Japan Christmas Markets & Winter Illumination Guide 2025
Japan's winters become magical with breathtaking illuminations and European-style Japan Christmas markets. For 2025, we are featuring shining events across Japan, from Tokyo's Marunouchi and the Osaka Festival of the Lights to the Sapporo German Christmas Market in Hokkaido.At 47trip.com, your Tokyo winter illumination guide, Japanese locals introduce their hand-picked recommendations for popular spots to enjoy, along with hotels offering excellent access.
Marunouchi Street Park(Tokyo)
Just steps from Tokyo Station, the "Marunouchi Naka-dori" avenue transforms every winter, as its 1.2-kilometer stretch of trees sparkles in an elegant champagne gold. The cobblestone street, lined with luxury brand shops and cafes, feels just like a European cityscape.Additionally, "Gyoko-dori," the street connecting the Imperial Palace Outer Garden and Tokyo Station, is also beautifully illuminated. Here, you'll find Christmas Hütten (small huts) offering warm drinks and food. The illuminations sparkling against the backdrop of the historic Tokyo Station building are a truly special sight.
Dates: November 13, 2025 – February 15, 2026
Admission: Free
Location:Marunouchi Illumination: Area around Tokyo Station and Marunouchi Naka-dori, Gyoko-dori Illumination: Gyoko-dori
Recommended Hotel
THE GATE HOTEL TOKYO by HULIC
The hotel boasts an unbeatable location, just a 1-minute walk from Tokyo Metro Ginza and Hibiya stations, and a 3-minute walk from JR Yurakucho Station. It's also perfectly situated, only a 5-minute walk to the Yurakucho-side entrance of Marunouchi Naka-dori.Despite being in the very heart of Tokyo, you can enjoy a sophisticated and tranquil hotel stay, set apart from the city's hustle and bustle.
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Other recommended hotels
Hotel Monte Hermana Tokyo
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Mitsui Garden Hotel Ginza gochome
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Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse(Kanagawa Prefecture)
When in Yokohama, the Christmas Market at the Red Brick Warehouse is a must-see. It recreates an authentic German atmosphere, complete with rows of Hütten (wooden huts). Part of the fun is savoring Glühwein (mulled wine) and German sausages.The event's centerpiece is a giant, real fir tree towering over 10 meters tall. You can enjoy a magical Christmas set against the backdrop of the historic Red Brick Warehouse and the glittering Yokohama port night view.
Dates: November 21 – December 25, 2025
Admission: From 500 Yen (Note: Some areas are free)
Location: Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse
Recommended Hotel
New Otani Inn Yokohama Premium
This hotel boasts superb access, as it is directly connected to "Colette Mare," a commercial complex located right in front of JR Sakuragicho Station.Guest rooms feature expansive windows offering stunning, panoramic views of the Minato Mirai area, including the iconic Ferris wheel, the bay, and the Red Brick Warehouse district.
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Other recommended hotels
APA Hotel & Resort Yokohama Bay Tower
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Hotel Edit Yokohama
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Kobe Luminarie(Hyogo Prefecture)
The Kobe Luminarie is a special festival of lights, first held as a symbol of "hope" for recovery from the Great Earthquake of 1995. It takes place at multiple venues across Kobe, allowing you to enjoy the displays while strolling through the city, including the main site at Meriken Park and the historic Former Foreign Settlement.A particularly solemn light installation, nearly 50 meters long and dedicated to the memory of the earthquake, can be seen at Higashi Yuenchi Park. We invite you to feel the deep prayers and hope embedded in these lights, which illuminate the entire city.
Dates: January 30 – February 8, 2026
Admission: Free (Note: Special paid viewing tickets are available)
Location: Higashi Yuenchi Park, Former Foreign Settlement, Meriken Park
Recommended Hotel
Dormy Inn Kobe Motomachi Natural Hot Springs
Located in the Motomachi Shopping Arcade, this hotel is conveniently close to some of the main Luminarie venues, like the Former Foreign Settlement and Meriken Park.It features a natural hot spring (onsen) public bath on the top floor. Another major draw is the reliable service of the Dormy Inn group, which includes clean guest rooms and a breakfast where you can savor local specialties.
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Other recommended hotels
Hotel Monte Hermana Kobe Amalie
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remm Plus Kobe Sannomiya
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Ashikaga Flower Park (Tochigi Prefecture)
Ashikaga Flower Park in Tochigi Prefecture is famous for its "Garden of Illuminated Flowers," recognized as one of Japan's Top 3 Great Illuminations. The sight of over 5 million lights illuminating the vast park is simply breathtaking.The main highlight is the "Miraculous Great Wisteria," a stunning light display that recreates the park's famous, real wisteria trellises that bloom in spring. The spectacle of the purple light-flowers spreading out, as if swaying in the wind, is incredibly beautiful and moving. Be sure to experience this magical landscape of lights that look just like real flowers.
