Winter illuminations around Christmas and New Year have become a popular attraction in cities across Japan. Illuminations are typically displayed between November and December, but some run longer, starting as early as October and running until Valentine's Day or even into spring. Among Japan's first and most spectacular light shows is Kobe's Luminarie, an Italian designed light festival which was first held as a memorial to the victims of the disastrous Kobe earthquake in 1995. Below are some of Japan's popular seasonal illumination spots:
November 16 to December 25, 2023 17:04 to 23:00 Admission: free
During the "Midtown Christmas" event, the trees in the garden behind the main tower of Tokyo Midtown are illuminated, and there is a paid ice rink (11:00 to 21:00, until February 25, 2024).
November 16, 2023 to February 18, 2024 15:00 to 23:00 (until midnight in December) Admission: free
The entire district lights up for the Marunouchi's holiday events. Illuminations and displays take place especially along Nakadori Street, and at several of the buildings in the district.
November 3, 2023 to May 12, 2024 (except most Wed and Thu from 1/10 until 3/14 and all weekdays from 4/8) 16:00 to 20:00 (until 20:30, 21:00 oe 21:30 on selected days) Admission: 1900 yen Access: 8 minute bus ride from JR Sagamiko Station
The Sagamiko Illumillion in Lake Sagami Resort Pleasure Forest is one of the largest seasonal illuminations in the Kanto Region. Visitors to the illumination event can see about six million LED lights covering the hillsides in color, an animated lightshow and dancing water fountain set to music, light tunnels, a chair lift up the hillside and amusement park rides including a Ferris wheel.
Yomiuriland Jewellumination
October 19, 2023 to April 7, 2024 (closed on selected days) 16:00 to 20:30 (until 21:00 on some days) Admission: 1800 yen Access: Keio Yomiuriland Station or Yomiuriland Station on the Odakyu Railway
Virtually every tree, building and attraction in the Yomiuriland amusement park just outside of central Tokyo is covered with lights, creating one of the largest illumination displays in the Tokyo area. In addition to the light displays, a fountain show is also held.
Sendai
Sendai Pageant of Starlight
December 8 to 25, 2023 19:00 to 22:00 (from 18:00 on weekends; until 21:00 on Sundays) Admission: free Access: 20 minute walk from JR Sendai Station
This illumination event in Sendai is located along Jozenji-dori Street with about 160 keyaki (zelkova) trees, which are decorated with over half a million LED lights that bathe the area in a warm glow. Other attractions include a small ice skating rink.
October 18, 2023 to February 14, 2024 (closed on December 31) 16:30 to 20:30 (until 21:00 on selected days) Admission: 1300 yen Access: A short walk from JR Ashikaga Flower Park Station
The Ashikaga Flower Fantasy in Ashikaga Flower Park is one of the Kanto Region's largest seasonal illumination events with over five million LED lights covering most of the park. Attractions include hanging lights that are meant to resemble seasonal flowers and music-synchronized light shows.
October 22, 2023 to June 2, 2024 (closed on selected days) Sunset to 21:00 (until 22:00 on selected days) Admission: 2500 yen Access: 30 minutes by bus and train from central Nagoya
With millions of LED lights illuminating the flower park, Nabana no Sato is one of the largest illumination events in Japan. There are various attractions including a huge field transformed into a sea of lights below an animated light show, light tunnels and an observation deck that lifts visitors high above the park where they can get a bird's eye view of the lights.
Osaka
Osaka Hikari Renaissance
December 14 to 25, 2023; 17:00 to 23:00 (hours vary by attraction) Admission: free Access: Short walk from Yodoyabashi or Naniwabashi Station
Nakanoshima Island hosts the Osaka Hikari Renaissance illumination event, stretching from Osaka City Hall to the eastern tip of Nakanoshima Park. Several of the historic buildings on the island are lit up with creative displays.
Midosuji Illumination
November 3 to December 31, 2023; 17:00 to 23:00 Admission: free Access: stations along Midosuji Street, incl. Yodoyabashi and Shinsaibashi
The Midosuji Illumination stretches almost the entire length of the three kilometer long Midosuji Street through central Osaka between Umeda and Namba, making it one of the world's longest illuminated streets. Hundreds of ginkgo trees as well as several shops and historic buildings that line the street are decked out in colorful lights and decorations.
Kobe
Kobe Luminarie
January 19 to 28, 2024, twilight to 21:30 Admission: mostly free of charge, but there is a paid area at Meriken Park (1000 yen, 500 yen if purchased in advance)
The Kobe Luminarie is one of Japan's oldest winter illumination events. It was started in 1995 in the wake of the Great Hanshin Earthquake and meant as a memorial to the victims and to inspire hope in recovery. In 2023/2024, the event is held in January instead of December and distributed over multiple sites, including Kobe East Park (Higashi Yuenchi), the Kitano-cho district and Meriken Park.
Nagasaki
Kingdom of Light
Around the year Admission: 4000 yen (entry after 5pm), 7000 yen (full day passport) Access: Inside Huis Ten Bosch
Some of Japan's largest illumination displays can be found at Huis Ten Bosch, a Dutch-themed amusement park. Illuminations can be enjoyed year around, while seasonally themed illuminations are added, as well.
