Journey to a Fantasy World Woven by Snow and Light! Complete Guide to Winter Illuminations in Tohoku & Hokkaido 2025-2026
Winter in Tohoku and Hokkaido is one of Japan’s premier illumination areas where you can enjoy the spectacular collaboration of snow scenery and lights. Unlike the glamour of urban areas, the light art performed in natural suburban locations invites visitors into a fantastical world. This time, we’ll introduce in detail the must-see illumination spots in Tohoku, Niigata, and Hokkaido that will be held from 2025 to 2026.
Table of Contents
- Light Festivals of Tohoku Region (including Niigata Prefecture)
- Yakurai Garden Star Light (Wakuya Town, Miyagi Prefecture)
- Higashine Winter Festival (Higashine City, Yamagata Prefecture)
- Christmas Market in Kosaka 2025 (Kosaka Town, Akita Prefecture) Niigata Prefecture’s Snow Country Illumination
- Echigo Hillside National Park Illumination (Nishikan Ward, Niigata City)
- Hokkaido’s Extreme Cold Illuminations
- Hakodate Winter Festival (Hakodate City)
- Otaru Snow Light Path (Otaru City)
- Sounkyo Onsen Ice Fall Festival (Kamikawa Town)
- Hiroo Santa Land Illumination (Hiroo Town)
- Jozankei Snow Light Path (Minami Ward, Sapporo City)
- Don’t Miss the Sub-Spots
- Arts Towada Winter Illumination (Towada City, Aomori Prefecture)
- Matsushima Harbor Light 2025 (Higashimatsushima City, Miyagi Prefecture)
- Mitsuke City Street Tree Illumination (Mitsuke City, Niigata Prefecture)
Light Festivals of Tohoku Region
Yakurai Garden Star Light (Wakuya Town, Miyagi Prefecture)
Miyagi Prefecture’s largest garden illumination, “Yakurai Garden Star Light,” is a fantastical spot where you can enjoy garden strolls and starry sky projections. The sight of the vast garden completely illuminated by lights is spectacular, creating a completely different space from daytime.
Especially during the autumn foliage season, the beauty doubles as the red-colored trees are illuminated by lights. With a spacious area for leisurely strolling, it’s also recommended for those who want to enjoy it without crowds. The romantic atmosphere is perfect for dates or family visits.
Event Information
- Period: October 4 – December 14, 2025
- Lighting Hours: 17:00-21:00
- Location: Yakurai Garden, Wakuya Town, Kami District, Miyagi Prefecture
- Access: About 15 minutes by car from Wakuya Station
- Parking: Available (garden parking lot available)
- Fee: Admission fee required (check official website for details)
Higashine Winter Festival (Higashine City, Yamagata Prefecture)
The charm of the Higashine Winter Festival is that not only illuminations but also a Christmas market is held concurrently. The LED tree is the central attraction, with many local gourmet food stalls also appearing.
With its great location within walking distance from the station, it’s a popular spot for families. Winter nights spent gazing at sparkling illuminations while holding warm food will surely become special memories. You can fully enjoy the competition between Yamagata’s winter delicacies and lights.
Event Information
- Period: November 29 – December 21, 2025
- Lighting Hours: 17:00-21:00
- Location: Manabia Terrace, Higashine City, Yamagata Prefecture
- Access: 5-minute walk from Sakuranbo Higashine Station
- Parking: Manabia Terrace parking available (free)
- Fee: Free
Christmas Market in Kosaka 2025 (Kosaka Town, Akita Prefecture)
This event has a unique atmosphere unlike anywhere else, where historic ruins of Kosaka Town, once prosperous as a mining town, are lit up. The sight of retro buildings enveloped in light is very photogenic.
A mysterious space unfolds like a time slip, where Meiji-era mining architecture merges with modern illumination. Since it’s held for only 2 days, we recommend confirming the schedule in advance before visiting. You can experience a special night where history and art intersect.
Event Information
- Period: December 20-21, 2025 (limited 2 days)
- Lighting Hours: 16:00-20:00
- Location: Kosaka Mine Ruins, Kosaka Town, Akita Prefecture
- Access: 20-minute walk from Kosaka Station
- Parking: Temporary parking available
- Fee: Free
Niigata Prefecture’s Snow Country Illumination
Echigo Hillside National Park Illumination (Nishikan Ward, Niigata City)
At Echigo Hillside National Park, you can enjoy illuminations while strolling through the vast park, featuring collaborations of flower fields and lights, and performances synchronized with music. The collaboration of seasonal flowers and lights is a highlight, and indoor facilities are also available, so you can feel safe even on days when the cold is severe.
The world of light spreading throughout the park offers new discoveries with every step. Designed to be family-friendly, it’s a spot that can be enjoyed by a wide range of generations from children to adults. The charm lies in the snow country-like production typical of Niigata and the sense of scale utilizing the vast grounds.
