Bryce was born in California, but raised from the age of 3 near Seattle, Washington. He’s been living in Tokyo for about 7 years, and graduated from Temple University, Japan with degrees in economics and international business. He loves traveling of course, but also cooking, snowboarding, some video games as well. His biggest interest is songwriting/music production, more specifically electronic music… (think Skrillex, Marshmello, Daft Punk, etc.) He also has terrible humor as you’ll notice, but he hopes you’ll enjoy it!
This post may contain some affiliate links. When you click through and make a purchase we may receive some commission, at no extra cost to you.
Winter illuminations are one of the most iconic seasonal events during Japan’s cooler months, with plenty of locations and themes to choose from. Many readers may be familiar with the Western tradition of Christmas lights, but in Japan, light displays are called illuminations, and they sometimes light up the night long after the holiday season has ended. Kansai is home to an array of magical light displays, so read on to learn where to catch some of the most amazing illumination experiences this winter!
- 1. Osaka Hikari-Renaissance
- 2. Midosuji Illumination
- 3. Universal Studios Japan
- 4. Kobe Luminarie
- 5. Osaka Castle Illuminage
- 6. NESTA Illumina
- 7. Rosa Illumi
- 8. Hanabun Thanks Illumination
- 9. Kyoto Station Illumination
- 10. Osaka Aquarium Illuminations
- Japan Wonder Travel Tours in Kyoto
- Other articles you might be interested in
1. Osaka Hikari-Renaissance
First on the list is the Osaka Hikari-Renaissance, which is a renowned, sound-accompanied light show held at the Osaka City Hall from mid to late December. Elaborate light shows are projected on the building walls as well as some of the nearby trees, and it’s quite a popular experience with 3-4 million spectators attending the event every year. Due to its popularity you might have to wait in line to enjoy the show, but the wait is usually not more than one hour.
Price: Free
Dates: December 14 – 25, 2023
2. Midosuji Illumination
Due to its proximity, the Midosuji Illumination can easily be combined with the Osaka Hikari-Renaissance show. Midosuji is one of Osaka’s main streets, and the many trees lining it are decorated with tons of lights for the yearly illuminations. It’s perfect for a stroll in the evening, and there’s plenty of things to do in the vicinity.
Price: Free
Dates: November 3 – December 31, 2023
3. Universal Studios Japan
Universal Studios Japan, and other theme parks in Japan, is a great place to see winter illuminations. The park features a huge, 30-meter Christmas tree decked out in lights, as well as a bunch of minions running around, all dressed for the season. Maybe elves were too expensive to hire? Well, there is definitely a lot more to experience here besides the illuminations, so if you want a full day of exhilarating fun, head to USJ!
Price: Varies depending on the pass
Dates: November 11, 2022 – January 9, 2023
*We will update the information once it’s officially announced
4. Kobe Luminarie
Originally made in collaboration with Italy, the Kobe Luminarie is an impressive structure that shines bright with hundreds of thousands of lights. This incredible feat of architecture and illumination engineering draws millions of visitors to its location at Motomachi Station each year. The magnificent display is one of the oldest in Japan, and also serves as a memorial for the Great Hanshin Earthquake of 1995. If you find yourself in Kobe in early to mid December, the Kobe Luminarie is a must see.
Price: ~
Dates: January 19 – 28, 2024
5. Osaka Castle Illuminage
The Osaka Castle is lit up at night, and the courtyards are filled with unique illuminations inspired by the Taisho period, featuring lots of animals, trees and traditional Japanese elements. It’s a great chance for a peaceful and romantic stroll through the castle grounds.
Price: 1,300 yen
Dates: November 22, 2022 – February 26, 2023
*We will update the information once it’s officially announced
6. NESTA Illumina
The NESTA Illumina attraction is quite an extravagant one, and like Osaka Castle, this place is great for a relaxing stroll surrounded by an astounding amount of lights. Trees, grass, bushes, and even ponds are brimming with lights, evoking a feeling of walking across a starry sky. A truly stellar experience.
