Christmas in Japan is largely a secular affair, focusing on love, friendship, and family rather than religious aspects. This inclusivity means anyone can join in the celebrations, regardless of their beliefs.

Cities across Japan light up with stunning illuminations and decorations. Tokyo, in particular, transforms into a twinkling wonderland, with elaborate light displays that are a feast for the eyes.

From enjoying a festive bucket of KFC to sharing a special Christmas cake, Japan offers unique traditions that you won't find elsewhere. It's a fresh take on the holiday that adds an element of surprise and delight to your celebrations. It is a local tradition to book your KFC meal in advance because it is so popular, that you don’t want to miss the fun with your family and friends. 

Christmas Eve in Japan is like a Valentine's Day, where couples dress up and enjoy romantic evenings out. It's a perfect opportunity for a holiday date night with a festive backdrop. And a possible wedding proposal in many scenic spots!

When: 25th October 2025 to 25th May 2025

Southeast Botanical Gardens located in Okinawa Prefecture will hold "Okinawa Nankoku Illumination 2024-2025" from Friday, October 25th. This year, with more than 4 million bulbs illuminated, the theme is "Moving Paradise of Tropical Flowers," and motifs unique to the botanical garden such as magnificent lotus flower illuminations, palm tree illuminations, hibiscus, and jade honeysuckle will decorate the garden. In the new area, a giant whale shark about 20 meters long and colorful fruit objects will appear, creating a world of illumination that expresses Okinawan uniqueness with excitement and a fantastic world of light that cannot be experienced anywhere else.

This year’s attractions include: 

        • Hikari no Lotus - The lotus that actually blooms around June ~ August is reproduced with illumination 

        • Castle of Light - The 10-meter-high light castle with a superb view of light and flowers.

        • Heart Illumination on the water - Light art and water hearts starting at dusk, a spectacular view from the top of a sparkling hill.

        • Sea of Light - Produce the world of the sea that is unique to Okinawa. Take a commemorative photo with a giant whale shark about 20 meters long swimming in a fantastic sea of light.

        • Main Tree - The shining symbol tree transforms into bougainvillea in spring!

        • Tropical ECO Lights in Botanical Garden 2024 - This is the world's first light event with the theme of illumination and ecology. Introduction of environmentally-friendly, low-power LED illumination light.

Admission fee: 

        300 yen per person 

        Free for children under 3 years old

Official website: https://www.southeast-botanical.jp/

When: 2nd November 2024 to 24th February 2025

Festa Luce, a festival of lights that has attracted 730,000 people over the past seven years, will celebrate its eighth year, on Saturday, November 2. This year's theme is "VIVID CHRISTMAS". The moment you pass through the entrance gate of Festa Luce, you will take a ship trip to a European city! You can enjoy a colorful light show and a colorful Christmas world at VIVID.

In the middle of the square, a symbolic giant Christmas tree over 16 meters tall shines in VIVID colors. There will also be castle projection mapping using castles, an amusement park of lights that is very popular with children, and a Christmas market with lots of hot food and drinks. In addition, the event recorded the highest number of visitors last year! There are many events that you will never get tired of no matter how many times you come, such as the Lantern Festival, where you can immerse yourself in the fantastic world of light floating in the night sky, and the very popular Festa Luce Music Concert / Street Performance. 

Admission Fee: 

        Same-day ticket Adult 1,800 yen 

        Child (3 years old and up and up to junior high school student) 1,000 yen

Official website: https://festaluce.jp/wakayama/

When: 8th November 2024 to 6th January 2025

Experience your dream European Christmas in Japan at Huis Ten Bosch a popular Dutch Village theme park with over 1.52 million square meters (33 times the size of Tokyo Dome) located in Nagasaki City Japan.

This year a new "Christmas Square" will be born in Amsterdam City where Christmas decorations are displayed all around the stud house, a reproduction of a Dutch church, and to feel a real European Christmas. You can enjoy symbolic Christmas trees and gourmet food, and you can forget that you are in Japan and have a romantic time.

In addition, in the "Attraction Town" where the three-story merry-go-round "Sky Carousel" shines, which is the only one of its kind in Japan, a "Christmas Market" will appear where you can enjoy shopping for Christmas goods and exciting stage shows surrounded by huge Christmas trees with a height of 12 meters.

As the sun sets and "Christmas Square" becomes dim, the stud house is filled with the delicate and beautiful singing of the choir and the magnificent light production of projection mapping, and at the end, the whole city is enveloped in light with fireworks shining in the night sky. 

