7 Best Kyoto Winter Illuminations 2025–26

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. And while we have you, head next door to Osaka’s best light-ups, too.

1. Sagano Romantic Train Light-Up

October 25–December 29 (excluding December 17)
¥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.

Sagano Romantic Train Light-Up in Kyoto

Dates:

Late

Oct

~

Late

Dec

Price:

Adults:
Advance sales: ¥880	At the door: ¥880
Children:
Advance sales: ¥440	At the door: ¥440

Read more

2. NAKED meets Nijō Castle Moon-Viewing

October 31–December 7
¥1,000 to ¥3,600
Book tickets on KKday
Nijō Castle

You won’t find a reindeer or flashing Santa in sight here, but art collective NAKED can still bring the festive atmosphere. From October 31 to December 7, 2025, Kyoto’s Nijō Castle will reimagine Japan’s moon-viewing tradition through digital art.

Expect ethereal projection mapping across the castle gates and gardens, immersive soundscapes, and illuminated ikebana installations by the Ikenobo school. There will also be a digitally rendered Noh performance.

3. NAKED’s Yoru-Mairi at Heian Shrine

December 19–30 and January 6–18
From ¥1,600 — ¥2,400; get tickets here
Heian Jingū Shrine, Kyoto

NAKED is also returning to Heian Jingū this winter to transform the shrine’s most important properties, including the main shrine, Otenmon Gate, and Japanese garden, with digital art.

There will also be a rare opportunity to walk down the “corridor of light”, an area that is normally closed off to the public, experience a “Light Hand Wash”, and, as you’d expect from a NAKED event, take in eye-popping projection mapping throughout.

Early-bird tickets are on sale until December 18. On weekdays, adult tickets cost ¥1,600 and children’s tickets cost ¥1,200. On weekends and holidays, early-bird prices rise to ¥2,000 for adults and ¥1,400 for children.

From December 19 to 30, regular prices apply. Weekday tickets are ¥2,000 for adults and ¥1,000 for children, while weekend and holiday tickets are ¥2,400 for adults and ¥1,600 for children.

NAKED Yoru-Mairi at Heian Jingu Shrine

Dates:Dec 19–Jan 18, 2026

Entry:

¥1,600 – ¥2,400

Venue:

Heian-jingū Shrine

Read more

4. Heian Jogakuin University Kyoto Campus Agnes Illumination

November 21–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 light is made by students from the university, to fit with the year’s theme. 2025’s theme is the night sky.

Heian Jogakuin University Kyoto Campus Agnes Illumination

Dates:Nov 21–Dec 25, 2025

Entry:Free

Read more

5. 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

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, and 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 on foot from there.

Kyoto Tamba Kameoka Yume Narie Illumination

Dates:Nov 23–Dec 25, 2026

Entry:

¥400 – ¥1,000

Read more

6. Twinkle Jōyō

December 1–25
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. A shuttle bus will be available for ¥200 from Jōyō Station. Jōyō is on the way to Nara; take a JR Nara Line train to Kyoto for Jōyō (35 min, ¥370).

Twinkle Jōyō Illumination

Dates:

Early

~

Late

Dec

Entry:Free

Read more

7. 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.

Synesthesia Hills

Address:Hirotani-1-14 Sonobecho Okawachi, Nantan, Kyoto 622-0065

Admission:Adults: ¥1,000
Children: ¥500

Read more

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 2025.

Area(s)

Kyoto

Places Mentioned

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