From Saturday, November 7, 2026 to Sunday, January 31, 2027, the area around TOKYO mizumachi and Sumida River Walk, located between the TOKYO SKYTREE TOWN area and the Asakusa area, will be lit by the warm glow of bamboo lights. The event, "Take Akari -Tokyo Downtown Walk-" (東京下町回遊 竹あかり), is organized by Tobu Railway to bring more life to the area on winter nights, and it includes a variety of events under the bamboo lights.
The bamboo light illumination started in 2022 at Ushijima Shrine and has been well received by many visitors, and this year marks its fifth year. A new feature this year is a lighting display that colors the water surface along part of the Kitajukken River, between Genmori Bridge and Koume Bridge. Until now the event has focused on bamboo light displays, and this is the first time the river itself is used as part of the show. Bamboo light objects blend with the waterside to create a wider landscape of light.
Besides the bamboo light making workshop that is popular every year, the program includes a water concert by members of the New Japan Philharmonic, again held with the riverside terrace where the bamboo lights are set up serving as the audience seating. The illumination is directed overall by Kenji Mishiro (三城 賢士) of CHIKAKEN, a group based in Kumamoto Prefecture that produces bamboo light displays across Japan.
Dates and Hours
- Period: Saturday, November 7, 2026 to Sunday, January 31, 2027
- Hours: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
The Kitajukken River illumination takes place only on the following dates.
- Saturday, November 7, 2026: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Sunday, November 8, 2026: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Thursday, December 10, 2026 to Sunday, January 31, 2027: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM each day
The Six Venues
1. Kitajukken River Terrace (Between Genmori Bridge and Koume Bridge)
The Kitajukken River terrace, developed together with TOKYO mizumachi, is a place to spend relaxed time by the water. This year, part of the river from Genmori Bridge to Koume Bridge is lit up as a new feature, the first attempt to use the river itself as a space for the show. Bamboo spheres and lights are set along about 200 m from Genmori Bridge to Koume Bridge, creating a dreamlike scene. This venue is co-hosted by Sumida Ward.
2. Ushijima Shrine
The bamboo light illumination at the locally loved Ushijima Shrine enters its fifth year. Bamboo light decorations, which have become a winter tradition, are joined by floodlights that illuminate the main shrine building. A bamboo sphere that appears to float in the air with TOKYO SKYTREE in the background is a recommended photo spot.
3. Sumida River Walk
Sumida River Walk is a pedestrian bridge connecting Asakusa and TOKYO SKYTREE TOWN. Visitors are greeted by dreamlike bamboo light objects with TOKYO SKYTREE in the background, as well as an arch of bamboo lights over the bridge, offering a new winter attraction of the bridge.
4. Sumida Ward's Sumida Park
Since April 2025, the Sumida Park Management Group, a joint venture led by Tobu Railway, has been in charge of managing part of Sumida Park, next to Sumida River Walk, working to promote the use of the park and raise the value of the area. Along part of the path leading to Ushijima Shrine, bamboo lights made by participants in the bamboo light workshop are installed, lighting the park with a warm glow.
5. Tully's Coffee Hanakawado Sumida Park
Tully's Coffee, set along the Sumida River, offers an excellent view of both TOKYO SKYTREE and the river. The bamboo light object that first appeared at the winter event in 2024 returns for its third year and has attracted many visitors as a new winter photo spot.
6. TOKYO SKYTREE 4F Entrance Floor
Before enjoying the view over the Kanto region from the observation decks of TOKYO SKYTREE, the world's tallest broadcasting tower, visitors can see bamboo lights on the 4F entrance floor. Bamboo light objects set against a TOKYO SKYTREE panel welcome guests into a special world of light.
Lighting Ceremony and Water Concert on November 7
Lighting Ceremony
- Date and time: Saturday, November 7, 2026, 5:15 PM – 6:00 PM
- Venue: Kitajukken River terrace (between Genmori Bridge and Koume Bridge)
After a performance by local musicians, the bamboo lights and the Kitajukken River illumination come on at the same time. The light of the bamboo and its reflection on the river create a special night scene.
