In the West, illuminations during winter are usually associated with Christmas and traditional holiday celebrations. In Japan, however, Christmas is mostly commercial rather than religious or traditional, and illuminations are celebrated as a way to brighten the long winter nights, create festive experiences, and offer romantic or family-friendly outings rather than a strict cultural or religious ritual.
From Tokyo’s urbane glitter to Kyoto’s artful projections and Hiroshima’s peaceful glow, winter illuminations are a ritual of beauty and hope. Here’s a tour of Japan’s best winter illuminations for 2025, including main highlights in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima, and a few hidden-gem picks that might surprise you.
Why are illuminations so important?
Winter illuminations in Japan are much more than festive decorations; they are a cultural phenomenon that brings people together during the cold, dark months. Their popularity combines the joy of the holiday season with opportunities for romance, family outings, and tourism. While small Christmas light displays appeared in Japan in the 1980s, the modern large-scale public illuminations are often traced to the Kobe Luminarie, first held in 1995 to commemorate the victims of the Great Hanshin Earthquake. Since then, illuminations have evolved with advanced LED technology and projection mapping, transforming city streets, parks, temples, and gardens into dazzling works of art. Today, they are celebrated as both a form of entertainment and a meaningful tradition that symbolizes hope, community, and the magic of winter.
2023 Marunouchi Bright Holiday: Frozen – Photo Credit: Marunouchi Bright Holiday
Tokyo
Marunouchi Bright Holiday
Are you a Disney lover? You’re in luck! This Illumination is themed around this wonderful world. This winter event transforms the area with festive decorations inspired by beloved Disney stories, including Mickey & Friends, Frozen, Toy Story, Tangled, Winnie the Pooh, and even Zootopia 2. Installations will appear at major venues such as the Marunouchi Building, Shin-Marunouchi Building, Marunouchi Oazo, and Marunouchi Brick Square, creating a magical cityscape that brings Disney’s “Mickey & Friends in Real Life” project to life and offers visitors heartwarming holiday experiences.
Website: https://www.marunouchi.com/en/pickup/event/7575/
Timing: November 13th, 2025 – January 4th (Sunday), 2026 / 16:30 – 21:00 (Last Admission 20:00)
*Excluding Thursday, January 1, 2026 (national holiday)
Location: Marunouchi Building, Shin-Marunouchi Building, Marunouchi Oazo, Marunouchi Brick Square
A circular illuminated structure representing snow – Photo Credit: Tokyo Dome City
Tokyo Dome City Winter Illumination
One of Tokyo’s most iconic illuminations, this event changes its theme each year, with last year being “Snow.” Located around Tokyo Dome, it features over 2 million LED lights, including a striking half-moon installation, illuminated trees, and dynamic light projections. The nearby LaQua Garden and Thunder Dolphin passage are also adorned with themed lighting, creating a magical and immersive experience for visitors every winter.
Website: https://www.tokyo-dome.co.jp/en/illumination/
Timing: Mid November – Mid February / 16:00 – 23:00
Location: 1 Chome-3-61 Koraku, Bunkyo City, Tokyo 112-0004
Giant Tree Playing with the Light – Photo Credit: Tokyo Mega Illumi
Tokyo Mega Illumination
This is a spectacular winter light show held at the Oi Racecourse in Tokyo. It features millions of LED lights arranged in dazzling displays that combine modern technology with traditional Japanese motifs. Highlights include illuminated horses, glowing trees, and colorful installations that change with music and season. The event creates a magical atmosphere perfect for families, couples, and photographers, making it one of Tokyo’s most popular illumination attractions during the winter season.
Website: https://en.tokyomegaillumi.jp/
Timing: November 1st, 2025 – January 11th, 2026
Admission: Adults (¥800 – ¥1,500), Children (¥400 – ¥800), Preschoolers (free)
*Discounts for people with disabilities
*Prices vary by date and advance vs same-day purchase
*Illumination is not available on horse racing days.
