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Christmas Colors: 5 Popular Winter Yokohama Illumination in the Minato Mirai District (2024-2025)

Christmas Colors: 5 Popular Winter Yokohama Illumination in the Minato Mirai District (2024-2025)

Last updated: 21 November 2024

Yokohama's Minato Mirai area is a popular date spot. Cherry blossoms in spring, Pokemon events in summer, and autumn colors in fall are the hot spots. But in winter, Minato Mirai is home to a glittering variety of light festivals taking place from Christmas to New Year's Eve.

Here we will share five popular Yokohama illumination spots you should not miss this year!

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Table of Contents
  1. 1. Cruise Through Yokohama's Nightscape on the Illuminated Yokohama Sea Bass
  2. 2. Yokohama Miraito: A Colorful 1.5 Kilometer Stretch of Illumination
  3. 3. YOKOHAMA MINATOMIRAI WINTER HOLIDAY 2024–2025: Themed Trees Featuring Popular Works
  4. 4. Night Yokohama Illumination 2024-25: Yokohama Comes Alive with Light and Music
  5. 5. PACIFICO Yokohama Winter Illumination: Light Competition with Yokohama Port's Nightscape
  6. Dress Warm and Enjoy Yokohama's Illuminations!

1. Cruise Through Yokohama's Nightscape on the Illuminated Yokohama Sea Bass

1. Cruise Through Yokohama's Nightscape on the Illuminated Yokohama Sea Bass

Board the illuminated "Sea Bass" at the Bay Quarter commercial complex, located at Yokohama Station’s east exit, and embark on a scenic cruise to explore Yokohama's iconic night views. Enjoy stunning sights like the high-rise buildings of Minato Mirai, the giant Cosmo Clock 21 ferris wheel at Yokohama Cosmo World, the lit-up Red Brick Warehouses, Marine Tower, and the historic Kishamichi Promenade—all creating a romantic parade of city lights.

One of the highlights is the 5-minute "Highlight of Yokohama" spectacular show, where you can watch the entire city come alive with lights and music from the comfort of the boat.

Inside the boat, there are free seating areas and you’re welcome to bring your own food and drinks. The front of the boat features an air-conditioned cabin, while the rear offers an open deck with a refreshing breeze. A dedicated guide will share fascinating stories about Yokohama’s famous night views!

  • Event Dates: December 6–8, 13–15, 20, 27–29, 2024
  • Prices: Adults: 3,000 yen, Elementary School Students: 2,000 yen
  • Time: 60-minute cruise from 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM
  • Closed: No regular closures (subject to change)
  • Official website
  • Yokohama Bay Quarter
    横浜ベイクォーター
    • Address 1-10 Kinko-cho, Kanagawa-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa

2. Yokohama Miraito: A Colorful 1.5 Kilometer Stretch of Illumination

2. Yokohama Miraito: A Colorful 1.5 Kilometer Stretch of Illumination

The annual Yokohama Miraito illumination event, lighting up the 1.5-kilometer stretch from Yokohama Station East Exit, returns this year. The areas of Yokohama and Minato Mirai, from Yokohama Station East Exit to Granmall Park, will be bathed in the vibrant glow of approximately 350,000 blue LED lights.

Additionally, all electricity used for the illumination will be powered by green energy generated from natural sources such as solar and wind power.

  • Event Dates: November 9, 2024 – February 9, 2025
  • Admission: Free
  • Time: 4 PM – 11 PM
  • Closed: No regular closures
  • Yokohama Minato Mirai 21
    • Address Naka-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa, Nishi-ku, 220-0012
      View Map
    • Nearest Station Yokohama Station (JR Tokaido Main Line / JR Yokosuka Line / JR Shonan Shinjuku Line / JR Keihin-Tohoku Line / JR Negishi Line / JR Ueno Tokyo Line / Line 3 (Yokohama Blue Line) / Tokyu Toyoko Line / Minatomirai Line / Keikyu Main Line / Sagami Railway Main Line)

3. YOKOHAMA MINATOMIRAI WINTER HOLIDAY 2024–2025: Themed Trees Featuring Popular Works

3. YOKOHAMA MINATOMIRAI WINTER HOLIDAY 2024–2025: Themed Trees Featuring Popular Works

The Yokohama Landmark Tower, MARK IS Minato Mirai, and Sky Building in the Minato Mirai area are collaborating to host "YOKOHAMA MINATOMIRAI WINTER HOLIDAY 2024–2025." Under the theme "Disney | PIXAR | MARVEL | STAR WARS | 'SPARK JOY' – Heartwarming Stories to Share," the event brings the magic of beloved characters and stories to the winter season in Minato Mirai.

(Photo is for illustrative purposes)
(Photo is for illustrative purposes)

On the first floor of Landmark Plaza at Sakata no Tane Garden Square, the main tree, "SPARK TREE," will be displayed. Standing at around 12 meters tall, this tree beautifully showcases the worlds of Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars through sound, light, and visuals.

