How to enjoy winter and celebrate Christmas in Japan? By seeing the beautiful winter illuminations that light up cities, parks, and theme parks at night. There are many illumination events so you’re spoiled for choice, but which are the best? Here is our selection of 10 winter illuminations to see in Japan - Japan’s Great Three and Tokyo 7 Selection.
Table of Contents
- Winter Illumination and Christmas Illumination in Japan
- Japan’s Three Great Illuminations (日本三大イルミネーション)
- Tokyo Winter Illumination Pick-Up
Winter Illumination and Christmas Illumination in Japan
イルミネーション (Irumine-shon), aka “Illumination”, is synonymous with winter and Christmas in Japan. Illumination is the decorative use of colourful LED lights to form elaborate displays and installations. The result is a visually stunning and magical atmosphere.
Illumination events can be held anywhere in Japan. Along popular streets, in parks and gardens, over hills and valleys, and of course, at theme parks. It may be a simple yet stunning arrangement of an entire street whose trees are decked in one-colour fairy lights, or large-scale installations featuring sparkling castles and jewels made up of Christmas lights. Each event has a different theme that may change every year, so it never gets boring.
Winter illuminations usually start in November when days start to get shorter. Some illumination events last only up till Christmas, while some are held throughout the winter months of January and February.
Writer's Pick
Japan’s Three Great Illuminations (日本三大イルミネーション)
Japan loves its “日本三大〇〇 (Nihon Sandai)” that picks the 3 most representative of Japan in a particular category, for example hot springs, scenery, and even illumination. The Japan’s Three Great Illuminations (日本三大イルミネーション) are selected by the YAKEI Convention & Visitors Bureau (夜景観光コンベンション・ビューロー) who is also responsible for “Japan’s New Three Great Night Sceneries (日本新三大夜景)” and the annual “Illumination Award (イルミネーションアワード)”.
1. [Tochigi Prefecture] Ashikaga Flower Park ~The Garden of Illuminated FLowers~
Ashikaga Flower Park is best known for its Wisteria (April ~ May) and its Winter Illumination (October ~ February). It has won first place in the category of “Illumination” for the Illumination Awards for 7 consecutive years.. And also represented Japan to win first place in the International Illumination Award.
Photo from PR Times.
Apart from illuminated Christmas trees and flower fields, the most famous wisteria trellises that form curtains of wisteria flowers hanging down are recreated in a dazzling array of colours.
Date: October 18, 2023 ~ February 14, 2024 (close on New Year’s Eve)
Official Site
2. [Kyushu Prefecture] Nagasaki Huis Ten Bosch ~Kingdom of Lights~
Photo by PR Times.
Huis Ten Bosch is a theme park in Nagasaki that recreates Netherlands townscapes. It is popular for its unique theme, large-scale events, and fireworks. It has the world’s largest illumination using 13 million LED light bulbs. Since the start of the Illumination Awards, it has dominated the category for “Entertainment”, winning 10 years consecutively. It has also won first place in the International Illumination Award for “Illumination”.
If you are looking for a true Western Christmas experience, Huis Ten Bosch’s “Kingdom of Light” is the place to go. Not only does it look like an European town, but there’s a resplendent church and carols to be had.
Date: November 10, 2023 ~ January 8 , 2024
Official Site
3. [Hokkaido] 43rd Sapporo White Illumination 2023
The Sapporo White Illumination Festival is a winter illumination event with a long history. It was first held in 1981 and will be held for the 43rd time in 2023. The event has Odori Park in the center of Sapporo City as its main venue. As the weather gets colder, snow will cover the grounds, making it even more atmospheric. Walking from Odori 1-Chome to 6-Chome, each venue has a different theme creating a new scenery.
From November 22 to Christmas Day, the event will coincide with a Christmas Market event along Odori Nishi 2-Chome adding to the Christmas vibes and atmosphere.
Date :
- Odori Venue: November 22 ~ December 25, 2023
- Ekimae-dori Venue : November 22, 2023 ~ February 11, 2024
- Minami-Ichijo-dori Venue, Sapporo City Kita 3-Jo Square (Akapla) Venue, Sapporo Station South Exit Station Square Venue : November 22, 2023 ~ March 14, 2024
Tokyo Winter Illumination Pick-Up
Tokyo is the busiest and most visited city in Japan. Even though it hardly snows here, the winter illumination creates a Christmassy vibe reminiscent of Singapore’s Orchard Road Light Up. Here are some of the best winter illumination events to check out in Tokyo.
