Great Holiday Illuminations in Japan

1. Sapporo White Illumination

More than 370,000 white lights are decorated in the Odori Park and Sapporo Ekimae-dori. The light-up continues until mid-February.
Place: Sapporo-city, Hokkaido
Access: Subway Oodori Station
Period: Nov. 28, 2008 - Jan. 4, 2009 (Odori Park)
Nov. 28, 2008 - Feb. 11, 2009 (Ekimae-dori and Ichijo-dori)
Sapporo Travel Guide

2. Sendai Pageant of Starlight

More than 600,000 lights are decorated on the keyaki trees along the Jouzenji-dori street and Aoba-dori street. Sendai is a great place to visit.
Place: Aoba-ku Sendai-city, Miyagi
Access: Subway Koutoudai Koen Station
Period: Dec. 12, 2008 - Dec. 31, 2008

3. Osaka Hikari Renaissance

Osaka Nakanoshima area is surrounded by rivers, and there are lots of cultural facilities. Visit Osaka City Hall, Nakanoshima Library, Nakanoshima Illumination Street, and Nakanoshima Koen to see Christmas lights and events.
Place: Kita-ku, Osaka City
Access: Keihandendetsu Train Yodoyabashi Station
Period: Dec. 1 - Dec.25, 2008
Osaka Travel Guide

4. Hiroshima Dreamination

Hiroshima City is filled with holiday lights, which image fairy tales. The main area is the Heiwa Odori street.
Place: Naka-ku, Hiroshima City
Access: Hiroshima Streetcar Hachobori Stop
Period: Nov.17, 2008 - Jan. 3, 2009
Hiroshima Travel Guide

5. Tenjin Christmas

Buildings and trees in Tenjin area in Fukuoka-city are decorated with colorful lights. The main attraction here is the "Chapel on the Water" at the Kego Koen Park.
Place: Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City
Access: Nishitetsu Nishitetsu Fukuoka (Tenjin) Station
Period: Nov. 21, 2008 -

6. Queen's Square Yokohama Christmas

The main attraction here is a large Christmas tree called "the singing tree". Music shows which illuminations on the Christmas tree change with music are held in the evening.
Place: Nishi-ku Yokohama-city, Kanagawa
Access: Yokohama Kosokutetsudo Line Minato Mirai Station
Period: Nov. 7 - Dec. 25, 2008
Yokohama Travel Guide

7. Kanucha Stardust Fantasia

Kanucha Resort is a hotel resort in Nago-city, Okinawa. The resort is decorated by more than one million lights. If you aren't staying at the hotel, you will need a ticket (1,000 yen for a group) to see the illuminations.
Place: Kanucha Bay Hotels and Villas
Nago-city, Okinawa
Access: 90 minute-drive from Naha Airport
Period Nov. 1, 2008 - March 14, 2009
Okinawa Travel Guide

8. Kobe Harborland Canal Garden Starlight

Canal Garden is an entertainment complex in Kobe Harborland. The main attraction here is a 21.5m high Christmas tree.
Place: Chuo-ku, Kobe-city
Access: Subway Harborland Station
Peiod: Oct. 25 - Dec. 25, 2008
Kobe Guide

9. Winter Fantasia 2008

Keyaki trees in the Saitama Shintoshin Keyaki Square are decorated with more than 100,000 lights. Visit Saitama Super Arena to see the lluminations.
Place: Chuo-ku Saitama-city
Access: JR Saitama Shintoshin Station
Period: Nov. 8, 2008 - Feb. 15, 2009

10. Nagoya JR Central Towers Towers Lights

JR Central Towers are located on top of the Nagoya Station. Inside and outside of JR Central Towers are decorated with beautiful Christmas lights. Also, lots of Christmas concerts are held.
Place: Nagoya-city, Aichi
Access: JR Nagoya Station
Period: Nov 7, 2008 - Jan. 12, 2009
Nagoya Travel Guide