Universal Studios Japan (USJ) is pulling out all the stops for its Christmas event, which even includes a Christmas market. Visitors to USJ during the festive period will be able to get into the festive spirit in a variety of ways, such as Christmas-themed food in its eateries, a special Christmas show, and decorations, of course!

The Christmas show, titled “Light up the Night — Christmas Celebration,” features a host of favorites including Hello Kitty, Elmo and Snoopy. Candles and dancers will also spread the Christmas cheer. Elsewhere, Sesame Street, Minions, and Hello Kitty will be hosting extra-special Christmas greetings.

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Visitors to the Dragon Quest section at Nijigen no Mori will be treated to a host of Christmas-themed activities and decor this year. Crafty kids and parents will be able to decorate their very own Christmassy Dragon Quest snow globe.

The area will be home to a giant, three-meter-high Christmas tree, which doubles as a glittery photo spot during the daytime, and an illumination hotspot at night. There will be exclusive festive-themed merchandise, a stamp rally, and extra themed quests to complete too. For those who are partial to a winter-theme, head over to the Godzilla area for exciting quests and limited edition merch.

Enjoy Christmas the Suzuka Circuit way — with a lot of chocolate! The circuit’s family-friendly theme park goes all Christmassy in a collaboration with Meito confectionery. Kids will be able to gain stamps by visiting attractions and rides around the park, and when they’ve collected enough stamps, they’ll be eligible for a special sweet treat.

Elsewhere, on weekends and holidays, the park’s mascot characters will perform an exclusive Chritsmas-themed show, as well as greeting sessions in Christmas garb. There will be exclusive Christmas-themed merchandise and food menus too.

Hasedera is one of Nara’s most famous, picturesque temples. Built in 686 AD, the temple serves as the headquarters for the Buzan school of the Shingon sect of Buddhism. It’s so large that it takes around 40 minutes to walk around its buildings, which comprise over 30. The temple is renowned for its five-storey pagoda, surrounded by leaves and flowers that reflect the seasons.

The temple is often referred to as the “temple of flowers” — and fall is no different. The temple hosts an autumn leaf viewing event to show off its fabulous fiery foliage in the cooler months, and invites visitors inside the great hall to pay respects directly to the Kannon herself, normally a privilege reserved for temple staff only.

Enjoy a procession and festivities that are nearly 900 years old in the grand surroundings of UNESCO-certified Kasuga Taisha Shrine. The parade, which features over 1000 people, is part of the On-Matsuri, a traditional Japanese festival held annually at Wakamiya Shrine, inside the grounds of Kasuga Taisha.

The festival lasts for three days, with its peak on the penultimate day with the Owatari-shiki ceremony, a procession featuring local residents dressed in costumes from various periods of Japanese history. The costumes pay homage to eras over 1000 years ago, starting at the Heian period (794 to 1185).

Also known as the 47 Samurai Festival, Bishamon-do’s celebration is one of Kyoto’s most famous shrine festivals. It attracts visitors from across the country who come to witness the long procession that honors the 47 samurai (ronin) who avenged their deceased leader across a number of years.

The 47 are the stuff of legend, and the area around Bishamon-do has a special connection to the story. One of the samurai hid in Yamashina, and was eventually found. He committed ritual suicide, a noble death at the time. To celebrate and honor this link to the tale, Bishamon-do comes alive each December, with a parade of samurai, as well as food stalls, performances and even a photo competition.

Joya no Kane, also known as omisoka is a Buddhist New Years Eve tradition that celebrates the coming year with a ceremony of bell ringing. The shrine’s large bell is rung 108 times by local believers and priests.

The 108 chimes represent the 108 earthly passions from the previous year. By striking the bell once for each earthly passion, the souls of those participating are cleansed for the year ahead. At Shitenno-ji Temple, the public are invited to participate in the ceremony by entering the shrine ground to witness the bell-ringing. Omisoka is a great way to experience a traditional Japanese New Year celebration.

