Events happening in January 2023

Illumi Eeru Iwaki

Formerly known as Iwaki Hikari no Sakura (Light Cherry Blossoms), this illumination event has been rebranded with a …

Saga Light Fantasy

Spreading out from the south entrance of Saga Station, Saga Light Fantasy is a winter illumination featuring more than …

Early

Dec

~

Early

Jan

2023

Nankinmachi Lantern Fair

The already beautiful and bustling streets of Kobe’s China Town will be decorated with hundreds of red lanterns …

Toka Ebisu Festival

This popular 5 day festival celebrates Ebisu-san, one of the seven lucky Gods of Japanese mythology, responsible for …

Nozawa Fire Festival

The Nozawa Fire Festival is one of the three greatest fire festivals in Japan and a must-see event which takes place at …

Miyoshi Bonden Festival

Held at Mt. Taihei Miyoshi Shrine every year, the Miyoshi Bonden Festival is a spirited, sometimes-violent race to place …

Wakakusa Yamayaki

One of the most impressive sights in Japan this January, the Wasakusa Yamayaki sees an entire mountainside in Nara go up …

Festival of Lights Osaka

Osaka’s winter illuminations are split into two main events under the “Festival of Lights” umbrella: …

Late

Jan

~

Early

Feb

2023

¥1,200 (advance sales)¥1,600 (on the door)

Zao Snow Monster Festival

While most snow festivals feature man-made sculptures, the snow monsters of Zao—called juhyo in Japanese—are …

Osaka Illuminage

Illuminage will happen at five venues this year throughout Osaka and Kobe (and even one in Fukuoka) — that’s …

Sapporo White Illumination

This winter light-up takes place at five different locations including Odori Park, Sapporo Eki-mae Dori and Minami 1-Jo …