In winter, Hokkaido is covered in a white snowy landscape, and romantic illumination and light-up events are held all over the prefecture. Here are 20 illumination and light-up events that are perfect for family outings, dates, sightseeing, and Christmas season outings!

This is one of the most notable winter events in Sapporo. From Sapporo Station to Odori Park and Susukino, the area is decorated with colorful illuminations. At Odori Park, you can enjoy an even more romantic atmosphere along with the "Munich Christmas Market in Sapporo" which is held at the same time. In addition to decorations, sound and light performances are also held at the Sapporo Station South Exit Square and Sapporo City Kita 3-jo Square (Akapla) venue.

The "Munich Christmas Market in Sapporo" was started as part of the friendship city partnership with Munich, Germany. It offers a variety of gourmet foods that will get you in the Christmas mood, such as authentic German Christmas dishes, mulled wine, pretzels, and roasted almonds. Various Christmas items are also sold, making it the perfect place to create Christmas memories or buy souvenirs for this time of year.

A jumbo Christmas tree appears in the atrium of Sapporo Factory, a commercial facility where you can enjoy restaurants, movie theaters, shopping, and more. The tree is made of a large 15m-tall Japanese fir tree brought from Hiroo-cho, home of Santa Land, and is decorated with ornaments and colorful lights. If you dine in the atrium while looking at the jumbo tree, you're sure to get into the Christmas mood.

This event lights up the base of Mt. Hakodate with illuminations. The event includes decorations on Hachimanzaka and Nijukkenzaka, which are popular tourist spots in Hakodate, as well as the trees lining Kaiko-dori Avenue, which connects Hakodate Station and the bay area. One of the most popular spots is Hachimanzaka, where you can look down directly on the illuminated Mashu Maru at the port. There are many other events taking place at the same time within walking distance, so why not visit them all at the same time?

A huge Christmas tree floating on the sea is a major winter event in Hakodate. Every day at 6pm, fireworks are launched in conjunction with the tree's illumination, further livening up the venue. Another highlight not to be missed is the "Premium Red Tree", where the tree is dyed red for a limited time. There are also soup bars from popular local restaurants with a local food theme, allowing you to forget the cold of winter.

Goryokaku, one of Hakodate's most famous tourist spots, is lit up in a star shape. The highlight is the synergistic effect of the illumination and the reflection of the moat of Goryokaku. The appearance changes depending on the surrounding brightness, so it is recommended to compare the view just after sunset and at night. You can enjoy a stroll around Goryokaku Park, and the view from Goryokaku Tower looking down is spectacular.

The Otaru Canal, a famous tourist spot in Otaru, shines blue with illuminations. The best time to visit is during the blue hour, when the sky turns blue after sunset. The combination of the illuminations and the blue sky creates an even more fantastical atmosphere. You can enjoy the canal from a boat, as well as strolling around.

The courtyard of the sweets theme park "Shiroi Koibito Park" will be enveloped in dazzling lights. This is an experiential illumination event, with light attractions that tell your fortune, a tree with tactile mechanisms, and a heart-shaped arch to decorate with the locks of love for your loved one. In addition, illumination-only menu items will be on sale during the event.

This is a long-running illumination event that takes place in five areas of the city center, starting from Asahikawa Station. The main street is Asahikawa's representative spot, Kaimo Park, and you can enjoy illuminations at various points in the city, such as the neighboring Midoribashi-dori street and the greenway at the back of Kaimo Park. This year, the largest number of lights to date, 230,000 bulbs, will light up the snowy Asahikawa.

Hiroo Town is the only Santaland in Japan recognized by Norway, the home of Santa Claus. From the "Santaland Tree Lighting Ceremony" held on the fourth Saturday of October every year, illuminations are lit up everywhere, and Hiroo Town is filled with a Christmas atmosphere. Omaruyama Forest Park, the main symbol of Santaland, is also wrapped in about 150,000 lights, and the tunnel of wooden lanterns leading to "Santa's House" is also a spot not to be missed.

The area around JR Nopporo Station will be lit up for a limited time. In addition to the brick sculpture 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 Hachi-chome Plaza Noppo will be lit up with approximately 33,000 LED bulbs, creating a fantastical landscape.

This illumination event is held in Toyako Onsen, one of Hokkaido's leading hot spring resorts. A glittering tunnel is set up for a limited time in the bustling square in the center of the hot spring town. Colorful lights illuminate the approximately 70m tunnel, adding a romantic touch to the hot spring town.

The area in front of Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station, known as a Shinkansen station, is lit up. In addition to LED lights installed on the roadside trees, there are also light tunnels, arches, and lantern-shaped lights. An object of "Zushii Hokki," a popular Hokuto City mascot, is also installed, and its belly glows in a cute, colorful way.

The Blue Pond in Biei, famous for its blue water surface, is lit up during the winter. Various lighting patterns are prepared, creating a fantastical world for about 10 minutes. After the water surface freezes over and snow piles up, the lighting program changes, so you can enjoy different atmospheres depending on the season.

This illumination event will paint the area in front of Ebetsu Station in champagne gold. The large plane tree, the symbol of the station, will be the main focus, and approximately 33,000 LED lights will create a chic, gorgeous, and fantastical atmosphere.

The illuminations were created by local residents at a workshop held in advance, and were then decorated by the local community. Large playground equipment in the rural park will be decorated, and a 50m-long tunnel of light will also be set up.

This illumination takes place on the two-story Rainbow Bridge, which is rare nationwide, and a variety of lights, including pyramid, Niagara, reindeer, and Piccoro, the symbolic character of Takinoue Town, light up the night sky. The center is lit up to resemble a moss phlox, allowing you to enjoy illuminations that are unique to Takinoue.

The roadside station is romantically decorated with colorful illuminations. The tree-shaped illuminations and gate-shaped lights are also romantically lit up, making it a recommended spot for taking commemorative photos.

This illumination event brings warmth to Obihiro's winters. The symbolic tree at the Obihiro Station North Traffic Plaza, the "Haru Nire Tree," and the street trees are decorated with about 43,000 lights, and are decorated with heart-shaped objects and illuminated tunnels.

The illumination of the Trappist Avenue is a 400m long avenue leading to the main gate of the Trappist Monastery, a popular tourist spot in southern Hokkaido. You can enjoy a fantastic view in a quiet space that is a little different from the bustling impression of the city.

*All information posted is current as of December 2024. *The event content may be changed or canceled, so please check the official website in advance.