Events in Japan

Yakiimo Fes 2026 (Tokyo & Osaka): Japanese Sweet Potato Festival

A free-entry roasted sweet potato festival held in Tokyo and Osaka at the same time, with about 30 menu items at each venue, from classic yakiimo to chocolate-coated sweet potato and tempura. It ends on Nov 8.

• TokyoNakano Shiki no Mori Park event area

  Oct 30 – Nov 8, 2026

  Weekdays 11:00–19:00, weekends and holidays 10:00–19:00

  Access: 8 min walk from Nakano Station (JR, Tokyo Metro)

• OsakaOsaka Castle Park, Taiyo no Hiroba

  Oct 30 – Nov 8, 2026

  Weekdays 11:00–19:00, weekends and holidays 10:00–19:00

  Access: 2 min walk from JR Osakajokoen Station, 5 min from Osaka Business Park Station (Osaka Metro)

Price: Free entry (food is paid)

Yokohama Vanilla Pop-up (Gransta Tokyo & Hankyu Umeda)

The Yokohama sweets brand known for its salted vanilla financiers comes to Tokyo Station and Umeda for a limited time. At Gransta Tokyo, financiers start at ¥1,100 for 3 pieces. An easy gift to pick up at the station.

• TokyoGransta Tokyo, POP UP GRANSTA GREEN (JR Tokyo Station 1F, inside the ticket gates)

  Nov 2 – Nov 23, 2026

  Mon–Sat 8:00–22:00, Sun and holidays 8:00–21:00 (Nov 21: 7:30–22:00, Nov 22: 8:00–22:00, last day until 20:00)

• OsakaHankyu Umeda Main Store, B1F Sweets Event 3

  Nov 4 – Nov 24, 2026

NAKED meets Nijo-jo Castle 2026

A night event at Nijo-jo Castle, a World Heritage Site. It runs in the rain but may be canceled in severe weather. Junior high school students and younger are free.

• KyotoNijo-jo Castle

  Oct 23 – Dec 5, 2026

  18:00–22:00 (last entry 21:00)

Price: High school age and up: Mon–Thu ¥2,000, Fri–Sun and holidays ¥2,400. Junior high school age and under free

NAKED GARDEN NIGHTS: Higashi Honganji & Shosei-en

A night event at Higashi Honganji Temple and Shosei-en Garden. On Nov 6–8 and Nov 25, only Shosei-en is open.

• KyotoHigashi Honganji & Shosei-en

  Oct 31 – Dec 6, 2026

  18:00–22:00 (Higashi Honganji last entry 21:00, viewing until 21:20)

Price: Junior high school age and up: Mon–Thu ¥2,100, Fri–Sun and holidays ¥2,300. Elementary school age ¥1,500 / ¥1,700 (different prices on Shosei-en-only days)

Midosuji Illumination 2026 (Osaka Festival of the Lights)

To mark 90 years of Midosuji in May 2027, about 4 km of the avenue is split into 5 areas that show the eras from the 1940s to today in light. At Kita-Mido, digital art reacts to people's movement.

• OsakaMidosuji (Hanshin-mae to Namba Nishiguchi intersections)

  Nov 3 – Dec 31, 2026

  From about 17:00 to 25:00

  Access: Osaka Metro stations from Umeda to Namba, JR Osaka Station and more

Christmas Advent 2026 (Fukuoka)

A huge winter event across Hakata, Tenjin, Nakasu, Kokura and more, themed "Five Senses Christmas". Over 170 huts sell food, goods and venue-limited mugs, and a free Christmas circus runs at Tenjin Central Park's Forest of Light (Nov 17 – Dec 19).

• FukuokaNakasu Hikari no Advent (Nakasu)

  Nov 2, 2026 – Jan 12, 2027

• FukuokaChristmas Market in Hikari no Machi Hakata (Hakata)

  Nov 7 – Dec 25, 2026

• FukuokaForest of Light (Tenjin Central Park)

  Nov 12 – Dec 25, 2026

• FukuokaTenjin Christmas Advent (Tenjin)

  Nov 14 – Dec 26, 2026

• FukuokaChristmas Market Ice World in Momochihama

  Nov 20 – Dec 25, 2026

• FukuokaKokura Christmas Market & Castle (Kokura)

  Nov 20 – Dec 25, 2026

Ashikaga Flower Park: Flower Fantasy 2026–27

The 25th-anniversary illumination has over 5 million lights and a new 21 m Christmas tree. The Rose Garden of Light and Snow World are renewed, and the show changes across three seasonal themes.