4. [Roppongi] Roppongi Hills Christmas 2023
The Keyakizaka Illumination is the highlight of the Roppongi Hills Christmas event. The 400 m long Keyaki-dori is lined on each side with blue and white illuminated trees to this year’s theme of “SNOW & BLUE”. At the end of the street is the symbolic Tokyo Tower that stands out bright red and orange above the sparkling whites and blues. With the addition of a Christmas Market in O-Yane Plaza and restaurants in the area offering special Christmas menus, it makes for the perfect romantic Christmas outing.
Date: November 6 ~ December 25, 2023
Official Site
5. [Marunouchi] Marunouchi Illumination 2023
Photo from PR Times.
In contrast to the frosty white and blue of Roppongi Hills, Marunouchi Illumination is decked in warm yellow lights. The illumination stretches over 1.2 km and uses over 1 million champagne-gold light bulbs. For this year, an additional stretch will be included over Gyoko-dori that connects to the Imperial Palace and Tokyo Station starting from November 28th.
Date: November 16, 2023 ~ February 18, 2024
Official Site
6. [Hibiya] HIBIYA Magic Time Illumination 2023
Photo from PR Times.
Hibiya will have the most colourful illumination in Tokyo this year with LED light bulbs forming a rainbow lawn, and trees draped in colour changing fairy lights. The concept for this year is “magical moments”, and it really looks that way. At Tokyo Midtown Hibiya’s grand staircase area, there are also 7 Christmas trees decorated with flowers at its base. This is the “Hibiya Winter Square” presented by Disney’s 100th Anniversary Movie “Wish”.
Date: November 16, 2023 ~ February 14, 2024
Official Site
7. [Shibuya] Blue Cave SHIBUYA - DAY＆NIGHT -
Blue Cave SHIBUYA is held along Shibuya Koen-dori to Yoyogi Koen-dori. Leisurely walk down the bustling Shibuya streets to Yoyogi Park, and you will see the scenery change from busy crowds and commercial shops to a dazzling forest of blue. Around 600,000 LED light bulbs are used to dye this park in a mysterious blue light.
This year, in addition to the night time illumination, a day time event, the “Blue Cave Xmas Market” will also be held. Around 20 food and goods stores will be there.
Date: December 1 ~ December 25, 2023
Official Site
8. [Ebisu] Yebisu Garden Palace ~Baccarat ETERNAL LIGHTS - Shape of Joy~
Ebisu’s Christmas tradition is back this year with the return of its Christmas tree whose absence we’ve missed greatly these past 4 years. The Christmas tree standing proudly under the sky is 10 meters tall and adorned with over 300 ornaments. The surrounding area and square is decorated with warm champagne-gold lights creating a lovely Christmas ambiance. This year’s special “guest” is the world’s largest Baccarat chandelier that adds a touch of elegance to the scene.
Date: November 11, 2023 ~ January 8, 2024
Official Site
9. [Shinagawa] Tokyo Mega Illumi ~Oi Racecourse Illumination~
One of Japan’s most unique winter illuminations, the venue for Tokyo Mega Illumi is a horse racing course. That means, not only can you enjoy the light show, you can also watch and ride horses. The spaciousness of the venue also means that the illuminations come in a variety of themes divided by location. There’s a cherry blossom tunnel with cute and pretty flower shaped light bulbs, Japanese themes, rose gardens, and even fountain shows. Horses and ponies can be found around the area, some dressed up looking festive, some you can ride, and some who pull rideable carriages!
Date: November 11, 2023 ~ January 8, 2024
Official Site
10. [Kanagawa Prefecture] Yomiuriland Jewellumination ~Light is Love~
Yomiuriland is an amusement park located near the border between Kanagawa and Tokyo prefectures. During the day, you can enjoy the attractions including roller coasters and the haunted house, while at night you can take a leisurely stroll around the park to immerse yourself in the glittering sparkling winter illumination. The day and night sceneries are very distinct so you can enjoy two different atmospheres in a day. It is a spot recommended for couples and families alike.
Date: October 19, 2023 ~ April, 7, 2024
Official Site
To Close
What do you think? Are you hyped to visit Japan during winter now. Apart from winter illumination, there are many other traditions, events, and sceneries that define winter in Japan. It may be cold, but the excitement will certainly warm you up!