Location: 2 Chome-1-2 Katsushima, Shinagawa City, Tokyo 140-0012
Ao no Dokutsu Illumination – Photo Credit: Ao no Dokutsu
Ao no Dokutsu (The Blue Cave)
This is a stunning winter illumination event held annually in Tokyo, Japan. Inspired by the famous Blue Grotto in Italy, this event transforms tree-lined streets, particularly along Shibuya’s Koen-dori or Nakameguro’s Meguro River, into a mesmerizing tunnel of blue LED lights. Millions of tiny bulbs envelop the trees and reflect off the ground, creating an enchanting, dreamlike atmosphere that draws locals and tourists alike. The event typically runs from late November through to the holidays, offering visitors a serene escape filled with soft music, romantic walks, and breathtaking photo opportunities.
Website: https://shibuya-aonodokutsu.jp/ (2024)
Timing: Late November, 2025 – End of December, 2025
Location: Shibuya Park Street to Yoyogi Park Keyaki Namiki
Midosuji Illumination – Photo Credit: Festival of lights in Osaka
Osaka
Midosuji Illumination
One of Osaka’s crown jewels, the main boulevard from Umeda down to Namba is lined with ginkgo trees draped in LED lights. In recent years, projection mapping and laser effects have been added. In 2025, “Midosuji Illumination” transformed the stretch from Hanshin-mae to Namba-nishiguchi with dazzling mixed-color tree lighting, facade lighting on landmark buildings, and themed light art installations, including “Light Art Street” boxes of light and projection mapping at Kita-Mido and Minami-Mido, all designed to evoke the growth and future of the city.
Location: along Mido-suji street
Osaka Castle Illumination – Photo Credit: Illuminage Group
Osaka Castle Illuminage
The Osaka Castle Illuminage transforms the Nishinomaru Garden of Osaka Castle into a dazzling world of light and sound under the theme “Toyotomi’s Dream… Unifying the World.” Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a 16th-century samurai and powerful daimyō (feudal lord) who succeeded in unifying Japan after years of civil war, is at the heart of this year’s story. Against the castle’s majestic backdrop, the ambitions of the Warring States period are vividly brought to life with expanded three-dimensional exhibits featuring full-body samurai warriors. Visitors can stroll through the breathtaking Lantern Corridor, a glowing path lined with countless lanterns, and enjoy the Osaka Illumination Tourist Spot Series, which recreates landmarks like Tsutenkaku and Dotonbori, for a truly photogenic experience where history and fantasy meet.
Website: https://illuminagegroup.com/en/
Timing: November 1st, 2025 – February 1st, 2026 / 17:00 – 22:00 (Last entry 21:30)
Admission:
- General – Adults ¥2,000, Children ¥1,000
- Advance tickets with priority lane – Adults ¥2,500, Children ¥1,500
Purchase here
Location: 1-1 Ōsakajō, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 540-0002
Rabbits at the Namba Park’s 8F – Photo Credit: Namba Hikaritabi
Namba Hikaritabi
Namba Hikari Tabi is a free winter illumination event in Osaka, centered around Namba Park and nearby areas. Featuring over 700,000 LED lights, it transforms the district into a glowing wonderland with highlights like the Waterfall of Light, Aurora Forest, and interactive AR experiences. Running from November to February, this event blends digital art and festive light displays, offering visitors a magical nighttime stroll through one of Osaka’s most vibrant urban spots.
Website: https://nambamarutto.com/hikaritabi/ (2024 website)
Timing: Early November, 2025 – Mid February, 2026 / 17:00 – 24:00
Location: 2 Chome-10-70 Nanbanaka, Naniwa Ward, Osaka, 556-0011
Projection mapping at Kodai-ji Zen Temple – Photo Credit: Asahi
Kyoto
Kodai-ji Zen Temple
Each winter, the historic Kodai-ji Temple presents a serene light-up event that highlights its elegant Zen gardens, bamboo groves, and temple architecture. The illumination combines traditional Japanese aesthetics with contemporary projection techniques, creating a calm yet stunning atmosphere unique to Kyoto’s ancient charm. In 2025, the event is themed “Eternal Bonds – Nene and Matsu,” commemorating the 400th anniversary of Lady Nene’s passing. This year’s display reflects the deep friendship between Nene, later known as Kita-no-Mandokoro, the wife of the famed samurai Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who founded Kodai-ji Temple in Kyoto after his death and later retired there as a nun, and Omatsu no Kata, the wife of Maeda Toshiie, one of Oda Nobunaga’s leading generals. Their enduring connection is beautifully portrayed through projection mapping on the Hashin-tei (Waves of the Heart) garden in front of the temple’s main hall.
