Hokkaido’s winter is a time of white snowy campuses and romantic illumination and light-up events throughout the entire Hokkaido region. Here are 20 illumination and light-up events that are perfect for family outings and dates, as well as for sightseeing and Christmas season excursions!
1 “Sapporo White Illumination,” an illumination road that continues from in front of the station (Sapporo City)
One of the hottest winter events in Sapporo. The area from Sapporo Station to Odori Park and Susukino is decorated with colorful illuminations. The Odori Park will be illuminated with the “Munich Christmas Market in Sapporo” held at the same time, creating a more romantic atmosphere. In addition, Sapporo Station South Exit Square and Kita 3-jo Plaza (Akapura) will be illuminated not only with decorations but also with sound and light.
2 Enjoy the authentic German atmosphere at the “Munich Christmas Market in Sapporo” (Sapporo)
The “Munich Christmas Market in Sapporo” started as part of the friendship city affiliation with Munich, Germany. The market offers authentic German Christmas dishes, glühwein, pretzels, roasted almonds, and other gourmet foods to enjoy the Christmas spirit. Various Christmas items are also on sale, making it a perfect place to create Christmas memories and souvenirs for the season.
3 Christmas with shopping and leisure “SAPPORO FACTORY Find Fun Factory Xmas” (Sapporo)
A jumbo Christmas tree will appear in the atrium of Sapporo Factory, a commercial facility where visitors can enjoy restaurants, a movie theater and shopping. The Abies sachalinensis tree used for the tree is a large 15-meter tree brought from Hiroo Town, Santa Land, and will be decorated with ornaments and colorful lights. Dining in the atrium while viewing the jumbo tree will surely enhance the Christmas mood.
4 “Hakodate Illumination” lights up connecting famous Hakodate spots (Hakodate City)
Hakodate Illumination is an event that decorates the foot of Mount Hakodate with illuminations. Hakodate is usually a popular sightseeing spot in Hakodate, and Hachiman-zaka and Nijyumen-zaka slopes, as well as the streets along Kaiko-Dori Avenue connecting Hakodate Station and the bay area, will be decorated with ornamental trees. Of particular note is Hachimanzaka Slope, where the illuminated Mashu Maru can be viewed from the front. There are also a number of simultaneous events taking place within walking distance, so why not visit them together?
5 “Hakodate Christmas Fantasy,” a floating Christmas tree on the sea (Hakodate)
A large Christmas tree floats on the sea, a major winter event in Hakodate. Every day at 6 p.m., the tree is illuminated and fireworks are launched to add to the excitement of the event. The “Premium Red Tree,” which turns the tree red for a limited time, is also not to be missed. Soup bars featuring popular local restaurants and eateries will also be set up for visitors to enjoy and forget about the cold winter weather.
6 Star-shaped light “Dream of Goryo Star (Hoshi-no-Yume)” viewed from the tower (Hakodate City)
Goryokaku, one of Hakodate’s most popular tourist attractions, will be lit up in a star shape. The synergy between the reflections of the Goryokaku moat and the lights of the illumination is a highlight of the event. The way the lights look differs depending on the brightness of the surroundings, so it is recommended to compare the view just after sunset and at night. Enjoy strolling around Goryokaku Park, or look down from Goryokaku Tower for a breathtaking view of the city.
7 Otaru Canal becomes a fantastic atmosphere “Blue Canal” (Otaru City)
Otaru Canal, a famous sightseeing spot in Otaru, shines blue with illumination. The best time to visit is during the blue hour, when the sky turns blue after sunset. The collaboration of the illumination and the blue of the sky creates an even more fantastic atmosphere. You can stroll around the canal or enjoy it from a boat on a canal cruise.
8 Illumination to enjoy with limited gourmet foods “Shiroi Koibito Park Sweet Illumination 2024 – Bells that Play Happiness” (Sapporo)
The courtyard of “Shiroi Koibito Park,” a confectionary theme park, will be wrapped in twinkling lights. This hands-on illumination includes a light attraction that tells your fate, a tree with a touchable mechanism, and a heart arch where you and your loved one can display the key to love. In addition, during the period, a limited illumination menu will be on sale.
9 “Asahikawa Street Illumination” (Asahikawa City), where about 230,000 light bulbs illuminate Asahikawa
A long-running illumination event held in five areas from in front of Asahikawa Station to the city center. The main street is located in Asahikawa’s representative spot, Kaigai Park, and visitors can enjoy the illumination at various points in the city, including the neighboring Midoribashi Dori and the greenway at the back of Kaigai Park. This year, a record 230,000 light bulbs will illuminate snowy Asahikawa.
