Nightfall comes earlier as winter approaches, and Fukuoka City transforms into a glimmering spectacle as shops and public spaces display elaborate Christmas lights. Check out Fukuoka Now’s Illumination Guide for this year’s recommended spots. From Hakata Station area, Canal City Hakata and Tenjin area, to as far as Kitakyushu, and Nagasaki’s Huis Ten Bosch, our guide this year is bigger and better than ever! Happy holidays!
Hakata Ward, Fukuoka
JR Hakata Station: Hikari no Machi Hakata 2021 (Hakata, City of Lights)
This year marks the 11th anniversary of this winter festival in Hakata. The gently sparkling lights around Hakata Station welcome visitors old and new. The lit up, 70 m long path on the second floor deck of JR Hakata City, “LED Sky Walk”, is also a must see. Don’t forget to check out the Christmas Market taking place at JR Hakata Ekimae Hiroba too, with European-style stalls selling Christmas goods, foods and more (Nov. 9 to Dec. 25). You might also find yourselves reflected on the big screen – make sure to wave when you do!
• 11/4 (Thu.) ~ 2022/1/5 (Wed.)
• 17:00~24:00
• Approx. 800,000 LED lights
• JR Hakata Ekimae Hiroba
• 1-1 Hakataeki-chuogai, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka (in front of JR Hakata Sta.)
• https://www.jrhakatacity.com/2021_illumination/
Tsubame no Mori Illumination – JR Hakata City Rooftop
The rooftop of JR Hakata City, Tsubame no Mori, is a great spot for panoramic views of Fukuoka City. This Christmas the area will be lit up, including the approach to Tetsudo Shrine (railway shrine). Enjoy the illuminations and ride the mini train with your little tots. Drop by with the whole family!
• 12/1 (Wed.) ~ 2022/1/5 (Wed.)
• 17:00~22:00
• Approx. 14,000 lights
• JR Hakata City
• 1-1 Hakataeki-chuogai, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka
• https://www.jrhakatacity.com/kids/
Canal City Hakata: Canal Illumination 2021
CANAL CITY HAKATA 2021 Ⓒ FJ. Entertainment Works
* The photo is image.
• 11/13 (Sat.) ~ 2022/2/27 (Sun.)
• 17:00~24:00
• 1-2 Sumiyoshi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka
• https://canalcity-illumination.com/
Nakasu area: Nakasu Kibou no Hikari
Photo by Fukuoka Now
• 11/11 (Thu.) ~ 2022/1/10 (Mon., hol.)
• 17:00~24:00 (christmas tree: until 26:00)
• Nakasu area, Fukuoka City (Nakasu Chuo-dori, Nakagawa-dori, Meiji-dori, Kokutai-dori, Fukuhaku Deai Bridge)
• https://christmas-market.jp/nakasu2021/
Bayside Place Hakata: Illumination 2021~2022
• 11/11 (Thu.) ~ 2022/3/13 (Sun.)
• 17:00~24:00
• 13-6 Chikkohonmachi, Hakata-ku,Fukuoka
• https://www.baysideplace.jp/2021/11/11/baysidillumination_2021-2022/
Chuo Ward, Fukuoka
Tenjin Christmas Market 2021
The Christmas Market will also be held in the square in front of the city hall in Tenjin. Passing through a huge arch, a wooden Hutte and 100 life-sized Santa figurines welcome you! At the venue paella made in a massive pan as well as other foods will be on offer as well as traditional Christmas decorations.
• 11/13 (Sat.) ~ 12/26 (Sun.)
• Weekdays 17:00~22:00, Sat., Sun. and hol. 12:00~22:00
• Fukuoka City Hall Fureai Hiroba, Elgala Passage
• 1-8-1 Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka
• http://www.christmas-market.jp/
Tenjin Chikagai: Tenchika Xmas Illumination
The 590 m long north and south corridors of Tenjin Chikagai is decorated with 150 sparkling white Christmas trees for a European winter feel! Unlike many of Fukuoka’s illuminations, you need not wait till dark, as the Chikagai is lit throughout the day. The plazas of Tenjin Chikagai will also twinkle with the lights of 120,000 champagne gold-colored lights.
• 11/5 (Fri.) ~ 12/25 (Sat.)
• 17:30~24:30 (last day: ~21:00)
• Approx. 120,000 lights
• Tenjin Chikagai
• 1~3, 2 Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka
• https://www.tenchika.com/
Fukuoka PayPay Dome: Winter Light Fantasy
The area around the PayPay Dome and BOSS E・ZO FUKUOKA in Seaside Momochi will be illuminated this winter. This year, in front of Gate 7 of the Fukuoka PayPay Dome, there will be illuminated objects with animal motifs and also places to take beautiful photos. At the adjacent Mark Is Fukuoka Momochi, Christmas trees on the second floor and the outdoor deck will be lit up, so you can enjoy Christmas illuminations there too.
(C)SoftBank HAWKS
(C)SoftBank HAWKS
• 11/20 (Sat.) ~ 2022/2/13 (Sun)
• 17:00~22:00
• 2-2-2 Jigyohama, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka
• https://e-zofukuoka.com/news/mlbcafe-fukuoka/202111084252/
Ropponmatsu: Roppon-Sparkle – Illuminations –
The Ropponmatsu illuminations, a much-loved winter tradition among locals, returns for the 11th year! The lights and decorations are centered around Ropponmatsu 421. A total of six gorgeous Christmas trees decorated by local nursery school children welcome visitors at the entrance of the commercial facility. When the sun goes down, the sidewalks close to Ropponmatsu 421 sparkle amidst gorgeous blue and white illuminations. Keep an eye out for the snowmen and animals featured in the decorations!