One of Japan’s most iconic traditions, sumo has roots stretching back over 2000 years, beginning as a form of entertainment dedicated to the Shinto gods. Today, its rikishi (wrestlers) remain cultural giants, performing with remarkable strength, skill, and ceremony.

While the six main professional tournaments are held in January, March, May, July, September and November, the Japan Sumo Association also brings the sport to local fans each December through a regional “provincial tour.” These events offer a rare chance to see top-division rikishi in more intimate Kansai venues, where spectators can enjoy exhibition bouts, ring-entering ceremonies, special performances, and occasionally open training sessions.

For travelers in the greater Osaka region, the winter tour is an inviting way to experience sumo in a relaxed, close-up setting. Below are details for each stop of the winter tour across Kansai.

Even if tickets are sold out or the tour dates simply don’t fit into your schedule, you can still experience sumo by visiting a sumo stable, which is the wrestlers’ official training ground. Many stables allow visitors to observe morning practice outside the tournament period, giving you an up-close look at the intensity and discipline behind professional sumo. There are also sumo shows and other experiences letting you enjoy an authentic version of sumo up close.

Enter the world of Viennese painter, Gustav Klimt. Step into his paintings, move through the phases of his works as though you’re inside his mind. Best known for his painting, The Kiss, this hugely influential artist is someone that we’ve all learned about in school — but predominantly as a historical figure from times gone past.

This exhibition brings Klimt to life, through immersive, moving projections, haptic flooring that changes the way we sense our surroundings, and sound. A worldwide hit show, run by Grande Experiences, seeing “Klimt Alive” in Japan enables you to feel how the Japanese appreciate art — you’ll be in one of the calmest exhibition halls ever.

“When I Change, Hello Kitty Changes Too,” is an exhibition looking at Hello Kitty’s evolution over the past five decades. The show has seen a tremendous run, starting in Tokyo in January, then moving through Fukuoka and Osaka where it enjoyed rave reviews.

Hello Kitty, perhaps one of Japan’s most famous exports, was first drawn in 1974 by Yuko Shimuzu, an employee at Sanrio. Hello Kitty was released on a coin purse the following year, and went on to become Sanrio’s best-selling character of all time. The exhibit details Hello Kitty’s changes, going from artist collaboration showing different bags and accessories, to candy and exclusive videos.

Creative company, Naked Inc., returns to Nijo Castle with a light-up event to celebrate the moon-viewing history of the castle. Visitors can experience Nijo in a whole new light (quite literally!), as it glows with illuminations and projection mapping in various themes, such as the moon and ikebana.

Nijo Castle is one of the largest castles in the region of Kansai, covering a total area of two kilometers. With many of its buildings dating back 400 years to the Edo period, the castle and its buildings stand as important cultural artefacts, some officially Important Cultural Properties. Through the period, the Ninomaru-goten Palace will be open until late, giving visitors the chance to wander its halls after dark.

The grounds of Osaka Castle will transform into a winter wonderland this winter, with special collaboration with Illuminage, a lighting company. Visitors will be able to enjoy brightly-illuminated walkways, special “Osaka-style” photospots, and even a pet zone, where your pet becomes the star of the show.

The lighting is based around the story of Shogun Toyotomi, whose dream was to unite Japan, and bring about everlasting peace. He was unsuccessful in achieving his dream, and the illuminations are designed to pay tribute to this.

Admire Japan’s changing seasons at Kobe’s largest botanical gardens, lit up especially for the occasion. Compared to busier areas, the lightup at Kobe’s Municipal Arboretum is a calm way to enjoy fiery leafy colors in fall.

Its maple trees cover areas including the pond area, gingko trees line its walkways, making for a plethora of ways to experience the blazing branches. The park, which celebrates its 85th anniversary this year, will also host events, so keep an eye on the Kobe Arboretum Instagram for up-to-date information.