JP / ENG

The downtown area, where tradition and
innovation intersect, will be enveloped
in the gentle glow of bamboo lights

The ‘Bamboo Lantern Festival in East Tokyo’ event will illuminate the charming streets of Tokyo’s traditional downtown with the gentle glow of bamboo lights. Centered around SUMIDA RIVER WALK® and the Kitajukken River Terrace, visitors can enjoy the nostalgic atmosphere of downtown Tokyo at night. During the event, a variety of related activities will be held, including a water concert in collaboration with the Sumida City Tourism Association, night cruises, bamboo light-making workshops, and a TAKE AKARI Marche featuring many local businesses.

Bamboo Light-up Event

2025.11.7.(fri) 〜 2026.1.31.(sat)

Event time
17:00 〜 22:00
Water Concert and Night Cruise
Water Concert
・2025. 11. 22 (sat)
Night Cruise
・2025. 11. 23 (sun)
    24 (mon)
  12. 18 (thu)
    19 (fri)
    20 (sat)
    21 (sun)
・2026. 1. 30 (fri)
    31 (sat)

Kitajukken River Terrace
(Makura Bridge〜Koume Bridge)

At the Kitajukken River Terrace, which was developed alongside Tokyo Mizumachi®, you can enjoy a relaxing time by the waterfront.
The approximately 400-metre stretch between Makura Bridge and Koume Bridge enchant pedestrians as a pathway of light enveloped in bamboo sculptures and bamboo balls.

SUMIDA RIVER WALK

At SUMIDA RIVER WALK, a new pedestrian bridge connecting Asakusa and TOKYO SKYTREE TOWN®, visitors will be greeted by enchanting bamboo light installations with TOKYO SKYTREE® as the backdrop, along with an arch of bamboo lights adorning the bridge. Experience the new winter charm of SUMIDA RIVER WALK.

Ushijima Shrine

The bamboo light-up event at Ushijima Shrine, beloved by the local community, marks its third year and has become a winter tradition. The shrine will be decorated with bamboo lights, and the main hall will be illuminated with spotlights for a captivating display. Additionally, the Bamboo ball, which appear to float with TOKYO SKYTREE® in the background, offer a perfect photo spot.

Sumida Park

From April 2025, the Sumida Park Management Group, led by Tobu Railway, began managing part of Sumida Park near the Sumida River Walk to promote its use and enhance the area’s value.
During this illumination event, bamboo lanterns made by workshop participants will line the path to Ushijima Shrine, softly lighting the park with a warm glow.

Tully’s Coffee Hanakawado
Sumida Park

Tully’s Coffee, located along the Sumida River, is a popular photo spot with TOKYO SKYTREE® in the background. Along with the store’s recent renovation, bamboo light installations have been added, creating a new photo spot that beautifully illuminates the riverside during the winter.

TOKYO SKYTREE®
5F exit floor

To ensure that guests who enjoy a stroll through the sky at the observation deck of TOKYO SKYTREE®, the world’s tallest broadcasting tower, feel satisfied when they leave, a bamboo lantern object will be installed at the exit.
A fantastic bamboo lantern object sees off guests.

Water concert by members of the New Japan Philharmonic

A concert will be held on the water, with the river terrace lit up with bamboo lanterns as the audience seating. The sound of a string quartet will envelop the relaxing evening by the river.Enjoy the concert while taking a stroll with your family and friends.

Date and Time
2025.11.22（sat）
Part 1　16:00〜16:40Part 2　19:00〜19:40
Location
Kitajukken River Terrace
Performers
Violin:Marie Hirota,Sakiko Yabe　　
Viola:Yoichi Yoshitsuru　　
Cello:Samuel Ericsson
Subsidy
Sumida Dream Support Grant Programme
Note

The water concert will proceed in light rain but will be cancelled in severe weather.
In the event of cancellation, notification will be posted at noon on the day of the event via the “Tokyo Shitamachi Kaiyu Bamboo Lantern Festival Official Instagram”.

Tokyo Shitamachi Kaiyu Bamboo Lantern Festival Official Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/tobu_takeakari/?hl=ja

Night Cruise Tour

This night-time content includes views of the bamboo lanterns set up at Kitajukken River Terrace and SUMIDA RIVER WALK, as well as the Asakusa and TOKYO SKYTREE® areas from the boat. Enjoy an extraordinary 40-minute boat trip.

Date
2025.
11.23(sun)
 24(mon)
12.18(thu)
 19(fri)
 20(sat)
 21(sun)
2026.
1.30(fri)
 31(sat)
Place
Koumebasi Pier
Time Zone
17:00 ~ 20:00
Price
￥2,200～￥2,800(including tax)
In front of Koumebashi Boat Landing
Includes one drink fromLATTEST SPORTS
Note
Please apply using the application form below.
https://visit-sumida.jp/koumebashi/
Collab
Sumida City Tourism AssociationGeneral Incorporated Association
Application
Operating companies and routes vary by schedule.
For details, please check the Koumebashi Boat Landing official website.
Please note that operating days may be subject to change without prior notice due to weather conditions or other circumstances.

