Yoyogi Forest of Lights is scheduled to run in Tokyo’s Yoyogi Park from November 13, 2026, through January 11, 2027. This is a paid evening walk through the park’s cycling-course area, with light and sound installations along an approximately 1.8-kilometer route.
It is worth considering if you want a planned evening activity after Harajuku or Shibuya sightseeing. Buy a dated entry slot before going: there is no ticket booth at the venue. Lawson Ticket provides a dedicated overseas purchase link, so international visitors have a specific booking route.
Information checked October 30, 2026. The event has not yet opened. Prices below are admission prices before booking fees; check the final total and ticket-collection method before payment. All times are Japan Standard Time (JST).
Is It Worth Paying for a Forest Light Walk?
The official event site describes 17 zones, including illuminated trees, laser effects, and lanterns. The reason to pay is the continuous walk through a designed setting, rather than a quick look at a single decorated tree. Advance images include illustrations, so they should not be treated as photographs of the completed 2026 event.
Our recommendation is to choose it when your group enjoys walking, light installations, and stopping for photographs. If you mainly want a few festive pictures between dinner and shopping, a free streetside display may fit better. Compare the final booking total with how much of the evening you actually want to spend here.
We suggest leaving roughly 60–90 minutes for the visit, plus arrival time. That is a planning allowance, not an organizer’s stated duration: your walking pace, photo stops, and queues will affect it. Avoid placing a fixed dinner reservation immediately after the walk.
Dates, Entry Slots, and Ticket Prices
The event operates from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., with final admission at 9 p.m. Tickets specify a 30-minute entry window, starting at 5:30 p.m. and ending with the 8:30 p.m. slot. Arrive within your booked window. Later entry slots leave less time before the venue closes at 10 p.m.
| Admission category | Adult: university age and above | Junior/senior high: ages 13–18 | Elementary: ages 6–12 |
|---|---|---|---|
| November early-bird | ¥2,400 | ¥1,200 | ¥500 |
| Regular weekday | ¥3,200 | ¥1,600 | ¥800 |
| Weekend / public holiday | ¥3,800 | ¥2,000 | ¥1,000 |
| December 23–25 | ¥4,600 | ¥2,400 | ¥1,200 |
Use the Lawson Ticket event listing (Japanese, with an overseas purchase section) to select your date. Preschool children enter free with a guardian, up to two per guardian. The guardian needs their own ticket. Do not select a ticket by age alone if the school-category label does not clearly match your child.
How International Visitors Can Buy Tickets
On the Lawson event listing, scroll to “For Overseas Visitors” and choose “Buy Tickets Online.” This is the event-specific international route. It is more useful than starting with the domestic registration or electronic-ticket instructions elsewhere on the page.
Choose the date, entry slot, ticket category, and quantity, then review the purchase details. Pay attention to the total including fees and the instructions for receiving the actual admission ticket. Keep the confirmation email available during your trip.
If your booking requires collection at a Lawson store, follow Lawson’s English ticket-collection guide and your confirmation email. The guide explains using the Loppi terminal and then taking its printed slip to the cashier. The slip itself is not an admission ticket. Collect the ticket within the deadline stated for your booking.
Ticket arrangements differ by sales route. Do not assume that an overseas booking will use the same smartphone app or delivery method as a Japanese domestic purchase.
Mastercard Discount: Compare the Total, Not Just the Percentage
The optional Mastercard sale runs through November 11 at 11:59 p.m. Its published overseas-issued-card offer (Japanese) combines a 5% admission discount with paper-ticket delivery and ¥1,595 in fees per ticket. A November adult ticket is therefore ¥3,875 in total (¥2,280 + ¥1,595). This fee applies to that offer; compare the final total with the general overseas sale before choosing.
Fit It into a Harajuku or Shibuya Day
A simple plan is daytime sightseeing and shopping, an early meal, then the booked light walk. Alternatively, choose an earlier slot and have dinner afterward with a flexible start time. It works best as one evening’s main activity rather than an extra stop squeezed into an already full day.
Nearby stations include JR Harajuku, Tokyo Metro Meiji-jingumae (Harajuku), and Tokyo Metro Yoyogi-koen. Use the official access section and map to locate the event entrance before leaving the station. Walking time depends on the park gate and event entrance you use. The park authority’s official notice (Japanese) confirms that normal cycling-course use is restricted from 5 to 10 p.m. during the event period.
Wear comfortable walking shoes and layers suited to an outdoor winter evening. The event FAQ permits wheelchairs and strollers, but provides no rentals or storage. There are also no cloakroom or coin-locker facilities, so leave large bags elsewhere before entering.
Official Information
- Yoyogi Forest of Lights: English event information and FAQ
- Lawson Ticket: prices and “For Overseas Visitors” purchase link
- Lawson Ticket: English purchase and collection guide
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does it run in the rain?
-
The organizer says the event runs in rain, but snow or severe weather may cause suspension. Check the official event updates before leaving for the park.
- Can I change the date or get a refund if my plans change?
-
The ticket listing states that purchased dates and times cannot be changed, and personal cancellations are not refundable. Event cancellation is handled separately under the published refund rules.
- Can I leave and re-enter?
-
No. Re-entry is not permitted. Plan meals and other stops around a single visit rather than leaving the course and coming back later.
For help fitting dated tickets into the rest of your itinerary, see our Japan trip preparation guide.