Dates: October 18, 2025 – February 15, 2026
Admission: Adults: 1,400 Yen, Children: 700 Yen
Location: Ashikaga Flower Park
Recommended Hotel
Hotel Route Inn Ashikaga Ekimae
This popular business hotel chain is conveniently located just a 5-minute walk from JR Ashikaga Station.In addition to its clean and functional guest rooms, the hotel's appeal lies in its large public bath, which features an artificial radium hot spring. The park's nearest station is only about a 5-minute train ride from JR Ashikaga Station, making this hotel ideal for those seeking both convenience and comfort.
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Other recommended hotels
Candeo Hotels Sano
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Toyoko Inn Tochigi Ashikaga-eki Kita-guchi
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Nabana no Sato(Mie Prefecture)
"Nabana no Sato" in Mie Prefecture is famous for hosting one of Japan's largest-scale illuminations.Among its displays, the "Hana Kairo" (Flower Corridor) light tunnel is an absolute must-see, having even been featured as one of the "World's Most Spectacular Views." This roughly 200-meter-long tunnel envelops you 360 degrees in countless lights, making it feel like another world where flowers of light are blooming. This magical space is perfect for taking photos and draws countless visitors.
Dates: October 18, 2025 – May 31, 2026
Admission: From 2,500 Yen (Note: Prices vary depending on the season)
Location: Nabana no Sato
Recommended Hotel
Hotel Nagashima
This is one of the official hotels located right on the Nagashima Resort grounds. Guests enjoy special perks, including complimentary admission to the "Yuami no Shima" natural hot spring (onsen) park and "Nabana no Sato."For dinner, you can savor a luxurious buffet featuring around 100 different Japanese, Western, and Chinese dishes.
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Other recommended hotels
Garden Hotel Olive
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Sanco Inn Kuwana Ekimae
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Munich Christmas Market in Sapporo(Hokkaido)
At the "Munich Christmas Market" in Sapporo, you can experience an authentic German Christmas. Odori Park fills with traditional stalls, offering not only charming Christmas trinkets for shopping but also gourmet delights like sizzling hot German sausages and Glühwein (mulled wine).The charm lies in its exotic atmosphere, making you feel as if you've wandered into a European town while still in Japan. Don't miss the "Sapporo White Illumination," held at the same time. You can soak in the romantic scenery, where the warm market and brilliant lights merge beautifully within a snowy landscape.
Dates: November 21 – December 25, 2025
Admission: Free
Location: Odori Nishi 2-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo (Accessible from Odori Subway Station)
Recommended Hotel
Hotel Resol Trinity Sapporo
This hotel boasts an outstanding location, standing directly facing Odori Park, the event's main venue.On the top floor, there is a large public bath that overlooks the park's iconic TV Tower. Even after enjoying the Christmas market and illuminations out in the mid-winter cold, you can come back and soak, leisurely warming yourself up.
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Other recommended hotels
Dormy Inn Sapporo Annex Hot Spring
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JR Inn Sapporo-eki Minami-guchi
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Festival of lights in Osaka(Osaka Prefecture)
The "Osaka Festival of the Lights" (Osaka Hikari no Kyoen) is a spectacular event that transforms the entire city into a "Museum of Light."On the main Midosuji Avenue, a world-class "Road of Light" sparkles, stretching for approximately 4 kilometers. In the waterfront Nakanoshima area, the projection mapping onto the historic Osaka City Central Public Hall is an absolute must-see. Additional programs are also held at various locations throughout the prefecture, including Osaka Castle.This is the perfect chance to explore art made of light, flooding the city streets, all while savoring Osaka's famous gourmet food.
Dates: Starts November 3, 2025 (Note: Dates and times vary for each program)
Admission: Free (Note: Some programs require a fee)
Location: Midosuji (Hanshinmae Intersection to Namba West Exit Intersection), area around Osaka City Hall to Nakanoshima Park, and other locations.
Recommended Hotel
Hotel Resol Trinity Osaka
This hotel boasts a prime location, putting the Nakanoshima venue within walking distance and the Midosuji Illumination just a short stroll away. It's also incredibly convenient, located just steps from the Kitahama Station (Subway and Keihan lines) for superb transportation access.The hotel features a large public bath exclusively for guests. Here, you can leisurely soothe your chilled body while gazing out at an atmospheric tsuboniwa (a small, traditional courtyard garden).
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Other recommended hotels
Hotel Nikko Osaka
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Sotetsu Fresa inn Yodoyabashi
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Summary
Why not make your winter 2025 unforgettable at Japan's illuminations and Christmas markets?The spots we've featured—from Tokyo and Osaka to Hokkaido, Kobe, and Yokohama—are perfect for winter city sightseeing. Use the recommendations from Japanese locals in this feature, find the perfect hotel near the event venues on 47Trip.com, and get ready to fully enjoy the glowing nights of a Japanese winter!
