[2024/2025] 11 illumination spots to brighten up Okayama's winter

The season of illuminations has arrived, brightening up the winter nights. Why not go and see the romantic spectacle of the city enveloped in colorful light?

Written by

Okayama Prefecture Tourism Federation

Okayama Prefecture is located in the Center of Western Japan and is known as the "Land of Sunshine" due to its warm climate and little rain throughout the year. It's conveniently located halfway between famous tourist destinations like Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima! It's also the gateway to Shikoku via the Seto. Okayama is also known as the "Fruit Okayama," and the fruits that are sun-drenched in the warm climate of the Setouchi are of the highest quality in terms of sweetness, aroma, and flavor. You can enjoy seasonal fruits such as white peaches, Muscat grapes, and Pione grapes! Okayama is also home to world-class tourist spots, including Okayama Castle, Okayama Korakuen Garden, one of Japan's three most famous gardens, and Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, which boasts history, culture, and art!

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1. Okayama Momotaro Festival MOMOTARO FANTASY (Okayama City )

This illumination event, which represents winter in Okayama , uses LEDs as light sources and decorates the square in front of JR Okayama . You can enjoy a different, sparkling cityscape than usual.

[Event period]

Thursday, November 28, 2024 - Sunday, January 5, 2025

[Venue]

JR Okayama Station East and West Exit Plazas, part of City Hall Street, part of Haremachi Street, etc. *Photos are from previous events

MOMOTAROH FANTASY

1-1 Ekimotomachi, Kita-ku, Okayama-shi, Okayama 700-0024

Momotaro Fantasy is a regular winter event when the area surrounding Okayama Station is illuminated. With a new theme each year, trees and other objects in the area are beautifully lighted up.

2. Nishigawa Illumination 2024 (Okayama City)

Nishigawa Ryokudo Park, an oasis in the city, will be bathed in the light of approximately 240,000 light bulbs. The approximately 300m long champagne-colored light tunnel, the illuminated trees, and the sparkling light on the water surface are fantastical. Enjoy a different night at Nishigawa Ryokudo Park.

[Event period]

Friday, November 8, 2024 - Sunday, January 5, 2025

[Venue]

Nishigawa Greenway Park (approximately 550m from Momotaro Boulevard to Akura Street) *Photo shows a previous event

Nishigawa Greenway Park and Edakawa Greenway Park

700-0023 Okayama Prefecture, Okayama City, Kita Ward, Minamikata 1-cho...

This park was developed as a greenway on both sides of the Nishigawa Irrigation Canal, which runs north to south through the center of Okayama City , and its tributary, the Edakawa Irrigation Canal. The lush greenway park stretches for a total of 2.4km, and features landscaping and recreational facilities such as fountains and water terraces, making it a popular walking path and place to relax. In addition, various citizen-led events are held throughout the year, mainly on weekends, around the Nodonobashi Stage.

3. Garden illuminations in Saidaiji 2024 (Okayama City)

The area around Hyakuka Plaza, an experiential learning facility in Saidaiji Ryokuka Park, will be beautifully illuminated with LED lights.

[Event period]

December 1, 2024 (Sunday) - February 28, 2025 (Friday)

[Location] Saidaiji Green Park, Hyakka Plaza (1-2-3 Saidaiji Minami, Higashi-ku, Okayama City) *Photos are from previous events

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4. Kurashiki Sparkling Road ( Kurashiki City)

This illumination project evokes the bright future of Kurashiki City. Kurashiki Mirai Park, Achi Terrace Kurashiki, and the area around JR Kurashiki Station will be fantastically lit up with approximately 160,000 LED bulbs.

[Event period]

Saturday, November 2, 2024 - Friday, February 14, 2025

[Venue]

・Kurashiki Mirai Park (12-1 Kurashiki City city) ・Achi Kurashiki(3-9-1 Achi, Kurashiki City) ・JR Kurashiki Station North Pedestrian Deck, Andersen Square ・Achi 2-chome Square *Photos are from previous events

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5. SOJA Illumination 2024 (Soja City)

The area around Soja Station and City Hall Street will be lit up with unique illuminations.