Event Information
- Period: November 1 – December 28, 2025
- Lighting Hours: 17:00-20:00
- Location: Echigo Hillside National Park, Nishikan Ward, Niigata City
- Access: 15 minutes by car from Yahikoyama IC
- Parking: Park parking available (paid)
- Fee: Admission 450 yen (adult)
Hokkaido’s Extreme Cold Illuminations
Hakodate Winter Festival (Hakodate City)
The Hakodate Winter Festival is a special winter event where the exotic streets of Hakodate create a fantastical world shining with light. The historic Motomachi district and other areas shine with illuminations, and various events are held including winter fireworks sparkling in the clear night sky.
Tourist Points
The illumination at the popular tourist spot Hachimanzaka offers a panoramic view of Hakodate Port and is highly recommended. The combination of the port night view and illuminations seen from the slope is truly a romantic sight unique to Hakodate. While strolling through the exotic Motomachi district, you can enjoy the competition between historic buildings and lights.
At Hakodate Station Square, a light tunnel using a smart lighting system will be held from November 30 to February 28, 2025. With good accessibility and diverse events, it’s an illumination spot that becomes the centerpiece of Hakodate tourism.
Event Information
- Period: November 30, 2024 – February 28, 2025
- Lighting Hours: Sunset-22:00
- Location: Around Motomachi district, Hakodate City (Hachimanzaka, Nijukken-zaka, Kaiko Street, etc.), Goryokaku Park
- Access: 3-minute walk from Juji-gai streetcar stop, 20-minute walk from JR Hakodate Station
- Parking: Paid parking available nearby (200 yen for first 60 minutes, then 100 yen per 30 minutes)
- Fee: Free (separate fee for Goryokaku Tower observation)
Otaru Snow Light Path (Otaru City)
This 27th traditional event is a winter tradition representing Otaru. The sight of thousands of snow candles illuminating the canal side, with lights reflecting on the water surface and historic warehouses weaving together, is truly a beauty unique to Otaru.
Sushi stalls also appear in the vicinity, allowing you to enjoy food as well. Candles line not only the canal area but also the old Temiya Line site, where you can fully enjoy a fantastical world of light while strolling. The retro atmosphere of the port town and the warmth of snow lights create an unforgettable experience that stays in your heart.
Event Information
- Period: February 7-14, 2026
- Lighting Hours: Evening-21:00
- Location: Canal and Temiya Line Site, Otaru City
- Access: 15-minute walk from Otaru Station
- Parking: Use nearby paid parking (crowded during event period)
- Fee: Free
Sounkyo Onsen Ice Fall Festival (Kamikawa Town)
The Sounkyo Onsen Ice Fall Festival is an overwhelming scale event where giant ice falls are lit up colorfully and acoustic shows are also performed. Full of highlights including ice sculpture exhibitions and ice tunnels.
The ice art utilizing the natural canyon environment is full of charm unique to Hokkaido. It’s also a nice point that hot spring towns are nearby, allowing you to enjoy it while warming your cold body in hot springs. The shining ice sculptures in the extreme cold are truly a spectacular view that can only be experienced in winter Hokkaido.
Event Information
- Period: January 24 – March 8, 2026
- Lighting Hours: 16:00-21:00
- Location: Sounkyo Onsen, Kamikawa Town
- Access: 1 hour by bus from Asahikawa Station
- Parking: Dedicated venue parking available (free)
- Fee: Cooperation fee around 500 yen (planned)
Hiroo Santa Land Illumination (Hiroo Town)
Hiroo Santa Land is a family spot for children where you can enjoy a Santa-themed LED forest and zoo light-up. A reindeer park is attached where you can actually see reindeer.
It’s an ideal spot to visit with children during the Christmas season. Warm-hearted illuminations unique to Hiroo Town, known as Santa Claus’s town, are waiting. In a fantastical atmosphere, it will be a special night overflowing with children’s smiles.
Event Information
- Period: Late November 2025 – February 2026 (planned)
- Lighting Hours: Sunset-20:00
- Location: Santa Land Fureai Park, Hiroo Town
- Access: 1 hour by car from Obihiro Station
- Parking: Park parking available (free)
- Fee: Free
Jozankei Snow Light Path (Minami Ward, Sapporo City)
The Jozankei Onsen street is a warm-hearted event where about 2,000 handmade snow candles by the people of the hot spring town decorate the precincts of Jozankei Shrine with soft light. The “Prayer Forest” using projection mapping and illuminations is also a must-see.
With the event from January 27 to February 3, 2026, the current format of the Snow Light Path using snow candles will end, and it is planned to be reborn in a new form in the future, making this the last chance to see the traditional style.
The charm is that you can enjoy it together with hot springs, a luxurious experience where you can enjoy a fantastical world of light while warming your cold body in hot springs. You can also participate in lighting the candles and experience the emotion of the light you lit illuminating the venue.
Event Information
- Period: January 25 – February 1, 2025
- Lighting Hours: 18:00-21:00 (entry starts at 17:20, lighting starts at 17:40)
- Location: Jozankei Shrine, Minami Ward, Sapporo City
- Access: About 50 minutes by car from Sapporo city center, 1-minute walk from “Jozankei Shrine-mae” Jotetsu bus stop
- Parking: Yukitoro special parking lot (Keijinkai Jozankei Hospital) 500 yen per car
- Fee: Cooperation fee 500 yen (high school students and above) *Free for guests staying in Jozankei area
Don’t Miss the Sub-Spots
Arts Towada Winter Illumination (Towada City, Aomori Prefecture)
At Arts Towada in Towada City, from December 15, 2025 to February 16, 2026, from sunset to 20:00, a blue LED light carpet spreads out. It’s 10 minutes by bus from Towada-minami Station, featuring fusion with contemporary art and free admission. The sight of the entire art plaza wrapped in blue light creates a modern and sophisticated atmosphere.
