Omotesando Hills' annual Christmas illuminations, "OMOTESANDO HILLS CHRISTMAS 2019," finally kicked off on November 13th. This year, the up-and-coming design studio we+ has been commissioned to create a mystical, ever-changing illumination display that evokes the magic of water. On the opening day, Mizuki Yamamoto was the guest of honor for the lighting ceremony.

A 7-meter-tall Christmas tree surrounded by approximately 40 unique aquariums appears on the main building's grand atrium staircase. As the water level in each tank changes in sync with the music, the Christmas tree, illuminated by LED lights, changes appearance from a clear image to a mosaic-like effect. The ever-changing Christmas tree's mystical beauty makes you lose track of time and stare at its ever-changing appearance. A gold frame reminiscent of an aquarium is adorning the ceiling, dynamically adding color to the entire atrium space.


When Yamamoto Mizuki appeared, she poured water into the aquariums set up in front of the tree, music began to play, and the illuminations began. As approximately 40 aquariums began to fill with water, the tree, decorated with LED lights, came into sharp focus.


This was Yamamoto's first time attending a Christmas lighting ceremony. "When you think of Christmas, you think of Omotesando." Yamamoto, who often visits the Omotesando Hills illuminations because her office is nearby, said, "I'm surprised I'll be attending the lighting ceremony." When asked about her most memorable Christmas memories, she said, "I realized this when I became an adult... but in our house (the Yamamoto family), Santa would ring bells outside on the night of the 24th, and then he'd come to our house with a ping-pong sound. Every year, I'd welcome Santa, thinking, 'He's kind of like my dad,' and that's what I remember." When asked what her ideal Christmas would be, she said, "If I could have the day off, I'd spend it in Omotesando, looking at the illuminations." Looking back on 2019, she said, "This year I had many opportunities to travel abroad, including to Paris, Portugal, Taiwan, Singapore and Scandinavia, and I was inspired by seeing different parts of the world."




During the event, a special five-minute performance accompanied by sound and light will be held every 30 minutes, and you can see the Christmas tree's expression change. As the music heats up, the gold frames hanging from the ceiling begin to glow, gradually gathering light towards the central tree. In sync with this, approximately 40 aquariums simultaneously fill with water, bringing the tree, adorned with gorgeous LED lights, into sharp focus. It's a magical display, with the Christmas tree constantly changing its appearance, as if enchanted by water. The first display each day begins at 11:30 AM, and the final display begins at 10:30 PM.

The Christmas illuminations will run until December 25th. Be sure to experience the first Christmas of the Reiwa era at Omotesando Hills.