The 63rd Obihiro Ice Festival The 20th National Ice Sculpture Exhibition Winter Obihiro Competition This was my personal favorite ice sculpture of the year.

Notice of an illumination event 📣 The illumination at Hiroo Santa Land in Hirocho runs through January 4, 2026 😊 Lights are on from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM ✨✨ The park glows with illumination and wood lanterns, creating a festive atmosphere 😍 Please consider stopping by during your New Year holidays outing 🤗 https://www.santaland.or.jp//

Announcement of the illumination event 📣 "Sara Illumi" will be held in Sarabetsumura through Saturday, February 16, 2026 (planned) 😊 Lights are on from 5:00 PM to 9:30 PM. A workshop for local residents shaped the designs, which are expressed with about 40,000 bulbs 🎵 Handmade village lights brighten the freezing winter nights with vivid color 🤗 https://www.sarabetsu.jp/sightseeing/event/illumination/...

Illumination Event Announcement📣 Roadside Station Nakasatsunai hosts the "Roadside Station Winter Night Garden" through February 28, 2026 😊 The lights come on from around 4:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. during the event ✨✨ Colorful illuminations sparkle across the snow, creating a vividly lit, dreamlike space for you to relax and enjoy😍 Please enjoy this together with Tokachi's snowy landscapes🤗 https://kankou-nakasatsunai.com/spot/spot-75/spot-3242/...

Uenoshiba Station East Side Illumination When night falls, a glittering tree bathed in light welcomes you at JR Uenoshiba Station🎄✨ Enjoy the warm illumination created by local residents and volunteers❄ 📣Share your beautiful photos of the illumination in Nishi Ward on Instagram with #Nisshii-chan attached!💫 📅Event period: Until Saturday, January 31 🕐Lighting hours: 5:00 p.m.–12:00 a.m. 📍Location: East side of JR Uenoshiba Station (3-1 Uenoshibacho, Nishi Ward, Sakai)

Announcement for the illumination event📣 Now in its 24th year, the Obihiro Illumination Project lights up obihiro station’s landmark Harunire Tree, the street trees in Station Square, and a heart-shaped LED installation. This year we’ve added 2,000 bulbs with icicle-style lights to the tunnel illumination as well😊 The illumination runs through February 23, 2026. The gentle lights warm the heart in Obihiro’s crisp, clear winter✨✨ Please stop by and take a look when you’re nearby🤗 🔷The Obihiro Illumination Project is made possible by sponsorships from local businesses and by the Illumination Tentou Fund, which requests donations of 100 yen per bulb. https://www.city.obihiro.hokkaido.jp/tourism/kankouchi/1005842.html...

Suwanomori Station Building Illumination The old station building of Suwanomori Station, a nationally registered Tangible Cultural Property, charms visitors with its small Taisho-era waiting room and a stained-glass window depicting the Hamadera shoreline🧣 This winter, come and see the station building transformed into a magical scene wrapped in Christmas lights🎄✨ 📣 For beautiful illumination photos in Nishi Ward, post them on Instagram with "#Nisshii-chan"!💫 📅 Event period: Until Saturday, January 31 🕐 Lighting hours: 5:00 PM–12:00 AM 📍 Location: Suwanomori Station building (2-78 Suwanomori-nishimachi, Nishi Ward, Sakai City)

Did you know that some areas in Hiroshima Prefecture get heavy snowfall? ⛄ Shobara City, located in the heart of the Chugoku region at the northernmost part of Hiroshima Prefecture, is known as one of the prefecture’s major heavy-snow zones. You can ski and snowboard at three ski areas in Shobara—Hiroshima Kenmin-no-Mori Ski Area, Dogoyama Kogen Ski Resort, and Ringo Kyowakoku Ski Area—and some campers enjoy winter camping at local campgrounds, so you can get active and enjoy various snow activities. At the National Bihoku Hillside Park, the winter illumination event “Bihoku Illumi” is taking place. The display runs through Monday, January 12, 2026 (a public holiday). Enjoy a magical time with your loved ones as snow, light, and sound come together. ⛄ Also, on Sunday, February 1, a snowball fight tournament will be held. Spectators are welcome even if you don’t participate. Winter is the time to visit Shobara! Please come and see us…! ✨ For winter event details, see below🔽 https://www.shobara-info.com/event/133... Visit the “Shobara Tourism Navi” website🔽 https://www.shobara-info.com//

