10 Best Winter Illuminations Across Japan

10 Dazzling Winter Illuminations in Japan to Warm Your Heart

When winter arrives in Japan, cities and parks across the country transform into breathtaking wonderlands of light. These dazzling illuminations, often held around Christmas and New Year, have become must-see attractions that draw visitors from near and far.

Most events begin between November and December, though some start as early as October and continue well into spring — letting you enjoy the magic of light throughout the season. The crisp winter air makes the glowing displays even more vivid, turning the night into a sea of shimmering beauty unique to Japan’s cold months.

For travelers, it’s a perfect way to enjoy an evening stroll or capture unforgettable photos of Japan’s winter charm.

Here are 10 spectacular illumination spots, from north to south, that will light up your journey through Japan this winter.

※All photos featured in this article are sourced from official event websites, press releases, and tourism bureaus.

Traveler’s Tips

While many illumination spots are free to enjoy, some events require an admission ticket. In this article, we’ve included direct links to official ticket pages, so be sure to check each event’s website in advance for the latest details and multilingual information.

Keep in mind that illumination schedules and lighting hours vary by location.

Bundle up warmly, and enjoy the magical winter scenery that makes Japan’s nights so unforgettable.

[Tokyo] Marunouchi Illumination 2025

Source：https://www.fashion-press.net/news/138459

Location: Around Tokyo Station and Marunouchi Nakadori Avenue

Dates: November 13, 2025 – February 15, 2026

Lighting Hours: 4:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

Admission: Free

This annual event lights up the 1.2-kilometer stretch of Marunouchi Nakadori Avenue with about 1.2 million champagne-gold bulbs. Now in its 24th year, the illumination bathes the entire district in a gentle, elegant glow that fills the city with warmth.

Source：https://www.fashion-press.net/news/138459

✨ Highlights

• About 1.2 km of tree-lined streets glowing in champagne-gold light

• Limited-time lighting along Gyoko-dori, connecting Tokyo Station and the Imperial Palace Outer Garden

• A chic, photo-worthy winter view in the heart of Tokyo

📍Map

[Tokyo] TOKYO SKYTREE TOWN® Illumination

Source：https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000385.000041446.html 

Location: Throughout Tokyo Skytree Town®

Dates: November 6 – December 25, 2025

Lighting Hours:

Illuminations: 4:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

Special Christmas Lighting on Tokyo Skytree: 5:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Admission: Free (Skytree observation deck requires a ticket – Purchase Here — multilingual support)

One of Tokyo’s most iconic winter destinations, Tokyo Skytree Town® shines with about 530,000 lights throughout the season. At the Sky Arena, an 8-meter-tall Christmas tree and a glowing Pegasus carriage create a magical holiday scene, while Solamachi Plaza features a giant display of the popular mascot Sorakara-chan called “Twinkle Three Stars”—perfect for photos.

The Skytree itself transforms into a glowing beacon of color, showcasing three special illumination patterns that change throughout the evening, turning the Tokyo night sky into a breathtaking light show.

Source：https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000385.000041446.html 

✨ Highlights

• Enjoy Tokyo’s signature skyline and dazzling winter illuminations all in one place

• A perfect Christmas spot for families, couples, and friends alike

• Visit the observation deck for a stunning contrast between Tokyo’s daytime view and its sparkling nightscape

📍Map

[Tokyo] Tokyo Mega Illumi 2025

Source：https://www.tokyomegaillumi.jp/guide.html 

Location: Oi Racecourse, Shinagawa, Tokyo

Dates: November 6 – December 25, 2025

Lighting Hours: 4:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Admission: Ticket required — Purchase here (multilingual site available)

A unique winter event where light and horses come together, Tokyo Mega Illumi transforms Oi Racecourse into a spectacular world of illumination on non-race days. Voted the No.1 Illumination in Japan for three consecutive years (2022–2024), this beloved event features dynamic fountain shows, aurora-style lighting, and a breathtaking 100-meter light tunnel.

Visitors can also meet and interact with miniature horses and ponies, making it a charming experience for all ages. Conveniently located near Haneda Airport, it’s a perfect evening destination for travelers looking to enjoy one of Tokyo’s most magical winter spectacles.