TAKE AKARI Marche

Restaurants and retail outlets primarily operating in Sumida Ward will open stalls at the Kita-Jikkengawa Riverside Terrace. This coincides with the Waterfront Concert, which attracts many visitors, and the Bamboo Lantern Cruise.

Date
2025.
11.22(sat)
 23(sun)
 24(mon)
12.18(thu)
 19(fri)
 20(sat)
 21(sun)
2026.
1.30(fri)
 31(sat)
Time Zone
17:00 ~ 20:00
Place
Kitajukken River Terrace (near Koumebashi Pier)
Collab
Sumida Tourism Association

Bamboo lantern workshop

In this bamboo lantern workshop, each participant makes two lanterns — one displayed in Sumida Park.
Run by Tokyo Rickshaw, known for rickshaw rides in Asakusa, the workshop has more sessions this year for many to join and enjoy crafting with friendly pullers.

Date
2025.
10.15(wed)
 18(sat)
 19(sun)
 22(wed)
 25(sat)
 26(sun)
 29(wed)
2025.
11.1(sat)
 2(sun)
 3(mon)
Price
Free
Time Zone
1st.　10:00～
2nd.　11:30～
3rd.　14:00～
4th.　15:30～
Place

Tokyo Mizumachi East Zone, near LATTEST SPORTS

Note
Please apply using the application form below.
https://www.asoview.com/channel/activities/ja/tokyo-rickshaw/offices/2917/courses

Sumida Aquarium Collaboration: “Horned Eels Everywhere”

The garden eel, synonymous with Sumida Aquarium.
This year marks the 12th anniversary of Garden Eel Day.
Somewhere within the illuminated venue,garden eel–inspired bamboo lanterns will be installed.
We hope you enjoy this collaboration with Sumida Aquarium.

For details of the event, please check the URL below.
URL：https://www.sumida-aquarium.com/news/details/5542.html

Free guided tour

In collaboration with Tokyo Localized, which provides guided walking tours of the city, we will be holding a free guided tour around the Asakusa to Sumida Park area, mainly for foreign visitors to Japan. In addition to enjoying the illuminated area along the Sumida River, this is a immersive tour where the guide will talk about Tokyo’s history and culture.

Application
For tour dates, applications and details, please see the URL below.
https://www.tokyolocalized.com/asakusa-riverside-night-walking-tour

Collaboration with the movie “Black Cow”

An art event for the film Black Cow (directed by Tetsuichiro Tsuta), opening January 23, 2026, will be held at Ushijima Shrine.
It features a special screening of Black Cow on LED screens in the Kagura Hall, with bamboo lantern illuminations.
This is the first exhibition of digital art merged with traditional Japanese architecture.

Period
2025.11.7(fri) - 2026.1.31(sat)
Other
For details on the film “The Black Cow”, please refer to the URL below.
https://alfazbetmovie.com/kuronoushi/

TOBU HOTEL LEVANT TOKYO　Bamboo Light Garden

At Tobu Hotel Levant Tokyo, part of the Tobu Group, you can view the ‘Bamboo Lanterns’ installation produced by Mr. Kenji Mikishiro of CHIKAKEN alongside Tokyo Skytree®. Enjoy the fantastical illumination created by the interplay of bamboo and light.

For further details, please visit the website below.
https://www.tobuhotel.co.jp/levant/en/

Mr. Kenji Mishiro

CHIKAKEN is a group of creators led by Chika and Ken who studied together at Sojo University. The group specializes in the design, production and installation of Take-Akari, bamboo lights. Their work is inspired by the idea of ‘community development through festival’ advocated by their university professor Keiichi Uchimaru. Founded in April 2007 in Kumamoto, Japan, CHIKAKEN currently has five members and produces Take-Akari in various communities across Japan, creating ‘lightscapes’ and ‘stories’ unique to the region. Appearing on MBS TV’s “Jonetsu Tairiku” broadcast on November 5, 2023.

Tobu Skytree Line
3 minutes' walk from Tokyo Skytree Station
to Mizumachi East Zone

Tokyo Metro Ginza Line
7 minutes walk from Asakusa Station, Exit 5,
across the SUMIDA RIVER WALK

Toei Asakusa Line
4 minutes walk from A3 exit of Honjo Azumabashi Station
9 minutes walk from Asakusa Station, A5 exit,
across SUMIDA RIVER WALK

convenient discount tickets
for your trip