Nesta Illumina - A Pathway of Light at Nesta Resort Kobe is an activity of light created through the integration with magnificent nature. Its illumination production, having received numerous awards, is highly acclaimed.

Upon entering, the first thing that catches your eye is the 'Dancing Wall', shimmering in rainbow colors. The illumination of approximately 3 million light bulbs shining amidst the grandeur of nature, along with music and projection mapping, creates a captivating fantasy of light.

At the newly added "Crystal Arcade" in the Crystal Cave, you'll be enchanted by the ethereal ambiance created by soft pink lights and the shimmer of crystals forming an arched pathway. Don't miss the mystical Crystal Cave illuminated by the radiant glow of numerous crystals.

"In the Splendor of Nature's Seasons," you can experience the awe-inspiring beauty woven by the four seasons amidst the radiant splendor of nature.

The Osaka Festival of Lights 2023, an illumination event that brightens the city of Osaka with lights, is becoming a new tourist attraction in Osaka and is being held for the 11th time. Iconic locations such as Midosuji Street, the symbol of Osaka, Nakanoshima in the heart of the city's waterways, and various places throughout the prefecture will be illuminated.

One of the core programs, 'Midosuji Illumination', will see the approximately 4 kilometers stretch from Umeda to Namba sparkle with lights. This illumination will be on display from November 3, 2023 until December 31, 2024.

This year, the illumination will represent the 55-year history from the 1970 Japan World Exposition to the upcoming 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo. At various spots such as the 'Umeda Air Shaft,' the starting point of Midosuji, and 'Namba Square', the 'Landmark Laser'—a first in Japan—will be installed. These straight beams of laser light symbolize a connection to the future, representing 'light' that links past and upcoming events.

Additionally, the main illumination in the Nakanoshima area, which decorates the waterfront, is scheduled from December 14th to December 25th.

Furthermore, throughout the period, various locations across the prefecture are planned to be adorned with uniquely designed lighting programs.

The illumination event "Festa Luce - The Place Where You Meet the True Christmas" at Wakayama Marina City will be held from November 3, 2023, to February 12, 2024. It offers an atmosphere reminiscent of spending Christmas in Europe.

The theme for the 7th year in 2023 is "Light Parade!!". The Castle Projection Mapping, featuring a castle for the first time since 2019, makes a comeback, introducing a spectacular castle illumination display.

Inside the venue, where sparkling lights create a welcoming atmosphere, music concerts on stage and street performances will significantly enhance the Christmas spirit. The excitement of counting down to Christmas and the joy of Christmas day itself can be fully experienced.

Additionally, with photo spots and atrium street projection mapping, as you walk through the venue, it will feel like a trip into the Christmas world of a storybook.

From October 7, 2023, to February 12, 2024, the Kansai region's largest-scale illumination event will be held at the "English Garden Rose & Berry Tawada," a multi-purpose tourist facility in Maibara City, Shiga Prefecture. Initially started with the hope of reviving tourist spots during the COVID-19 pandemic, "Rosan Illumi - The Hill of Radiant Light" will be concluding its final run in 2023.

Spanning a vast 60,000 square meter area, this natural-style illumination features about one million LED lights. Given that it's the last year, the main area "The Silver Forest of Time" will undergo a renovation. A hundred trees, sparkling in silver, will make an appearance, and the central clock tower will start shining with LED lights in sync with the ringing of its bell, creating a fittingly grand finale.

In the "Galactic Railroad Area," embark on a journey across the galaxy aboard the Rosan Railway Milky Way. The area is filled with photo opportunities, including the Milky Way, Star Grape House, Star Lavender Field, and Golden Wheat Field.

Additionally, in the popular "Fairies' Garden of Light," areas like the "Miraculous Blue Rose" and the "Seven-Colored Prayer Tree," where visitors can enjoy the lighting experience, will also be featured.

Moreover, the 2023 addition to the facility, the "Candy Garden," will transform into a colorful spectacle. This unique illumination spot themed around the popular character "Shaun the Sheep" will also see new additions like a reindeer's red sleigh and Christmas-themed items, offering memorable photo opportunities.

In April 2023, Grand Front Osaka, a mall in Umeda, Osaka, celebrated its 10th anniversary. To commemorate this milestone, the Christmas event "GRAND WISH CHRISTMAS 2023 - Joyful Winter" will be held from November 9 to December 25.

Additionally, in conjunction with this celebration, collaborative events will also be held. These include the "LEGO® Holiday Festival in Grand Front Osaka," a favorite among children, and the "Champagne Gold Illumination," where the trees lining the nearby Umekita Plaza will shine in a champagne gold color.

The highlight is undoubtedly the "Joyful-Go-Round Tree," a gigantic Christmas tree about 12 meters tall, inspired by a merry-go-round and located in the "Knowledge Plaza" on the 1st floor of the North Building.