Website: https://www.kodaiji.com/saiji.html
Timing: October 24th – December 14th, 2025 / 9:00 – 21:30
Location: 〒605-0825 Kyoto, Higashiyama Ward, 高台寺下河原町５２６
Radiant Japanese Umbrella crafted by Hiyoshiya – Photo Credit: NAKED
NAKED’s Garden of Japanese Lights
One of Kyoto’s most breathtaking winter events, this projection mapping spectacle illuminates the gardens of Heian Jingu Shrine, blending digital art with traditional beauty. For 2025, visitors can expect mesmerizing displays across the Higashi and Naka Shin’en gardens, featuring reflections on ponds, trees bathed in color, and immersive light-and-smoke installations.
Website: https://yoru-mo-de.naked.works/heian-jingu/en/ (2024 website)
Timing: Mid December, 2025 – Mid January, 2026 / 17:30 – 21:30
Admission: Adults and Middle school students or above ¥2,000, Elementary school students ¥1,200
Location: 97 Okazaki Nishitennocho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 606-8341
2012’s Kobe Luminarie light festival – Photo Credit: Sean Pavone
Other Cities
Kobe Luminarie
As we have mentioned previously, the Kobe Luminarie is one of the most iconic and moving events that marked the beginning of what we now know as illumination in Japan. Held annually since 1995, the festival was created to honor the victims of the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake on January 17, 1995, which devastated the city of Kobe and claimed over 6,000 lives. The first edition of the event was inspired by Italian lighting festivals and conceived as a symbol of hope and renewal for a city plunged into darkness and grief.
Over the years, the event has evolved, incorporating technologies such as LED lighting and projection mapping, turning Kobe’s streets into a dazzling spectacle that draws millions of visitors each year. The main route starts at Motomachi Station and stretches to Higashi Yuenchi Park, passing through the Former Foreign Settlement and the Meriken Harbor area. Among the highlights are the Galleria and the light tunnel, offering visitors a uniquely immersive experience.
In 2025, the event celebrated its 30th anniversary under the theme “30 Years of Light, A Hope That Shines Forever,” commemorating three decades of resilience and unity. Despite challenges posed by the pandemic, the festival remains a cultural pillar for Kobe, symbolizing humanity’s ability to overcome adversity and rise again from the ashes.
Website: https://kobe-luminarie.jp/ (2025’s website)
Timing: January 30th, 2026 – February 8th, 2026 / dusk to 21:30
Admission: Some areas of the Meriken Park venue require an admission fee
- Advance tickets – Weekdays ¥500, Saturdays and Sundays ¥750
- Same-day tickets – Weekdays ¥1,000, Saturdays and Sundays ¥1,500
- Group tickets – Weekdays ¥400, Saturdays and Sundays ¥600
Location: Higashi Yuenchi Park, Former Foreign Settlement, Meriken Park
Arabian Palace – Photo Credit: Kobe Illuminage
Kobe Illuminage
Kobe Illuminage is one of Japan’s largest and most spectacular winter illumination events, held annually at the Kobe Fruit & Flower Park. Celebrating its 15th anniversary in 2025 – 2026, the event transforms the park into a dazzling wonderland of lights under the theme “Garden Dream.” Visitors can enjoy beautifully lit attractions such as the Arabian Palace, Ice Palace, LOVE Tunnel, and sparkling laser shows, creating a magical atmosphere for everyone.