138 Winter Illumination - 138 Tower Park | National Kiso San-river Park Komyoji Aza Urasaki 21-3, Ichinomiya City, Aichi Prefecture Saturday, November 15, 2025 – Wednesday, December 25, 2025 Friday, January 2, 2026 – Sunday, January 4, 2026 Lighting hours 17:00–21:00 The illumination at 138 Tower Park, set within the spacious National Kiso San-river Park along the scenic Kiso River, is enchanting and beautiful. The park during the day is also perfect for family outings, and it’s great that admission is free.

Merry Christmas! 🎅✨ How are you spending this Christmas? Hiroshima Prefecture’s largest illumination event, Bihoku Illumination, is now underway at National Bihoku Hillside Park 🎄💞 An installation art collective called Mirror Baller, known for creating spaces of light and reflection, presents artworks themed around “Dream,” filling the winter park with magical light and sound. Enjoy a photogenic, moving experience. Last year Mirror Baller occupied a paid special area; this year they are free to enter. 🌟Event details here🔽 https://www.shobara-info.com/event/5326... 🌟Recommended articles🔽 [2025 Updated] Pair the National Bihoku Hillside Park illumination with delicious on-site gourmet treats! https://www.shobara-info.com/report/5380...

Tsukuno Station West-Side Illuminations This winter, JR Tsukuno Station brightens up with festive illuminations✨ A large tree, filled with the warm feelings of the local community, lights up the night🎄 Stop by and enjoy the sparkle of the lights❄ 📣Share lovely photos of Nishi Ward’s illuminations and tag Nissy-chan on Instagram!💫 📅Event period: until January 13 (Tuesday) 🕐Lighting hours: 5:00 PM–12:30 AM 📍Location: West side of JR Tsukuno Station (Tsukuno-cho 1-2, Nishi Ward, Sakai City)

Anpanman Illumination 266-3, 7-chome Maedohigashimachi, Kakamigahara City, Gifu Prefecture Viewing is free. Donations are appreciated. The hosts have given permission to publish the address. Because this display is organized privately, severe weather (strong winds, heavy snow, heavy rain, etc.) or the hosts’ circumstances may cause lighting to be canceled without notice or lighting hours to be changed. The event runs from early December until mid to late January of the following year. A private couple holds the display on their residential property. It is not run by any organization or local volunteer group; it is a completely private effort, yet its high level of finish and careful consideration for visitors match those of professional events. While maintaining their regular jobs, the couple spends many hours preparing, designing the lighting, installing it, and performing most daily maintenance by hand. Their motivation is a simple, warm desire to bring smiles to children and delight the local community, and that spirit deeply moves and inspires visitors. There are no restroom or nursing room facilities, so come prepared. Thanks to the hosts’ generosity, several free temporary parking lots are available near the venue. Parking is limited, and especially on weekends, holidays, and during the Christmas season, spaces often fill up early.

Manabi no Mori Illumination 10-4 Nakahibaricho, Kakamigahara City, Gifu Prefecture Parking available The Forest of Learning Promenade in Kakamigahara City, Gifu Prefecture, stretches about 250 meters along a row of ginkgo trees. More than 100,000 lights illuminate the avenue, bathing it in a silvery glow. In addition to small bulb strings, ball-shaped lights hang from the trees, creating a calm yet festive atmosphere.

