Himeji Castle Illumination: 510,000 Winter Lights in 2026

Himeji Castle and Otemae Street Light Up This Winter

Himeji Castle and the surrounding city center will be illuminated for the Himeji Otemae Street Illumination from November 20, 2026, to January 11, 2027.

Returning for its fourth year, the winter event is expanding its illuminated area and increasing the number of LED lights to approximately 510,000.

The displays will stretch from Himeji Station along Otemae Street to Himeyama Park and Himeji Castle, creating an approximately 2.5-kilometer corridor of light.

Around 510,000 LED Lights Across Central Himeji

The 2026 illumination will feature around 510,000 LED lights, more than double the 250,000 used during the previous year's event.

This year's theme is Atarayo, an old Japanese expression describing a night so beautiful that it feels a shame for it to end.

With the World Heritage Site and National Treasure Himeji Castle at its center, the illumination is supervised by internationally renowned lighting designer Motoko Ishii.

The displays will also complement the Himeji Castle Saiun Light-Up, creating a coordinated nighttime landscape around the castle and city center.

Walk Through a 2.5-Kilometer Corridor of Light

The illuminated route begins near Himeji Station with a popular photo spot inspired by the white heron, a symbol closely associated with Himeji Castle.

From there, lights will extend along Otemae Street and around Himeyama Park, forming a corridor approximately 2.5 kilometers long.

Special displays along the route will include a sea-of-clouds illumination at Sakuramon Bridge and a lighting show in Himeyama Park.

The expanded route makes it possible to enjoy the illuminations while walking from Himeji Station toward Himeji Castle.

A Dreamlike Water Mirror at Himeji Castle

Himeji Castle's Sannomaru Square will host a special nighttime installation called Atarayo no Yumekagami (Dream Mirror of Atarayo).

Based on the popular water-mirror installations featured in previous years, the display will project light and imagery onto the surface of the water. The reflections will shift over time, creating an atmospheric scene in front of Himeji Castle.

A mirror-ball installation will add another layer of light to the display, while a large ginkgo tree on the southern side of Sannomaru Square will be covered in white LEDs.

The illuminated tree is designed to resemble a white heron spreading its wings, creating a display inspired by Himeji Castle's famous nickname, the White Heron Castle.

Christmas Market and Pedestrian-Only Events

Several events are scheduled to take place alongside the illumination.

The season begins with a lighting ceremony on November 20, while additional illuminations will be held at Himeji Station North Bustling Exchange Square through December 28.

A Christmas market is planned from December 18 to 25, excluding December 21, at locations including Otemae Park and the Station North Transportation Plaza.

On December 19 and 20, part of Otemae Street will become pedestrian-only, giving visitors more space to enjoy the illuminated cityscape.

Himeji Otemae Street and Himeji Castle Illumination 2026

Dates: November 20, 2026 – January 11, 2027
Illumination hours: 17:00–22:00 (scheduled)
Locations: Himeji Station area, Otemae Street, Himeyama Park, and Himeji Castle Sannomaru Square

Christmas Market: December 18–25, 2026 (excluding December 21; scheduled)
Pedestrian-only Otemae Street: December 19–20, 2026

Information and photo source: PR Times