If the event is canceled due to bad weather or other reasons, an announcement will be made on the official Instagram around 6:00 PM the day before.
Water Concert by Members of the New Japan Philharmonic
- Date and time: Saturday, November 7, 2026. Part 1: 6:00 PM – 6:30 PM, Part 2: 7:00 PM – 7:30 PM
- Venue: Kitajukken River terrace (between Makura Bridge and Koume Bridge)
- Performers: Members of the New Japan Philharmonic
The riverside terrace where the bamboo lights are set up serves as the audience seating for this concert on the water, and the sound of a string quartet wraps around a relaxed night by the river. The concert, popular every year, is held in two parts again this year, on the same day as the bamboo light lighting ceremony, so light and music color the waterside together. Visitors can enjoy it while strolling with family or friends.
If the event is canceled due to bad weather or other reasons, an announcement will be made on the official Instagram around 6:00 PM the day before.
The performers are as follows (Vn: violin, Va: viola, Vc: cello).
Vn: Taisei Ohkoshi (大腰 泰成)
Vn: Hayato Takenaka (竹中 勇人)
Va: Yoichi Yoshitsuru (吉鶴 洋一)
Vc: Samuel Ericsson (サミュエル・エリクソン)
Bamboo Light Workshop
Participants choose a stencil pattern they like and make their own bamboo light. Each person makes two, one to take home and one to be displayed in Sumida Park. Advance reservation is required.
- Dates: Saturday, October 31 and Sunday, November 1, 2026
- Sessions: 1st 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM, 2nd 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM, 3rd 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM
- Venue: Tobu Museum, 1F hall
- Fee: Free
- Reservation: Reservation form
Other Events
Instagram Posting Campaign
During the bamboo light period, a social media campaign for "Take Akari -Tokyo Downtown Walk-" (「東京下町回遊竹あかり」) is held. For campaign details, see the official website or the official Instagram.
Collaboration With Sumida Aquarium: "Garden Eels Everywhere" (そこらじゅうにチンアナゴ)
The spotted garden eels (chin-anago), popular residents of Sumida Aquarium, turn into bamboo lights. They are quietly peeking out somewhere at the venues, so visitors can try to find them.
About CHIKAKEN
CHIKAKEN is a unit centered on Chika (池田 親生) and Kenji Mishiro (三城 賢士), who met at Sojo University in Kumamoto. In April 2007 they founded CHIKAKEN, which designs and produces bamboo light displays ("Take Akari"). Based in Kumamoto, the group lights bamboo lights across Japan and keeps creating the "scenery" and "stories" that exist only in each place.
Their bamboo lights were exhibited as a new part of Japanese culture at the spouses' program dinner venue of the G7 Ise-Shima Summit (May 2016) and in the government PR exhibition area of the G7 Hiroshima Summit (May 2023). The group also appeared on MBS TV's "Jonetsu Tairiku" (情熱大陸) broadcast on November 5, 2023.
"Take Akari" is a registered trademark of CHIKAKEN.
Event Overview
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Event name | Take Akari -Tokyo Downtown Walk- (東京下町回遊 竹あかり) |
| Period | Saturday, November 7, 2026 to Sunday, January 31, 2027 |
| Hours | 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM |
| Kitajukken River illumination | November 7 (Sat), 2026: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM. November 8 (Sun): 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM. December 10 (Thu), 2026 to January 31 (Sun), 2027: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM each day |
| Venues | Kitajukken River terrace (between Genmori Bridge and Koume Bridge), Ushijima Shrine, Sumida River Walk, Sumida Park, Tully's Coffee Hanakawado Sumida Park, TOKYO SKYTREE 4F entrance floor |
| Organizer | Tobu Railway |
| Co-host (Kitajukken River terrace) | Sumida Ward |
| Overall direction | Kenji Mishiro (三城 賢士) of CHIKAKEN |
| Official website | Japanese / English |
| Official Instagram | tobu_takeakari |
