Japan’s Eight Must-See Winter Illuminations
Experience a Fantastically Colored World

The Blue Canal appears when the Otaru Canal in Otaru City, Hokkaido, is adorned with blue lights. Take a stroll along the walkway blanketed in snow or see the magical scenery from a cruise boat. The best time to enjoy the sight is during the blue hour when a hue of blue lingers in the sky.
Held at a later date and in contrast to the Blue Canal, the Otaru Snow Light Path event lights up the entire town in a warm glow of light. Explore and enjoy the beautifully illuminated historic town. During the day, visit the Otaru Aquarium and take a snowy walk alongside the cute penguins.

The light-up event highlights the beauty of Kenrokuen Garden in the nighttime. The Winter Illuminations feature the “yukizuri,” a unique regional technique of protecting the trees from the weight of the snow using ropes shaped like an umbrella. The delicate yukizuri glowing in golden lights creates an enchanting atmosphere in the garden.
During the day, dress up in a kimono and explore the picturesque landscape of Kenrokuen Garden. Try your hand at gold leaf crafting, in which you can decorate various items with gold leaves, such as postcards and tumblers.

Approximately a 30-minute drive from Takamatsu Airport, Sanuki Manno Park is filled with seasonal blossoms year-round. In the winter, however, the park transforms into a world of lights, with illuminations covering the landscape as far as the eye can see in a glittering panorama.
In the daytime, enjoy the photogenic scenery of Chichibugahama Beach. Capture a photo of the calm waters reflecting your silhouette in a natural mirror effect. Then, warm up your chilled body with “anmochi-zoni,” a local specialty soup with “mochi” filled with “anko” (red bean paste), typically eaten on New Year’s Day.

Yu Akari has become a winter tradition in the rural hot spring town of Kurokawa Onsen. Cylindrical and sphere bamboo lanterns, handmade by the residents, envelope the town in warm glows to create a nostalgic atmosphere. Enjoy the delightful scenery together with the hot springs.
Kumamoto Castle, though still undergoing restorations from a devastating earthquake in 2016, is one of the three famous catsles of Japan. When adorned with snow, the castle tower shows a different side to its magnificent stature. In addition, the winter cold calls for hot ramen noodles, so enjoy delicious Kumamoto ramen with fragrant garlic.

Located approximately 20 minutes by car from Yonago Kitaro Airport, Yuushien is a Japanese garden enjoyable in every season. The garden is lit up from autumn to winter, and the winter illumination is designed with a Japanese theme, giving the garden a particularly charming ambience.
Furthermore, the nearby Matsue Castle features a winter-only “kotatsu” boat ride around its surrounding moat, where you can gaze at the snow-covered castle while warming up in the kotatsu (low table with an electric heater underneath and a blanket on top to trap the warmth). For more illumination events, hop over to the neighboring Tottori and visit the Tottori Hanakairo Flower Park to enjoy the show of flowers and lights.

Mihama American Village’s annual Christmas Illuminations conjures holiday mood with its spectacular lighting, Christmas trees and Santa Claus jazzing up the holiday spirit. Enjoy a stroll during the evening when the lit-up town is even more colorful than usual.
During the day, board a whale watching boat, as chances for whale encounters are even higher in the winter. Another fun activity is “shisa” painting, in which you can create your own guardian lion, a distinct symbol of Okinawa.

Hirosaki Park is a famous cherry blossom spot, but did you know there is also a view reminiscent of full-bloom cherry blossoms in the winter? In this event planned for this winter, the snow covering the tree branches will be lit up to resemble cherry blossom petals. Once the trees are completely covered in snow, it is officially in “full bloom,” a sight that will surely take your breath away.
Furthermore, the park is also the venue for the Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival, with evening lighting-up of lanterns and statues made of snow. Also, be sure to visit Takayama Inari Shrine, famous for the brilliant red “torii” gates and a backdrop reminiscent of an ink brush painting.

At night, the entirety of the popular theme park transforms into a fantastic kingdom of lights. You will forget the cold as you marvel at the projection mapping show with snow and firework effects, as well as the lighting ceremony for the Silvery-White Wonderland event.
In addition, the city of Nagasaki holds the Nagasaki Lantern Festival in the winter, during which colorful lanterns and large-scale artworks are displayed around town. In the daytime, dress up in a kimono and tour the port city, including the historic Dejima island.