Japan has many locations that offer breathtaking nighttime illuminations. Most are on display from late autumn until the end of the year, and some through early next year. Some are free and easily accessible by public transportation. There are many beautiful illumination attractions in Japan, and here we’ve listed some of the most popular. Please check individual websites for details.
Nabana no Sato Winter Illumination, Mie
Nabana no Sato, near Nagashima Onsen Resort in Mie Prefecture, is a theme park known for its flora, but also for its seven month long illumination spectacular that runs from mid-October to mid-May. There are several different displays, including a light tunnel and a lit-up flower display.
Sendai Pageant of Starlight, Miyagi
The Sendai Pageant of Starlight, which began in 1985, is now famous nationwide as one of Japan's most spectacular winter illuminations. In December, go for a stroll down the Tunnel of Illumination, with 600,000 lights strung across four rows of towering zelkova trees along Jozenji-dori Street. At this time of year, light snowfall adds to the atmosphere.
Kingdom of Lights, Nagasaki
Huis Ten Bosch in Nagasaki on Kyushu Island is one of Japan’s largest theme parks and is arguably the most beautiful. While it is beautiful in the daytime with its vast fields of fresh flowers, nothing compares to it after sundown. With over 13 million bulbs, it comes to life during the Kingdom of Lights festival. Over the Christmas period, you can see a giant Christmas tree at the heart of this theme park. This heartwarming light display is accompanied by music to create a dreamlike atmosphere.
Roppongi Hills Illumination, Tokyo
In Tokyo, nothing is quite as spectacular as Roppongi Hills’ three illumination displays. The blue and white lights all along Keyakizaka Street; the almost 30-foot high Christmas tree at Roku Roku Plaza, and the visually enchanting art illumination at Mohri Garden all must not be missed. Visitors may see the lights from around early November until Christmas.
Kobe Luminarie, Kobe
The Kobe Luminarie in Kobe city, Hyogo Prefecture started in 1995 to commemorate the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, and is one of the original illumination attractions in Japan. For about two weeks in December, beautiful hand-painted small lights and LEDs donated by the Italian government are lit – a memorial to those who suffered, and a celebration of Kobe’s recovery.
