Tripbaa Fun! Asia’s Free Travel Expert
Before you know it, the end of the year is here, which also means the exciting holiday season of Christmas and New Year is approaching. I believe friends who love free travel in Japan must know that there are many illumination events in Japan during winter. Whether in big cities like Tokyo and Osaka, or in suburban streets, you’ll find all kinds of festive lights. And if you’re in Hokkaido, you might even see dreamy scenes where lights shine against a backdrop of white snow. Now let’s take a look at what “Japan’s Winter Illumination Events” have to offer.
The “Blue Cave” illumination event, which has been held since 2014, is one of the most anticipated winter events every year around Christmas. This year, it will once again be held in Tokyo’s busiest areas — Shibuya and Yoyogi Park. Over 600,000 beautiful Christmas lights will illuminate the streets of Shibuya Park. If you want to experience the magical atmosphere of a sea of blue Christmas lights, don’t miss out — Go Up now!
■ Illumination Period: Yoyogi Park 2018/11/30~12/31, Shibuya Park Streets 2018/11/30~2019/01/16
■ Illumination Hours: 17:00~22:00
■ Transportation: Take JR, Metro, or Inokashira Line → Shibuya Station (about 1-minute walk), or get off at Harajuku Station or Yoyogi Park Station
■ Official Website: Blue Cave SHIBUYA
In “Marunouchi Street” in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, there is also a beautiful tunnel of Christmas lights. Unlike the dreamy blue lights of the Blue Cave, the over 200 trees along the 1.2-kilometer-long Marunouchi Street will be adorned with more than 1 million champagne-gold LED lights, shining together in the warm golden glow of Christmas.
Moreover, the Marunouchi Christmas lights use energy-efficient LED bulbs, saving about 30% of electricity. This has also earned the Marunouchi Light Festival the title of “Japan Night View Heritage,” allowing everyone to enjoy the lights while contributing to the Earth.
■ Illumination Period: 2018/11/8~2019/2/17
■ Illumination Hours: 17:30~23:00 (※ December: 17:00~24:00)
■ Illumination Locations: Marunouchi Naka-dori, Otemachi Naka-dori, and areas around Tokyo Station
■ Transportation: Take JR or Metro → Tokyo Station and you’ll arrive
■ Official Website: Marunouchi Illuminations 2018
Japan Winter Illumination Event - Marunouchi Light Festival. (Photo / Marunouchi Illuminations 2018)
Besides the various illumination events within Tokyo city, there are also plenty of light displays in the Tokyo suburbs. For example, Ashikaga Flower Park, which attracts large crowds every flower season with its wisteria blooms, holds a grand light show every year. During the three periods of “Sage Season,” “Christmas,” and “New Year,” more than 4.5 million bulbs create dazzling light displays and performances with various themes, also known as one of “Japan’s Three Great Light Shows.”
■ Illumination Period: 2018/10/27~2019/2/5
■ Illumination Hours: 16:30~21:00
■ Admission Fee: Adults 900 yen, Children 500 yen
■ Transportation: Take the JR Ueno Station JR Tohoku Main Line → transfer to the Ryomo Line at Oyama Station, and get off at the “Ashikaga Flower Park” Station.
■ Official Website: Ashikaga Flower Park
Japan Winter Illumination Event - Garden of Light Flowers. (Photo / Garden of Light Flowers)
Besides Christmas light events, the most anticipated thing in Japan’s winter is the snow scenery. And the most captivating is Shirakawa-go Gassho Village. The traditional Japanese gassho-style buildings covered in snow, plus the limited-time winter illumination event at the Gassho Village every year, create a romantic and dreamy light view that is truly a sight to see at least once in your lifetime.
Japan Winter Illumination Event - Shirakawa-go Gassho Village Illumination. (Photo /
However, to prevent overcrowding that could lead to people falling off the observation deck or inconvenience for overnight guests and even local residents, Shirakawa-go Gassho Village implemented a full reservation system starting in 2019. So remember, if you want to attend the Gassho Village light-up event, you must make a reservation — otherwise, you won’t be allowed to enter the village!
■ Light-up period: January 14 (Mon), January 20 (Sun), January 27 (Sun), February 3 (Sun), February 11 (Mon), February 17 (Sun)
■ Light-up hours: 16:30–21:00
There are only two remaining Gassho-style villages in Japan — one in Shirakawa-go and the other in Gokayama. These settlements showcase the Japanese aesthetic appreciation for nature and traditional architectural harmony, and they have been recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Isn’t that truly worth a special visit?
It's worth mentioning that during winter, the five-storied pagoda of Shirakawa-go is enveloped in snow, looking as if an ancient village has emerged from a fairy tale. In spring, the cherry blossoms bloom vibrantly against the white walls, creating a scene where the blossoms and the traditional thatched roofs complement each other beautifully.
