[2024/2025] 11 illumination spots to brighten up Okayama's winter
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The season of illuminations has arrived, brightening up the winter nights. Why not go and see the romantic sight of the city enveloped in colorful lights?
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Okayama Prefecture is located in the Chuo of Western Japan, and is known as the "Land of Sunshine" due to its warm climate and little rain throughout the year. It is conveniently located halfway between famous tourist spots such as Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima, and is also the gateway to Shikoku via the Great Seto Bridge. Okayama is also known as the "Fruit Kingdom," and the fruits that grow in the warm climate of the Seto Inland Sea and sunshine 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-famous tourist spots such as Okayama Castle, Okayama Korakuen Garden, one of Japan's three most famous gardens, and Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, which are renowned for their history, culture, and art!
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 Station. You can enjoy a different, sparkling cityscape than usual.
[Event Period]
Thursday, November 28, 2024 - Sunday, January 5, 2025
[Location]
JR Okayama Station East and West Exit Plazas, part of City Hall Street, part of Haremachi Street, etc. *Photos are from previous events
2. Nishigawa Illumination 2024 (Okayama City)
Nishigawa Ryokudo Park, an oasis in the city, will be enveloped in the light of approximately 240,000 lights. The approximately 300m long champagne-colored light tunnel, the illuminations that illuminate the trees, and the lights that sparkle on the water surface are fantastic. Enjoy a different night at Nishigawa Ryokudo Park.
[Event Period]
Friday, November 8, 2024 - Sunday, January 5, 2025
[Location]
Nishigawa Greenway Park (approximately 550m from Momotaro Boulevard to Akura Street) *Photo shows the event at a previous event
3. Garden Illumination in Saidaiji 2024 (Okayama City)
The area around Hyakuka Plaza, an experiential learning facility in Saidaiji Ryokuka Park, will be beautifully lit up 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 Ward, Okayama City) *Photos are from previous events
4. Kurashiki Sparkling Road (Kurashiki City)
This illumination is inspired by 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
[Location]
・Kurashiki Mirai Park (12-1 Kurashiki City City) ・Achi Terrace Kurashiki (3-9-1 Achi, Kurashiki City) ・JR Kurashiki Station North Pedestrian Deck, Andersen Square ・Achi 2-chome Square *The photo shows the event at a previous event.
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
[Location]
In front of JR Soja Station, City Hall Street, Chuo Bunka-suji, City Hall, Kamigatsuji Plaza, etc. *Photos are from previous events.
6. Minakurune (Ibara City)
The street in front of Ibara Station on the Ibara Railway is lit up, and the town is decorated with fantastic LED lights.
[Event Period]
Sunday, November 24, 2024 - Saturday, January 25, 2025
[Location]
Ibara Station Street *Photo shows the event at a previous event
7. Winter Painted Pig & Illumination (Takahashi City)
The warm light of the winter painted lanterns in the shape of Bitchu Matsuyama Castle and anime characters, as well as the illuminations of 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
[Location]
Around Mangaebuta Park (1777-1 Jigashira, Kawakamicho, Takahashi City) *The photo shows the event at a previous event.
8. Winter illuminations – Light swings and sparkling flower fields – Okayama Forest Park German Forest (Akaiwa City)
This year, about 300,000 lights will decorate the forests of Germany. Last year's popular "Big Forest Swing" will be back with an illumination 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 fantastic space surrounded by the light of the illuminations and the light of the stars.
[Date]
Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, national 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, January 28, Sunday, January 12
[Location]
Okayama Forest Park German Forest (2006 Nihorinaka, Akaiwa City) *The photo is for illustrative purposes only.
9. Maniwa Illumination in Heart Square (Maniwa City)
The rainbow-colored illuminations were created by local volunteers. There are plenty of things to see, including a heart-shaped corridor that people can walk through and a matchmaking spot set up just beyond the torii gate. In the Chuo of the venue, a 10m-tall plastic bottle tower made of about 3,000 plastic bottles will also be set up, and the light show will light up the winter night.
[Event Period]
Saturday, December 14, 2024 - Friday, February 14, 2025
[Location]
Hokubo Heart Square (6328 Maniwa City) *Photo shows the event held in the past
10. Candle Fantasy in Yubara Onsen(Maniwa City)
626 candles will be lit around the open-air bath and sand bath of Yubara Onsen. Christmas fireworks will light up the winter night sky, and a night market will be held at the same time to warm the body and soul.
[Event Period]
Saturday, December 21, 2024 Candle lighting 18:00-21:00, Fireworks 20:30- *Schedule subject to change
[Location]
Yubara Onsen"Sunayu" area *Photo shows event held in the past
11. HESONARIE (Chuo Town)
Kibichuo Town is located in the Chuo of Okayama Prefecture. "Heso Narie" is a combination of "navel" meaning center and "Luminarie" meaning illumination. The town of Kibi Kogen is decorated with beautiful illuminations to warm your heart on cold winter nights.
[Event Period]
Saturday, November 30, 2024 - Friday, January 31, 2025
[Location]
Kibi Highlands City San San Square (Kibi Chuo, 4860-6 Kibichuo-cho) *Photo shows the event held in the past
Okayama Prefecture is located in the Chuo of Western Japan, and is known as the "Land of Sunshine" due to its warm climate and little rain throughout the year. It is conveniently located halfway between famous tourist spots such as Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima, and is also the gateway to Shikoku via the Great Seto Bridge. Okayama is also known as the "Fruit Kingdom," and the fruits that grow in the warm climate of the Seto Inland Sea and sunshine 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-famous tourist spots such as Okayama Castle, Okayama Korakuen Garden, one of Japan's three most famous gardens, and Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, which are renowned for their history, culture, and art!
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