Shinjuku Neon Walk 2025-2026: Dates & Photo Zones
Tokyo Mate
🎄 Essential 2025-2026 Tokyo winter travel course!
Shinjuku Neon Walk illumination dates, hours, photo zones, stamp rally, food truck info—
Everything compiled from official sources. Experience the street of lights where AI art meets Edo vibes.
Introduction
Hello! This is Tokyo Mate, your Tokyo travel creator.
Winter 2025-2026, Shinjuku nights have become a little more special. Thanks to the ‘Shinjuku Neon Walk.’
To be honest, if you’re expecting grand-scale illuminations like Roppongi or Marunouchi, you might be a bit disappointed. 😅 It’s not super large in scale.
However! If you’re visiting the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building observation deck, I highly recommend stopping by. It’s on the way, after all, and it’s an excellent Tokyo Metropolitan Government night view walking course where you can enjoy AI art, neon signs, and food trucks.
Today, based on official information, I’ll summarize the Shinjuku illumination course that you can thoroughly enjoy together with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building without disappointment. ✨
1. Shinjuku Neon Walk Operating Information (Dates/Hours)
A fusion of Edo-era tradition and modern technology—the light festival Shinjuku Neon Walk basic information.
🌟 Shinjuku Neon Walk Art Illumination (Light Festival)
- Event Period: November 27, 2025 (Thu) ~ January 7, 2026 (Wed)
- Lighting Hours: 16:30 ~ 22:00
📌 Tip. On December 31 (Wed), extended until 25:00 (1:00 AM) for the Shinjuku Countdown Event!
- Admission: Free
- Location: Chuo-dori (approx. 200m between Shinjuku Washington Hotel and Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building)
- Map: 📍 View on Google Maps↗
🚚 Neo Neon Food Stalls (Food Trucks)
The delicious-smelling food truck zone has different operating dates, so be sure to check before you go!
| Operating Dates | Operating Hours |
|---|---|
| November 27, 2025 (Thu) | 17:45 ~ 22:00 |
| December 5-7 (Fri-Sun) December 12-14 (Fri-Sun) December 19-21 (Fri-Sun) December 24-28 (Wed-Sun) | 17:00 ~ 22:00 |
| December 31, 2025 (Wed) | 17:00 ~ 25:00 |
2. How to Get There (Complete Transportation Guide)
I highly recommend walking from Shinjuku Station West Exit to Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building! 👑
🚅 JR Shinjuku Station West Exit
- Exit from the West Exit and walk straight along ‘Chuo-dori’.
- It’s the perfect course that lets you enjoy neon art from Zone A in order, naturally leading to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building observation deck. (About 10-15 minutes on foot)
🚅 Toei Oedo Line (E) Tochomae Station Exit A1
- It’s the closest station to Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, but you’d have to walk backwards against the flow to reach the Neon Walk venue, disrupting the viewing experience. I recommend using this when heading home after viewing.
🚅 Marunouchi Line (M) Nishi-Shinjuku Station Exit E7: 10-minute walk
🚌 Bus Option (Recommended if walking is difficult)
- JR Shinjuku Station West Exit (underground bus terminal) → Board Toei Bus ‘Metropolitan Government Building Loop’ → Get off at ‘Metropolitan Government Building No. 1’
3. Zone A~D Photo Zone Complete Guide
The entire Chuo-dori is divided into Zones A through D.
⭐ Zone-A: Birth of Light (Light Seeds)
1. Light Seeds ✨
The main street where ’light seeds’ hanging from roadside trees meet aurora lasers. The BGM was created by composer Tomoka Kitamura of
2. Lucky Neon Art 📸
Perfect neon sign photo zone for that “I was here!” proof shot at the entrance.
⭐ Zone-B: AI Experience (Transformirror)
1. Transformirror 🤖
Stand in front of the camera and AI recognizes you and transforms you into amazing video. The #1 most popular spot with lines of kids and couples!
2. EDO GATE
The harmony of lanterns written in Edo-era calligraphy and cyberpunk neon. This is where the coolest aesthetic photos come from.
⭐ Zone-C: Neo Neon Food Stalls (Food Trucks)
The delicious-smelling food truck zone doesn’t operate daily. Check the operating schedule!
😋 Recommended Menu
- Kamimaki Sushi: Bite-sized! Chu-toro roll (800 yen), Shrimp botti (700 yen)
- Turkey Leg (1,200 yen): Fire-grilled BBQ, filling.
- Matcha Crepe (900 yen~): Perfect for dessert.
⭐ Zone-D: Meeting Plaza (KAWAII DOME)
1. 🌲 Echo Trees: Emotional installation art where two trees have a conversation with light.
2. TOKYO KAWAII DOME🌸: Cute neon art in collaboration with TV Asahi’s popular program
4. Stamp Rally & Prizes (Don’t Miss Out!)
Don’t just walk around Neon Walk—take out your smartphone!
Collect digital stamps while enjoying the Shinjuku illumination walk and receive prizes galore.
- Period: November 27, 2025 (Thu) ~ January 7, 2026 (Wed)
- Hours: 16:30 ~ 22:00
- How: Open the digital map and TAP! (No app installation required / Japanese & English supported)
✅ (Click) Open Shinjuku Illumination Digital Map
Stamp Locations (10 spots)
① Shinjuku Neon Walk Transformirror ② Shinjuku Neon Walk EDO GATE ③ Keio Plaza Hotel Christmas ④ Shinjuku Mitsui Building 55 Hiroba’s Shining Objects ⑤ Shinjuku Sumitomo Building snow flow ⑥ Hyatt Regency Tokyo Christmas ⑦ Shinjuku Chuo Park TWINKLE PARK or SHUKNOVA ⑧ Shinjuku NS Building Christmas Tree ⑨ Shinjuku Plaza Street Illumination ⑩ Shinjuku Minami Terrace 2025-2026 Southern Terrace
🎁 Prizes
- 5 Stamps Collected (Half Prize): Instant win! Hotel lounge discount vouchers, food truck 200 yen discount coupons, etc.
- 10 Stamps Collected (Complete Prize): Lottery for QUO Card 2,000 yen (50 winners), limited edition T-shirt (10 winners)
5. Visit Tips!
1️⃣ Winter Gear Essential
Tokyo winter nights, with the wind blowing between buildings (building wind), the perceived temperature is quite low. Be sure to bring hot packs and gloves.
2️⃣ Golden Time
Weekdays 17:00~19:00 is the best time with moderate crowds for taking photos.
3️⃣ Want to Enjoy the Countdown on December 31st Too?
On December 31st, a large-scale Shinjuku Countdown event called ‘Happy New Year Tokyo 2026’ will be held at the same location (Tokyo Metropolitan Government Plaza). Hatsune Miku performances and projection mapping are scheduled.
If you want to shout Shinjuku Happy New Year together, advance registration (free) is required! For detailed information, please check the post below.
👇 Shinjuku New Year Countdown Free Registration Method
➡️ Happy New Year Tokyo 2026 Application & Lineup Complete Guide
Conclusion
Shinjuku Neon Walk is not just a lighting event, but a comprehensive gift set combining tradition, technology, and taste. This winter, how about walking through Shinjuku’s shining nights with your loved ones? 😊
That’s all from Tokyo Mate!
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