Illumination Events in Japan

teamLab: A Forest Where Gods Live – GC

teamLab turns Mifuneyama Rakuen Park into a land of colorful projections and illuminations.

Kagoshima Ohara Festival

Join in one of the largest festivals in Kyūshū.

Special Autumn Visit to Higashi Honganji Temple

Don’t miss Kyoto's Higashi Honganji Temple light-up this autumn. Enjoy breathtaking displays of ikebana and light, set against the majestic temple’s architecture.

Nijō Castle NAKED Summer Festival 2026

The art collective NAKED are doing what they do best and turning another historical landmark into a fun, festival paradise.

Nara Daimonji Okuribi

Pray for peace and the souls of the fallen at this sombre festival.

Nara Tokae

See Nara's deer in a new light - literally! Made out of candles, this festival is about enormous pieces of art.

Naked Flower Tower

This is a whole new, high tech way to enjoy spring's many blossoms.

teamLab Nemophila Illumination

An outdoor night museum, with nemophila in the spotlight. This seasonal installation by international art collective teamLab is worth checking out.

Hiokayama Cherry Blossom Illuminations

Over 300 lanterns softly light a tunnel of blooming cherry trees at Hiokayama Park.

Kōdai-ji Temple Spring Illuminations

Kyoto's Kōdai-ji Temple features one of the city's most stunning springtime illuminations, complete with projection mapping and Zen vibes.

Fuji-Kawaguchiko Cherry Blossom Festival 2026

Take this chance to visit Kawaguchiko during cherry blossom season and be rewarded with an incredible view of Mount Fuji.

Hikone Castle Cherry Blossom Festival 2026

This nighttime event lights up the thousands of cherry blossoms at Hikone Castle near Lake Biwa.

Osaka Castle Cherry Blossom Illumination

With extended evening hours, food stalls, and a rare chance to see Osaka’s iconic castle framed by illuminated cherry blossoms, this is nighttime sakura viewing at its most enchanting.

Kyoto Toji Temple Cherry Blossom Illuminations

Kyoto is no stranger to spectacular sakura views, but Toji Temple's nighttime atmosphere is something else entirely.

Maruyama Park Weeping Cherry Tree Illumination

The light-up event of the weeping cherry tree at Maruyama Park in Kyoto is a must-see annual tradition.

Gion Shirakawa Evening Cherry Blossom Illuminations

For just a short window in late March and early April, the sakura in Gion's Shirakawa area are illuminated.

Illuminations at Hirakata Amusement Park in Osaka

Hirakata Park’s illuminations return. Explore seven themed light areas, including a 13-meter Flower and Fairy Tree, 500 glowing lanterns, and 20 illuminated rides.

Kiyomizu-dera Spring Illuminations

To celebrate the change to spring, Kiyomizu-dera will hold a night event to brighten up the foliage.

Light Cycles Kyoto

The Kyoto Botanical Gardens get a night-time glow-up.

Glover Garden Night Illumination

Get your dose of local history while also enjoying pretty nighttime illuminations.

Shuzenji Niji-no-Sato Winter Illuminations

Shuzenji Niji-no-Sato's winter illuminations return. This time, there's fireworks, too.

“Light of Versailles” Winter Illumination

A winter illumination event involving fountains, water, and lots of lights.

Sapporo White Illumination

See the snowy streets of Sapporo lit up with illuminations

Tsunan Snow Festival

Sky lanterns light up the night, snowboarders take on epic jumps, and local food stalls bring Niigata’s snow country to life at the Tsunan Snow Festival.