Former Hamadera Park Station Building Illumination The Former Hamadera Park Station Building, a nationally registered Tangible Cultural Property, is a precious piece of architecture designated as a national registered Tangible Cultural Property.✨ At night it sparkles with illuminations, making you feel as if you’ve wandered into a storybook world…☺ The event runs through this Friday! Come and see it❄ 📣 For beautiful illumination photos from Nishi Ward, add "#Nissy-chan" and post them on Instagram!💫 📅 Event period: Until Friday, December 26 🕐 Lighting hours: 5:00 PM–12:00 AM 📍 Location: Former Hamadera Park Station Building (2-188 Hamadera Park Town, Nishi Ward, Sakai City)

Nishi Ward Office Illumination The season when Nishi Ward Office is wrapped in light ✨ A 5-meter-tall giant Christmas tree and the cute Nissy-chan welcome everyone 🎄 On chilly nights, enjoy a heartwarming moment under the sparkling illuminations ❄ The display runs until this Friday! Come and see it 🐥 📣 Post your beautiful photos of Nishi Ward’s illuminations on Instagram with “#Nissy-chan” attached! 💫 📅 Period: Until Thursday, December 25 🕐 Lighting hours: 5:00 PM–10:00 PM 📍 Location: Sakai City Nishi Ward Office (600, 6-chome Otorihigashimachi, Nishi Ward, Sakai City)

Ashikaga Flower Park's hanachozu (flower basin) The Christmas version runs until the 25th. There are photo spots throughout the park. The illumination area opens at 3:00 PM and lights up at 4:00 PM. This year’s illumination let visitors enjoy the scent of wisteria as well.

Illuminations at Chitose Hanahiroba Illuminations are on display at Chitose Hanahiroba in Chitosemachi, Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture. Various illuminations, including gourd lanterns, have been installed. This year the display has expanded to 150,000 lights. The illuminations created by local residents make Chitosemachi sparkle at night. The Chitose Hanahiroba illuminations run until February 1, 2026, so if you haven't seen them yet, why not take a look? Date and Time: Sunday, November 30, 2025 – Sunday, February 1, 2026 Lighting hours: 5:30 PM–9:00 PM *Lighting start times may vary depending on sunset. Location: Chitose Hanahiroba (906-1 Shimoyama, Chitosemachi, Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture) Admission: Free Parking: Available (a 100-yen cooperation fee is requested) Admission is free to enjoy, but a parking cooperation fee is requested to help with upkeep and management. ■■ Access from Fukuoka Prefecture, Kumamoto Prefecture and beyond to central Bungoono City ■■ About a 3-hour drive from JR Hakata Station, Fukuoka Prefecture About a 2-hour drive from JR Kumamoto Station, Kumamoto Prefecture About a 1 hour 20 minute drive from beppu station, Oita Prefecture About a 1 hour 20 minute drive from Yufuin Station, Oita Prefecture ■■■■■■■■■■■■ Introducing sightseeing and recommended spots in Kyushu, Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture ■■■■■■■■■■■■

Christmas is finally just a week away 🎄 In Amakusa City, light-ups are taking place across the area under the name Amakusa Romantic Fantasy 2025, and here is information about the illuminations you can see in Reihoku ✨ This time we introduce Hama-yū Rehabilitation Center. The entire entrance to the facility is lit up as a Christmas illumination 💡 (remarkably, the staff made it by hand 👀) When you visit, be sure to take a look ☺️ Here is the place we introduced👇 Hama-yū Rehabilitation Center (1215 Shiki, Reihoku, Amakusa District, Kumamoto Prefecture 863-2503)

Locomotive and VIP coach lit up! ✨🚂✨ This year marks the 30th anniversary since the Oji Light Railway (commonly called the Yamasen Line), which had been on display in Tokyo, returned to Tomakomai. About three thousand LEDs light up the Yamasen Line at Oji Acacia Park. Symbol Street Terrace has also started ✨ Enjoy exploring a variety of unique shops while taking in this special winter light scene ✨

