7 Best Kyoto Winter Illuminations 2024–25

Kyoto can make even the gaudiest winter illuminations classy — it’s got the fanciest festive feels in the Kansai area. If you are still not filled to the brim with Christmas cheer, then head next door to Osaka’s best light-ups, too.

As a famously beautiful place, it might be hard to imagine Kyoto looking any better than it already does, but if you sprinkle a few thousand LEDs and wrap some fairy lights around a tree or two you’d be surprised. For more illuminations (that may finish a little earlier than Christmas), take a look at our Kyoto autumn leaves guide.

1. NAKED’s Garden of Japanese Lights at Heian Shrine

December 13, 2024 – January 13, 2025
*Excluding December 31, 2024 – January 5, 2025
From ¥1,000 — ¥2,400; get tickets here
Heian Jingū Shrine, Kyoto

Creative company Naked Inc. is returning to Heian Jingū Shrine this winter to transform the Central and East Gardens with a fusion of the traditional Japanese garden and light art.

There will also be projection mapping set in the East Garden’s Shobikan building, and smoke lighting at Soryu Pond to add more intrigue to the illuminations. So it’s more of a light and projection mapping art project than a traditional illumination event, but it’ll still give you the light-up feels.

You can explore Heian Jingū Shrine with a hand-held lantern, and interact with the lights on display. Tickets are ¥1,600 Mon. to Thu. and ¥2,000 on Fri., weekends, and holidays, if bought in advance.

NAKED Yoru Mode at Heian Shrine

Dates:13th Dec–13th Jan, 2025

Entry:

¥1,600 – ¥2,400

Venue:

Heian-jingū Shrine

Read more

2. Bambio Square Park Illumination

December 6, 2024 – January 13, 2025
Free
Bambio Square Park, Nagaokakyō

From Kyoto Station, it’s easy enough to jump on the Tōkaidō-San’yō Line and ride the train for 13 minutes to Nagaokakyō Station. Bambio Illumination is right next to the west exit of the station in Bambio Plaza Park. The highlight of the Nagaokakyō Illumination is that it employs traditional lanterns made with local bamboo (which the locals are quite proud of).

3. Twinkle Jōyō

December 1 to 25
Free, but a donation of ¥100 is encouraged
Jōyō

A little out of the way but still in Kyoto Prefecture, Jōyō City is fast becoming a top illumination destination. However, this is certainly not your standard light show. Twinkle Jōyō is a community project that uses displays donated by local groups as well as companies and organizations.

The event has food stalls, entertainment, and a serious number of Insta-worthy spots. Head to the Jōyō City Comprehensive Athletic Park “Recreation Zone” (or just follow the people from Jōyō Station). The park will be illuminated from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily. There will be a shuttle bus available for ¥200 from Jōyō Station.

4. Sagano Romantic Train Light-Up

October 12 — December 29, excluding public holidays and Wednesdays.
¥880 (one way)
Saga Torokko Station, Arashiyama

In autumn and early winter, the Sagano Romantic Train in Arashiyama gets a little more, well, romantic. This sightseeing train will keep its normal route — departing from Saga Torokko Station (next door to Saga-Arashiyama) and winding its way along the Hozugawa River — but the familiar scenery will get a splash of light. From 4:30 p.m. until the last train, you’ll be able to spot lit-up tanuki (Japanese raccoon dogs), bright mountainsides, and glowing bridges.

The journey costs ¥880 and tickets can be bought at Saga Torokko Station, which is only 17 minutes on the San-In line from Kyoto Station. However, tickets go fast.

5. Synesthesia Hills Illumination

All year
From ¥900
Rurikei Onsen, Kyoto

While this particular spot for music and illumination is open year round, it gets an honorable mention because, hey, it’s the season for bright lights and here they twinkle in spades. There are 12 different installations, including Crystal Lake, Aurora Experience, and Spiral Light Tunnel.

Tickets are ¥1,000 for adults on weekdays and ¥1,200 for weekends and holidays, but go up to ¥1,800 for a few days around Christmas (December 22–25). You can get a ¥100 discount on the official website. There are also special set tickets if you want to enjoy both the illuminations and a visit to Rurikei Onsen.

It is a little far from Kyoto Station — 30 minutes by train to Sonobe Station on the San-In or Hashidate line and then another 30 minutes by bus to Rurikei Onsen.

6. Kyoto Tamba Kameoka Yume Narie Illumination

November 23 – December 25
Weekday adults: ¥800 / children: ¥400; Weekends and holidays adults: ¥1,000 / children: ¥500
Tanba Kameoka Kikyo no Sato, Kameoka City

Tucked away 20 minutes by rapid train from Kyoto, Kameoka City holds a hidden gem of an annual winter illumination, lit up by approximately 150,000 LEDs. There is a lot to see as you walk through the bamboo forest of Kikyou no Sato Garden, located in front of Kokushoji Temple, including a 5-meter Christmas tree, bamboo lanterns, fairy tale-inspired illuminations, as well as other dreamlike illuminations.

To get there from Kyoto, take the JR Sagano Line to Kameoka Station, then the Keihan Kyoto Kotsu Bus Route 40 to Inokura. It’s about 5 minutes from there on foot.

7. Heian Jogakuin University Kyoto Campus Agnes Illumination

November 22 – December 25
Free
Heian Jogakuin University

The Agnes Illumination is held annually at Heian Jogakuin University, also known as St. Agnes University. Every work of illumination is made by students of the university to fit with the year’s theme; 2024’s theme is roughly translated into “A Sea of Light Continuing Into the Future,” and is meant to express the students’ hopes for a bright future.

From December 12 – 14, the illuminations will be powered by 100% renewable energy from hybrid and fuel-cell vehicles.

While we do our best to ensure it’s correct, information is subject to change. This post was first published in December 2018. Last updated in November 2024, by Dana Melanz.

Area(s)

Kyoto

Places Mentioned

• Heian Jogakuin University – Kyoto Campus
• Kyoto Station
• Joyo Comprehensive Athletic Park
• Sagano Bamboo Forest
• Heian-jingū Shrine