Festival of Lights Illuminating Western Japan’s Winter! Complete Guide to Illumination Spots in Kyushu, Chugoku, and Shikoku Regions
Fantastic illuminations color the winter night sky. Western Japan boasts numerous large-scale illumination spots that make the most of its rich natural environment. This time, we’ll introduce carefully selected winter illumination spots in the Chugoku, Shikoku, and Kyushu regions. Let us guide you to a world of lights that everyone can enjoy, from families to couples and groups of friends.
Table of Contents
The Glittering World of Light in the Chugoku Region
- Bihoku Hillside Park Winter Illumination (Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture)
- Tottori Hanakairo Flower Illumination (Nanbu Town, Tottori Prefecture)
- Yuushien Illumination “Golden Island Zipangu” (Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture)
Light-Enveloped Experiences in the Shikoku Region
- Reoma World “Matsuken Illuminight” (Marugame City, Kagawa Prefecture)
- Sanuki Manno National Park Winter Fantasy (Manno Town, Kagawa Prefecture)
Festival of Lights in the Kyushu Region
- Michi-no-Eki Oto Sakura Kaido Illumination (Oto Town, Fukuoka Prefecture)
- Florante Miyazaki Illumination Flower Garden (Miyazaki City, Miyazaki Prefecture)
- Kanmon Strait Candle Night (Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture / Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture)
Other Recommended Spots
The Glittering World of Light in the Chugoku Region
Bihoku Hillside Park Winter Illumination (Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture)
The “Bihoku Illumi” staged at this vast national park is one of the Chugoku region’s premier illumination events, where over 1 million LED lights fantastically color the hillside terrain.
Highlights The greatest charm of this illumination is how multiple areas including “Flower Plaza,” “Central Plaza,” and “Hiba Village” are illuminated with different themes under the concept of “A special night in a glittering world of light.” Various themes such as “Mirror Bowler Dream New World,” “Light Gift,” and “Flower Banquet” invite visitors into different worlds of light.
Particularly noteworthy is the rich event program beyond just illuminations. Fireworks Fantasia, stage performances by Hiroshima Symphony Orchestra members, photo exhibitions by local high school photography clubs, and even interaction events with Hiroshima Carp players demonstrate collaboration with regional culture beyond mere light displays.
Basic Information
- Period: November 1, 2025 (Sat) – January 12, 2026 (Mon/Holiday)
- Lighting Hours: 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM (Until 10:00 PM on Saturdays and specific dates)
- Admission: Adults 450 yen
- Location: 4-10 Mikkaichi-machi, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture
- Parking: Free parking available (approximately 2,000 spaces)
- Access: 20 minutes by bus from JR Shobara Station, 30 minutes by car from Chugoku Expressway Shobara IC
Tottori Hanakairo Flower Illumination (Nanbu Town, Tottori Prefecture)
At “Tottori Hanakairo,” which boasts one of the world’s largest greenhouse gardens, you can enjoy the fusion of flowers and illumination.
Highlights The harmony of flower field-like light displays and projection mapping creates a unique worldview found nowhere else. The sight of tropical plants in the greenhouse illuminated by lights creates a fantastic atmosphere as if you’ve wandered into an exotic paradise. You can enjoy a leisurely stroll through the lights in this warm space that makes you forget the winter cold.
Basic Information
- Period: November 14, 2025 (Fri) – January 12, 2026 (Mon/Holiday) *Closed Dec 2, 9, 16, Jan 6
- Lighting Hours: 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM (Last entry 8:30 PM)
- Admission: Adults 1,000 yen
- Location: 110 Tsuruta, Nanbu Town, Saihaku District, Tottori Prefecture
- Parking: Free parking available (approximately 2,000 spaces)
- Access: 30 minutes by free shuttle bus from JR Yonago Station, 20 minutes by car from Yonago IC
Yuushien Illumination “Golden Island Zipangu” (Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture)
The Yuushien illumination, where the beauty of a Japanese garden perfectly merges with light displays, transforms this traditional garden famous for autumn foliage into a fantastic “Golden Island Zipangu” with golden LEDs.
Highlights The reflection of lights on the pond and the warm glow illuminating the pine trees create a harmony between traditional Japanese beauty and modern presentation. The garden also features a foot bath where you can enjoy the illumination while warming up, adding to its charm.
