In winter, Kansai comes alive with dazzling illuminations throughout the cities and the warm, festive atmosphere of Christmas markets.
In this article, a FUN! JAPAN editor who was born and raised in the Kansai region will introduce a carefully selected list of "truly recommended" spots, mainly in Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe..
From the famous "Kobe Luminarie," the authentic Christmas market held at Umeda Sky Building, to the magical illuminations at World Heritage sites in Kyoto, we've put together a list of must-visit illuminations and Christmas markets in Kansai this winter, including both classic favorites and hidden gems.
*A portion of sales from products introduced or reserved through this article may be returned to FUN! JAPAN.
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Recommended Illuminations & Christmas Markets in Osaka
[Osaka] Festival of the lights in OSAKA
Continuing since 2013, the "Festival of the lights in OSAKA" features two main programs: the "Midosuji Illumination," which stretches for about 4 km, and the "OSAKA Hikari Renaissance," which lights up the Nakanoshima area, a symbol of Osaka, the city of water. The "Midosuji Illumination" is based on the concept of a "Symbolic Street of Light Connecting to a Shining Future," and decorates Midosuji with brilliant lights that mix colors reminiscent of history with those representing the present and future of the city.
Festival of the lights in OSAKA
- Location: Various places in Kita Ward, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture (Midosuji, around Osaka City Hall to Nakanoshima Park, and more)
- Period: November 3, 2025 (Mon) – January 31, 2026 (Sat)
- Official Website: https://www.hikari-kyoen.com/
[Osaka] Champagne Gold Illumination in UMEKITA
The winter tradition of Umekita, known as a seasonal highlight, is scaling up this year! "Umekita" refers to the former Umeda Freight Station site, which spreads out north of JR Osaka Station. From Grand Front Osaka to Grand Green Osaka, the city is adorned with approximately 480,000 champagne gold lights, creating a dazzling atmosphere.
Champagne Gold Illumination in UMEKITA
Event Area: Various locations in Kita Ward, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture (around Grand Front Osaka and Grand Green Osaka)
Event Period: Thursday, November 6, 2025 – Saturday, February 28, 2026 *17:00–24:00
[Osaka] UMEDA SKY BUILDING Christmas 2025
This is an authentic German-style Christmas market held at the Umeda Sky Building, a symbol of Umeda, Osaka. This year’s theme is “THE CIRCUS OF LIGHT: A Fantastical Circus Sparkling in the Night Sky.”
At the center of the venue stands a breathtaking symbolic tree about 25 meters tall, covered with approximately 130,000 LED lights. Surrounding it, traditional huts (Hütte) line up again this year, hosting the “Wonder Christmas Marche” market. In addition to authentic foods such as original German mulled wine (hot wine), Kinderpunsch, and warm soups, the market is filled with carefully selected Christmas foods and goods.
UMEDA SKY BUILDING Christmas 2025
- Venue: 1-1 Ooyodonaka, Kita Ward, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture (Umeda Sky Building)
- Event Period: Friday, November 14, 2025 – Thursday, December 25, 2025
- Access: 7-minute walk from Osaka Station
[Osaka] Christmas Market in OSAKA Tenshiba
This Christmas market is held at “Tenshiba” in Tennoji Park. Last year, it attracted 280,000 visitors. The highlight is three giant Christmas trees. At the market, you can enjoy Christmas goods as well as German Gluhwein and sausages, among other gourmet treats.
Christmas Market in Osaka Tenshiba
- Venue: 5-55 Chausuyama-cho, Tennoji Ward, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture (Tennoji Park)
- Access: 5-minute walk from Tennoji Station
- Event Period: Friday, November 28, 2025 – Thursday, December 25, 2025
- Official Website: https://osaka-christmasmarket.com/
👀 There are plenty of other winter-only events in Osaka! For more details, check out this article 👉Recommended Events in Osaka for December, January, and February
Recommended Illuminations and Christmas Markets in Kyoto
[Kyoto] NAKED meets Nijo-jo 2025 Kangetsu
This special night at the World Heritage Site Nijo-jo Castle fuses the latest digital art by the creative company NAKED with the historic site. In this space lined with national treasures and important cultural properties, modern technologies such as projection mapping and interactive light displays express the elegance of the Edo period.
NAKED meets Nijo-jo 2025 Kangetsu
- Venue: 541 Nijojo-cho, Nijo-dori Horikawa Nishi-iru, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture (Former Imperial Villa Nijo Castle)
- Event Period: Friday, October 31, 2025 – Sunday, December 7, 2025 *18:00–22:00
- Access: Right next to Nijojo-mae Station
- Official Website: https://event.naked.works/nijojo/autumn/ja/
👉Purchase discounted admission tickets on kkday
[Kyoto] Ninnaji Temple Sea of Clouds Light-up
This is a nighttime viewing event held in the solemn atmosphere of Ninnaji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The main highlight is the magical sight of the illuminated National Treasure, the Kondo (Main Hall), appearing to float above a sea of clouds. Additionally, during the event period, five special types of goshuin (temple stamps) will be available.