Matsushima Harbor Light 2025 (Higashimatsushima City, Miyagi Prefecture)
At Matsushima Rikyu, from November 23, 2025 to February 28, 2026, from sunset to 21:00, islands in the bay are lit up in blue and white. It’s a 10-minute walk from Matsushima-kaigan Station, where you can enjoy about 1km of walking paths, with the charm of fusion with natural scenery. The beauty of Matsushima, one of Japan’s three scenic views, is further enhanced by light.
Mitsuke City Street Tree Illumination (Mitsuke City, Niigata Prefecture)
In Mitsuke City, from December 7, 2025 to February 14, 2026, from 17:00 to 22:00, a walking path with LEDs wrapped around street trees appears. It’s a 10-minute walk from Mitsuke Station, a free local event in cooperation with local shopping streets, where you can feel the warmth of the community.
Winter Illumination Tour by Camping Car
Benefits of Going by Camping Car
Free Action Schedule Winter illuminations are often held from evening to night, allowing you to visit multiple spots at your own pace without worrying about hotel check-in times. You can flexibly adjust your schedule, such as arriving early to avoid crowds or staying late.
Rest in a Warm Vehicle In the extreme cold of Tohoku and Hokkaido, a place to warm your cold body after viewing illuminations is important. With a camping car, you can always rest in the heated interior and decide on your next destination while drinking warm beverages.
No Luggage Worries Winter travel tends to have a lot of luggage, such as cold weather gear, camera equipment, and souvenirs. With a camping car, you can leave them in the vehicle, allowing you to tour light.
Accommodation Cost Savings Accommodation costs in Tohoku and Hokkaido during tourist season tend to be high, but by using RV parks or roadside stations, you can reduce accommodation costs. It’s also recommended to enjoy local gourmet food with the saved budget.
Securing Private Space When traveling with family or groups, you can relax in your own space. For families with small children, nursing and diaper changes can be done stress-free.
Precautions for Winter Camping Car Travel
Temperature Response In Hokkaido, it’s not unusual for temperatures to drop below -15°C. Running an FF heater all night results in high fuel consumption, so thoroughly manage fuel levels. Also, ventilation is important as a countermeasure against condensation.
Parking Location Selection When using RV parks or roadside stations, confirm winter operations in advance. Especially in Hokkaido, some roadside stations are closed during winter. Also confirm whether they are plowed and if power is available.
Water System Management Be careful of freezing in water supply and drainage tanks. Always drain water after use, and for cassette-type toilets, store them inside the vehicle. Minimize washing dishes and consider using disposable tableware.
Snow Road Driving Mindset Sudden braking, sudden steering, and sudden acceleration are strictly prohibited. Keep sufficient distance between vehicles and drive at low speeds. During blizzards with poor visibility, don’t push it and wait in a safe place.
Battery Management Battery performance decreases in cold climates. Always check the charge state of the sub-battery and make sure to charge it well while driving.
Emergency Preparations In preparation for being stranded, always have emergency food, drinking water, blankets, and portable toilets on hand. Always maintain a full smartphone charge and register emergency contacts like JAF in advance.
Follow Local Rules Long-term stays at roadside stations and violations of manners disturb other users. Always take garbage with you and minimize idling. Be conscious of actions that respect coexistence with the community.
General Precautions When Visiting
Winter in Tohoku and Hokkaido is very cold, especially in Hokkaido where temperatures below -10°C are not uncommon. Prepare cold weather protection thoroughly, including thick coats, gloves, hats, and hand warmers. Since the ground is also slippery, winter boots or non-slip soles are reassuring.
Also, in areas with heavy snow, delays or cancellations of public transportation are possible. Each event may be canceled or have time changes due to weather, so always check the latest information on the official website before visiting. Especially on days with blizzards or heavy snow, prioritize safety in your actions.
❄️ Winter Camping Car Travel Preparation Checklist
For touring illuminations in Tohoku & Hokkaido
❄️ Tohoku & Hokkaido Camper Van Illumination Tour – Frequently Asked Questions
Summary: Experience the Light Magic Unique to Snow Country
Winter illuminations in Tohoku, Niigata, and Hokkaido have the charm of harmony between nature and light that cannot be experienced in cities. Lights sparkling reflected on snow, art woven by ice sculptures, handmade snow candles by local people – each spot has its own personality and warmly welcomes visitors.
With a camping car, you can fully enjoy the charm of northern winter while touring multiple spots at your own pace. If you prepare thoroughly and drive safely, you can create unforgettable winter memories.
In the winter of 2025-2026, please visit these spots and experience the fantastical world of light unique to snow country. A beauty that makes you forget the cold is waiting for you.
