The annual Shinjuku Minamillumi light-up is back this winter, happening from November 12 to February 15. Six venues in the area will be participating in this illumination special, namely 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 two adorable penguin statues. You may recognise the penguin character from JR East’s Suica IC cards, which recently announced its bittersweet retirement.
Trees along the 46-metre-long promenade at Southern Terrace are also decorated with golden lights, and the plaza near Shake Shack even features a massive 3D illumination of Champagne glasses to mark the festive spirit. Venture further and you’ll come across a glistening green 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 November, and from 4.30pm between December and February.
