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Guide to Illuminations in Japan

You know it's winter season when the nation's evening skies start twinkling with the artfully curated displays that are Japan's annual illuminations events. 

Many displays were canceled in the past few years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but with tourism back in full force, several illuminations have already been confirmed for this year. Whether with family, solo, or on a date, illuminations are an amazing sight to see at night and can be found in many places all around Japan. To help you decide where to begin, we've put together a guide on how to fully enjoy all the light shows.

 

Timeline of illumination season, what to prepare, things to expect 

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Illumination season: As illuminations are usually associated with the winter holiday season, many of them begin after Halloween has ended (although some begin during the last few days of October). Most end after Christmas, but some still run until mid-January, meaning that the overall sightseeing period is from late October to mid-January. 

It is important to note that, like many attractions in Japan, the weekends will be the most crowded time to see illuminations, so weekday visits are recommended. As they take place at night, those getting out of work also have the opportunity to drop by illuminations that might be conveniently located near their workplaces. For those looking to travel a bit further to popular illumination spots, reserving trains with limited seating in advance can be important since tickets sell out quickly.

What to wear: The temperature in Tokyo is cold, but the skies are often crisp and clear. It's important to dress warmly, and for those who might not handle the cold as well, hokkairo (Japanese heating pads) can be bought from convenience stores in the form of hand or feet warmers. You'll likely be doing a lot of walking, especially at larger illumination sites, so a comfortable pair of shoes is a must-have. 

Admission fees: While plenty of free illumination spots can be accessed just by walking down to the city center, there are illuminations tied to other attractions, like Ashikaga Flower Park in Tochigi, which require an entrance fee. Entrance fees can range from 500 JPY to 2,000 JPY.

 

Key illumination spots to visit by prefecture 

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Illuminations in Tokyo

Tokyo has plenty of illuminations worth a visit, but two larger ones include Yomiuri Land’s Jewellumination and the Tokyo Mega Illumination at Oi Race Course. Both of these have admission fees, with Yomiuri Land priced at 1,800 JPY for entrance and Oi Race Course starting at 1,000 JPY, but there is plenty to do at both spots.

Yomiuri Land is an amusement park, so you can enjoy seeing the illuminations while riding on the many rides. An all-access pass to the rides is regularly 5,800 JPY, but special discounts are offered on the Japanese website. Individual ride tickets range from 300 JPY to 1,200 JPY. The park has around 10 illumination areas, and a spectacular fountain light show is held throughout the evening. For a special view, take the Ferris wheel to the top, and on a clear day, you can see SkyTree and Tokyo Tower.

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The Tokyo Mega Illumination is held at Oi Race Course which, as the name suggests, is an actual horse racing course. Guests have the opportunity to take photos with some of the horses for free, and there is a paid ticket system for small children who want to ride the horses. A beautiful rainbow-colored fountain show is held during the illumination season. There are over eight large light displays, with the wisteria shelf being one of the more famous ones at the park.

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If you’re looking to access smaller illuminations in Tokyo, both Tokyo Midtown and Caretta Shiodome* host excellent ones. At Tokyo Midtown, stroll down the promenade where all the trees on the path are decorated with beautiful golden lights. A Christmas tree is also featured every year on the promenade. At the end of the walk, the Tokyo Midtown ice rink is set up and is a great way to continue enjoying the seasonal spirit. At Caretta Shiodome, while doing some shopping, you can also enjoy the lights displayed all around the shopping center. There is usually a short light show held throughout the evening. Another option is at Yebisu Garden Place, which displays the world’s biggest Baccarat chandelier and also has a Christmas tree during the illumination season.

*Caretta Shiodome has been canceled for the past two years due to COVID-19. It is as yet unannounced at the time of writing, but it may take place this year.

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If you’re looking to stay on the east side of Tokyo to enjoy some illuminations, we recommend staying at Mitsui Garden Hotel Ginza Premier, located within a five-minute walk of Caretta Shiodome and a 30-minute train ride of Oi Race Course. 

 

Illuminations in Kanagawa

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While it can take around one and a half hours to get to the Lake Pleasure Forest, the Sagamiko Illumillion is one of Japan's largest illuminations, with over six million lights on display. Enjoy the lights by walking through the attractions or viewing them from the on-site amusement park rides. The chair lift is a great way to see some of the lights from above. The Sagamiko Illumillion starts on November 3 and will be on display until as late as May. 

For illuminations closer to the city, check out Yokohama. The Minatomirai area will be lit up from November 9 to February 11.