Basic Information
- Period: Early November 2025 – Late February 2026 (Usually Nov 8 – Feb 28)
- Lighting Hours: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Admission: Adults 1,500 yen
- Location: 1260-2 Hanyu, Yatsuka-cho, Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture
- Parking: Free parking available (approximately 400 spaces)
- Access: 25 minutes by car from JR Matsue Station, 12 minutes by car from San’in Expressway Matsue-Nishi IC
Light-Enveloped Experiences in the Shikoku Region
Reoma World “Matsuken Illuminight” (Marugame City, Kagawa Prefecture)
The Reoma World illumination, boasting the largest 2.5 million bulbs in Chugoku and Shikoku, has announced “Matsuken Illuminight” for its 35th anniversary, with Ken Matsudaira attending the first day’s lighting ceremony, creating significant buzz.
Highlights The diverse entertainment unique to a resort facility is its greatest feature. The daily “Legend Palace 360° 3D Projection Mapping” lets you experience a glittering world woven by light spirits. Additionally, “Fireworks Fantasia” in November and December, and “Fantastic Parade” starting November 2nd, along with numerous nighttime shows are scheduled. With attractions like the Ferris wheel operating at night, the entire amusement park becomes a world of light, capturing the hearts of families and younger generations.
Basic Information
- Period: November 1, 2025 (Sat) – March 1, 2026 (Sun)
- Lighting Hours: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Admission: Adults 2,500 yen
- Location: 40-1 Kuruma-nishi, Ayauta-cho, Marugame City, Kagawa Prefecture
- Parking: Free parking available (approximately 4,000 spaces)
- Access: 30 minutes by bus from JR Marugame Station, 20 minutes by car from Takamatsu Expressway Hiketa IC
Sanuki Manno National Park Winter Fantasy (Manno Town, Kagawa Prefecture)
At “Sanuki Manno National Park,” you can enjoy Shikoku’s largest grand illumination using 650,000 bulbs, featuring diverse light displays at various locations throughout the vast park, including the Symbol Tree, Rising Dragon Waterfall, and Champagne Tower.
Highlights The dynamic display utilizing the park’s natural terrain and the atmosphere perfect for leisurely strolling in a picnic mood are particularly popular with families. You can experience an open world of light that makes the most of the vast grounds.
Basic Information
- Period: Late November 2025 – Early January 2026 (Usually Nov 23 – Jan 12)
- Lighting Hours: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Admission: Adults 450 yen
- Location: 4243-12 Yoshino, Manno Town, Nakatado District, Kagawa Prefecture
- Parking: Free parking available (approximately 2,000 spaces)
- Access: 40 minutes by bus from JR Kotohira Station, 30 minutes by car from Takamatsu Expressway Zentsuji IC
Festival of Lights in the Kyushu Region
Michi-no-Eki Oto Sakura Kaido Illumination (Oto Town, Fukuoka Prefecture)
At “Michi-no-Eki Oto Sakura Kaido” in Oto Town, Tagawa District, Fukuoka Prefecture, the roadside station area is fantastically illuminated with approximately 650,000 LED lights.
Highlights This annual event changes themes yearly and is rooted in the community as a popular free spot for families. The easily accessible roadside station location and adjacent facilities where you can enjoy local specialties make it convenient to casually stop by during a drive. The warm illumination created in collaboration with the local community warmly welcomes visitors.
Basic Information
- Period: Late November 2025 – Late January 2026 (Usually around Nov 23 – Jan 31)
- Lighting Hours: Sunset – Around 10:00 PM
- Admission: Free
- Location: 1339 Imato-hara, Oto Town, Tagawa District, Fukuoka Prefecture
- Parking: Free parking available (approximately 300 spaces)
- Access: 15 minutes by car from JR Tagawa-Ita Station, 30 minutes by car from Kyushu Expressway Kokura-Higashi IC
Florante Miyazaki Illumination Flower Garden (Miyazaki City, Miyazaki Prefecture)
At the botanical garden “Florante Miyazaki” in Miyazaki City, you can enjoy a collaboration of approximately 1 million illumination lights with music and flowers.
Highlights The beautiful night view of the botanical garden and the unique worldview where seasonal flowers harmonize with light displays are charming. With a rich event program including workshops and gourmet food, you won’t get bored even staying all day. The ability to enjoy illumination in the warm climate unique to tropical Miyazaki is another distinctive feature.