Website: https://illuminagegroup.com/
Timing: October 24th, 2025 – February 1st, 2026 / 17:00 – 22:00
Admission:
- General – Adults ¥2,000, Children ¥1,000, Pets ¥500
- Express Pass – (special dates like Christmas) Adults ¥3,000, Children ¥2,000
Purchase here (discount available)
Location: Kamiozo-2150 Ozocho, Kita Ward, Kobe, Hyogo 651-1522, Japón
Hiroshima Dreamination – Photo Credit: Dreamination
Hiroshima Dreamination
This is the city’s signature winter illumination event, transforming central Hiroshima into a glowing landscape of light and color. Held along Peace Boulevard and nearby streets, it features over 1.5 million LED lights arranged in stunning displays inspired by nature, fantasy, and local landmarks. The event symbolizes hope and peace, illuminating the city that once rose from devastation into a beacon of renewal. Visitors can stroll through illuminated tunnels, sparkling trees, and themed zones that capture both the festive spirit of winter and Hiroshima’s enduring message of harmony and resilience.
Website: https://www.dreamination.com/ (in Japanese)
Timing: November 17th, 2025 – January 3rd, 2026 / 17:30 – 22:30
Location: Peace Boulevard Street
2018’s Nabana no Sato Illumination – Photo Credit: Nagashima Resort
Nabana no Sato
If you’re looking for a winter illumination that truly wows, Nabana no Sato in Kuwana, Mie Prefecture, is a must-visit. The gardens stretch across several hectares, sparkling with millions of LED lights that form tunnels, flower-shaped displays, and seasonal scenes that change every year. Walking through the famous flower tunnel feels like stepping into a dream, with twinkling lights overhead mimicking vibrant blooms. The centerpiece is usually a spectacular display, such as a cascading “waterfall of light,” set against the serene garden backdrop. The Begonia Garden adds an extra layer of magic with special sound-and-light shows, making Nabana no Sato one of Japan’s most iconic and immersive winter illumination experiences.
Website: https://www.nagashima-onsen.co.jp/nabana/illumination/index.html (in Japanese)
Timing: October 18th (Saturday), 2025 – May 31st (Sunday), 2026
*For visits on December 23–25 (from 15:00), please purchase a date-specific ticket in advance.
Admission:
- October 18 – November 21 / March 1 – May 31: ¥2,500 (includes ¥1,000 voucher & Begonia Garden admission)
- November 22 – December 22 / December 26 – February 28: ¥3,000 (includes ¥1,000 voucher & Begonia Garden admission; special sound-and-light show in Begonia Garden after lights on)
- December 23 – 25 (from 15:00) – ¥5,000 advance / ¥5,500 same-day (includes ¥2,000 voucher & free Begonia
- Garden admission – Christmas-limited sound-and-light show; daytime closed, date-specific tickets required
- Children under elementary school age – Free
Check the illumination time here
Location: 〒511-1144 Mie, Kuwana, Nagashimacho Komae, 漆畑270
Ashikaga Flower Fantasy – Photo Credit: Ashikaga
Ashikaga Flower Fantasy
A spectacular winter illumination event held at Ashikaga Flower Park in Tochigi Prefecture. This year’s installation features around 5 million LED lights illuminating the park’s flower gardens, hillsides, and pathways, creating luminous “night blooms” that transform the landscape into a magical universe. The event is divided into three thematic phases over the season: Light & Flower Collaboration, Christmas Fantasy, and New Year Illumination. Ashikaga Flower Fantasy has consistently been ranked among Japan’s top illumination events and holds national recognition for its winter light artistry.
Website: www.ashikaga.co.jp/flowerfantasy_special2025/en/
Timing: October 18th, 2025 – February 15th, 2026 / 15:30 – 20:30
*The lights will be on from 16:30 to 17:00
Location: 607 Hasamacho, Ashikaga, Tochigi 329-4216
Japan’s winter illuminations are far more than dazzling displays of light; they are moments of warmth, creativity, and connection that brighten the coldest nights of the year. From Tokyo’s futuristic light shows to Kyoto’s elegant temple projections and Hiroshima’s message of peace, each region reflects its own history and spirit through luminous artistry. Whether you’re wandering through a romantic tunnel of lights, admiring projection-mapped temples, or simply soaking in the festive glow with loved ones, these events remind us that even in the quiet of winter, beauty and hope can shine the brightest.
Featured Photo Credit: Jo Panuwat D
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