Source：https://www.tokyomegaillumi.jp/guide.html 

✨Highlights

• A powerful fusion of light, sound, and water in the fountain show

• Meet and interact with adorable miniature horses and ponies

• Enjoy glowing sweets, exclusive merchandise, and a vibrant night-time atmosphere

📍Map

[Osaka] teamLab Botanical Garden at Nagai Botanical Garden

Source：https://www.tokyomegaillumi.jp/guide.html 

Location: Nagai Botanical Garden, Osaka

Dates: November 1, 2025 – January 31, 2026

Lighting Hours: 6:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

Admission: Ticket required — Purchase here (multilingual site available)

At night, Osaka’s Nagai Botanical Garden transforms into an immersive art space filled with light and sound. Created by the world-renowned art collective teamLab, this exhibition is part of their “Digitized Nature” project, which turns nature itself into digital art.

Across a vast 240,000-square-meter garden, trees, ponds, and even the wind respond to movement and sound, creating a living, ever-changing artwork. The result is a mesmerizing experience where technology and nature blend seamlessly into one breathtaking spectacle.

Source：https://www.tokyomegaillumi.jp/guide.html 

✨Highlights

• Interactive digital artworks that respond to people, wind, and nature

• A magical night garden where light and sound bring nature to lift

• A unique, family-friendly art experience unlike any other in Japan

📍Map

[Kyoto] Sagano Romantic Train: Illumination Fantasy Ride

Source：https://www.sagano-kanko.co.jp/news/2664/  

Location: Sagano Scenic Railway, Arashiyama, Kyoto

Dates: October 25 – December 29, 2025 (closed on December 17)

Lighting Hours: From 4:30 p.m. until the final train

Admission: Ticket required — Purchase here (multilingual site available)

The famous Sagano Romantic Train, which runs through the scenic Arashiyama area of Kyoto, offers a limited-time night service called the “Illumination Fantasy Ride.” The 7.3-kilometer route follows the Hozugawa River and is lit by around 1,000 lights that bring the autumn landscape to life.

As the train moves through tunnels and along illuminated cliffs, the reflection of light on the water and foliage creates a dreamlike atmosphere. The highlight of the ride is the “Lord’s Fishing Grounds” area, where colorful lights paint the surrounding forest in a vivid, dynamic display.

✨Highlights

• Experience the breathtaking view of illuminated autumn leaves and river reflections from the train window

• Enjoy light installations at tunnels and station buildings for a truly immersive night journey

• A 25-minute ride through Arashiyama’s glowing landscape, offering one of Kyoto’s most unforgettable winter experiences

📍Map

[Hokkaido] Sapporo White Illumination 2025

Source：https://www.sapporo.travel/white-illumination/event/illumination/ 

Location: Odori Park (Odori Nishi 1–5, Sapporo, Hokkaido)

Dates: November 21 – December 25, 2025

Lighting Hours: 4:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. (until midnight from December 23 to 25)

Admission: Free

A winter tradition in Hokkaido, the Sapporo White Illumination transforms the city center into a glittering world of snow and light. This iconic event, now in its 45th year, fills Odori Park with golden lights and luminous art installations that symbolize warmth in the cold northern air.

The 2025 theme, “Light for the Future,” features a golden-winged sculpture inspired by the city’s official bird, the cuckoo, symbolizing hope and renewal. Visitors can also enjoy new photo spots such as the color-changing “Wing of Light” and the glowing “Garland Gate” at the park’s east end.

✨Highlights

• A magical winter view combining snow and light in the heart of Sapporo

• Golden-winged installations perfect for photos and evening strolls

• A must-visit illumination event that captures the beauty of Hokkaido’s winter nights

📍Map

[Tohoku] SENDAI Pageant of Starlight

Source：https://sendaihikape.jp/ 

Location: Jozenji-dori Avenue, Sendai (from Sendai Mitsukoshi to Garden Hills Guest House)

Dates: December 5 – December 28, 2025

Lighting Hours:

Monday–Thursday: 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Friday–Saturday: 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Sunday: 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

December 24–25: 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Admission: Free

The SENDAI Pageant of Starlight is a beloved winter tradition that has illuminated the “City of Trees” for four decades. Now celebrating its 40th anniversary, this event lights up 127 keyaki trees along Jozenji-dori Avenue with about 480,000 golden LEDs, creating a radiant tunnel of light through the city’s heart.

The 2025 theme, “40th Anniversary: Re,” expresses gratitude for the event’s long history and hopes for renewal and connection into the future. Strolling beneath the canopy of shimmering lights while snow falls softly around you is one of the most enchanting winter experiences in northern Japan.

