[2026–2027] Illuminations and Light Events in Chugoku and Shikoku: Hiroshima Dreamination, Tottori Hanakairo, Shiromine-ji and More

From November 2026 to February 2027, light events continue in each prefecture of the Chugoku and Shikoku regions. Hiroshima City’s “Hiroshima Dreamination 2026” has revised its dates and will light up Peace Boulevard and central shopping streets for 52 days, from Friday, December 4 to Sunday, January 24, 2027. Tottori Hanakairo in Nanbu Town, Tottori Prefecture, begins its one-million-light “Flower Illumination” on Saturday, November 14, and Shiromine-ji Temple in Sakaide, Kagawa Prefecture, holds special night viewings over three weekends in November. Based on official announcements by organizers, facilities and local governments, this article sorts out the dates, times, prices and highlights of 15 events in eight prefectures, by prefecture.

Winter light events in Chugoku and Shikoku fall broadly into illuminations decorating station fronts and downtown streets, events that open gardens, temples, shrines and castles at night, and illuminations at flower parks and tourist facilities. In 2026–27, Hiroshima Dreamination moves its dates from December to late January, and the Tottori Sand Dunes Illusion switches to a new event aiming for completion over three years. In November, Okayama Korakuen, Yuushien, Shiromine-ji and others open their gardens and grounds at night to coincide with the autumn foliage. In Kochi Prefecture, we could not confirm, as of October 26, any major events that had officially announced their 2026–27 dates. Major events nationwide are covered in our roundup of winter illuminations across Japan.

List: Dates of 15 events by prefecture

• Hiroshima Prefecture: “Hiroshima Dreamination 2026,” Friday, December 4, 2026 – Sunday, January 24, 2027

• Okayama Prefecture: Okayama Korakuen “Autumn Fantasy Garden” and Okayama Castle “Autumn Ujo Togenkyo,” Friday, November 20 – Sunday, November 29, 2026

• Okayama Prefecture: “Kurashiki Kirameki no Michi,” Saturday, October 31, 2026 – Sunday, January 31, 2027

• Tottori Prefecture: Tottori Hanakairo “Flower Illumination,” Saturday, November 14, 2026 – Monday, January 11, 2027 (national holiday)

• Tottori Prefecture: “Tottori Sand Dunes Illusion 2026,” Saturday, November 21 – Sunday, December 6, 2026

• Shimane Prefecture: Yuushien “Evening Viewing: Autumn Leaves Light-Up,” Saturday, November 7 – Sunday, December 6, 2026

• Yamaguchi Prefecture: “42nd Shunan Winter Tree Festival: Winter Illumination 2026,” Tuesday, December 1 – Monday, December 28, 2026

• Yamaguchi Prefecture: “Joeiji Sesshu Garden Autumn Light-Up: Sesshu’s World Drawn with Light and Sound,” weekends and holidays from Saturday, October 10 to Monday, November 23, 2026 (national holiday)

• Yamaguchi Prefecture: “Pageant of Light and Sound to Connect to the Future 2026,” Saturday, December 5, 2026 – Monday, January 11, 2027 (national holiday)

• Kagawa Prefecture: Shiromine-ji “Special Night Viewing Light-Up 2026,” ten days between Friday, November 13 and Sunday, November 29, 2026

• Kagawa Prefecture: “KAGAWA Christmas Market 2026,” Thursday, December 3 – Friday, December 25, 2026

• Tokushima Prefecture: “2nd Hesokko Lumière: Yume Akari Illumination 2026,” Saturday, October 10, 2026 – Sunday, January 10, 2027

• Ehime Prefecture: Matsuyama Castle “Ninomaru Garden of Light,” ten days between Friday, November 13 and Sunday, December 6, 2026

• Ehime Prefecture: “LIGHT PARKS in Ehime Children’s Castle,” Saturday, November 14, 2026 – Sunday, January 31, 2027

• Ehime Prefecture: “Minetopia Besshi Illumination,” Sunday, November 1, 2026 – Monday, January 11, 2027 (national holiday)

