Are you look for the best place to enjoy winter illuminations in Japan? During winter, numbers of winter illumination events are held at cities across the country, and it’s one of the most popular winter attractions among locals and tourists.

Out of hundreds of illumination events, I have picked 5 winter illumination in Japan that you may wanna visit once in your lifetime! Let’s get lost in the winter wonderland with colourful lights!

Top 5Winter Illuminations in Japan

1. Shibuya Blue Cave

Shibuya Blue Cave (渋谷 青の洞窟) might not be the largest scale event, but one of most popular and spectacular winter illuminations in the country as the event invites over 2 million visitors every year. The event features over 600,000 mystical blue LED lights decorating 127 trees lined along the 800m avenue in Shibuya area, Tokyo.

Map: https://goo.gl/mWzP54

Access: Shibuya Koen Dori Street ~ Yoyogi Park Keyaki Namiki (approx 800 m)

Date: 6 to 25 December 2024

Hours: 17:00〜22:00

Fee: Free

More info: Shibuya Blue Cave

2. Sagamiko Illumillion

Sagamiko Illumillion (さがみ湖イルミリオン) is the biggest winter illumination event in Kanto region, using approx 6 million of colouful LED lights. It’s held at Sagamiko Resort Pleasure Forest in Sagami City, Kanagwa prefecture every winter since 2008. The long-run event can be enjoyed till early April. This year, the event is collaborating with popular characters from San-X, including Sumikkogurashi, Rilakkuma and Tarepanda.

Map: https://goo.gl/sZaLJT

Access: Bus from Sagamiko station (JR Chuo line)

Date: 16 November 2024 to 11 May 2025

Hours: 10:00~21:00 (illumination starts from 16:00)

Admission: From 2,000 to 4,500 yen (varies depending on entry time)

More info: Sagamiko Illumillion

3. Nabana no Sato Winter Illumination

Nabana no Sato (なばなの里) is a theme park dedicated to flowers, green and hot spring bath in Mie Prefecture. The park is known for one of the largest-scale illumination events in Japan, featuring about 8 million LED lights. There are numbers of spectacular illumination spots in the park including the famous 200m long “Tunnel of Lights”.

Map: https://goo.gl/ang6vt

Access: Bus from Kintetsu Nagashima Station (10 mins)

Date: 19 October 2024 to 1 June 2025

Hours: 10:00~21:00 (the illumination start from sunset)

Fee: 2,500 yen (includes 1,000 yen coupon which can be used in the park) *From December 23,24 and 25 from 15:00 to 23:00, a special advance ticket is required. It cannot be purchased locally on the day. Check the official website. 

More info: Nabana no Sato

4. Kobe Luminarie

Kobe Luminarie (神戸ルミナリエ) is one of the oldest winter illumination events in Japan, which originally started in 1995 for the repose of souls to the Great Hanshin Earthquake victims. The spectacular illuminations take place in several locations in Kobe City for 10 days, and attracts over 3 millions people every year.

Map: https://goo.gl/Xzkm6k

Access: short walk from Motomachi or Sannomiya Stations

Date: 24 January to 2 February 2025

Hours: 18:00～21:30 (Mon-Thu), 18:00～22:00 (Fri), 17:00～22:00 (Sat), 17:00～21:30 (Sun)

Fee: Free

5. Huis Ten Bosch Kingdom of Lights

The Kingdom of Lights is the world’s biggest illumination event held at Huis Ten Bosch (ハウステンボス), the Dutch town themed park in Nagasaki Prefecture. 13 millions of LED lights decorate the whole park and collaborates park’s attractions and music. It used to be held only in winter, but now it can be enjoyed through the year with different seasonal themes including spring, summer Halloween and Christmas.

Map: https://goo.gl/pqvRst

Access: Huis Ten Bosch Station

Hours: 9:00～21:00 (the illumination start from sunset)

Please check ticket prices via the link → http://english.huistenbosch.co.jp/about/?mode=about&Type=2

More info: Huis Ten Bosch Kingdom of Lights

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How did you enjoy my list of 5 best winter illuminations in Japan?? For more exciting winter events in the country, you may be interested in these articles below, too!

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