✨Highlights

• A golden tunnel of about 480,000 LED lights illuminating the tree-lined street

• An iconic Sendai winter scene that symbolizes hope and renewal

• A serene, heartwarming illumination marking 40 years of history

📍Map

[Shizuoka] Gotemba Kogen Toki no Sumika Illumination 2025–2026

Source：https://www.tokinosumika.com/8076/ 

Location: Gotemba Kogen Toki no Sumika, Shizuoka

Dates: October 11, 2025 – May 31, 2026

Lighting Hours:

October 11–31: 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

November 1 – January 12: 4:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

January 13 – May 31: 5:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

Admission: Partly free, with paid areas — Purchase tickets here (English available)

Located at the foot of Mount Fuji, Gotemba Kogen Toki no Sumika is one of Japan’s largest and most beloved illumination resorts. Just a 15-minute drive from Gotemba Premium Outlets, it attracts visitors from across the country every winter with its spectacular light displays and festive atmosphere.

Now in its 24th year, the 2025–2026 theme is “Magic Forest,” a dreamlike world where light and sound blend into an enchanting experience. Recognized as part of the Japan Nightscape Heritage and winner of the International Illumination Award 2024, the event features a powerful fountain and laser show, a “Magical Church” with projection mapping, and a glowing Christmas market surrounded by the snowy Fuji foothills.

✨Highlights

• A breathtaking fusion of fountain, laser, and music performances

• Immersive projection mapping inside the “Magical Church”

• Christmas market and illuminated walking paths offering a resort-like winter escape

📍Map

[Kyushu] European Holy Christmas

Source：https://english.huistenbosch.co.jp/event/xmas/2025/ 

Location: Huis Ten Bosch, Sasebo, Nagasaki

Dates: November 7, 2025 – January 5, 2026

Admission: Ticket required — Purchase here (English available)

Held at Huis Ten Bosch, Japan’s largest theme park inspired by a European townscape, European Holy Christmas is one of the country’s grandest winter celebrations. The Amsterdam City area glows with millions of lights, ornaments, and festive decorations, creating an atmosphere that feels straight out of Europe.

The event’s centerpiece is the Grand Chandelier Tree, a stunning crystal-like illumination making its debut in Japan. Each evening, the “Melody of Christmas” show fills the air with the sound of a live choir and gentle light, evoking the warmth and spirit of the holiday season. Visitors can also browse Christmas markets filled with wreaths, ornaments, and hot wine for a true European-style Christmas experience.

✨Highlights

• Magnificent Grand Chandelier Tree sparkling like crystal

• “Melody of Christmas” night show featuring lights and live choir performances

• Authentic European Christmas market with festive food, drinks, and souvenirs

📍Map

[Okinawa] Okinawa Tropical Illumination 2025–2026

Source：https://www.southeast-botanical.jp/en/illumination/ 

Location: Southeast Botanical Gardens, Okinawa City, Okinawa

Dates: October 24, 2025 – May 24, 2026

Lighting Hours: 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. (last entry at 9:30 p.m.)

Admission: Ticket required — Purchase here (English available)

Enjoy Japan’s earliest winter illumination in a tropical setting at the Southeast Botanical Gardens in Okinawa. This award-winning event transforms the lush gardens into a paradise of lights inspired by the sea and flowers of the southern islands.

The 2025–2026 theme, “Paradise of Light and Blooming Seas,” features a 20-meter illuminated whale shark, glowing tropical flowers, and vibrant marine creatures brought to life through gentle, hand-crafted light installations. Recognized as the second-best illumination in Japan for two consecutive years by the International Illumination Awards, this event combines creativity and warmth that reflects the spirit of Okinawa.

Source：https://www.southeast-botanical.jp/en/illumination/ 

✨Highlights

• Spectacular 20-meter whale shark made entirely of lights

• Tropical plants and flowers glowing under the night sky

• A heartwarming, hand-crafted illumination experience unique to Okinawa

📍Map

The Magic of Light: Experiencing Japan’s Winter Charm

For many in Japan, winter illuminations mark a special moment to close out the year — a time to share warmth and create memories with loved ones, friends, and family. Every season, people return to their favorite spots to bask in the gentle glow of light that brightens even the coldest nights.

For travelers, these illuminations offer a uniquely Japanese way to experience the beauty of winter. Each city has its own design, theme, and story to tell through light, transforming ordinary streets into dreamlike landscapes.

When planning your trip, why not add a ‘Tour of Japan’s Illuminated Wonders’ to your winter travel plans?