Where to see Winter Illuminations in Japan

Winter light displays have become extremely popular in Japan during the Christmas and New Year period. Most of them run between November and December, but some displays are longer. We recommend always checking the event dates and times in advance, to avoid disappointment.

These spectacular nighttime illuminations have become a Japanese tradition, and appear all over the country every year. They’re a wonderful sight to see if you’ll be visiting Japan in the winter!

Here are a few of the biggest winter illuminations in Japan being held over winter 2023/24:

TOKYO

MIDTOWN CHRISTMAS: As part of the “Midtown Christmas” event held by Tokyo Midtown in Roppongi, the trees in the garden behind the main tower are illuminated. There’s also an ice rink.

Dates: November 16, 2023 to February 25, 2024, 17:00-23:00

Admission: Free to view the illuminations, fees apply for the ice rink

Shibuya AOI NO KUTSU: In December, a Christmas market accompanies the “Aoi no Kutsu” (blue cave) illuminations in Shibuya, where over 770,000 blue lights line Koen-dori street between Shibuya station and Yoyogi park.

Dates: December 1 to 25, 2023, 17:00-22:00

Admission: Free to view

KANAGAWA

SAGAMIKO ILLUMILLION: One of the largest winter illuminations in the region, an amazing 6 million lights cover the trees and hillsides of Lake Sagami Resort Pleasure Forest in dazzling color. 

Dates: November 3, 2023 to May 12, 2024, 16:00-21:00

Admission: 1900 yen

ENOSHIMA SHONAN NO HOSEKI: Enoshima island, near Kamakura, offers a spectacular display called “Jewel of Shonan”. Running since 1999, it’s one of the best illuminations in the region.

Dates: November 23, 2023 to February 29, 2024, 17:00- 20:00

Admission: 700 yen

TOCHIGI

ASHIKAGA FLOWER FANTASY: One of the three largest illumination events in Japan, over 5 million lights cover Ashikaga Flower Park by night. Breathtaking hanging lights resemble seasonal flowers, and there are also music-synchronized light shows.

Dates: October 18, 2023 to February 14, 2024, 16:30-20:30

Admission: 1300 yen

NAGOYA

NABANA NO SATO ILLUMINATION: One of Japan’s most famous winter light displays, over 5.8 million lights create a dazzling scene at Nabana no Sato flower park every year, 30 minutes from Nagoya by train.

Dates: October 21, 2023 to June 2, 2024, 17:00-22:00

Admission: 2300 yen

OSAKA

HIKARI KYOEN: This public winter light-up project comprises two main displays in Osaka, the "Midosuji Illumination" held on Midosuji Avenue between Umeda and Namba, and the "Osaka Hikari-Renaissance", a light art project held in Nakanoshima.

Midosuji Illumination dates: November 3 to December 31, 2023, 17:00-23:00 

Hikari Renaissance dates: December 14 to 25, 2023, 17:00-22:00

Admission: Free to view

KOBE

KOBE LUMINARIE: This is an annual winter light display held in memory of the victims of the Great Hanshin Earthquake of 1995. It has been running for over 20 years now, and the 200,000 lights displayed were donated by the Italian government.

Dates: January 19 to 28, 2024, 17:00-21:30

Admission: Mostly free to view, however there is a paid area at Meriken Park costing 1000 yen

NAGASAKI

KINGDOM OF LIGHT: An award-winning display at the Huis Ten Bosch theme park, it offers impressive light displays all year round, with different themes that change depending on the season.

Dates: The winter light display is from November 10, 2023 to January 8, 2024

Admission: 4000 yen for entry after 5pm, or 7000 yen for a full-day ticket