For many of us, seeing the northern lights at least once in a lifetime is a distant dream. Since its debut in 2021, Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo’s Forest Aurora has become a beloved winter tradition enjoyed by many guests. This special recreation of the northern lights can be viewed in Chinzanso Garden, offering a magical experience right in the heart of Tokyo.

Experience the Enchanting Lights and Sounds of the Forest Aurora

The Forest Aurora can be enjoyed in Chinzanso Garden in the evenings throughout winter, from November to February. The phenomenon is created using advanced light projection technology. The dynamic color gradation that makes the aurora borealis look like a giant curtain swaying in the sky is created by projecting light with different densities from six directions.

If you look right above your head, you’ll be able to enjoy a multilayered aurora. When viewed from the side, the aurora appears to have six layers. The dynamic scenery of the Forest Aurora changes depending on your vantage point!

The illumination is best enjoyed from the walkway along the Yusuichi Pond. Look straight above your head and you’ll see the Forest Aurora covering the sky. Combined with the Tokyo Sea of Clouds, the aurora becomes an immersive spectacle. For five minutes, the surroundings are transfigured into a surreal sight.

Moreover, the enchanting experience of the aurora is enhanced through a special stereophonic soundscape created with natural sounds. Before you even realize it, you’ll be transported into a new realm while gazing up at the night sky.

The Forest Aurora is shown several times per day. How about visiting the hotel precincts for dinner at one of the restaurants and viewing the aurora before or after your meal? After all, at Chinzanso Garden, you can be one hundred percent sure that you’ll be able to view this aurora in Japan, as it is not affected by weather conditions.

Discover the Seven Seasons of Chinzanso Garden

Along with the Forest Aurora, visitors can enjoy a variety of beautiful seasonal productions in Chinzanso Garden throughout the year. February brings the Tokyo Camellia and Art Installation, which recreates the atmosphere of the Camellia Mountain from premodern times. During springtime, the garden is adorned with cherry blossoms and the pink Tokyo Sea of Clouds. 

Early summer (May-June) brings firefly season, while the following months (July-September) feature the gentle sounds of the windchime path. In autumn, guests can admire the brilliant fall foliage. Together with the Forest Aurora in winter, these garden features represent the “seven seasons of Chinzanso Garden.”

Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo has always strived to be an oasis of nature in the increasingly dynamic urban landscape of Tokyo. Isn’t it wonderful to know that you can enjoy a different season every time you visit?

Winter Feast! Special Seasonal Menus and Events 

 Each restaurant also offers dishes that highlight the flavors of the season, allowing guests to indulge in the seasonal delights of the hotel’s renowned cuisine. 

The Year-End Dinner Buffet is a celebration themed around the Tokyo Sea of Clouds and the Forest Aurora, two features that make Chinzanso Garden a must-visit in Tokyo. The buffet is held at the Banquet Hall from November to the end of the year. Please check here for details regarding the dates, menu details, and reservations.

We offer a luxurious selection of dishes such as sirloin roast beef carved right before your eyes, nigiri sushi, and a wide variety of exquisite desserts. Patrons can also choose from an assortment of drinks and cocktails. After your meal, guests can enjoy the spectacular combination of the Forest Aurora and the Tokyo Sea of Clouds in the garden.

A Dreamlike Winter Awaits at Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo

If you’re looking for a destination in Japan to spend special moments with your family or significant other, why not visit Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo? The Forest Aurora brings magic to Chinzanso Garden this winter. This extraordinary scenery of light amid Tokyo’s oasis will fill your hearts with wonder and joy.

Updated on November 5th, 2025