Huis Ten Bosch has become a full-fledged European Christmas with an extraordinary world and spend a special holiday season that you will never forget with your loved ones.

Location: 1-1 Huis Ten Bosch Machi, Sasebo, Nagasaki 859-3243, Japan

Admission Fees: 

For other information on group ticketing and discounts, check their website here.

        Adult (18 years old and older) – 7,400yen

        Youth (high school students) – 6,400yen

        Child (elementary school students) – 4,800yen

        Preschoolers (4 years old to under elementary school) – 3,700yen

        Seniors (65 years old and older) – 5,400yen

Official website: https://english.huistenbosch.co.jp/event/xmas/

When: 7th November to 25th December 2024 from 5:00Pm to 11:00PM

The Keyakizaka Illumination - a winter tradition in Tokyo is back this year. The tree-lined street of Keyakizaka, which stretches for about 400 meters is decorated with about 800,000 fantastic "SNOW & BLUE" LED lights. In addition, 66 Plaza will hold the "Luminous Bouquet," a colorful illumination inspired by a sparkling bouquet of flowers, which was held for the first time last year. In addition, the Oroof Plaza will hold an annual "Christmas Market" that recreates the authentic German Christmas, and a "Christmas tree" will also appear in the Mori Garden and West Walk, putting the city in the Christmas mood.

Location: 6 Chome Roppongi, Minato City, Tokyo 106-0032, Japan

When: 9th November 2024 to 5th January 2025

The Making of Harry Potter (hereinafter referred to as "Studio Tour Tokyo"), where you can experience the behind-the-scenes of the creation of the world-famous "Harry Potter" and "Fantastic Beasts" movie series, is presenting its first special event limited to the Christmas season, "Hogwarts in the Snow" will be held for a limited time.

Location: 1 Chome-1-7 Kasugacho, Nerima City, Tokyo 179-0074, Japan

Admission Fee: Adult ¥6,500, Junior High ¥5,400, Child ¥3,900

Official website: https://www.wbstudiotour.jp/hogwarts-in-the-snow-2024/ 

When: 9th November 2024 to 31st August 2025

In celebration of its 10th year anniversary, the Izu Kogen Gran will present Japan’s first experience-based illumination. This includes guests experiencing gliding over the ‘sparkling rails illumination of around 400 meters round trip, a long illumination slider with a total of 110 meters whining in seven colors, and of course the famous glittering tunnel.

Admission Fees:

        Adult – JPY1,900 

        Junior high school – JPY1,100

        Children and elementary school – JPY500

When: 18th October 2024 to 30th March 2025

The ever-popular "Shining Romney Railway" will be available again this year. The sight of them running leisurely through the glittering and fantastic garden is as if you have entered a story. You can experience a special SL trip that can only be experienced in Rainbow Town. In addition, a special vehicle where you can ride with your dog and enjoy the illumination is also popular and is used by many dog lovers. Both up and down the train run every 30 minutes. When you pass through the gate and follow the path of light, you will see a winter constellation that spreads all over the hill about 70 meters deep.

The Romney Railway runs on countless stars and sparkling constellations with laser lights.

The large dome of hydrangeas and rainforest is a very popular photo spot! It is a cute and beautiful area with many hydrangea illuminations. Enjoy the experience of being enveloped in a rain of sparkling lights and soft hydrangea lights.

At the end of the trip, at the back of Sky Village, a large double rainbow drawn with about 5,000 glowing lilies is unveiled. This season, it has been renewed as a new photo spot where you can take pictures while surrounded by balloons in a large double rainbow. How about taking a commemorative photo of your trip while being wrapped in two rainbows of lilies of seven colors that span the twinkling starry sky and a gift balloon that carries happiness?

Admission fees:

        Adults (junior high school students and older) 1,600 yen

        Children (4 years old ~ elementary school students) 900 yen

        Night parking fee of 300 yen

        Admission is free for children under 3 years old

        Admission for dogs is free.

There is a great discount plan! For details, please check the special website - https://tlight.jp/nijinosato-thanks-illumi/

Spending Christmas in Japan is an opportunity to experience the holiday season through a new lens. With its unique traditions, spectacular illuminations, and romantic atmosphere, Japan offers a Christmas celebration that is both familiar and refreshingly different. Whether you're looking for a romantic getaway, a cultural journey, or simply a new way to enjoy the festive season, Japan is a destination that promises an unforgettable Christmas adventure. 

So why not book your trip now and secure your travel schedule! 

For more information on planning your Christmas trip to Japan, check out our previous guides here.