[Event period]

Saturday, November 30, 2024 - Tuesday, January 7, 2025

[Venue]

In front of JR Soja Station, City Hall Street, Chuo Bunka-suji, City Hall, Kamigatsuji Plaza, etc. *Photos are from previous events

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6. Minakurune (Ibara City )

The street in front of Ibara Station on the Ibara Railway is lit up, and the town is magically decorated with LED illuminations.

[Event period]

Sunday, November 24, 2024 - Saturday, January 25, 2025

[Venue]

Ibara Station Street *Photo shows a previous event

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7. Winter Pig & Illuminations (Takahashi City )

The warm light of winter plaques shaped like Bitchu Matsuyama Castle and anime characters, along with illuminations such as a Christmas tree decorated with approximately 4,000 LED bulbs, add warmth and color to the town.

[Event period]

Saturday, December 7, 2024 - Friday, January 31, 2025

[Venue]

Around Mangaebuta Park (1777-1 Jigashira, Kawakami-cho, Ichikawa) *Photos are from previous events

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8. Winter illuminations: light swings and sparkling flower fields / Okayama Forest Park German Mori(Akaiwa City)

This year, approximately 300,000 lights will once again light up the German Mori. Last year's popular "Big Mori Swing" will be back in an illuminated version (an additional 500 yen required)! In addition, a new light lantern event will be held on certain days, where lanterns will be launched into a fantastical space enveloped in the light of the illuminations and the light of the stars.

[Date]

Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays, and the New Year period from Saturday, November 23, 2024 to Tuesday, February 11, 2025 (closed every Wednesday and Thursday) *Sky lantern event: Saturday, December 21, Saturday, 28, Sunday, January 12

[Venue]

Okayama Forest Park German Mori(2006 Nihorinaka , Akaiwa City) *Photo is for illustrative purposes only

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9. Maniwa Illumination in Heart Square (Maniwa City)

The rainbow-colored illuminations were created by local volunteers. There are plenty of highlights, including a heart-shaped walkway and a matchmaking spot beyond the torii gate. A 10-meter-tall plastic bottle tower made from approximately 3,000 plastic bottles will also be set up in the Chuo of the venue, adding a light show to the winter night.

[Event period]

Saturday, December 14, 2024 - Friday, February 14, 2025

[Venue]

Hokubo Heart Square (6328 Kamimizuta , Maniwa City) *Photo shows a previous event

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10. Candle Fantasy in Yubara Onsen(Maniwa City )

626 candles will be lit around the open-air bath and Sunayu at Yubara Onsen . Christmas fireworks will light up the winter night sky, and a night Marché will be held at the same time to warm the body and soul.

[Event period]

Saturday, December 21, 2024 Candle lighting: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM, Fireworks: 8:30 PM - *Schedule subject to change

[Venue]

The area around Yubara Onsen"Sunayu" *The photo shows the event from a previous event

Yubara Onsen Sand Bath

717-0402 Yubara Onsen, Maniwa City, Okayama Prefecture

A popular hot spring located downstream of Yubara Dam and spreading along the Asahi River. There is a large amount of hot water, and the quality of the spring water is highly alkaline, making it smooth on the skin. The symbol of the hot spring town is Sunayu, a large natural open-air bath made from hot springs gushing out from the river bed. Thanks to the cooperation of local people, it is open 24 hours a day for free, so you can enjoy the natural hot springs in the middle of nature anytime. It has been rated as the ``Yokozuna of the West'' in the national open-air bath ranking, and you can enjoy baths with different temperatures: Bijin-no-yu, Kotara-no-yu, and Choshu-no-yu. ・As it is a mixed bathing area, women are recommended to wear bathing clothes (rental). There is a simple changing room

11. HESONARIE (Kibichuo Town )

Kibichuo Town is located in the center of Okayama Prefecture . "Heso Narie" is a combination of "navel" meaning center and "Luminarie" meaning illumination. The Kibi Highlands town is decorated with beautiful illuminations to warm the heart even on cold winter nights.

[Event period]

Saturday, November 30, 2024 - Friday, January 31, 2025

[Venue]

Kibi Highlands City Sansan Square (Kibichuo Town-cho) *Photos are from a previous event

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Introduced locations (map)

Written by

Okayama Prefecture Tourism Federation

Okayama

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