Hiroshima and Okayama: Dreamination from December 4, Korakuen from November 20

Hiroshima Dreamination 2026

This winter light-up illuminates Peace Boulevard and central shopping streets in Hiroshima on the theme of a “fairy-tale land.” It is organized by the Hiroshima Light-Up Project Executive Committee, made up of 13 organizations including Hiroshima City, the Hiroshima Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chugoku Electric Power, The Chugoku Shimbun and the promotion associations of central shopping streets. According to Hiroshima City, it began in fiscal 2002, and since fiscal 2004 it has generally been held from November 17 to January 3. For combining it with Hiroshima Castle Winter Wander and museum exhibitions in the city, see our Hiroshima art guide.

From fiscal 2026, the period is changed to run from the first Friday of December to late January of the following year (until the day of the National Men’s Ekiden). Hiroshima City cites the aim of encouraging visitors to tour the city center during December and January, when hotel occupancy is low, and of extending tourists’ stays, and says the change allows the event to coincide with events such as the National Men’s Ekiden. In 2026 it runs for 52 days, from Friday, December 4 to Sunday, January 24, 2027, with lights coming on at around 18:00 on the first day for the opening ceremony. Planned areas include the north and south green belts of Peace Boulevard (from in front of Shirakami Shrine to the Tanakamachi intersection), the Namiki-dori, Kinzagai, Chuo-dori, Hondori and Nakanotana shopping streets, public spaces such as Alice Garden, facilities such as Motomachi CRED and Hiroshima Gate Park, and facilities around Hiroshima Station. The area map on the official website was “in preparation” as of October 26.

Dates: Friday, December 4, 2026 – Sunday, January 24, 2027
Hours: 17:30–22:30 (from around 18:00 to 22:30 on the first day only)
Venue: North and south green belts of Peace Boulevard, central shopping streets, Alice Garden and other locations (Hiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture)
Admission: Not listed on the official website as of October 26
Organizer: Hiroshima Light-Up Project Executive Committee
Official website: https://www.dreamination.com/

Elsewhere in Hiroshima Prefecture, we could not confirm the 2026 dates of “Bihoku Illumi” at Bihoku Hillside Park in Shobara or the autumn-leaf light-up at Shukkeien in Hiroshima City from official announcements as of October 26 (in 2025, Bihoku Illumi ran from November 1, 2025 to January 12, 2026, and the autumn-leaf light-up of Shukkeien’s “Momiji Festival” ran from November 22 to December 1, from around 17:00 to 21:00).

Okayama Korakuen “Autumn Fantasy Garden” and Okayama Castle “Autumn Ujo Togenkyo”

Okayama Korakuen in Okayama illuminates its grounds and opens specially at night. In 2026 it runs for ten days, from Friday, November 20 to Sunday, November 29, lighting up Chishio no Mori, presenting the projection mapping “Colors of Past and Present” at Enyotei, and setting up “Maples Under the Moon: A Path of Lights to the Castle,” designed by high school students in the prefecture, beside the Gojusantsugi Koshikake Chaya. There are also music events such as “Tsugaru Shamisen and Piano Echoing on an Autumn Night” on the Noh stage, a food court in Nishi Gaien and a sake bar at Kakumeikan. The organizers are Okayama Prefecture and the Korakuen Attractiveness Improvement Committee, co-organized by Okayama City, The Sanyo Shimbun and others.

During the same period, Okayama Castle holds “Autumn Ujo Togenkyo” and keeps the keep open until 20:30 (last entry 20:00). Organized by the Okayama Castle Town Story Executive Committee, it plans “Autumn of Opening Fans,” which lights fans of light and three-dimensional fans of bamboo balls on the lawn of the Hondan, and “Ageha Path,” which decorates the Asahi River linking Korakuen and the castle with lanterns. Projects commemorating the 60th anniversary of the castle’s reconstruction will also be held.