Last Saturday I went with friends from Tokyo to Sanuki Mannou Park in Kagawa Prefecture to see a breathtaking winter light show. I had expected only a few scattered displays, but as soon as we stepped through the gate we were met by a dazzling sea of LED lights that turned the whole park into a dreamlike scene. They say the installation used as many as 650,000 bulbs, and the scale left us amazed! This hilly area of about 3.2 square kilometers becomes a place of irresistible, camera-clicking beauty after dark. The stunning illumination is beloved by visitors and, thanks to its unique appeal, earned certification in 2024 as a Japan Night View Heritage Site in the Lighting Nightscape category. In the same year it also took fourth place in the Entertainment category at the International Lighting Design Awards. Facing such a striking winter nightscape, I assumed the entrance fee would be steep. To my surprise, this spectacular winter event is very affordable: children under 15 enter free, adult tickets cost just 450 yen, plus a 300 yen parking fee. Such great value made us exclaim with delight! The lights dominate your view no matter where you walk, so it’s no wonder they have been a winter fixture in Kagawa for twenty years. I’m so grateful to my friend for making it possible to experience this unforgettable show. The displays at Mannou Park may not be as varied or complex as those in big cities, but their ability to seize your attention and immerse you in a vast, romantic sea of lights makes the park an excellent winter destination worth a special trip.

A World of Light Wrapped in Sparkle ✨ Bihoku Illumi is now taking place at National Bihoku Hillside Park 🎄✨ 📍 Bihoku Illumi Basic Information (@bihokupark) Venue: National Bihoku Hillside Park, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture Period: Through Monday, January 12, 2026 Closed days: December 1 (Mon), 8 (Mon), 15 (Mon), 22 (Mon), 31 (Wed), January 1 (Thu), 5 (Mon) Lighting hours: November–December: 5:30 PM–9:00 PM (until 10:00 PM on Saturdays) January: 5:45 PM–9:00 PM Admission: Adults 450 yen, Seniors (65+) 210 yen, Children (junior high school and under) free *Discounted rates apply for guests using hotel stay packages (details below) *Special area Flower Plaza is free to enter Parking fees: [9:30 AM–1:59 PM] Regular/compact 350 yen, Large 1,200 yen, Two-wheeled 200 yen [From 2:00 PM to final entry] Regular/compact 1,000 yen, Large 3,000 yen, Two-wheeled 500 yen ✨Highlights and Productions✨ Installation art collective Mirrorballer presents an enchanting space of light and reflection centered on Flower Plaza. Main areas: Flower Plaza: A dreamlike space of sound, lighting, and luminous objects. Naka no Hiroba: A presentation themed “Gifts of Light,” featuring objects like gift boxes and cakes. Hibano Sato: A Japanese-style illumination expressing the “Feast of Flowers,” with eye-catching winter cherry blossoms and lantern yagura more impressive than in past years. 📣Stay at a partner hotel in Miyoshi City and receive a discount for Bihoku Illumi! Bihoku Illumi Hotel Stay Pack — Partner Hotels Miyoshi Grand Hotel TEL: 0824-63-3111 Hotel Alpha-One Miyoshi TEL: 0824-63-3200 *Same-day front desk sales available 🎫Discount details Adult admission per person (regular 450 yen → discounted 290 yen) Pay 290 yen multiplied by the number of adults at the hotel. You will receive the admission ticket and a parking fee discount voucher (regular 1,000 yen → discounted 800 yen). *Present the parking fee discount voucher at the park entrance gate to receive the reduced parking rate. 🚌Shuttle Bus On weekends in November and December, a direct shuttle bus runs from Miyoshi Station to National Bihoku Hillside Park. Why not enjoy the nighttime National Bihoku Hillside Park illuminated by glittering illuminations?

