Event has ended】This year marks the 15th anniversary of the event! Cherry blossom-colored winter scenery lit up by the community [Meguro River Minna no Illumination 2025

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© Meguro River Illumination Executive Committee

Let's make it bloom by utilizing used cooking oil! Meguro River Illumination for Everyone 2025

From December 5, 2025 (Friday) to January 31, 2026 (Saturday), "Meguro River Illumination 2025" will be held as a winter tradition. This year marks the 15th anniversary of this event, which has been lit by the power of local residents and local businesses for local production for local consumption, and the winter cherry blossoms® will be in full bloom again this year. The Osaki/Gotanda area continues to develop as the sub-center of Tokyo. This town is being developed not only as a new base for business, but also as a new residential area in the heart of the city. The illumination was created with the hope that everyone will develop a sense of attachment to and pride in this town. This illumination is a sustainable initiative in which used cooking oil from local restaurants and homes is recycled and used as biodiesel fuel. With the recycled electricity, visitors can enjoy "Winter Cherry Blossoms®" (cherry blossom-colored illumination) along the 2.2 km stretch of the Meguro River (total length of both banks).
© Meguro River Illumination Executive Committee

Used cooking oil becomes fuel...SDGs illumination realized by local power

The "Meguro River Illumination for Everyone" has been attracting attention both in Japan and abroad as an initiative to illuminate the river using 100% locally produced and locally consumed energy. Sustainable energy use is achieved through community participation in the "collection, recycling, and use" of used cooking oil. Electricity used for the illumination is supplied by biodiesel fuel upcycled from used cooking oil collected in the community.
Local production for local consumption of energy! © Meguro River Illumination for Everyone Executive Committee
Approximately 400,000 tons of used cooking oil is disposed of in Japan each year. About 200,000 tons of this is taken from restaurants and food-related businesses and recycled into feed, soap, paint, and other products. However, much of the remaining 200,000 tons of used oil from households is disposed of unused, and some is discharged into rivers as domestic wastewater, contributing to environmental destruction. Biodiesel fuel" is a fuel that allows this used oil to be reused as energy. It is a fuel that can run diesel vehicles as an alternative to diesel fuel and contains zero sulfur oxides, which cause air pollution. The amount of black smoke, which is said to cause respiratory organ damage, is less than half that of diesel fuel. It is truly an earth-friendly clean energy for the next generation. Biodiesel fuel is a new energy source that is attracting attention around the world.
© Meguro River Illumination Executive Committee

Upcycle Spot for Everyone] Bring your used cooking oil and join us!

This year, the "Upcycle Spot for Everyone" will be set up on the first day of the festival again as a place for people to experience "being involved in lighting up the town with their own hands. Visitors can bring used cooking oil from their homes, which will be recycled to power the illumination, and experience the "cycle of community and energy" in a way that is open to all ages and generations. Many people look forward to this event every year, saying, "I saved the oil last year," or "I'm glad I can participate again! The event has become a part of the community's traditions, a place where people can feel that the act of lighting up their hearts and minds transforms into the light of the town.
Illumination is 100% self-generated. © Meguro River Illumination for Everyone Executive Committee
The energy used for electricity comes from used cooking oil from households and restaurants. With the cooperation of local residents, used cooking oil is collected and upcycled into biodiesel fuel. Through this event, the community is united and aims to realize a circular economy. The "Meguro River Illumination for Everyone 2025" will be lit by the power of the local community in exchange for environmentally friendly renewable energy.
Upcycling spots for everyone "© Meguro River Illumination for Everyone Executive Committee
Upcycling" refers to the creation of new value by adding ideas and designs to things that would normally be thrown away. The "Meguro River Illumination for Everyone Executive Committee" upcycles used cooking oil into biodiesel fuel, thereby realizing 100% local production for local consumption!
For more information about "Upcycle Spot for Everyone", please click here!

This year, the lighting hours have been extended by 30 minutes! Let's use a new commuting style "TRY Boat Trip Commute!

This year, the illumination hours have been extended by 30 minutes to 17:00-22:30 so that visitors can also enjoy the view from the boats (shuun).
The TRY Boat Trip to Work, promoted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, is a route connecting Gotanda and Tennozu, and is attracting attention as a new commuting style from the Gotanda area. This year, the Gotanda River Station will also be decorated with LEDs, and those who use the boat trip commuter service on their way home from work can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Meguro River enveloped in light from the comfort of their boat.

© Meguro River Illumination Executive Committee

Meguro River Illumination 2025" Overview

Illuminated area map "© Meguro River Illumination Executive Committee

Location: Shinagawa Ward Gotanda Fureai Waterside Plaza and along the Meguro River
Access: 6-minute walk from JR "Osaki" or "Gotanda" station (Shinagawa Ward Gotanda Fureai Waterside Plaza)
Illumination period: Friday, December 5, 2025 - Saturday, January 31, 2026 (58 days)
Lighting hours: 17:00 - 22:30
Number of LED bulbs used: approx. 390,000
Admission fee: Free

An opening event will be held on the first day of the event!

[Meguro River Illumination for Everyone 2025 Lighting Event Overview]
■Date: December 5, 2025 (Friday)
Time: 16:00-17:00 (tentative)
■Venue: Gotanda Fureai Waterside Plaza
■Content: Performance and dance performance by local schools (Shinagawa Ward Hino Gakuen Brass Band and Dance Club), Meguro River Illumination 2025 Lighting Ceremony, kitchen car vendors, Shinagawa Tourism Ambassador " Apprentice" Ryoma, a young man who has just turned 20 years old, will make an appearance!
In case of rain, some programs may be changed, and in case of stormy weather, the event may be cancelled. Please be forewarned that the event may be cancelled in case of inclement weather.
Meguro River Illumination 2025] For more information, please visit

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