The annual Shinjuku Minamillumi light-up is back again this year and will be on from November 17 to February 14. Six areas will be participating, including the JR Minami Shinjuku Building, JR Shinjuku Miraina Tower, Suica Penguin Plaza, Takashimaya Times Square, Shinjuku Maynds Tower, and Shinjuku Southern Terrace.
Suica Penguin Plaza, located in front of Shinjuku Station’s New South exit between the promenade and Takashimaya Times Square, is bathed in gold lights. The plaza features an illuminated ‘welcome gate’, complete with three adorable penguin statues. You may recognise the penguin character from JR East’s Suica IC prepaid cards.
Trees along the 46-metre-long promenade at Southern Terrace are also decorated with golden lights, and the path is even equipped with motion sensors that activate a special light show. Venture further and you’ll come across a red and white Christmas tree (until December 25) set up on the second floor of Takashimaya Times Square, plus even more lights that illuminate the entire terrace.
The illuminations take place daily from 5pm to 12midnight until the end of December and from 4.30pm in January and February.