“Hikari no Fantasy Kikuchi 2025” is being held at Kikuchi City Furusato Sosei Shimin Hiroba Plaza in Kikuchi City, Kumamoto Prefecture, where it is decorated with illuminations. The highlight is a giant Christmas tree stretching 15 meters in length. The sight of its beautiful lights is breathtaking. Various other illuminations are installed, and the lights paint a magical atmosphere. This event is organized by the Kikuchi Brightening Association together with volunteer citizens who want to brighten and energize Kikuchi City. It grows a little each year and is upgraded annually. Around the venue is Kikuchi Onsen, where you can warm up after the cold. Enjoy the hot springs along with the illuminations. ■Illumination period: Saturday, November 29, 2025 – Friday, January 9, 2026 ■Lighting hours: 6:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m. https://kikuchikanko.ne.jp/archives/featured/fantasy-kikuchi...

Illuminations are lit at JR Miemachi Station ❚ Held from December 5, 2025 to January 31, 2026 Illuminations are on display at JR Miemachi Station in Mie-machi, Bungo-ono City, Oita Prefecture, organized by the Mie Branch of Bungo-ono City Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The lights glitter and lend a festive glow to Miemachi Station. Why not visit Miemachi Station this winter? Date and Time: Friday, December 5, 2025–Saturday, January 31, 2026 Location: JR Miemachi Station (2930 Akamine, Mie-machi, Bungo-ono City, Oita Prefecture) Lighting Hours: 5:00 PM–1:00 AM (next day) ■■■ Access from places such as Fukuoka and Kumamoto to central Bungo-ono City ■■■ About a 3-hour drive from JR Hakata Station, Fukuoka Prefecture About a 2-hour drive from JR Kumamoto Station, Kumamoto Prefecture About a 1 hour 20 minute drive from JR Beppu Station, Oita Prefecture About a 1 hour 20 minute drive from JR Yufuin Station, Oita Prefecture ■■■■■■■■■■■■ Introducing tourism and recommended spots in Kyushu, Bungo-ono City, Oita Prefecture ■■■■■■■■■■■■

This year, various spots around Sakai City are once again brightened with illuminations✨ This time, we're featuring the illuminations at Sakai Risho-no-Mori! 👀 Don't miss its nighttime appearance♪ 🌟 "Sakai Risho-no-Mori Illuminations" ⛄ 📅 Period: Tuesday, November 18, 2025 – Monday, February 16, 2026 🎄 Lighting hours: 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM 📍 Location: In front of the main entrance of Sakai Risho-no-Mori (2-1-1 Shukuincho-nishi, Sakai-ku, Sakai) 📞 Contact: Sakai Risho-no-Mori (tel: 072-260-4386)

Ama Site Park "Ama Iseki Koen" 12-3 Hatchonawatecho, Takatsuki City, Osaka Prefecture Parking is available 24 hours a day. There is a West Parking lot (152 spaces) and an East Parking lot (264 spaces). Event period: From Saturday, November 29, 2025 to Sunday, February 1, 2026. The illumination is from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Access: About a 10-minute walk from Hankyu Kyoto Line Takatsuki-shi Station and a 13-minute walk from JR Kyoto Line takatsuki station. Takatsuki City Bus: Get off at Ama Site Park (Children's Future Museum) or Ama Site Park East, both right by the park.

At Showa Kinen Park on the middle day of a three-day holiday to see the autumn light-up. More than the ginkgo-lined avenue lit by countless lights, my eyes kept drifting to the crowds writhing beneath the leaves... What did I even come to see? I captured that confusion using a prism filter combined with a Kenko Black Mist No.5 lens. Camera: Lumix DC-GH6 LEICA FG50-200mm Focal length 50mm Shutter speed 1/3 sec Aperture f4 ISO 500

