Pop culture
Fri, Dec 11 – Sun, Dec 13
Tokyo Comic Con 2026
Makuhari Messe, Chiba · Kanto
Paid
A pop-culture convention with Hollywood guests, props, cosplay and artist booths.
Paid. Autographs and photo sessions need separate tickets.
Autumn leaves & flowersOn now
Until Sun, Dec 13
To-ji Temple Autumn Night Illumination
To-ji Temple, Kyoto · Kansai
PaidAfter dark
The five-story pagoda and autumn leaves are lit up at night, with evening entry to the main halls.
Paid entry.
Illuminations
Fri, Dec 11 – Fri, Dec 2517:30–21:30 (projection mapping)
Osaka Hikari Renaissance 2026
Osaka City Hall to Nakanoshima Park · Kansai
FreeAfter dark
Projection mapping on the historic Central Public Hall and light displays across Nakanoshima.
IlluminationsSoon
Fri, Nov 20 – Fri, Dec 2516:30–22:00
46th Sapporo White Illumination (Odori site)
Odori Park, Sapporo · Hokkaido
FreeAfter dark
One of Japan's earliest illumination events, started in 1981, centered on Odori Park.
Food & marketsSoon
Fri, Nov 20 – Fri, Dec 2511:00–21:30 (from 16:00 on the first day)
Tokyo Christmas Market 2026
Shin-Toyosu, Tokyo (Shiba Park venue from 4 December) · Kanto
Paid
Tokyo's largest Christmas market, with a 14 m Christmas pyramid, German food and crafts at two venues.
Paid entry.
Food & marketsSoon
Fri, Nov 20 – Fri, Dec 2511:00–21:00 (from 17:00 on the first day; until 22:00 from 5 December)
Christmas Market in Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse
Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse · Kanto
PaidHeld in rain
A German-style Christmas market with about 60 stalls and a tall Christmas tree by the harbor.
Paid entry.
Food & marketsOn now
Until Fri, Dec 25
Christmas Advent Fukuoka
Hakata Station plaza and Tenjin, Fukuoka · Kyushu
Free
Kyushu's largest Christmas market, held at Hakata Station and several sites in Tenjin.
Dates differ by venue (Tenjin: 14 November – 26 December).
Illuminations
Tue, Dec 1 – Fri, Dec 25
Hakodate Christmas Fantasy 2026
Kanemori Red Brick Warehouses, Hakodate · Hokkaido
FreeAfter dark
A giant Christmas tree floats in Hakodate's harbor, lit nightly with a short fireworks show at 6 pm.
Fireworks are cancelled in strong wind.
Dates confirmed from press reports.
IlluminationsOn now
Until Fri, Dec 2517:00–22:00
Roppongi Hills Christmas 2026
Keyakizaka Street, Roppongi Hills, Tokyo · Kanto
FreeAfter dark
A 400 m zelkova-lined street lit up with Tokyo Tower in view, plus a German-style Christmas market.
Food & marketsSoon
Fri, Nov 20 – Fri, Dec 2511:00–21:00
25th Munich Christmas Market in Sapporo
Odori Park, Sapporo · Hokkaido
Free
A Christmas market honoring sister city Munich, with crafts, mulled wine and hot food in Odori Park.
Illuminations
Fri, Dec 11 – Sun, Dec 2717:00–22:00
Blue Cave Shibuya 2026
Shibuya Koen-dori to Yoyogi Park, Tokyo · Kanto
FreeAfter dark
About 500,000 blue lights turn the zelkova avenue from Shibuya to Yoyogi Park into a blue cave.
Illuminations
Fri, Dec 4 – Sun, Dec 2718:00–21:00 (until 22:00 on Fri and Sat)
2026 Sendai Pageant of Starlight
Jozenji-dori Avenue, Sendai · Tohoku
FreeAfter dark
Zelkova trees along Jozenji-dori are covered in hundreds of thousands of lights.
IlluminationsOn now
Until Thu, Dec 31From around 17:00
Midosuji Illumination 2026
Midosuji Boulevard, Osaka (Umeda to Namba) · Kansai
FreeAfter dark
About 4 km of Osaka's main boulevard is lit up from Umeda to Namba.
Illuminations
Fri, Dec 4 – Sun, Jan 24
Hiroshima Dreamination 2026
Peace Boulevard, Hiroshima · Chugoku
FreeAfter dark
Fairy-tale themed light displays line Peace Boulevard in central Hiroshima.
IlluminationsOn now
Until Sun, Feb 1416:00–23:00 (until midnight in December)
Marunouchi Illumination 2026
Marunouchi Naka-dori, Tokyo · Kanto
FreeAfter dark
Trees along Marunouchi Naka-dori near Tokyo Station are lit in champagne gold.
IlluminationsOn now
Until Sat, Feb 2016:00–23:00
Yokohama Chinatown Lunar New Year Illumination
Yokohama Chinatown · Kanto
FreeAfter dark
Lanterns and lights decorate the streets of Yokohama Chinatown ahead of Lunar New Year.
IlluminationsOn now
Until Mon, May 31
Nabana no Sato Illumination
Nabana no Sato, Kuwana, Mie (train and bus from Nagoya) · Chubu & Hokuriku
PaidAfter dark
One of Japan's largest illumination events, held in a flower park with light tunnels and a large themed display.
Paid entry. Closed 6–7 January. Dated tickets are required on 23–25 December.