• TochigiAshikaga Flower Park (Ashikaga, Tochigi)

  Oct 17, 2026 – Feb 14, 2027

  15:30–20:30 (weekends and holidays until 21:00). Nov 7 – Jan 3: weekdays until 21:00, weekends and holidays until 21:30. Closed Dec 31

Price: Adults ¥1,500, children (age 4 to elementary school) ¥800

Yomiuriland Jewellumination 2026: Growing Light

Jewel-colored lights produced by lighting designer Motoko Ishii. This season's "Growing Light" theme shows the life force of plants as they sprout and grow.

• TokyoYomiuriland (Inagi, Tokyo)

  Oct 29, 2026 – Apr 4, 2027

  Except park closure days (planned). Check the official site for lighting hours

Tokyo German Village Winter Illumination 2026–2027: Why USA!?

This year's theme is a journey of light across America: New York, Las Vegas, Texas and on into space. It's held in the park's 25th-anniversary year.

• ChibaTokyo German Village (Sodegaura, Chiba)

  Oct 31, 2026 – Apr 4, 2027

  Check the official site for hours and prices

Okinawa Nangoku Illumination 2026–2027 (Southeast Botanical Gardens)

Tropical plants wrapped in light, with a Sea of Light, a Lotus of Light laser show set to music, and a Castle of Light.

• OkinawaSoutheast Botanical Gardens

  Oct 24, 2026 – May 23, 2027

  Check the official site for hours and prices

Nabana no Sato Illumination 2026–2027

Known for what's described as one of Japan's largest illuminations over water and a 200 m tunnel of light. This season's main theme area is "Wild Paradise".

• MieNabana no Sato (Nagashima, Kuwana, Mie)

  Oct 17, 2026 – May 31, 2027

  Closed Jan 6–7

  Access: Direct bus from Kintetsu Nagashima Station

Price: Tickets must be issued in advance at FamilyMart or 7-Eleven. Dated tickets on Dec 23–25. Check the official site for prices

Roppongi Hills Christmas 2026 (Keyakizaka Illumination & Christmas Market)

Keyakizaka Street lights up for about 400 m, one of Tokyo's classic winter sights. The Christmas market marks its 20th year with limited goods, and a new tree made of hand-shaped petals appears this year.

• TokyoRoppongi Hills (Keyakizaka, 66 Plaza, Mori Garden and more)

  Nov 5 – Dec 25, 2026

  Keyakizaka lights 17:00–22:00. Christmas market (Nov 21 – Dec 25) 11:00–21:00. May change with crowds

Tokyo Skytree Town Dream Christmas 2026

About 400,000 gold lights on a "wish upon a star" theme. On the 4th-floor Sky Arena, there's an 8 m star tree, the 11th Christmas market and a giant stollen about 4 m long. A candlelight concert is held on the Tembo Deck on Dec 24–25.

• TokyoTokyo Skytree Town (Oshiage, Sumida)

  Nov 5 – Dec 25, 2026

  Lights 16:00–23:00 (some until Feb 28, 2027). Christmas market 11:00–22:00 (last order 21:00)

Price: No entry fee is listed for the lights and market. Tembo Deck events need a Tembo Deck ticket

Izu Kogen Grand Illumination: 12th Season

A hands-on illumination at Izu Granpal Park. Light and sound shows start every 10 minutes in 3 spots, with a bubble show and paid night attractions too.

• ShizuokaIzu Granpal Park (Shizuoka)

  Nov 6, 2026 – Aug 31, 2027

  Last entry 20:45. Open weekends and holidays only from Apr 6 to Jul 17

Price: Weekdays: adults ¥1,800, elementary school ¥1,000, age 4+ ¥500. Weekends, holidays and peak season: adults ¥1,900, elementary school ¥1,100, age 4+ ¥500

Atami Marine Fireworks (Autumn & Winter)

Fireworks over Atami Bay, known for how the sound echoes around the bay. Pair them with a hot spring stay. There are no paid seats, and you can see the whole show from the Sun Beach sand.

