Exploring Japan there is a pretty high chance of catching stunning illuminations regardless of the season. In spring and autumn, you can admire them in places like castles, temples, and shrines adorned by Japan’s spring blossoms and vibrant autumn leaves. Come winter, Japanese cities and theme parks are filled with oceans of flickering light. Christmas in Japan is a little different: people meet up with their friends and lovers, eat some strawberry shortcake (which is known as the ‘Christmas cake’) and head out to enjoy Japan’s dazzling illuminations. Take a look through Japan’s top illuminations and get inspired for the future - we can’t wait to stroll down those tunnels of light soon!
Huis Ten Bosch, Nagasaki
The world’s largest illumination with around 13 million lights can be enjoyed throughout the year but becomes a major destination in winter. Huis Ten Bosch is a theme park that was created to replicate a Dutch town with its streets, windmills, and shops. In other seasons its colourful flower fields draw people to the area. It’s located in Sasebo city in Nagasaki prefecture and from autumn 2022 you will be able to take the new bullet train line to reach the surrounding areas!
Kurokawa Onsen
This quaint onsen hot spring town is located on Japan’s southern island, Kyushu. During the day, you can dip into one of the relaxing onsen baths, don a traditional yukata robe, and enjoy a delicious kaiseki meal at one of the traditional ryokan inns. At night, Kurokawa Onsen turns into a festival of light with bamboo lanterns floating on the river and an otherworldly atmosphere. The Yuakari illumination is generally held from mid-December until May so there is plenty of time to enjoy it!
Tokyo: Marunouchi, Shinjuku, Caretta Shiodome
For those who want to catch a glimpse of illuminations but don’t want to spend too much time looking for them, it's hard to go wrong with most of Tokyo's spectacular offerings. The most popular areas to stroll through and enjoy the festive atmosphere are Marunouchi (around the Tokyo Station area), Shinjuku (land of the neon nightlife) and Caretta Shiodome (down on Tokyo Bay).
Nabana no Sato
A really popular choice due to its incredibly photogenic tunnels of light, Nabana no Sato is a must-see for everyone passing through Nagoya. It’s located inside the Nabana no Sato Flower Park so it should be high on the list for all nature lovers. The park has 7 illuminated installations which change every season, with an observatory for people looking to enjoy the most commanding views! The illuminations here are held from mid-October until early May.
Winter Cherry Blossoms, Hirosaki
Head north to see this unique winter illumination at the beautiful Hirosaki Castle. In spring, it’s one of north Japan’s favourite spots for viewing cherry blossoms as the 2,600 cherry trees send flurries of petals across the castle grounds. In winter, the magic is relived as the trees and the castle moat, hidden under thick blankets of fluffy snow, bloom once more thanks to carefully engineered LEDs that paint them in the soft pink of spring!
Sagamiko Resort, Tokyo
A must-see for all pop culture aficionados, Sagamiku Illumilion is held yearly in the Sagamiko Resort Pleasure Forest close to Tokyo. It’s one of Japan’s biggest displays of light with 6 million colourful LED lights! This illumination display offers a dazzling combination of grand light display and theme park rides.
This year Sagamiko collaborated with Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon on a special area filled with attractions connected to ‘Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Eternal The Movie’. We can’t wait to see who they’ll work with next year! Sagamiko Illumillion is held from mid-November to the beginning of April.
Kobe Luminarie
This illumination started as an event to commemorate the victims of the Great Hanshin Earthquake in 1995 and has been a strong Japanese favourite ever since. Grand structures that resemble fairy tale palaces create a unique atmosphere in Kobe’s city centre and make for a magnificent evening stroll. You can easily reach Kobe Luminarie by public transport from places like Kyoto and Osaka. It is usually held in December, so the window to see this display is slightly smaller than the other options on this list, but just as worth it, nonetheless.
Ashikaga Flower Park, Tochigi
Something for all flora lovers, the Ashikaga Flower Park in Tochigi prefecture, known for its stunning wisteria trees, turns into a garden of light with illumination displays that can be viewed from mid-October until mid-February. This display was the winner of Japan’s illumination award and is one of Japan’s three largest illumination displays. The sights really speak for themselves.
Sapporo White Illumination, Hokkaido
From late November, all visitors to Sapporo in the northern and snowy Hokkaido can enjoy the unique White Illumination! This free-to-enjoy display is a shimmering delight with some of the best offerings located in Sapporo's central Odori Park. It also coincides with Sapporo’s two biggest events, the German Christmas Market in December and the Snow Festival in February but if you want to see the illuminations at their biggest and brightest, make sure to visit before the end of December!
Kamuy Lumina, An enchanted night walk at lake Akan
A special treat for everyone who wants to immerse themselves in the culture of the Ainu - north Japan’s indigenous people. Learn more about those people who lived in harmony with nature during an illuminated walk guided by an owl, an animal which is also an Ainu deity! In 2022, Kamuy Lumina is scheduled to run from late May until mid-November, meaning you can either come for the warmer weather early on, or show up for the dustings of snow, later in the season. The tickets can be purchased in advance or bought on the day for a slightly higher fee.
And that's it on our personal top 10! There are many other dazzling illumination displays across Japan in places like the Southeast Botanical Gardens in Okinawa so make sure to keep your eyes peeled and check the official website of each event when planning your trip because the dates and times may vary.
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