Fukuoka: Heartwarming Winter Illuminations in 2025
This article features four must-see illumination spots for visitors to Fukuoka. Sights that will warm your heart this winter include the symbolic Fukuoka Tower, Tenjin Central Park, Hakata Station Square, and Uminonakamichi Seaside Park!
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Fukuoka City is bustling with international visitors year-round. During the winter, the city hosts beautiful illuminations that have been highly acclaimed in recent years.
This article introduces four must-see illumination events in Fukuoka. Please let the glittering beauty of these lights warm your body and soul in wintertime.
Winter Illuminations in Fukuoka 2025-2026
1. Fukuoka Tower
2. Hikari no Forest- Tenjin Central Park
3. TENJIN Christmas Market- JR Hakata Station
4. Uminaka Christmas Candle Night
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1. Fukuoka Tower: See a 108-Meter-Tall Christmas Tree
Fukuoka Tower is one of Fukuoka's landmarks. Up until Christmas Day on December 25, the tower's facade transforms into an image of a gigantic shining tree.
As you look at this visual display, snow gently falls and starts to pile up as the green tree gradually changes into a white one!
Also, don't miss Santa Claus, who can be seen descending from above with his bag of goodies. Last year, a new version was introduced with five different color patterns.
While the view of the tower from the ground is impressive, we recommend heading up to the top for Fukuoka's spectacular night scenery.
Event dates: November 7 - December 25, 2025 (illumination suspended on December 13) Fukuoka Tower
Hours: 17:00 - 23:00
Official Website: https://www.fukuokatower.co.jp/lightup/#schedule
2-3-26 Momochihama, Sawara Ward, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture 814-...
Hotels near Fukuoka Tower
2. QTnet presents Hikari no Forest: Tenjin Central Park's New Focal Point
Photo by PRTimes
From November 1, 2025, the multi-venue Christmas Advent returns across Fukuoka, linking Tenjin Central Park, Daimyo Garden City, Momochihama, Nakasu and other locations, and will make its Tokyo debut at Ueno Onshi Park (Hakamagoshi Square) from November 19. Produced by Mr.Weihnachtsmann, the festival has drawn about 12 million visitors to date and centers on immersive illuminations and bustling Christmas markets that transform the city into a seasonal wonderland.
Photo by PRTimes
The event is presented as a five-senses Christmas, combining dazzling light displays, curated soundscapes, tactile art installations, festive tastes at the markets, and evocative visuals to create a fully immersive holiday experience.
Photo by PRTimes
Key illumination sites include QTnet presents Hikari no Forest in Tenjin Central Park, where golden lights and illuminated creatures create a magical forest; the shimmering Path of Light linking major plazas; and the Former Prefectural Guest House plaza, featuring roughly 150 international Santa figures from towering giants to tropical Santas.
Photo by PRTimes
Daimyo Garden City’s Christmas Gate Park, Momochihama’s Christmas Market ICE WORLD, and Kitakyushu’s KOKURA CHRISTMAS MARKET & CASTLE offer lively markets with seasonal goods, local treats, and popular original mugs (including new “Snow Day” and Ueno designs for the Tokyo edition).