Ninnaji Temple Sea of Clouds Light-up
- Venue: 33 Omuro Ouchi, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture (Ninna-i Temple)
- Event Period: Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays from October 24 (Fri), 2025 to December 14 (Sun), 2025 ※ 18:30–21:00
- Access: 3-minute walk from Omuro-Ninnaji Station
[Kyoto] Light Fantasy Train
This is a hugely popular event where the Sagano Romantic Train, running from Torokko Saga Station to Torokko Kameoka Station in Kyoto, is illuminated along its route. Titled "Light Fantasy Train," the event features breathtaking scenes such as beautiful autumn leaves lit by about 1,000 lights, mountains made even more mystical by colorful illuminations, and sparkling river surfaces which is truly a "fantastical" spectacle. Extra trains are scheduled to run during the event period.
Light Fantasy Train
- Event Area: Along the Sagano Romantic Train in Ukyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
- Event Period: October 25 (Sat), 2025 – December 29 (Mon), 2025 ※ From 16:30 until the last train
- Official Website: https://www.sagano-kanko.co.jp/
[Kyoto] Grand Staircase Graphical Illumination Plus
This grand illumination event takes place on the iconic Grand Staircase of Kyoto Station Building, the gateway to Kyoto. About 15,000 LEDs are scattered across the staircase, coloring the night at Kyoto Station with vibrant lights. While this illumination is held year-round, the theme changes with each season. In December, under the theme "Winter season," you can enjoy special graphics unique to winter, featuring motifs of snow and snowflakes for a magical and festive atmosphere.
Grand Staircase Graphical Illumination Plus
- Venue: 901 Higashishiokojicho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture (Kyoto Station Building)
- Event Period: "Winter season" is from December 26 (Fri), 2025 to December 31 (Wed), 2025
- Access: Directly connected to Kyoto Station
- Official Website: https://www.kyoto-station-building.co.jp/graphical_illumination/
Recommended Illuminations and Christmas Markets in Kobe
[Kobe] Kobe Illuminage
Celebrating its 15th anniversary in 2025, this year's theme is "Garden Dream." The entire venue transforms into a fantastical garden, glowing with motifs of flowers and greenery. There are plenty of romantic photo spots, such as the heart-shaped tunnel shining in pink. This year, a special 15th-anniversary project will also be featured, where illustrations submitted by children from all over Japan will be displayed as part of the illumination works.
Kobe Illuminage
- Venue: 2150 Kamiosawa, Osawa-cho, Kita-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture (Michi-no-Eki Kobe Fruit & Flower Park Osawa)
- Event Period: October 24 (Fri), 2025 – February 1 (Sun), 2026
- Access: About 15 minutes by taxi from Okaba Station or Sanda Station
- Official Website: https://illuminagegroup.com/
👉Purchase discounted admission tickets on kkday
[Kobe] Forest Sound Wonder Christmas 2025
This is an event held at the "ROKKO Forest Sound Museum," a facility that collects automatic musical instruments such as music boxes. The event is themed around Christmas in Western countries, especially Germany. During the event period, you can enjoy performances of hymns and Christmas songs by automatic musical instruments, as well as the sale of traditional German crafts and special Christmas cafe menu items. Since you can relax and enjoy the event indoors even during the cold season, you don't have to worry about the weather which is another great point.
Forest Sound Wonder Christmas 2025
- Venue: 4512-145 Kita-Rokko, Rokkosan-cho, Nada-ku, Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture (ROKKO Forest Sound Museum)
- Event Period: Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays from September 20 (Sat), 2025 to November 30 (Sun), 2025
- Access: 5 minutes by bus from Rokko Cable Sanjo Station
- Official Website: https://www.rokkosan.com/museum/
[Kobe] Former Foreign Settlement Illumination
The Former Foreign Settlement area in the port city of Kobe once flourished as a gateway for foreign cultures. The harmony between the rows of historic Western-style buildings and the lights creates a fantastical and sophisticated scene, reminiscent of a European street corner.
Former Foreign Settlement Illumination
- Event Area: Around Akashicho-suji, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture
- Event Period: October 3 (Fri), 2025 – February 28 (Sat), 2026
[Kobe] Kobe Luminarie
Kobe Luminarie, which began in 1995 as a prayer for the repose of the victims and the recovery from the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, will be held again in 2026! This festival of lights, whose name means "illumination" in Italian, features a different theme each year. Tens of thousands of colorful bulbs are arranged on elaborate wooden structures, creating majestic and beautiful works of light art. It is truly a winter tradition that represents Kobe.
Kobe Luminarie
- Event Area: Various locations in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture (mainly Kobe East Park, Former Foreign Settlement, and Meriken Park)
- Event Period: January 30 (Fri), 2026 – February 8 (Sun), 2026
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