At MARK IS Minato Mirai on the first floor of the Grand Galleria, you'll find the "FROZEN CRYSTAL TREE," inspired by Frozen, a sparkling crystalline tree. Meanwhile, on the 10th floor of Sky Building, a charming music-box-style tree featuring the characters from Toy Story will let you celebrate the holiday season with Woody, Buzz, and the gang.

  • Event Dates: November 6, 2024 – January 13, 2025 (Sky Building only until December 25, 2024). Landmark Plaza and MARK IS Minato Mirai will be closed on January 1, 2025, and some content will be limited during this time.
  • Prices: Separate admission fee required for the 69th-floor observation deck "Sky Garden" at Yokohama Landmark Tower.
  • Time: Varies by facility
  • Closed: No regular closures
  • Official website
  • MARK IS Minato Mirai
    MARK IS みなとみらい
    • Address 2-19-12 Takashima, Nishi-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa
    • Nearest Station 3 minutes walk from Yokohama Station on JR and Keihin Electric Express Railway lines, 5 minutes walk from Yokohama Station on Toyoko and Minatomirai Lines
    • Phone Number 045-441-2424
    • ・Hours: 10 AM - 11 PM (*Depends on floor)
      ・Closed: Irregular holidays

  • Sky Building
    スカイビル
    • Address 2-19-12 Takashima, Nishi-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa

4. Night Yokohama Illumination 2024-25: Yokohama Comes Alive with Light and Music

4. Night Yokohama Illumination 2024-25: Yokohama Comes Alive with Light and Music

The "Night Yokohama Illumination 2024-25" is an illumination event where the entire Yokohama city center and waterfront come alive with light and music. The event features a series of illuminations across iconic tourist spots and shopping streets in Yokohama. Starting with "Yokohama Miright" in Minato Mirai and concluding with the "Yokohama Chinese New Year Festival," visitors can explore different areas and fully enjoy the vibrant nighttime atmosphere of Yokohama.

Port of Yokohama Osanbashi International Passenger Terminal
Port of Yokohama Osanbashi International Passenger Terminal

The "Highlight of Yokohama" is a spectacular show where the waterfront, historic buildings, and modern skyscrapers come alive with light and music. Another major attraction is the "Osanbashi Kujira-za," Japan's largest interactive outdoor projection mapping, held at the Yokohama Port Osanbashi International Passenger Terminal. Additionally, "Yoru ni Arawareru Hikari no Yokohama (YorunoYo 2024)" will take place from December 5 to 30, 2024, from 5:00 PM to 9:05 PM, showcasing a stunning light display that transforms the city at night.

  • Event Dates: November 1, 2024 – March 2, 2025
  • Admission: Free
  • Closed: No regular closures
  • Official website

5. PACIFICO Yokohama Winter Illumination: Light Competition with Yokohama Port's Nightscape

(Image from past event)
(Image from past event)

The "PACIFICO Yokohama Winter Illumination" is held annually from early November to late February. The event takes place at three main locations: the Queen's Mall Bridge, Pukari-san Bridge, and the Plaza Glass Tower on the second-floor pedestrian deck, all at the entrance to PACIFICO Yokohama.

  • Event Dates: November 1, 2024 – March 2, 2025
  • Admission: Free
  • Time: 5 PM – Midnight
  • Closed: No regular closures (subject to change)
  • Official website
  • Pacifico Yokohama
    パシフィコ横浜
    • Address 1-1-1 Minato Mirai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture
    • Nearest Station 5 minutes on foot from “Minatomirai” station (Tokyu Toyoko Line and Fukutoshin Line direct)
      12 minutes on foot, 11 minutes by bus or 5 minutes by cab from JR Sakuragicho Station
      10 minutes from JR Yokohama Station by cab, 10 minutes by Sea Bass (boat)
    • Tel: 045-221-2155 (Pacifico Yokohama General Information)

Dress Warm and Enjoy Yokohama's Illuminations!

A winter walk around Yokohama’s port area can get quite chilly, so be sure to bundle up and enjoy the sparkling illuminations in comfort!

(*Note: This information is current as of November 2024. Dates, times, and event details may change or be canceled, so please check the official websites for the latest updates before heading out.)
(*Note: Photos may differ from the actual events.)

Written by:
Kaori Kimura
Kaori Kimura

Kaori Kimura is a Japanese travel writer with roughly 20 years of experience in editing and publishing travel guides. After graduating from university, she worked at a publishing company for about 10 years, specializing in travel guides. She has undertaken numerous assignments both internationally, including in places like Paris, France, and Taiwan, as well as domestically in areas such as Hokkaido and Kyushu. Following this, she lived in Guangzhou, China for about two years as an expatriate spouse and contributed to local media, writing on economics and travel guides. Upon returning to Japan, she gained experience in editing and writing for web media. A key strength of hers is her involvement in creating travel guide articles for both inbound and outbound tourism. She possesses the highest level (HSK-6) of the standardized Chinese language proficiency test, level 2 in Japan's French language test, and EIKEN Grade Pre-1.

*This information is from the time of this article's publication.
*Prices and options mentioned are subject to change.
*Unless stated otherwise, all prices include tax.

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