Tenjin Illumination
Nakasu Hikarino Advent
Location: Nakasu Chuo Street, Meiji Street, and Fukuhaku Deai Bridge
Dates: November 4, 2025 – January 6, 2026
Hours 17:00 -25:00
Kihinkan Square -KBC FESTA de SANTA
Location: Former Fukuoka Prefectural Public Hall Guest House Square
Dates: November 12 - December 25, 2025
Hours: Weekdays 17:00 - 22:00, weekends and holidays 12:00-22:00
QTnet presents Forest of Light
Location: Prefectural Tenjin Central Park
Dates: November 13 – December 25, 2025
Illuminations: until January 6, 2026
Hours:
Weekdays: 17:00–22:00 (illuminations until 24:00)
Weekends and holidays: 12:00–22:00
CHRISTMAS MARKET in Passage
Location: Fukuoka Daimaru Elgala Passage Square (1-4-1 Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City)
Dates: November 14 – December 25, 2025
Hours: Weekdays 16:00–21:00; Weekends and holidays 12:00–21:00
Christmas Gate Park in Fukuoka Daimyo Garden City
Location: Fukuoka Daimyo Garden City Square (2-6-50 Daimyo, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City)
Dates: November 14 – December 25, 2025
Hours: Weekdays 17:00–22:00; Weekends and holidays 12:00–22:00
Christmas Market ICE WORLD in Momochihama
Location: Midori Square (in front of Fukuoka Tower) (2-3-26 Momochihama, Sawara Ward, Fukuoka City)
Dates: November 21 – December 28, 2025
Hours: 11:00–21:30
KOKURA CHRISTMAS MARKET AND CASTLE
Locations: Murasakigawa Waterfront Plaza (1-1 Muromachi) and Semba Plaza (3-10 Sembamachi), Kokurakita Ward, Kitakyushu City
Dates: November 21 – December 25, 2025
Hours: Weekdays 17:00–22:00; Weekends and holidays 12:00–22:00
3. JR Hakata Station: Visit the Christmas Market
Photo by Pixta
Hakata Station Square is a bustling area with people constantly coming and going. Each year in winter, the station is decorated with splendid illuminations themed around starlit skies.
An annual Christmas Market is also held at Hakata Station Square. While sipping mulled wine, why not enjoy the light displays around Hakata Station?
Photo by PR Times
Outside Hakata Station, visitors are greeted by the warm glow of PLEIADES presents TENJIN Christmas Market. The market is adorned with sparkling golden lights and Christmas ornaments featuring reindeer, Santa, snowmen, and nutcrackers. Shops sell delicious mulled wine and seasonal souvenirs!
Hakata Station Illumination
Venues: JR Hakata Station Plaza, Fukuoka City Hall West Side Fureai Plaza, Tenjin Central Park, Guest House Plaza,
Dates: Friday, November 1, 2025 to Wednesday, December 25, 2025 (start date varies by venue)
Hours:
November (weekdays): 16:45–23:00
November (Saturdays, Sundays and holidays): 12:00–23:00
December: 12:00–23:00 daily
Special opening time on 11/1: 19:00–23:00
TENJIN CHRISTMAS MARKET Hakata Station
Dates: November 15 (Sat) – December 25 (Thu), 2025
Hours: Weekdays: 17:00–23:00, Saturdays, Sundays & holidays: 12:00–23:00
1-1 Hakataeki Chuogai, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka 812-0012
Hakata Station is the largest terminal station in Kyushu, located in Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City. JR Kyushu's limited express trains, Shinkansen, and subways all stop here, making it a key transportation hub. The station building houses many commercial facilities where you can enjoy shopping and dining. There is also a tourist information center and cultural facilities, making it a lively place where many people come and go as the gateway to Fukuoka.
Hotels near Hakata Station
4. Uminonakamichi Seaside Park: See Japan's Largest Candle Art!
Uminonakamichi Seaside Park, a family-friendly national park, hosts an event called Uminaka Christmas Candle Night.
The highlight of this event is a candle art display comprised of 10,000 candles. This is a slightly different illumination where visitors can enjoy the warm glow of candles.
About 300 fireworks will also be set off during this event. A collaboration between fireworks and candles is something you usually can't experience. Please allow the warm light of the candles and the fireworks display to send you into deep relaxation.
Of course, you'll be making some unforgettable winter memories here!
Event dates: TBA (Last years dates-December 16 - 17, 23 - 24, 2023)
Hours: 17:30 - 20:45
We hope you enjoy the beautiful winter illuminations in Fukuoka.
All pictures from Pixta
This is the official account of MATCHA's editorial department. Our articles feature useful travel information for visitors to Japan, from how-to guides to recommended places to visit.
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