Osaka's Midosuji Illumination 2024: Highlights, Dates, and Access Tips

Osaka's Dazzling Winter Event: Midosuji Illumination 2024

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Midosuji Illumination is an annual winter event where the ginkgo trees lining Osaka's Midosuji Avenue, the main street running north and south through the center of the city, are illuminated with lights.

Midosuji Illumination is part of the Osaka Light Festival and this year marks the 16th year of this very popular Christmas event. In 2015, it was certified as a world record for having the most street trees illuminated.

In this article, we will introduce the location, highlights, and access information for the Midosuji Illumination 2024.

Midosuji Illumination in Osaka

1. Midosuji Illumination 2024: Venue
2. Event Dates for Midosuji Illumination 2024
3. Lighting Hours for Midosuji Illumination 2024
4. Highlights of Midosuji Illumination 2024
5. How to Access Midosuji Illumination 2024: Nearest Stations
- Access by Train
- Access by Bus
- Access from Tokyo
6. About Osaka Light Festival

Midosuji Illumination 2024: Venue

The venue for the Midosuji Illumination is from the intersection in front of Hanshin Department Store in Umeda to the Namba West Exit intersection in front of Osaka Takashimaya.

The main street running through the center of Osaka is enveloped in a fantastical light over a long distance of approximately 4 kilometers.

Midosuji Avenue Location: From the Hanshin front intersection in Kita to the Namba West Exit intersection in Chuo Ward, Osaka

Event Dates for Midosuji Illumination 2024

The event dates for Midosuji Illumination 2024 are from November 3 to December 31, 2024. For approximately two months, the main street of Osaka will be filled with light.

Event Dates: November 3 to December 31, 2024 *59 days

Lighting Hours for Midosuji Illumination 2024

The lighting hours for Midosuji Illumination 2024 are from 17:00 to 23:00, with the exception of the final day, December 31, when the lights will be on until 1:00 AM (January 1).

Since it runs late into the night, it’s convenient for stopping by after work or on the way back from a gathering.

Lighting Hours: 17:00 to 23:00
*On December 31, from 17:00 to 1:00 AM.

Highlights of Midosuji Illumination 2024

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From here, we will introduce the highlights of Midosuji Illumination in detail, divided into three key points.

As of September 2024, detailed information other than the schedule and venue has not yet been announced. Please check the official website for the latest information.

Official Website: https://www.hikari-kyoen.com/en/

1. My Message Tree

At Midosuji Illumination, there is an activity called My Message Tree, where LED plates with messages written by individuals are decorated on the ginkgo trees at the venue.

This is available to individuals who have made donations to Midosuji Illumination. Having your own written message become part of the illumination is sure to create wonderful memories.

The acceptance of messages for 2024 has ended as of August 30. However, since this is an annual event, those interested in participating in 2025 should definitely check the official website!

2. The Road of Light Certified as a World Record

Midosuji Illumination started in 2009 and was certified in January 2015 as the “street with the most trees illuminated,” setting a world record. This shows just how large-scale and unique this illumination is on a global scale.

In 2023, with the concept of “a symbol street of light connecting to a shining future,” the history of over 50 years from the Osaka Expo in the 1970s to the present was expressed through light. The entire venue was treated like a timeline, divided into five areas reflecting each decade, with a color-changing display as time progressed.

In 2024, it is planned that the illumination colors will change in each area as well. Additionally, the Umeda Ventilation Tower near the starting point at the Hanshin front intersection will be lit up in blue and red, symbolizing the Osaka-Kansai Expo to be held in 2025.

3. Highlights of the 2024 Event

The concept for 2024 is "Grow Light." In addition to traditional lighting, visitors can enjoy light art created in workshops by the general public, as well as projection mapping.

In conjunction with the event period, a special open-deck bus will operate, allowing riders to enjoy the 4 km journey of Midosuji Illumination with a 360-degree panoramic view from the bus.

The Osaka Light Festival is a large-scale event that features not only Midosuji Illumination but also various light displays throughout Osaka during the same period.

As part of OSAKA Hikari no Renaissance, projection mapping and illuminations can be seen at locations such as Osaka City Central Public Hall, Osaka City Hall, and Nakanoshima, so why not consider visiting those as well?

How to Access Midosuji Illumination 2024: Nearest Stations

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There are two ways to get to the Midosuji Illumination: by train and by bus.

From here, we will introduce the nearest stations and detailed access methods for each mode of transportation.

