Tokyo Solamachi

The forested footpaths surrounding Skytree's Solamachi mall and stairways connecting the mall's rooftop Sky Arena with Tokyo Skytree Station and Oshiage Station are getting a holiday makeover this winter with over 500 thousand lights. Expect to see trees decorated in champagne coloured LEDs near Oshiage Station, and Sorami-zaka and Hanami-zaka staircases illuminated with thousands of LEDs displaying Christmas-themed animations for this event, held as part of the complex's Christmas celebrations. The main spectacle, however, takes place at the Sky Arena, which is decorated with a four-metre-tall white Christmas tree that’s beautifully lit with sparkling lights. Also, be on the hunt for champagne-coloured light-up character figures of Sorakara-chan and friends, Tokyo Skytree mascots, which are also four metres tall. Look forward to special light-ups of the 634m Tokyo Skytree itself, which is getting a Christmas light-up revamp for the first time this year. The transmission tower will be glowing in three different designs, which change every minute from Christmas tree green with red ornaments and a shining star on top, champagne gold to resemble an elegant Christmas tree, as well as white and red to look like Santa Claus with a golden belt and a shining pom-pom hat. Visitors can enjoy the illuminations while sipping on some German beer or mulled wine from the on-site Tokyo Solamachi Christmas Market (from November 6). Venture a bit further and you'll come across blue and...