Japan Winter Illuminations 2026 (Nov–Feb): Tokyo, Osaka, Kobe Dates

Picture Christmas Eve in Roppongi: you finally reach the blue trees of Keyakizaka, and so did half of Tokyo. Good news, the 2026–27 season is long. Marunouchi glows from Nov 12 to Feb 14, Osaka's Midosuji stays lit until 1 a.m. through Dec 31, and Kobe Luminarie returns Jan 29–Feb 7, 2027, with a paid area from ¥500.

At a glance

• Tokyo: Marunouchi Nov 12–Feb 14, Roppongi Keyakizaka Nov 5–Dec 25, Tokyo Midtown Nov 26–Dec 25, all free.
• Osaka: Midosuji Nov 3–Dec 31, Nakanoshima's Hikari no Renaissance Dec 11–25.
• Kobe: Luminarie Jan 29–Feb 7, 2027, dusk to 9:30 p.m. The main arches at Meriken Park need a timed ticket.
• Calmer nights: Tokyo Midtown itself says come on or before Dec 20.

Information rechecked on November 13, 2026.

Jump to: Tokyo · Osaka · Kobe · Picking a calmer night

Every winter a whole page of my sketch notebook turns into light. Tokyo gold, Osaka's river of light, Kobe's arches. Kyoto has its own guide, so this one stays with the three cities most first-timers fly into.

Tokyo: Marunouchi Illumination (Nov 12–Feb 14)

Only one evening in Tokyo? Make it this one. Marunouchi Naka-dori, right next to Tokyo Station, wraps about 200 trees along roughly 1.2 km in champagne-gold LEDs, around 572,000 bulbs. It's the 25th year, and honestly the color is the whole point: warm gold, never flashy.

• Dates: Nov 12, 2026–Feb 14, 2027
• Hours: 4–11 p.m.; in December, 4 p.m. to midnight
• Bonus: Gyoko-dori, the avenue between Tokyo Station and the Imperial Palace Outer Garden, lights up Nov 27–Dec 25, 4 p.m. to midnight.
• Cost: free to walk