Price: 4,544 yen (Adults) 3,104 yen (children 4 years old to elementary school students)
Dates: All year around
*It’s closed from September 1 to the middle of November in 2023 for maintenance
7. Rosa Illumi
The Rosa & Berry Tawada Park is gracing Shiga Prefecture with a huge illumination event. This is for sure going to be an event to remember! Be sure to go and celebrate with them and enjoy this vast, colorful experience, which is one of the biggest illumination events in all of Kansai.
Price: 1,600 yen (adults) 1,000 yen (Children 4 years and older)
Dates: October 8, 2022 – February 12, 2023
*We will update the information once it’s officially announced
8. Hanabun Thanks Illumination
Hanabun Thanks Illumination is an uplifting, adventurous experience that takes place from mid-October to mid-February. Explore the 8 different areas while searching for the rabbit brothers who carry messages of thanks. Supposedly, you can collect all of them to give something to your loved ones!
Price: 1,800 yen (adults) 1,000 yen (children 4 and older)
Dates: October 15, 2022 – February 12, 2023
9. Kyoto Station Illumination
Kyoto Station has a huge staircase with no less than 171 steps, and for winter illuminations, it’s adorned with more than 15,000 animated LED lights displaying major seasonal events. If you find yourself in Kyoto, or even just passing through the station on your way somewhere else, make sure to make a stop to admire this impressive light display.
Price: Free
Dates: All year round (Christmas illuminations from November 1 – December 25, 2023)
10. Osaka Aquarium Illuminations
When reading about Kyoto Station above, did you think that a staircase is an odd thing to decorate with an illumination display? Well, maybe it’s not all that strange…but what about an aquarium? Yes, in Osaka you can find that too! The Kaiyukan Illuminations at Osaka Aquarium are unique, absolutely beautiful and wonderfully entertaining. Osaka Aquarium is one of the world’s largest aquariums, and you will surely enjoy spending a day here during your time in Osaka.
Price: Free
Dates: November – March
The illuminations of Kansai await you! Be sure to immerse yourself in this wonderful Japanese winter tradition, which will surely make for a vibrant memory of your Kansai winter adventures.
Japan Wonder Travel Tours in Kyoto
When you are visiting Kyoto and you need some help organizing your trip, you came to the right place. We’re happy to help you make your trip to Kyoto the best trip ever. We can advise you on where to go or even better, show you around with a local, English speaking guide. Let us help you create safe, comfortable, and unforgettable memories in Kyoto!
▶Kyoto 8h Private Custom Highlight Tour with Licensed Guide
On this full-day private tour of Kyoto, you will be able to see the highlights of Kyoto in just one day and at the same time develop a deeper understanding of both the culture of the area and Japan as a whole.
▶Kyoto 10-Hour HIGHLIGHT Private Tour
If you only have a day or two in Kyoto, we offer a full-day tour of the city, enabling you to immerse yourself in and fully enjoy the entire city of Kyoto in just 10 hours!
▶Explore Nishiki Market: Food & Culture Walk
If you’re looking to learn more about the culture and the local cuisine of Kyoto, this is the perfect tour for you! Take part in this Kyoto food and drink tour and explore the 400-year-old market and the famous surrounding areas.
Find Other Experience
▶Kimono Rental
Kyoto is the best city to explore in kimono, Japanese traditional clothing. You can choose the one you like the most from several patterns and colors at the rental shop. In Kyoto, two locations are both accessible from the main tourist attractions which makes it easy to try it on and explore the city for a day!
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok for more travel inspiration. Or tag us to get featured!
Happy traveling!
Stay informed of the best travel tips to Japan, the most exciting things to do and see, and the top experiences to have with the Japan Wonder Travel Newsletter. Once every two weeks we will introduce you to our latest content.