Dates: Friday, November 20 – Sunday, November 29, 2026
Hours: 17:00–20:30 (last entry 20:00)
Venue: Okayama Korakuen (Korakuen, Kita Ward, Okayama, Okayama Prefecture) and Okayama Castle
Admission: Okayama Korakuen: adults ¥500, those aged 65 and over ¥200, free for high school students and younger. Okayama Castle keep: adults ¥500. Combined ticket for Korakuen and the keep: adults ¥800
Organizers: Okayama Prefecture and the Korakuen Attractiveness Improvement Committee (Okayama Castle “Autumn Ujo Togenkyo”: Okayama Castle Town Story Executive Committee)
Official website: Okayama Prefecture press release

Kurashiki Kirameki no Michi

This illumination decorates the area around JR Kurashiki Station with about 150,000 LEDs and is promoted by Kurashiki City’s Urban Development Promotion Division. The venues are five locations: Kurashiki Mirai Park, the pedestrian deck north of JR Kurashiki Station, Andersen Plaza, Achiterasu Kurashiki and Achi 2-chome Plaza. On the first day of lighting, Saturday, October 31, a lighting ceremony (countdown event) will be held at Kurashiki Mirai Park from 17:30, with lights coming on in sequence from around 18:00. On October 31 and Sunday, November 1, from 15:00 to 20:00, the “Kirameki Night Market” will be held at Kurashiki Mirai Park and the outdoor event plaza of Ario Kurashiki.

Dates: Saturday, October 31, 2026 – Sunday, January 31, 2027
Hours: 17:00–21:00 (on October 31, lights come on in sequence from around 18:00)
Venue: Kurashiki Mirai Park, the pedestrian deck north of JR Kurashiki Station, Andersen Plaza, Achiterasu Kurashiki and Achi 2-chome Plaza (Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture)
Admission: Not listed in Kurashiki City’s information as of October 26
Inquiries: Urban Development Promotion Division, Urban Development Department, Construction Bureau, Kurashiki City (Kurashiki City’s information does not name an organizer)
Official website: Kurashiki City information page

Tottori and Shimane: One million lights at Hanakairo, and the first year of a new Illusion at the dunes

Tottori Hanakairo “Flower Illumination”

This is the winter illumination at Tottori Hanakairo, a flower park in Nanbu Town, Tottori Prefecture, which the official website describes as “a collaboration between one million lights and flowers.” It is operated by the Tottori Prefecture Tourism Corporation, and the official website explains that the illumination design changes every year. A free shuttle bus (capacity 25) runs from the south side of JR Yonago Station to Hanakairo in about 25 minutes.

Admission during the illumination period is ¥1,200 for adults and ¥600 for elementary and junior high school students; these tickets can be bought at any time during opening hours and allow you to stay until closing at 21:00. Regular-price tickets in November and from December to February are valid only until 16:30. Opening hours are 9:00–21:00 from November 14 to 30 and 13:00–21:00 from December to January 11 (last entry 20:30 in both cases), and the park is closed on December 1 (Tue), 8 (Tue), 15 (Tue) and 31 (Thu) and January 5, 2027 (Tue). Foreign tourists can enter at half the regular price by showing a passport or residence card.

Dates: Saturday, November 14, 2026 – Monday, January 11, 2027 (national holiday)
Hours: Lights on 17:30–21:00
Venue: Tottori Hanakairo (Tsuruta, Nanbu Town, Saihaku District, Tottori Prefecture)
Admission: During the illumination period, adults ¥1,200, elementary and junior high school students ¥600
Operator: Tottori Prefecture Tourism Corporation
Official website: https://www.tottorihanakairou.or.jp/schedule/event/501/

Tottori Sand Dunes Illusion 2026

This event decorates the area around the Tottori Sand Dunes parking lot in Tottori City with light and is organized by the Tottori Sand Dunes Illusion Executive Committee. In 2026 it completely renews its previous concept and is held as a new Illusion aiming for completion over three years from fiscal 2026. The theme is “An Artful Night Tinted with Sparkling ‘Tottori Blue.’” On the first day, Saturday, November 21, an opening lighting ceremony will be held from 17:40 to 18:00. Admission is free.