Access by Train

Midosuji Illumination is a project that spans approximately 4 km from Umeda to Namba, making it accessible via various stations and railway companies. The walking distance from the nearest stations is also not far.

Osaka Metro Midosuji Line
The most popular way is to use the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line. No matter which station you get off at—Umeda, Yodoyabashi, Honmachi, Shinsaibashi, or Namba—you can easily access Midosuji directly from the exit.

JR Lines
If you use JR, the nearest station is Osaka Station. It's approximately a 1-minute walk from JR Osaka Station to the starting point at Hanshin front intersection.

Keihan Lines
If you use the Keihan Electric Railway, the nearest stations are Oebashi Station or Yodoyabashi Station.

If you get off at Oebashi Station, it’s about a 1-minute walk to the Oebashi South Exit intersection on Midosuji. If you get off at Yodoyabashi Station, the station is adjacent to the Midosuji Line, so you’ll be right on Midosuji as soon as you exit.

Nankai Line
For the Nankai Electric Railway, the nearest station is Nankai Namba Station. It’s approximately a 1-minute walk from Nankai Namba Station to the Namba West Exit intersection.

Kintetsu Line
If you use the Kintetsu Railway, the nearest station is Osaka Namba Station. It’s approximately a 1-minute walk from Osaka Namba Station to the Namba intersection on Midosuji.

Since Midosuji Illumination spans a long distance, significant crowds are not expected. It's best to head to a station that is convenient for you. However, please be cautious as there may be crowds during the first two hours after the lights are turned on, as well as on Christmas and New Year's Eve.

Access by Bus

From Osaka Station
If you use Osaka City Bus, the nearest bus stops are located around JR Osaka Station and various Namba stations.

There is a bus terminal for Osaka City Bus between JR Osaka Station and Hanshin Department Store, where buses from various lines depart and arrive. It takes about a 6-minute walk from the bus terminal to the Hanshin front intersection, where Midosuji Illumination is held.

From Namba Station
In the case of Namba Station, buses depart from two locations: Namba Bus Terminal along the Hanshin Expressway and in front of JR Namba Station.

It’s about a 1-minute walk from Namba Bus Terminal to the Namba West Exit intersection, and approximately an 8-minute walk from the bus stop in front of JR Namba Station to the Namba West Exit intersection.

Access from Tokyo

To head from Tokyo Station, first take the Tokaido Shinkansen Nozomi to Shin-Osaka Station. The travel time by Shinkansen is approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.

From Shin-Osaka Station, you can either use the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line or take a local JR train.

Osaka Metro Midosuji Line
Shin-Osaka Station is a station on the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line, so if you board a train heading toward Nakami sucked, you can reach the nearest station to Midosuji Illumination without any transfers.

Please get off at either Umeda Station or Namba Station. The shortest trip from Shin-Osaka Station to Umeda Station takes about 6 minutes.

JR Lines
On the other hand, if you take JR, you will transfer to a local train at Shin-Osaka Station and head to Osaka Station. Once you arrive at Osaka Station, it takes about a 1-minute walk to reach the front of Hanshin intersection.

Osaka Light Festival Will Be Held Until 2025

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At the Osaka Light Festival, where you can enjoy Midosuji Illumination, illumination programs are also held in various areas of Osaka besides Midosuji.

While Midosuji Illumination and OSAKA Hikari no Renaissance will end this year, some area programs in the Umekita area, Minami, Tempozan, and Suita City will continue their illuminations through January and February.

You can check the details of each area program on the official website. The year 2025 will see the Osaka-Kansai Expo take place. It looks like we can also enjoy related displays through the illumination leading up to the event!

Osaka Light Festival
Event Period: From November 3, 2024, to January 31, 2025 for a total of 90 days.
*After January 1, 2025, only some area programs will be implemented.
Official Website: https://www.hikari-kyoen.com/en/

Enjoy Midosuji Illumination in 2024

Midosuji Illumination stretches over approximately 4 km, making it conveniently accessible from many stations, not just the subway, but also JR and Keihan.

Additionally, related illumination events will be held throughout Osaka during the same period, so be sure to enjoy those as well!

Midosuji

542-0086 Nishi-Shinsaibashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture

Approximately 800 ginkgo trees are planted along the road, which is approximately 4 kilometers long. You can enjoy the golden scenery of the...

Main image courtesy of Pixta
Written by Cakutama editorial team