The tree is designed to be a photo spot from all angles, not just the front. Visitors can enter inside the tree or view it from the upper floors for various enjoyable experiences. Additionally, the central part of the tree rotates, and at certain times, visitors can also enjoy a Lighting Show.

An illumination event will be held at "Sakai Green Museum Harvest Hill," an experiential agricultural park in Sakai, Osaka. The event will run from October 28, 2023, to January 28, 2024, allowing visitors to experience the illuminations amidst the rich natural surroundings of autumn and winter.

In this event, utilizing the expansive "Town Area" of Harvest Hill, there will be a variety of unique areas, including "Illumination Trees" adorned on 20-meter tall Sequoia trees. Additionally, there will be illuminations featuring giant mammoths and insect robots, each area offering its own distinctive charm.

In the "Ice Age of Light" area, just past the entrance gate, a world reminiscent of the glacial period is recreated. Here, visitors will find adorable moving animal-shaped illuminations, including rainbow-colored reindeer, and animated penguins, polar bears, and mammoths.

Furthermore, in the "Giant Tree Plaza," a massive yamamomo (Japanese bayberry) tree will be brilliantly lit up with illuminations. Additionally, the "Candy Road," decorated with colorful candy-like lights on trees, and four other areas, offer plenty to see and enjoy.

At Abeno Harukas, a landmark of Osaka, the "Illumination in the Sky" event will be held from November 3, 2023, to February 29, 2024.

This annual winter event will feature various spots within the facility, such as the 2nd-floor outer deck and the 16th-floor outdoor garden, all sparkling with illuminations.

The 2nd-floor outer deck is themed around "SPACE" and is adorned with colorful illuminations. As visitors stroll through this area, they will be immersed in a space that evokes the feeling of a cosmic journey. In a section of the 16th-floor outdoor garden, a "Dome of Light," inspired by a shooting star descending into the garden, will be installed, creating an ambiance akin to being enveloped in stars.

The "Osaka Castle Illuminage" will be held in the Nishinomaru Garden of Osaka Castle from November 22, 2023, to February 25, 2024, with a theme centered around Osaka and the Kansai region.

The theme for 2023 is "Osaka Historical Illumination - Come and See All of OSAKA," showcasing the passage of time from the Warring States period to the present with about 3.5 million lights. The illumination also features Osaka's unique aspects, such as the deep streets of Shinsekai, Tsutenkaku, and the famous takoyaki, offering a remarkable sight.

In addition, there will be attractions-like illuminations, including a glowing seesaw and a ninja-running illumination that activates as you run in front of it, providing fun for both children and adults.

Another highlight is taking photos with the collaboration of Osaka's symbol, "Osaka Castle Tenshukaku," and the illuminations.

During the autumn foliage season, which attracts tourists from around the world to Kyoto, the "Sagano Romantic Train" running from Arashiyama's Sagano to Kameoka offers a chance to enjoy illuminated autumn leaves from October 14 to December 29.

In 2023, as the "Fantasy Train of Light," the illumination will be enhanced more than in previous years. The "Torokko Hozukyo Station" will be decorated with raccoons, the station building, and a carillon tower in lights, offering a dazzling view from the train windows.

Additionally, for two days on December 23 and 24, the special "Christmas Romantic Train" will operate on a unique schedule. Unlike the usual route, it will be a special round-trip to "Torokko Hozukyo Station," allowing passengers to enjoy not only the trackside decorations but also the illuminations at the remote station. Advance reservations are required for this special event, so those wishing to enjoy a unique Christmas illumination experience should definitely check it out.

From December 1 - 25, Kyoto's nationally designated important cultural property, Heian Shrine, will be illuminated with projection mapping and lantern lights in the event "NAKED Yorumode 2023 Heian Shrine."

NAKED Yorimode is a new form of nighttime visitation created by the creative company NAKED, INC. This marks its third installment, and this year, an interactive art installation called the "Corridor of Light" will adorn the long walkway of the important cultural property, the Daigokuden, which is usually off-limits. Colorful lantern lights will illuminate the path.

Additionally, there are other highlights such as the illumination of the nationally designated important cultural property, Otenmon gate, and the lighting of the precincts. You can also enjoy projection mapping and autumn foliage lighting at Tohshin'en and Shobi-kan. In the interactive art experience for visitors called "NAKED Distance Chochin®︎," you can hold a paper lantern while walking around, and various lights will be projected, making you a part of the light art itself.

Illumination events are held throughout various famous locations in the Kansai region. These annual events, which feature increasingly elaborate displays of light, are eagerly anticipated by many. Witness the breathtaking spectacle as nature and cityscapes are adorned with enchanting and fantastical beauty through the radiance of lights.

(Info as of Nov 2023. Changes in duration, timing, cancellations or alterations may occur. Check official websites for updates. Images for illustration only.)