Illuminations in Nagasaki

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Huis Ten Bosch is a Dutch-themed amusement park that is famously known for its tulip festival held in the springtime. The theme park turns into the “Kingdom of lights” at nighttime and features more than 13 million lights, making it home to one of the largest light displays in Japan. Different light shows are held throughout the park, and other features like the Christmas town and ice rink can be enjoyed during this time of year.

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For easy access to the park, stay at Hotel Okura JR Huis Ten Bosch, which is a three-minute walk away.

Illuminations in Hyogo

The Kobe Luminaire will be held in January 2024 for the first time in four years. The illumination is dedicated to the memory of the victims of the Great Hanshin Earthquake of 1995. The unique light show draws in many, and the illumination area itself is quite large. The event is funded by donations that it receives every year.

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If you’re looking to stay near the illumination, we recommend checking out Dormy Inn Kobe Motomachi.

Illuminations in Osaka

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The Festival of the Lights in Osaka is one of the largest illumination events in the prefecture. It features two main programs: the Osaka-Hikari Renaissance, and the Midosuji Illumination. The Osaka-Hikari Renaissance takes over the Nakanoshima area while the Midosuji Illumination envelops the Midosuji area in lights. The Hikari Renaissance in particular also offers a beautiful waterside view.

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If you want to stay near the illuminations, we recommend staying at Mitsui Garden Hotel Osaka Premier which is located just a three-minute walk from the Nakanoshima area.

Illuminations in Tochigi

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Ashikaga Flower Park is a popular attraction on its own, with many people flocking in from Tokyo to see the wisteria that bloom during spring. In winter, however, the park transforms into a dazzling illumination space at night. Illuminations touch almost every corner of the park, and many displays mimic the flowers that regularly grow throughout the year.

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As the park can be quite far from Tokyo, we recommend staying at Hotel R9 The Yard Ashikaga Ekinishi, which is a 17-minute train ride from the park.

Other Notable Mentions: Nabana no Sato Illumination in Mie, Sapporo Winter Illumination in Hokkaido

Christmas Market illuminations

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Christmas Markets are another place that visitors typically visit to see illuminations, and the Christmas cheer can be felt when going to them as well. These markets are usually European-style and sell Christmas foods and hot drinks. The markets also feature many stalls that sell Christmas tree trinkets and other festive gifts. 

Tokyo

In Tokyo, Roppongi Hills and Hibiya Park host some of Tokyo's most popular Christmas Markets. With all three areas being in central Tokyo, they can get quite busy even on weekdays as well. 

The Roppongi Hills Christmas Market is the oldest Christmas market in Tokyo and was meant to recreate the Christmas market located in Germany. Along with the huge Christmas tree at the market, you can enjoy the Keyakizaka Street illumination just next to the market. Finally, the Tokyo Christmas Market held at Hibiya Park does charge an entrance fee but is meant to create a cozy village atmosphere and is a great place to pick up some Christmas presents and decorations.

Fukuoka

If you’re already down in the Kyushu region to see the illumination at Huis Ten Bosch, drop by Hakata and Tenjin stations as well to catch some holiday spirit at the Fukuoka Christmas Market. 

Admission to the market is free, but if you’re hoping to buy some trinkets and get some food, make sure you bring some money to purchase them! 

Kanagawa

The Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse Christmas Market is one of the more famous markets known in the Kanto region and is a traditional German-style Christmas market. The market is open during the daytime but comes to life at night with the stalls and Christmas trees all lit up. 

Pick up some mulled wine and some schnitzel as you shop around, and there are plenty of beautiful trinkets that you can grab from one of many “hutte” vendors. Do note that the entrance fee is around 500 JPY, but the spectacular view of the waterfront, skyscrapers, and decorated Christmas tree do bring the Christmas cheer. 

Other Notable Christmas Markets: Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens Christmas Market, Metsa Village Christmas Market, Kumamoto Christmas Market

Check out our guide to spending Christmas in Japan here.

 

Other illuminations to check out

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If the key spots and Christmas markets are still not enough holiday cheer for you, it is worth noting that all 47 prefectures around Japan will have at least one larger display. 

If you are in Tokyo, a few more illuminations that you can check out include the Marunouchi Illumination which is just outside of the main Tokyo Station building. The main features of this illumination include over 1.2 million lights strung across the trees and an ice-skating rink.

All in all, there is no shortage of places to visit during this time of year, but it’s important to stay warm and to be aware that some of these spots might be crowded. We hope you find your favorite one to visit as there are plenty of beautiful lights to catch during this festive time of the year.