10 Hiroo Santaland Illumination, the only Santaland in Japan (Hiroo Town)
Hiroo Town is the only Santaland in Japan recognized by Norway, the hometown of Santa Claus. From the “Santaland Tree Lighting Ceremony” held on the fourth Saturday of October every year, the town of Hiroo is filled with a Christmas mood as the lights are turned on all around. Daimaruyama Forest Park, the main symbol of Santaland, is also wrapped in approximately 150,000 lights, and the wood lantern tunnel leading to “Santa’s House” is a spot not to be missed.
11 “NOPPORO Illumination Project” (Ebetsu City), where the entire station area is illuminated, including the tree and brick symbols.
The entire area around JR Nopporo Station is lit up for a limited time. In addition to the brick objet d’art at the north exit of Nopporo Station, which is lit all year round, the symbol tree at the north exit, the brick monument at the south exit, Hotel Reborn Nopporo, and the tails of Hachome Plaza will be lit up with approximately 33,000 LED bulbs to create a fantastic scenery.
12 “Illumination Tunnel” to enjoy after taking a relaxing bath in Lake Toya Onsen (Lake Toya Town)
This illumination event is held at Toyako Onsen, one of the best hot spring resorts in Hokkaido. For a limited time only, a glowing tunnel will be set up in Nigiwai Plaza in the center of the hot spring resort. The 70-meter tunnel is illuminated with colorful lights, creating a romantic atmosphere in the hot spring resort area.
13 “Hokuto Hikari Kairo – Illumination in front of Shin-Hakodate Hokuto Station” (Hokuto City), where the popular Zushi-Hokki also glows.
The area in front of Shin-Hakodate Hokuto Station, known as the Shinkansen station, is illuminated. In addition to LED lights installed on street trees, light tunnels, arches, and lantern-shaped lights will appear. An objet d’art of the popular Hokuto City character “Zushi-Hokki-” will also be installed, and his belly will glow in a cute and colorful way.
14 “Aoi Ike (Blue Pond) Light-up” (Biei Town): Biei’s famous spot becomes more fantastic.
The Aoi Ike Pond in Biei-cho, famous for its blue water surface, is lit up during the winter season. Various lighting patterns are prepared to create a fantastic world for about 10 minutes. After the surface of the water freezes over and snow piles up, the lighting program will be changed, so you can enjoy a different atmosphere depending on the time of year.
15 “Ebetsu Ekimae Park Illumination” (Ebetsu City) The symbol in front of the station shines gorgeously.
An illumination event that turns the area in front of Ebetsu Station into a champagne gold color. About 33,000 LED lights create a chic, glamorous and fantastic atmosphere, centering on the large platanus tree, the symbol in front of the station.
16 “Tokimeki Illumination,” an illumination conceived and created by village residents (Sarabetsu Village)
Illumination decorations were devised by village residents at a workshop held prior to the event and decorated by local residents. In addition to decorating the large playground equipment in the Rural Park, a 50-meter long tunnel of light will also be set up.
17 “Niji no Hashi Illumination” (Rainbow Bridge Illumination) that creates a rainbow on a two-story bridge (Takigami Town)
At this illumination held on the two-story “Niji-no-Bashi (Rainbow Bridge),” a rarity in Japan, the night sky is colored with a variety of illuminated lights, including triangular pyramid-shaped, Niagara-shaped, reindeer-shaped, and “Picolo” shaped, the symbolic character of Takigami Town. The central part of the illuminated area is lit up in the image of grass cherry blossoms, providing an illumination that is uniquely Takigami.
18 Romantic photo spots are available at “Roadside Station Winter Night Garden” (Nakasatsunai-mura)
Michi no Eki (Roadside Station) will be romantically decorated with colorful illuminations. The tree-shaped illumination and gate-shaped lights are also romantically lit, making it a great spot for commemorative photos.
19 “Obihiro Illumination Project” (Obihiro City), including heart-shaped objet d’art
This illumination event warmly decorates the winter in Obihiro. The symbolic tree “Harunire no Ki” at Obihiro Station North Transportation Plaza and street trees will be decorated with about 43,000 bulbs, heart-shaped objet d’art and illumination tunnels.
20 Mysterious space surrounded by silence “Hokuto Hikari Kairo – Trappist Street tree-lined avenue illuminated” (Hokuto City)
Trappist Street tree-lined avenue is lit up. The event takes place on the 400-meter tree-lined avenue leading to the main gate of the Trappist Monastery, a popular sightseeing spot in Donan, and offers a fantastic view in a quiet space that is different from the bustling impression of the city.
All information is current as of December 2024.
*The event content is subject to change or cancellation, so please check the official website in advance.
AloJapan.com