Meguro River illumination to turn waste oil into winter lighting magic

The Meguro River Minna no Illumination Executive Committee will hold its annual winter light display from December to January. Now in its 15th year, the event will once again illuminate a stretch of the Meguro River using 100% renewable energy derived from used cooking oil collected from local homes and restaurants.

The illumination, known as “Winter Cherries®,” features cherry-blossom-pink LEDs that line a 2.2-kilometre section of the riverbanks. The entire display is powered by biodiesel fuel, a winter tradition in the area. The committee describes the illumination as a “precious local resource” born from and protected by the community’s power.

To mark its 15th anniversary, the event will introduce new community-focused initiatives. A new art project, “Minna no Kirakira no Ki” (Everyone’s Sparkling Tree), will invite residents and visitors to create ornaments from waste materials such as broken umbrellas and plastic bottle caps. The finished pieces will be used to decorate the event venue.

On the opening day, the “Minna no Upcycle Spot” will be set up at the Gotanda Fureai Mizube Hiroba for residents to bring their used household cooking oil for collection. This allows the public to participate directly in the energy-recycling process. The collection point has become an established part of the event.

In a further effort to expand its circle of support, the committee will also launch a crowdfunding campaign. The funds raised will help ensure the continuation of the sustainable illumination for future years, with supporters receiving 15th-anniversary commemorative goods in return.