Dates: Saturday, November 21 – Sunday, December 6, 2026 (16 days)
Hours: 18:00–21:00
Venue: Around the Tottori Sand Dunes parking lot (Yuyama, Fukubecho, Tottori, Tottori Prefecture)
Admission: Free
Organizer: Tottori Sand Dunes Illusion Executive Committee
Official website: Information page on Tottori City’s tourism website

Yuushien “Evening Viewing: Autumn Leaves Light-Up”

This evening viewing is held during the autumn foliage season at Yuushien, a Japanese garden in Yatsuka, Matsue. Yuushien is a pond-stroll Japanese garden covering more than 40,000 square meters, where in autumn more than 300 Japanese maples and enkianthus change color. The official website features autumn leaves reflected in the mirror-like water and illuminated foliage at night. Evening hours and prices were not listed on the official website’s feature page as of October 26. Parking is free, with space for 300 private cars.

Dates: Saturday, November 7 – Sunday, December 6, 2026
Hours: Evening hours not listed on the official website as of October 26 (regular hours 9:30–17:00)
Venue: Japanese garden Yuushien (Hanyu, Yatsukacho, Matsue, Shimane Prefecture)
Admission: Evening prices not listed on the official website as of October 26 (admission ¥1,000–¥2,000 for adults depending on the season; half the adult price for elementary, junior high and high school students)
Operator: Yuushien Co., Ltd.
Official website: https://www.yuushien.com/event/2026autumn/lightup.html

Elsewhere in Shimane Prefecture, the Shimane Prefecture Tourism Association’s information on “Lighting Gesshoji” in Matsue still showed the 2025 dates (November 8 – December 14), and we could not confirm the 2026 dates as of October 26.

Yamaguchi: One million bulbs in front of Tokuyama Station, Sesshu’s garden and Hofu’s lights

42nd Shunan Winter Tree Festival: Winter Illumination 2026

This illumination decorates the area in front of JR Tokuyama Station in Shunan. Organized by the Tokuyama Chamber of Commerce and Industry, it reaches its 42nd edition in 2026. One million bulbs are installed along Miyuki-dori, in Aozora Park, along PH-dori and at the station rotary. On the first day, Tuesday, December 1, a lighting ceremony will be held from 17:30 to 19:00 in the information space on the 2nd floor of Tokuyama Ekimae Library, and a weekend event is planned at Aozora Park on Saturday, December 12. At the main event, “Fantastic Night,” on Saturday, December 19, Miyuki-dori will become a pedestrian zone, with stage events, food booths and stalls, and food trucks in Aozora Park planned. The content of each event was said to be in planning as of October 26.

Dates: Tuesday, December 1 – Monday, December 28, 2026
Hours: 17:00–22:00
Venue: Miyuki-dori, Aozora Park, PH-dori and the station rotary (Shunan, Yamaguchi Prefecture)
Admission: Not listed on the official website as of October 26
Organizer: Tokuyama Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Official website: https://tokuyama-cci.or.jp/publics/index/111/

Joeiji Sesshu Garden Autumn Light-Up: Sesshu’s World Drawn with Light and Sound

This event illuminates the Sesshu Garden at Joeiji Temple in Miyanoshimo, Yamaguchi, with light in shifting colors and music. It is said to express the path of Sesshu’s travels around Japan, and a video introducing Sesshu’s “Landscapes of the Four Seasons (Long Landscape Scroll)” is shown in the main hall. Every Sunday, a shakuhachi performance by the temple’s master, an exhibition of Buddhist paintings handed down at Joeiji and a special display of the national Important Cultural Property “Portrait of Sesshu Toyo,” color on silk, among other things, are planned. The 2026 edition began on Saturday, October 10, and in November it is held on the 1st (Sun), 3rd (Tue, national holiday), 7th (Sat), 8th (Sun), 14th (Sat), 15th (Sun), 21st (Sat), 22nd (Sun) and 23rd (Mon, national holiday).