Basic Information
- Period: December 5, 2025 (Fri) – January 12, 2026 (Mon/Holiday) *Closed Dec 31
- Lighting Hours: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Admission: Adults 600 yen (Special illumination period price)
- Location: 414-16 Hamayama, Yamazaki-cho, Miyazaki City, Miyazaki Prefecture
- Parking: Free parking available (approximately 500 spaces)
- Access: 15 minutes by car from JR Miyazaki Station, 20 minutes by car from Miyazaki IC
Kanmon Strait Candle Night (Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture / Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture)
The “Kanmon Strait Candle Night” held on both banks of the Kanmon Strait connecting Honshu and Kyushu features approximately 30,000 candles lit on both sides of the strait.
Highlights Mojiko Retro and Shimonoseki’s Karato district are wrapped in fantastic light. The romantic night view created by the historic port town scenery and collaboration between the two cities across the strait is also popular as a date spot. You can experience the special atmosphere created by the warm flickering of flames, different from LED lighting.
Basic Information
- Period: November 15-16, 2025 (Sat-Sun) *2 days only
- Lighting Hours: 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM
- Admission: Free
- Location: Mojiko Retro District, Moji Ward, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture / Karato District, Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture
- Parking: Multiple paid parking lots around Mojiko Retro District
- Access: Immediate from JR Mojiko Station (Moji side), 15-minute walk from JR Shimonoseki Station (Shimonoseki side)
Other Recommended Spots
Mirokunosato Winter Illumination “Kirameki no Sekai” (Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture)
The illumination at “Mirokunosato”, boasting 2.5 million LED lights, one of the largest in the Chugoku region, features the magnificent scale of the entire amusement park enveloped in a world of light. It runs from November 9, 2025, to January 12, 2026 (November: weekends and holidays only), from 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM.
With high entertainment value including illuminated attractions, fireworks, and collaborative artist performances, it’s particularly popular with families. The combination of the dynamic presentations unique to amusement parks and static illuminations never bores visitors. Night pass admission is 2,000 yen for adults, and it’s 40 minutes by bus from JR Fukuyama Station or 15 minutes by car from Sanyo Expressway Fukuyama-Higashi IC.
Towel Museum Winter Illumination (Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture)
At the “Towel Museum” in Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture, famous for Imabari towels, you can enjoy illumination combining 380,000 LEDs with projection mapping from November 1, 2025, to January 31, 2026.
Featuring Snoopy designs with the Kurushima-Kaikyo Bridge as a motif, it’s a facility you can enjoy all day combined with exhibitions inside the museum. During the illumination hours from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM, a world of light inspired by Seto Inland Sea scenery spreads out. Admission is 1,000 yen for adults, and it’s 20 minutes by bus from JR Imabari Station or 15 minutes by car from Imabari IC.
Suishatei Illumination (Shimanto Town, Kochi Prefecture)
The “Suishatei Illumination”, which lights up water wheels along the Shimanto River with over 100,000 LEDs, is scheduled from early November 2025 to mid-January 2026, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
The fantastic world of light quietly enjoyed in the naturally rich countryside becomes a healing space that makes you forget urban hustle. The harmony of light with the sound of the Shimanto River, famous as a clear stream, provides visitors with special moments. The fact that it’s free to enjoy is also a major attraction, and it’s 30 minutes by car from JR Kubokawa Station.
Flower Park Kagoshima Illumination (Ibusuki City, Kagoshima Prefecture)
At “Flower Park Kagoshima” in Ibusuki City, Kagoshima Prefecture, approximately 500,000 illumination lights are lit from November 28, 2025, to January 4, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
With “Japanese Folktales” as the theme, it features electrical decorations expressing Kagoshima’s nature including Sakurajima volcano. The light displays arranged along the botanical garden’s walking paths lead visitors into a story world. You can leisurely enjoy a stroll through lights in Ibusuki’s warm climate. While there’s an admission fee, it’s a great value facility you can enjoy combined with the botanical garden exhibits.
Huis Ten Bosch Kingdom of Light (Sasebo City, Nagasaki Prefecture)
The “Huis Ten Bosch Kingdom of Light”, boasting 13 million lights, one of the world’s largest, is open year-round, but special performances run as a winter special from January 11 to February 27, 2025, from 4:00 PM to around 10:00 PM.