• ShizuokaAtami Bay (Atami City)

  Nov 8, 2026 – Feb 21, 2027

  開催日：11月8日（日）・11月23日（月・祝）・12月6日（日）・12月25日（金）・2027年2月21日（日）。各日20:20〜20:40（雨天決行。日程は変更になる場合あり）

  Access: JR熱海駅からサンビーチまで徒歩約15分

Price: Free to watch (no paid seats in 2026)

THE THOUSAND KYOTO Christmas 2026

A real fir tree about 7 m tall stands on the hotel's grand staircase. There's also a Christmas parfait afternoon tea (Nov 27 – Dec 25, ¥7,400 per person, book by noon two days before) and free concerts beside the tree.

• KyotoTHE THOUSAND KYOTO (1F grand staircase, 2F TEA AND BAR)

  Nov 9 – Dec 25, 2026

  Concerts on Dec 19, 20, 23, 24 and 25 (times to be announced on the official site)

FONDAN Pop-up (Hankyu Umeda)

A shop specializing in melting sweets comes to the Kansai area for the first time, with fondant sandwiches made with house-made fresh butter (5 pieces ¥1,350). Some items have purchase limits.

• OsakaHankyu Umeda Main Store, B1F Tree Terrace 1

  Nov 11 – Nov 18, 2026

Ginza Christmas Market 2026 (Ginza Mitsukoshi)

About 20 shops bring European and Nordic goods, wooden toys and snow globes under a "HO HO HO!" theme. Shops change across three periods, and Fukuoka's ON SUGAR doughnuts join the first one (until Nov 24).

• TokyoGinza Mitsukoshi, New Building 7F event hall

  Nov 11 – Dec 21, 2026

  Closes at 18:00 on Nov 24 and on the last day. Part of the hall is closed on Dec 15

KITTE Nagoya: Joy Forward Christmas

For KITTE Nagoya's 10th anniversary, glowing butterfly drones fly around an 8 m tree in the 1F atrium at the Nov 11 lighting ceremony and on Nov 28, Dec 9 and Dec 25. There are also daily lighting shows and a Creema Christmas market on two weekends in December.

• AichiKITTE Nagoya, 1F Atrium (JP Tower Nagoya)

  Nov 11 – Dec 25, 2026

  Drone shows Nov 28, Dec 9 and Dec 25 at 18:00 and 19:00 (lighting ceremony Nov 11 at 18:30)

PISTA & TOKYO Pop-up (JR Kyoto Isetan)

A pistachio sweets specialist from Tokyo comes to Kyoto for a limited time, with pistachio sandwich cookies (5 pieces ¥1,350) and more. It's right in the Kyoto Station building area, so it's easy to stop by for a gift.

• KyotoJR Kyoto Isetan, B1F east entrance promotion space

  Nov 11 – Nov 24, 2026

  10:00–20:00

Twilight Fantasy 2026: Miracle Christmas (Osaka Station City × Tom and Jerry)

Gold lights and photo spots spread out around the gold clock in the 5th-floor Toki-no-Hiroba plaza. A digital stamp rally visits 6 spots in the complex, with a clear file for the first 5,000 people.

• OsakaOsaka Station City (5F Toki-no-Hiroba and more)

  Nov 11 – Dec 25, 2026

  Lights 17:00–23:00 (from 18:30 on Nov 11)

Price: Photo time, greetings and the marche are free

Hankyu Umeda Concourse Window: The Secret Christmas Party

The seven show windows on the 1st-floor concourse turn into giant snow globes, showing Christmas parties around the world. A light and sound show starts about every 8 minutes. Try to spot the hidden Santa.

• OsakaHankyu Umeda Main Store, 1F Concourse Window

  Nov 12 – Dec 25, 2026

  9:00–21:00 (light and sound shows from 10:10)

Price: Free to view

Tokyo Tower Christmas Market 2026

A market right below Tokyo Tower, in the plaza at the main entrance. Eight huts serve sausages, pretzels, churros, hot wine and hot chocolate. From evening, you can look up at the lit tower.