• 11/19 (Fri.) ~ 2022/1/30 (Sun.)
• Lightning time: 17:00~23:00
• 4-2-1 Ropponmatsu, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka
• https://bit.ly/3DAU0oj
Sawara Ward, Fukuoka
Fukuoka Tower: Christmas Illumination 2021
• 11/19 (Fri.) ~ 12/25 (Sat.)
• 17:00~23:00 (12/24, 12/25: ~24:00)
• 2-3-26 Momochihama, Sawara-ku, Fukuoka
• https://www.fukuokatower.co.jp/lightup/
Higashi Ward, Fukuoka
Uminonakamichi Seaside Park: Uminaka Candle Night 2021
Feel the warmth of Christmas with the gently flickering glow of 10,000 candles artfully arranged by volunteers into a design with the theme “Kaleidoscope of Light – To a new world full of hope” The design was chosen from submissions from the public.
• 12/18 (Sat.) ~ 12/19 (Sun.), 12/24 (Fri.) ~ 12/25 (Sat.)
• 17:30~21:00 (last entry 20:30)
• Park entry after 17:30: adult ¥290, 65 y.o. and over ¥210, free for JHS and under
• Uminonakamichi Seaside Park
• 18-25 Saitozaki, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka
• https://uminaka-park.jp/candle-night2021/ (the web page will be available at the end of Nov.)
Kurume City
Kurume Station: 2021 Kurume Illumination Festival “Hotomeki Fantasy”
The 17th edition of this seasonal event lights up the entire-downtown area of Kurume and with the motto of “illuminate the lights of cooperation to all, and bring cheer to the town of Kurume.” This year’s theme is “Thanks” & “Re:start”, and each venue will be surrounded in gorgeous blue and champagne gold lights.
• 11/19 (Fri.) ~ 2022/1/10 (Mon., hol.)
• 17:00~24:00
• Nishitetsu Kurume Sta, Meiji dori Ave, etc.
• Tenjinmachi, Kurume City, Fukuoka
• http://hotomeki.info/
Kitakyushu City
Riverwalk Kitakyushu: Riverwalk Winter Hikari no Ongakusai
Riverwalk Kitakyushu, the popular commercial facility and landmark near Kokura Castle. The theme of this year’s illumination is a collaboration of sound and light. The largest Christmas tree in Kitakyushu, 15 meters high, is decorated with musical notes and ornaments, and for the first time, a keyboard-shaped lighting piano that reacts to sound and light when stepped on! An illumination show of sound and light will be held every 30 minutes for about 10 minutes every day at 18:00 and after 19:00~21:00, accompanied by music selected by crossFM.
• 10/29 (Fri.) ~ 2022/1/10 (Mon., hol.) *Christmas decoration: until 12/26 (Sun.)
• 10:00 ~ 22:00
• Riverwalk Kitakyushu
• 1-1-1 Muromachi, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka
• https://riverwalk.co.jp/event/hikarinoongakusai2021/
Mojiko Retro: Illumination 2021
A total of 300,000 lights beautifully illuminate the historical buildings and various facilities in the Mojiko Retro area this winter season! Take a romantic stroll through the area and feel the nostalgic, retro vibe. Be sure to bring your camera to pose and take pictures at the many photo spots.
• 11/20 (Sat.) ~ 3/13 (Sun.)
• 17:30~24:00 *Hours are subject to change. (Nov. 20, the lights will be turned on at 18:30, on Dec. 31, the lights will be turned on until 5:00.)
• Mojiko Retro area
• Higashiminato-machi, Moji-ku, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka
• https://bit.ly/3mBOCMi
Kokura Station: Kokura Illumination 2021
Photo by 小倉イルミネーション facebook
• 10/1 (Fri.) ~ 2022/1/10 (Mon., hol.)
• 17:00~22:00
• 1-1-1 Asano, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka
• http://kokura-illumination.jp/
Tagawa
Michi no Eki Oto Sakura Kaido Illumination
This is a winter tradition in the Oto-machi, known for its elaborate illumination with a new theme each year. The theme, which is based on the popular topic of the year, is a secret until the day of the lighting ceremony! With approximately 650,000 bulbs, the site is decorated in different areas, and visitors can enjoy a variety of illumination themes. This roadside station has a produce stand and a hot spring facility with an open-air bath.
*The photo shows 2020’s illumination.
• 11/27 (Sat.) ~ 2022/1/31 (Mon.)
• 17:30~22:30
• 1339 Imatobaru, Oto-machi, Tagawa, Fukuoka
• https://www.instagram.com/ootousakurakaidou/
Nagasaki Prefecture
Huis Ten Bosch: Hikari no Machi Christmas
©️ハウステンボス
• 11/6 (Sat.) ~ 12/26 (Sun.)
• Sundown ~ 22:00 (last entry 21:00) *pending season
• 1-1 Huis Ten Bosch-machi, Sasebo City, Nagasaki
• https://www.huistenbosch.co.jp/event/hikari/xmas/
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Originally written Nov. 2016, updated November 2021.
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NOTE: The information presented here was gathered and summarized by the Fukuoka Now staff. While we have done our best to check for accuracy, there might be errors and details may have changed. If you notice any errors or changes, please contact us. This report was originally written in Nov. 2016.