The entire European-themed park is wrapped in light, and you can enjoy night shows and fireworks with winter scenery themes. The diverse illumination areas spread throughout the vast grounds offer so much volume you can’t see everything in one day. With well-equipped accommodation facilities, we recommend staying leisurely to fully enjoy the world of light. Please experience this globally acclaimed illumination.
Arita Porcelain Park “Saga Illuminage” (Arita Town, Saga Prefecture)
At “Arita Porcelain Park” in Arita Town, Saga Prefecture, famous for Arita porcelain, Kyushu’s largest illumination runs from November 1, 2025, to February 2, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
Rich with baroque garden-style scenery and photo spots, you can enjoy a world of light in an elegant atmosphere reminiscent of European palaces. The fusion of ceramics and light unique to the Arita porcelain theme park is also one of the highlights.
Enjoying Illumination Tours with a Camper Van
Benefits of Going by Camper Van
Flexible Time Management Since illuminations are nighttime events, you’ll be traveling later than usual sightseeing. With a camper van, you don’t need to worry about time and can leisurely move to your next destination even after events end.
Fatigue Reduction Winter nights are severely cold, and long viewing sessions can be exhausting. Being able to warm up and rest inside the camper van makes it especially ideal for traveling with small children or elderly people.
Easy Multi-Spot Tours Western Japan’s illumination spots are scattered over a wide area, but with a camper van, you can efficiently visit multiple spots without the hassle of finding accommodation.
No Luggage Worries Even with winter travel’s tendency for more luggage like winter clothing, camera equipment, and souvenirs, everything can be stored in the camper van, allowing you to enjoy sightseeing light and free.
✨ Things to Prepare ✨
Cold Weather Gear
- ✓ Heavy coats, gloves, scarves, hats
- ✓ Disposable hand warmers (multiple)
- ✓ Blankets or lap blankets
- ✓ Thermos with hot drinks
Photography Equipment
- ✓ Camera, smartphone (fully charged)
- ✓ Spare batteries (batteries drain faster in cold)
- ✓ Tripod (useful for night photography)
Camper Van Equipment
- ✓ Heating equipment (FF heaters, electric blankets)
- ✓ Sufficient fuel and power supply
- ✓ Winter tires, chains (for mountain areas)
Other Useful Items
- ✓ LED lantern (for interior lighting)
- ✓ Map apps (recommend downloading offline maps)
- ✓ Cash (for parking and admission fees)
💫 Prepare well and enjoy your wonderful illumination tour!
Important Points and Advice
Check Parking in Advance Many illumination spots have parking lots, but there may be entry restrictions depending on your camper van’s size. Especially for large vehicles, confirm parking availability in advance.
Overnight Parking Availability Some roadside stations and park parking lots prohibit overnight parking. If you plan to sleep in your vehicle, research RV parks or facilities that allow overnight parking beforehand.
Winter Weather Precautions
- Mountain areas in Chugoku and Shikoku regions may have snowfall
- Prepare winter tires or chains for icy roads
- Check weather forecasts regularly and avoid risky travel in bad weather
Dealing with Crowded Periods Christmas season (mid-December to 25th) and New Year holidays are particularly crowded. Arrive early and consider alternative spots in case parking lots are full.
Power and Water Management Power consumption increases in winter due to heating use. Check your auxiliary battery levels and recharge at facilities (like roadside stations) when needed. Also check facilities with water supply and drainage equipment in advance for peace of mind.
Follow Local Rules Be considerate of residential areas around illumination venues and watch noise levels. Especially at night, act quietly and always take your trash with you – following proper etiquette is essential for enjoyable experiences.
✨ Western Japan Illumination Tour FAQs
Conclusion
The Chugoku, Shikoku, and Kyushu regions of Western Japan are dotted with diverse illumination spots that make the most of each area’s unique characteristics. From large-scale illuminations utilizing vast natural parks to Japanese-style presentations at historic port towns and Japanese gardens, to highly entertaining shows at theme parks, you can choose according to your preferences.
With a camper van journey, you can freely tour multiple spots without being bound by time or accommodation. The world of lights shining in the clear winter air provides a special experience that lets you forget daily life.
We recommend checking the latest information on official websites for each spot and verifying weather and operating conditions in advance. With thorough preparation, fully enjoy the fantastic world of lights. You’re sure to create wonderful memories that will stay in your heart.
