Illumination Events in Japan

Fuji-Kawaguchiko Cherry Blossom Festival 2025

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

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.

Illumination 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 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.

Osaka Candlelight Concert: Tribute to Joe Hisaishi (Studio Ghibli)

Warm up a chilly night before Christmas with candlelight and your favorite songs from Studio Ghibli composer Joe Hisaishi.

Chitose and Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival

Make the most of the cold and savor winter at the Chitose and Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival in Hokkaido.

Lake Towada Winter Story of Light

Visit an illuminated winter wonderland with fireworks each night in Aomori.

Yamanakako Ice Candles Festival

See the spectacular scene of hundreds of ice candles being lit up.

Ashikaga Flower Park Illuminations 2024

Visit one of the best illuminations in Japan and relive the wonder of the spring wisteria.

Osaka and Kōbe Illuminage

See Osaka and Kobe come alight at this unique illumination event.

Namba Hikari Tabi Illumination 2024

Glow up your Instagram — literally. Experience a mesmerizing journey through lights with glowing art installations and illuminations.

Otaru Snow Light Path Festival 2025

A quieter alternative in Sapporo's beautiful snows.

Uesugi Snow Lantern Festival

Light up a cold winter's day with this lantern festival.

Abashiri Okhotsk Drift Ice Festival

It gets very, very cold in the far north of Hokkaido, so what better place to have a festival with giant carved ice sculptures?

Shirakawago Winter Light-Up 2025

See a traditional Japanese village lit up bright on a cold winter's night.

Kobe Luminarie 2025

A beautiful light show and memorial in one Kobe event.

Kayabuki no Sato Snow (Miyama Village) Lantern Festival

An amazing chance to see a remote, snow-covered thatched village illuminated with hundreds of lanterns.

Festival of Lights Osaka

See Osaka come alive with light on those cold winter nights.

Kyoto Candlelight Concert: Best of Joe Hisaishi (Studio Ghibli)

Warm up a chilly night with candlelight and your favorite songs from Studio Ghibli composer Joe Hisaishi.

Light Cycles Kyoto

Visit Light Cycles Kyoto at the Kyoto Botanical Gardens, Japan's oldest public botanical gardens, for unique installations uniting light, sound, and projection art.

Fukuoka Phantom Castle

See Fukuoka Castle shine in all its glory at this special illumination event happening between March and April.