2024 Japan Christmas Event Guide (Osaka/Kyoto/Hokkaido)
No matter when you travel to Japan, you can't help but feel moved, because each season in Japan reveals a completely different and beautiful charm.
When winter arrives, Japan has a series of festivals that locals dearly love. These include the joyful Christmas, the New Year carrying new hopes and beginnings, Coming of Age Day marking young people's adulthood, and the romantic Valentine's Day. Throughout these colorful festivals, there are not only lively shopping sales happening everywhere, but also dreamy and romantic "illuminations" (イルミネーション) shining like brilliant stars. Only when you actually arrive at the illumination sites and personally immerse yourself in that gorgeous world of light and color can you deeply experience that dreamlike wonderful feeling and profound emotion. This unique experience cannot be fully conveyed by any wonderful video or photo. Therefore, Japan's winter illuminations are absolutely not to be missed.
Umeda Sky Building Christmas
2024.11.22-12.25
This Christmas, the "Umeda Sky Building" will lead everyone into the dream world of the classic story "The Nutcracker"! The main stage is on the 40th floor observatory, where the 173-meter-high sky garden is transformed into a forest of Christmas trees shining in pink light. It feels like stepping into a giant snow globe surrounded by pink gradients, the entire scene dreamlike and surreal. This Christmas tree forest presents a completely different atmosphere during the day and night—romantic by day, sparkling by night!
Midosuji Illumination Event
2024.11.03-12.31
Osaka's symbol street, Midosuji, shines with the "Midosuji Illumination"!!!
The "Midosuji Illumination" is one of Osaka's most prominent winter illumination events, usually held from November to December each year.
History and scale: Midosuji is one of Osaka's main thoroughfares. The "Midosuji Illumination" event has a history of many years. Known for its large scale and exquisite lighting, it attracts many tourists and local residents to come and enjoy.
Lighting features: The illuminations typically feature various themes and designs, including Christmas trees, colored lights, light shows, etc. These decorations transform Midosuji Street into a colorful spectacle, creating a strong festive atmosphere.
Event highlights: In addition to viewing the illuminations, there are also various performances, music shows, and food stalls during the event, providing visitors with more entertainment options. Moreover, the facades of some buildings are also decorated with lights, adding to the artistic ambiance of the area.
Universal Studios Japan "NO LIMIT! Christmas"
November 20, 2024 - January 5, 2025
This year, Universal Studios Japan once again presents a giant 30-meter-tall Christmas tree, combined with a light and music show, the "NO LIMIT!" party tree, igniting the winter atmosphere of the entire park and offering an ultra-passionate Christmas show full of light and music. A notable highlight is the return of the hugely popular event—"Hogwarts™ Magical Night ~Winter Magic~" after a 5-year hiatus! This magical light show is both an invitation to celebrate Christmas together and a perfect conclusion to the 10th anniversary celebration of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Kyoto Starlight Festival
2014.12.01-12.25
Joyo City's winter tradition.
Illuminations and an 8-meter-tall symbolic tree enhance the entire leisure area,
A colorful light spectacle attracts viewers.
This year's theme is "Toy World"!!!
Hokkaido - Sapporo
Sapporo White Illumination Festival
2024.11.22-2025.3.01
- Odori Park (1-chome to 5-chome):
November 22, 2024 - December 25, 2025
- Sapporo Station Front Avenue (North 4-jo to South 4-jo):
November 22, 2024 - February 11, 2025
- Minami Ichijo Avenue (South 1-jo West 1-chome to 3-chome):
November 22, 2024 - March 14, 2025
- Sapporo City North 3-jo Plaza (AKAPLA) (North 2-jo West 4-chome):
November 22, 2024 - March 14, 2025
- Sapporo Station South Exit Square (North 5-jo West 3-chome):
November 22, 2024 - March 14, 2025
2024 Munich Christmas Market in Sapporo
November 22, 2024 - December 25, 2025
Sapporo Factory Christmas Illumination Event
2024.11.02-12.25
This giant Christmas tree has been installed every year since the opening of Sapporo Factory in 1993, and this year will be its 32nd appearance. As usual, the approximately 15-meter-tall Sakhalin fir tree donated by Hiroo Santa Land (Hiroo Town, Hiroo District, Hokkaido) is decorated with about 50,000 red, blue, yellow, white, green, and gold LED lights, and 1,500 LED lights with personalized ornaments, leading you into a sparkling fantasy world of light and music.
- Hotel Vista Grande Osaka
- Hotel Vista Premio Kyoto Shijo Kawaramachi
- Hotel Vista Premio Kyoto Shijo Omiya
- Hotel Vista Sapporo Susukino