• TokyoTokyo Tower main entrance plaza (Shiba Park, Minato)

  Nov 13 – Dec 25, 2026

  12:00–22:00 (last order 21:30). Opens at 16:00 on Nov 13

Price: Free entry

Hilton Kyoto Sweets Buffet: Christmas Sweet Moments

A Christmas-only sweets buffet with reindeer Paris-Brest and ornament-style sweets, plus Mont Blanc and hot chocolate finished in front of you. Reservation required.

• KyotoHilton Kyoto, 1F all-day dining Teori

  Nov 13 – Dec 27, 2026

  15:00–16:30 (last order)

Price: Adults ¥5,800, ages 6–11 ¥2,900, 5 and under free (tax and service included)

Umeda Sky Building Christmas 2026: The Starlight Town

A 25 m LED mapping tree with about 130,000 lights puts on shows set to music, alongside the Wonder Christmas Marche. A limited 2026 mug is also on sale.

• OsakaUmeda Sky Building, 1F Wonder Square and more

  Nov 13 – Dec 25, 2026

  Market 12:00–22:00 (last order 21:30). Tree lit 12:00–23:00

Price: Wonder Square and Takimi-koji are free (the Floating Garden Observatory is paid)

Hankyu Umeda Christmas Market 2026

A winter tradition on the 9th floor of Hankyu Umeda. Around an 8 m mirror-ball tree and a merry-go-round, music and light shows run with a scent effect for the first time this year.

• OsakaHankyu Umeda Main Store, 9F event hall and Festival Plaza

  Nov 18 – Dec 25, 2026

  催場は12月20日（日）まで（最終日は午後5時終了。12月1日は商品入れ替えのため一部閉場）、祝祭広場は12月25日（金）まで（最終日は午後5時終了）

Price: Free entry. Merry-go-round ¥350 per ride (from Nov 19; ticket sales are postponed, so check the official site)

Christmas Market at Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse

A Christmas market set against the historic warehouses and Yokohama's night view, with a real tree about 11 m tall. Some areas, such as the Christmas Village in Red Brick Park, are free to enter.

• KanagawaYokohama Red Brick Warehouse event plaza and Red Brick Park

  Nov 20 – Dec 25, 2026

  11:00–21:00 (until 22:00 from Dec 5; from 17:00 on opening day)

Price: From ¥500 (¥1,000 on certain dates). Some areas are free

Munich Christmas Market in Sapporo

A German-style market in Odori Park with a symbol tree and wooden huts selling German food, mulled wine and Christmas goods. You can also meet Santa.

• HokkaidoOdori Park, blocks 1–2

  Nov 20 – Dec 25, 2026

  11:00–21:00 (last order 20:45)

  Access: About 5 min walk from Odori Station (subway)

46th Sapporo White Illumination

Lights across central Sapporo in winter. The former Hokkaido Government Office (Akarenga) and Nakajima Park join as new venues this year. Odori runs until Dec 25, and Minami-Ichijo-dori and others until March.

• HokkaidoOdori venue

  Nov 20 – Dec 25, 2026

• HokkaidoSapporo Ekimae-dori venue

  Nov 20, 2026 – Feb 11, 2027

• HokkaidoMinami-Ichijo-dori, Kita-Sanjo Plaza (Akapla) and Sapporo Station South Exit plaza

  Nov 20, 2026 – Mar 14, 2027

Price: Free

Tokyo Christmas Market 2026

A German-style Christmas market with mulled wine, Christmas goods and limited mugs that differ by venue. It opens in Shin-Toyosu for the first time this year, and a Shiba Park venue with a view of Tokyo Tower opens on Dec 4.

• TokyoShin-Toyosu venue (Toyosu 6-4, Koto)

  Nov 20 – Dec 25, 2026

  11:00–21:30 (from 16:00 on opening day; last entry 20:30)

  Access: 2 min walk from Shin-Toyosu Station (Yurikamome)

• TokyoShiba Park venue (Onarimon Station plaza)

  Dec 4 – Dec 25, 2026

  11:00–22:00 (from 16:00 on opening day; last entry 21:00)

  Access: 1 min walk from Onarimon Station Exit A6 (Toei Mita Line)

Price: Adults from ¥1,000 (¥1,500 on weekends and holidays, ¥2,000 on Dec 24–25). Elementary school students from ¥500. Preschoolers free

The Prince Kyoto Takaragaike: Circle of En (Christmas Edition)

A courtyard installation for the hotel's 40th anniversary that changes with the seasons. The Christmas edition runs in the evening and is free to enter (workshops cost extra).