■ Illumination Period: Late March every year
■ Illumination Hours: Sunset to 20:30
■ Illumination Location: 855 Suganuma, Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture
■ Transportation: Take the Kaetsuno Bus from JR Johana Line’s “Johana Station” for about 40 minutes
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Japan’s Winter Illuminations - Shirakawa-go Gojunoto (Gassho-style Pagoda). (Photo: Gifu Prefectural Tourism Association/)
When it comes to the most spectacular Christmas light events in Kansai, Osaka’s “Festival of Light” Up is certainly the one to see. This year, it will be divided into two themed sections: the “Midosuji Illumination” and the “Osaka Light Renaissance.” On Midosuji Avenue, you’ll find a world-class tunnel of lights dubbed the “Museum of Illuminated Lights Adorning Osaka’s Night Sky,” celebrating the 10th anniversary of the “Festival of Light.”
The “Osaka Light Renaissance” features a light show performance called “Tapestry” commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Osaka Central Public Hall. Additionally, from December 10 to 13, visitors can enjoy a “light preview” on Nakanoshima Island every 15 minutes, lasting about 5 minutes each. It seems that just the Osaka illumination events alone offer endless fun!
■ Illumination Period: November 40, 2018 – December 31, 2019
■ Illumination Hours: 17:00 – 23:00
■ Illumination Locations: Midosuji (from the Hankyu intersection to the Namba Nishikido intersection) / Osaka City Hall area to Nakanoshima Park
■ Official Website: Osaka 0?Osaka Travel (Chinese version)
Miyama Town is located in the central part of Kyoto Prefecture, an ancient capital of Japan. While it was once primarily focused on forestry and agriculture, it is now vigorously developing its tourism industry. Surrounded by mountains, this small town preserves many ancient buildings. Of its current 50 households, 38 are thatched-roof farmhouses. Due to their resemblance to the gassho-style houses of Shirakawa-go, it is often referred to as the “Miyama Gassho Village.” But if you compare the two, Miyama Town is definitely no less charming!
And most importantly, when visiting the Miyama Gassho Village for its illumination event, you don’t have to worry about not getting a reservation spot at all. Strolling among the thatched-roof homes under the winter night lights, with snow-covered roofs and brightly lit “snow lanterns,” creates a truly magical experience.
■ Event Period: January 26 – February 2, 2019
■ Snow Festival Period: February 11, 2019
Japanese Winter Illumination Events – Miyama Gassho Village, Kyoto. (Photo / Mori no Kyoto DMO)
Shirakiku Park is actually home to the production factory and tourist area of Hokkaido’s famous dessert, “Shirakiku.” Around Christmas each year, it holds a grand illumination event featuring light projections, lighting displays, ice skating, and various other experiences. The light display includes approximately 100,000 bulbs that make the Shirakiku factory shine brilliantly, along with a roughly 10-meter-tall Christmas tree, Santa Claus’s sleigh, and several adorable illuminated backdrops for taking memorable photos.
■ Illumination Period: November 20, 2018 – March 31, 2019
■ Illumination Hours: Sunset – 20:30
■ Illumination Location: 2-chome, 2-jo, Miyanosawa, Nishi-ku, Sapporo
■ Transportation: Take the Tozai Subway Line and get off at Miyanosawa Station
■ Official Website: Shirakiku Park Illuminations 2018-2019 (Chinese version)
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When people think of Lake Shikotsu’s Blue Pond, they usually picture it as shown in the photo. But actually, every winter, the Blue Pond hosts an illumination event where lights shine onto the water from all sides, creating a dreamy scene against the backdrop of snow. In addition, the nearby Shirahige Falls also has a similar illumination event. However, a reminder: if you plan to visit the winter illuminations in Biei, be sure to dress warmly. These spots are all outdoors with no shelter, so it can get extremely cold while enjoying the winter lights!
■ Illumination Period: November 10, 2018 – April 30, 2019
■ Illumination Hours: After sunset – 21:00 (for details, please check the official website)
■ Official Website: Biei Town, Hokkaido
Hakodate’s Yamatezaka Slope is one of the must-visit spots for anyone traveling freely in Hokkaido. In addition to attractions like the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse, Meiji-kan, and Clown Burger for food and fun, it also hosts winter illumination and offshore fireworks displays around Christmas each year. The dazzling lights, paired with exotic-style architecture, make Hakodate’s night view and streets even more beautiful — an absolutely unmissable Hokkaido sight in winter.
Winter Illuminations in Japan - Hakodate Winter Festival. (Photo / Hokkaido Tourism Organization)
■ Illumination Period: December 10, 2018 – February 28, 2019
■ Illumination Hours: Sunset to 22:30
■ Illumination Location: Yahatanobashi
■ Official Website: Hakodate Winter Illuminations
[Tripbaa Funbaa] Authorized Repost. Original Source: [2018 Japan Winter Illuminations: A Guide to Tokyo Christmas, Shirakawa-go, and Blue Pond Illuminations]