Osaka has enough neon to be seen from space (nearly), but around Christmas and New Year, the city's winter illuminations steal the show. Nothing says Christmas in Japan like some impressive winter illuminations. Osaka pushes the boat out for the festive season and has millions of lights to view. Whether you want a full-on date night or just a quick stroll for an evening, there are plenty of great spots. 1. Osaka Castle Illuminage The Illuminage festival will dazzle with extravagant light displays in both Osaka and neighboring Kobe. The historical Osaka Castle will put on a grand show, and Kobe goes big with a sprawling light-up just outside of the city. Tickets start from 2. Universal Studios Japan No Limit! Christmas This winter, Universal Studios Japan will host an energetic party with everyone's favorite characters: Hello Kitty, the Sesame Street gang, Minions, Snoopy, and more all dressed up in Christmas costumes and dancing along to Yuletide songs. The fun goes on from November 20 to January 5. The official site has also announced that this year will be the last year for the park’s Christmas tree, called the No Limit! Party Tree. Shows are held a few times a day (check the official site or app for times on the day you're visiting). Get USJ tickets in advance. 3 & 4. Osaka Festival of Lights Osaka's big winter illuminations are split into two broad events under the "Festival of Lights" umbrella: Midōsuji Illumination and Osaka Hikari Renaissance. There are also many more fun things to see during the event period -- including a giant rubber duck! 3. Midōsuji Illumination Joined with the Hikari Renaissance (below) to form the Festival of Lights, the Midōsuji Illumination is one of the most popular in Japan. It is now officially the street with the most illuminated trees, stretching for 4km between the intersections of Ooebashi-Kitazune and Hanshin-mae. Making the most of the ginkgo trees, the display runs from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. until December 31. 4. Osaka Hikari Renaissance The Nakanoshima Street Illumination features zelkova trees lit up with blue and white. There are also two shorter-term events that run from December 14 to December 25, including projection mapping against Osaka Central City Public Hall and the Marche of Light, a cluster of stalls and food trucks offering visitors gourmet eats and Christmas shopping. It takes place from November 3 to December 31. 5. Grand Wish Christmas Grand Front Osaka will put on a special illumination complete with a 10-meter-tall, kaleidoscope-inspired Christmas tree for this year’s theme of “Infinity Lights”. There will also be around 250,000 golden LED lights in Umekita Square and in front of JR Osaka Station, and other themed things to do from November 7 to December 25. Don't miss this: On December 19, there will be a parade of people dressed as Santa handing out Christmas presents. 6. Namba Hikaritabi The Namba area of Osaka will be lit up with a whopping 1 million LED lights and a whole host of fantastic activities will be available. Illuminations start on November 8 and most go on until February 16, 2025. In Namba Parks, there will be a waterfall of light and a giant moon will shine down. There is also a lawn full of blue illuminated flowers meant to serve as a "healing space". Namba Carnival Mall will display neon artwork designed by students from Osaka Mode Gakuen. 7. Umeda Sky Building Christmas Feel the Christmas cheer at the Umeda Sky Building with two programs spanning from the end of November to the end of December. The first program, from November 22 to November 30, is a special event featuring illuminations that play to the tune “Christmas Song” by Japanese rock group Back Number. The main program runs from December 1 to December 25 and is themed “Sparkle Fantasy -- The World of the Nutcracker”. Expect a giant Christmas tree, a light show, and Christmas riddles. 8. Tonbori River Walk Illuminations The Dotonbori area features annual illuminations that line the streets along the Tonbori River. From November 3 to March 10, 2025, starting at 4 p.m. every day, visitors will enjoy seasonal lights that enhance the view by reflecting off the river. There are also large 3D illuminated objects that resemble the five historical theaters of Dotonbori. While we do our best to ensure it's correct, information is subject to change. This post was first published in November 2018, and was last updated in November 2024.
The ultimate guide to Japan travel
The ultimate guide to Japan travel
The ultimate guide to Japan travel