• KyotoThe Prince Kyoto Takaragaike, courtyard

  Nov 25 – Dec 25, 2026

  17:00–23:00

Price: Free entry (workshops cost extra)

Shiroi Koibito Park Sweet Illumination 2026: 50th Winter with Love

Winter lights for the 50th anniversary of the Shiroi Koibito cookie. A large heart based on the package sparkles at 15 and 45 minutes past each hour, and limited sweets include a 50th-anniversary soft serve.

• HokkaidoShiroi Koibito Park (Sapporo)

  Dec 1, 2026 – Mar 31, 2027

  Open 10:00–19:00 (paid area last entry 16:30). Closed Jan 1–2. Hours may change over the New Year

Hiroshima Dreamination 2026

An illumination that brightens Hiroshima's winter nights. The dates change this year, to 52 days from Dec 4 to Jan 24.

• HiroshimaCentral Hiroshima (check the official site for venue details)

  Dec 4, 2026 – Jan 24, 2027

  17:30–22:30 (from 18:00 on opening day)

Yorunoyo 2026 (Yokohama)

A free illumination that uses Yokohama's whole night view. A record 50 buildings along about 3 km from Minato Mirai to Yamashita Park sync light and sound in a 5-minute show every 30 minutes. A 25 m whale of light also appears in projection mapping at Osanbashi Pier.

• KanagawaYokohama waterfront (Osanbashi Pier, Yamashita Park and more)

  Dec 4 – Dec 30, 2026

  17:00–21:05 (shows every 30 min from 17:00; last show 21:00)

Price: Free

Sendai Christmas Market 2026

Now in its 5th year, with wooden huts inspired by European markets in Nishikicho Park. Enjoy Christmas food, hot drinks and original goods.

• MiyagiNishikicho Park (Sendai)

  Dec 4 – Dec 25, 2026

  Weekdays 16:00–22:00, Sat 12:00–22:00, Sun 12:00–21:00

  Access: 5 min walk from Kotodai-Koen Station (Namboku Line), 11 min from JR Sendai Station West Exit

Price: Free entry. On Dec 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 24 and 25 there's a ¥1,600 contribution that includes an original mug (elementary school age and under free on all days)

Nagoya Christmas Market 2026

The 12th Christmas market in Hisaya-odori Park, free to enter. This year a limited Kirin Gogo no Kocha tea shop joins with holiday milk tea, tea churros and drinks with a limited original mug.

• AichiHisaya-odori Park, Edion Hisaya Hiroba and Angel Hiroba (Sakae, Nagoya)

  Dec 4 – Dec 25, 2026

  Weekdays 16:00–21:00, weekends 11:00–21:00, Dec 24–25 14:00–21:00. May change in bad weather

Price: Free entry (food, goods and attractions are paid)

Salon du Chocolat 2027

The chocolate festival from Paris, now in its 25th edition, with a record 167 brands planned at Isetan Shinjuku ahead of Valentine's Day. The online store runs Jan 5 – Feb 9.

• TokyoIsetan Shinjuku, Main Building 6F (Part 1)

  Jan 14 – Jan 18, 2027

  Closes at 18:00 on the last day

• TokyoIsetan Shinjuku, Main Building 6F (Part 2)

  Jan 23 – Jan 27, 2027

  Closes at 18:00 on the last day

• TokyoIsetan Shinjuku, Main Building 6F (Part 3)

  Jan 30 – Feb 3, 2027

  Closes at 18:00 on Feb 3

• TokyoIsetan Shinjuku, Main Building 6F (Part 3)

  Feb 6 – Feb 14, 2027

  Closes at 18:00 on Feb 14

Price: Check the official site for how to enter

32nd Kobe Luminarie

A festival of light held to honor the victims of the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake and pass the memory on to the next generation. The newly made "Bell of Hope" is also planned for use at the venue.

• HyogoMeriken Park, Higashi Yuenchi and the Former Foreign Settlement (Kobe)

  Jan 29 – Feb 7, 2027

Price: Part of the Meriken Park venue is paid (advance: weekdays ¥500, weekends ¥750; on the day: weekdays ¥1,000, weekends ¥1,500)