The classic Marunouchi illumination, where light traces a straight line from the red-brick station building
The iconic winter scene of Tokyo, woven by the red-brick station building and the straight avenue of lights stretching before it. Characterized by the refined scale unique to Marunouchi and elegant lighting that accentuates the architectural beauty, it makes for a sophisticated, polished photograph. Its expression changes between day and night, with the contrast between the station building's shadows and the illuminations becoming particularly striking from dusk into the evening. A classic spot that never disappoints, offering the reassurance of a reliable photo opportunity year after year.
Key points for photography
The key to photography here is composing your shot with an awareness of the straight tree-lined avenue unique to Tokyo Station's Marunouchi side and the architectural beauty of the station building. Since the illuminations are very bright, set your exposure slightly underexposed to avoid blown-out highlights. This preserves the texture of the red brick and the beautiful grain of the light. Nakadori Street is ideal for creating compositions that utilize depth; shooting from a low angle emphasizes the continuous flow of light. As this is a busy area, if including people, keep them as silhouettes or wait for the right moment to compose the shot, emphasizing the city's scale. This results in a sophisticated nightscape that captures the essence of Marunouchi.
Best viewing and photography timing
Best Season
冬
Recommended times
夜
Access & Basic Information (Check Before Shooting)
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | Near 1-chome, Marunouchi, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo |
| subject | illumination |
| Admission fee | None |
| Admission Time | None (Illumination hours available) |
| Parking lot | Paid parking or nearby coin-operated parking |
| Restroom | Yes |
