event, an experiential Christmas tree called "KIOI Xmas Tree," which visitors can enter, will be installed from Thursday, November 12, to Friday, December 25.
This year's Christmas tree is an evolution of last year's popular "Tower of Light" (光の塔). Rather than a tree to be viewed only from the outside, it lets visitors step inside and be surrounded by light and greenery. On the first day, a lighting ceremony will be held with model Harumi Sato (佐藤晴美) as the special guest, and musicians Keiko Sakuma (佐久間景子) and Dai Komatsu (小松大) will also perform.
The exterior is a refined design that harmonizes with the streetscape of Kioicho. Step inside, and a dreamlike space themed "a geometric garden of light and greenery" opens up. Overhead, tree roots spread as if floating in the air, and light extending from them illuminates the whole space.
Green plants, geometric forms, and sparkling light overlap, inviting visitors into a world different from everyday life. The tree also looks different by day and by night. During the day, geometric panels reflect natural light and create a colorful, fresh glow. At night, countless lights twinkle and the space changes into one completely different from the daytime. This year, Kioicho offers a different way to enjoy a Christmas tree than in the past.
Lighting Ceremony on November 12
- Date: Thursday, November 12, 2026
- Venue: Flower Plaza (花の広場), 1st floor, Tokyo Garden Terrace Kioicho
- Doors open: 5:30 PM
- Start: 6:00 PM
- Tree lighting: Around 6:20 PM
- End: 6:30 PM (planned)
- Special guest: Harumi Sato (佐藤晴美)
- Performers: Keiko Sakuma (佐久間景子, Irish harp) and Dai Komatsu (小松大, viola)
- Conditions: Held rain or shine (in case of rain, the ceremony will take place at an indoor venue)
Timetable
- 5:30 PM to 6:00 PM: Doors open
- 6:00 PM to 6:02 PM: Opening
- 6:02 PM to 6:17 PM: Performance by Keiko Sakuma and Dai Komatsu
- 6:17 PM to 6:20 PM: Special guest Harumi Sato appears
- 6:20 PM to 6:27 PM: Christmas tree lighting and music performance
- 6:27 PM to 6:30 PM: Ending
The program and times are subject to change.
About the "KIOI Xmas Tree"
From "Symbol" to "Experience (Immersive)"
"KIOI Xmas Tree" is an evolution of last year's popular "Tower of Light" (光の塔), a Christmas tree that offers both the beauty of its exterior and an experience inside its interior space.
Exterior
The tree is designed as a refined landmark that harmonizes with the urban landscape of Kioicho. Geometric forms combined with colorful light and greenery make it stand out in the city.
Interior
The main feature is a dome-shaped structure that visitors can actually enter. Crystals, warm-toned lamps, mirror balls, and more are arranged in multiple layers inside. Light and shadow pouring down from overhead envelop the 360-degree space, creating a dreamlike, immersive experience. A lighting program of about 5 minutes, in which the light changes gradually, is also planned.
Different Looks by Day and Night
During the day, geometric panels reflect natural light, creating a kaleidoscope-like space. At night, the whole dome is wrapped in light, and reflections from the crystals and mirror balls create a dreamlike world different from the daytime.
Christmas Tree Overview
- Name: KIOI Xmas Tree
- Installation period: Thursday, November 12, to Friday, December 25, 2026
- Location: "Flower Plaza" (花の広場), 1st floor, Tokyo Garden Terrace Kioicho
- Concept: From "Symbol" to "Experience (Immersive)"
Lighting Ceremony Performer Profiles
Harumi Sato (佐藤晴美)
Born on June 8, 1995, in Yamagata Prefecture. She debuted in 2011 as a member of the girl group "Flower" and served as the second leader of "E-girls." She began her solo career in 2021. Making use of her height of 173 cm, she is active widely as an artist, model, and actor. In 2025, she served as producer of Nippon TV's "ガルバト -GIRLS BATTLE AUDITION-" and worked on the girl group "CIRRA," which was born from the program, expanding her activities in many fields.
Keiko Sakuma (佐久間景子), Irish Harp
She performs original Irish and Celtic music with the Irish harp, singing, and occasional storytelling. She has visited Ireland many times and continues to exchange with local people and music. In addition to appearing in solo and unit concerts in and outside Tokyo, she also teaches harp lessons.
Dai Komatsu (小松大), Viola
After studying in the music course at Nagoya Municipal Kikusato High School (名古屋市立菊里高校音楽科), he graduated from the Faculty of Music at Aichi Prefectural University of the Arts (愛知県立芸術大学音楽学部). At the Kobuchizawa Chamber Music Seminar (小淵沢室内楽セミナー), he received the top award, the "Midori no Kaze Music Prize" (緑の風音楽賞). He is active in a wide range of fields, including solo, chamber music, and orchestra. He encountered Irish music in 2004 and is also active as a fiddler.
Illumination Continues After Christmas, Eventually With About 400,000 Lights
Tokyo Garden Terrace Kioicho will hold its winter illumination from Thursday, November 12, 2026, to the end of February 2027 (planned).
Champagne gold lights, mainly on the trees within the facility, decorate the streetscape of Kioicho. On the day of the lighting ceremony, about half of the entire illumination is planned to be lit. After that, lighting will be expanded in stages, and from Monday, November 16, about 400,000 lights will illuminate the facility.
The illumination is scheduled to continue after December 25, when the Christmas tree display ends, through the end of February 2027. Visitors can enjoy winter nights in Kioicho that do not end with Christmas.
KIOI Illumination Overview
- Period: Thursday, November 12, 2026, to the end of February 2027 (planned)
- Lighting hours: 4:30 PM to 11:00 PM (planned)
- Locations: "Flower Plaza" (花の広場) on the 1st floor, along Benkei Moat (弁慶濠), "Sky Plaza" (空の広場) on the 4th floor, and more, at Tokyo Garden Terrace Kioicho
- Number of lights: About 400,000 (from November 16)
- Color: Champagne gold
Event details, lighting hours, and other information are subject to change.