Grand Front Osaka GRAND WISH CHRISTMAS 2025 (Gran Wish Christmas 2025) Event Period November 6, 2025 (Thursday) to December 25, 2025 (Thursday) Event Hours The main Christmas tree lighting show runs on weekdays from 4:00 p.m. to midnight and on weekends and holidays from 3:00 p.m. to midnight The area around Umekita Plaza in front of JR Osaka Station, the Zelkova tree-lined street, and the ginkgo tree-lined avenue will glow in champagne gold with a record-setting approximately 480,000 LED lights. Also not to be missed is the illuminated ginkgo avenue between Grand Green Osaka and Grand Front Osaka, which began in 2024. The illumination is powered by renewable energy sourced in line with RE100, and energy-saving LED bulbs are used to support sustainability. Lights are on daily from 5:00 p.m. to midnight.

Event announcement 📣 The Hiroo Santa Land tree lighting ceremony will take place on Saturday, October 25, 2025 😊 This annual event is held at the sacred site of Hiroo Santa Land, Daimaruyama Forest Park, on the fourth Saturday of October 🎄🎄 On the day, a Christmas market and the Santa Land Sound Festival start at 2:00 PM, and the tree lighting ceremony begins at 5:00 PM 😍 About 150,000 lights and some 10,000 wooden lanterns in the park will illuminate at the signal, wrapping the area in a magical glow. Children in elementary school and younger will receive an early Christmas gift 🎁🎁 Fireworks will be launched after the lighting ceremony, sparkling brightly in the autumn night sky ✨✨ Come and enjoy the Christmas atmosphere if you can 🤗 Please wear warm clothing. Date and time: Saturday, October 25, 2025, 2:00 PM onwards Location: Daimaruyama Forest Park https://www.santaland.or.jp/40th-anniversary/...

Autumn 2025 Mt. Io Light-Up & Kawayu Marche In 2025, the autumn event returns to Kawayu Onsen. From Saturday, October 4 to Saturday, November 29, the Atosanupuri (Mt. Io) Light-Up will run, and on Saturday, October 18 the Kawayu Marche—featuring many local vendors—and the Onsen River Night Walk Tour, a nighttime walk along the hot-spring river, are scheduled. Please take this chance to visit Kawayu Onsen in autumn. Atosanupuri (Mt. Io) Light-Up This popular autumn event lights the plumes rising from the mountainside, creating a magical nocturnal landscape. ● Period: 20 days in total, mainly on weekends, between October 4 (Sat) and November 29 (Sat) ● Time: 16:30–19:00 (On event days, the Sulfur Mountain MOKMOK Base will extend business hours until 18:00) ● Free to view ● On some days, a complimentary shuttle taxi will run from four lodging facilities in the Kawayu Onsen area! (Seats for 9 people / reservation required by 16:00 on the day / limited to operating days) *Please check the event calendar for the exact light-up dates and shuttle taxi operation days and times.* *This event is conducted with environmental consideration; dates and times are set in advance and environmental surveys are carried out.* Kawayu Marche A gathering of delicious local foods! Stalls line the hot-spring town, and the lively Kawayu-bayashi drumming will be performed. ● Date and time: Saturday, October 18, 12:00–19:00 Postponed to the following day in case of severe weather ● Location: Kawayu Onsen (next to KKR Kawayu) Onsen River Night Walk Tour The hot-spring river that flows through the town, the Onsen River, rises in steam and carries warm spring water—a miraculous scene. Join a guided night walk along the river to hear explanations and discover its mysteries. The tour covers a short distance at a leisurely pace, so anyone can join. ● Date and time: Saturday, October 18, 17:00–17:45 ● Meeting: 16:45 at the parking lot of Kinki-yu Bettei Suikazura ryokan ● Reservation required by the day before at 070-8985-2599 ● Capacity: 15 people ● Free participation https://www.masyuko.or.jp/news/2025_kawayu_autumn/...

This photo was taken from the Ferris Car when I went to Huis Ten Bosch. I took the place where the illuminations started just as the sun began to set. The contrast between the red color of the tower and the blue of the river is Beautiful.