Dates: Weekends and holidays from Saturday, October 10 to Monday, November 23, 2026 (national holiday)
Hours: 18:00–21:00 (last entry 20:30)
Venue: Joeiji Sesshu Garden (Miyanoshimo, Yamaguchi, Yamaguchi Prefecture)
Admission: Same-day tickets ¥1,300. Online tickets ¥1,100 for adults and ¥900 for junior high and high school students. Free for elementary school students and younger
Inquiries: Yamaguchi Tourism and Convention Association (the information page does not name an organizer)
Official website: Information page of the Yamaguchi Prefecture Tourism Federation

Pageant of Light and Sound to Connect to the Future 2026

This event decorates three areas of Hofu—around the station, Omotesando and Kamitenjin, and Aspirat and Rurusasu—with light. According to the Yamaguchi Prefecture Tourism Federation, various events will be held at different locations during the lighting period. The number of bulbs and details of the staging were not given in the information as of October 26.

Dates: Saturday, December 5, 2026 – Monday, January 11, 2027 (national holiday)
Hours: 17:00–22:00
Venue: Aspirat, Rurusasu Hofu and other locations (Hofu, Yamaguchi Prefecture)
Admission: Not listed in the information as of October 26
Inquiries: Hofu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (the information page does not name an organizer)
Official website: Information page of the Yamaguchi Prefecture Tourism Federation

Elsewhere in Yamaguchi Prefecture, “TOKIWA Fantasia 2026” at Tokiwa Park in Ube is inviting entries of works by citizens until October 26, but its dates are not on the official website (in 2025 it ran from November 23 to January 12, 2026). The official website of Yamaguchi City’s “In December, Yamaguchi Becomes Christmas City.” still shows 2025 content. For “Kokyo FANTASY,” held by the Mine City Tourism Association at Akiyoshido Cave (directed by lighting designer Motoko Ishii in 2025–26), the only announcement we could confirm as of October 26 was for 2025–26 (December 30, 2025 – January 4, 2026).

Kagawa and Tokushima: Special night viewing at Shiromine-ji and a Christmas market at Sunport Takamatsu

Shiromine-ji “Special Night Viewing Light-Up 2026”

Shiromine-ji in Sakaide, Kagawa Prefecture, Temple 81 of the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage, holds special night viewings over three weekends in November, on the theme “A Night of Wishing Lights.” The organizer says it will illuminate the autumn leaves on the grounds and make the nationally designated Important Cultural Property buildings, such as the main hall and the Tonshojiden, emerge from the darkness. The guest hall and treasure hall, not normally open to view, will also be specially opened. The organizer is Banri Ikku Co., with support from the Industry and Tourism Division of Sakaide City, the Sakaide City Board of Education and the Sakaide City Tourism Association.

The special viewing ticket, including admission to the treasure hall, is ¥1,500 (free for elementary school students and younger). There are two hands-on activities, “A Wish on a Leaf of Light” (¥500) and “Making a Charm for Someone You Care About” (¥1,000), which require advance online reservations (if places remain, you can also apply on site on the day). In addition to online sales, paper tickets are sold at the tourist information center inside JR Sakaide Station (9:00–17:00), and neither can be refunded. The content at the time of the announcement was reported in our article on the Shiromine-ji special night viewing light-up.

Dates: Friday, November 13 – Sunday, November 15; Friday, November 20 – Monday, November 23 (national holiday); Friday, November 27 – Sunday, November 29, 2026
Hours: Lights on 17:30–21:00 (last admission 20:45)
Venue: Shiromine-ji (Oumicho, Sakaide, Kagawa Prefecture)
Admission: Special viewing ticket ¥1,500 (includes the treasure hall; free for elementary school students and younger)
Organizer: Banri Ikku Co.
Official website: https://sakaide-kankou.com/shiromineji-lightup/

KAGAWA Christmas Market 2026

This Christmas market is held at the multipurpose plaza and pedestrian walkway of Sunport Takamatsu in Takamatsu, billed as “23 Miraculous Days When Magic Falls on Kagawa.” Food, drinks and Christmas goods will be sold in European-style wooden huts, and an illumination, a skating rink, photos with Santa Claus, a music stage and fireworks are planned. On the first day, Thursday, December 3, a lighting ceremony will be held from 18:30, and from the 4th (Fri) the light-up will start at 17:00.

It is run by the Executive Committee for Creating Tourism Content Utilizing the Prefectural Arena, based in the Tourism Promotion Division of Kagawa Prefecture’s Exchange Promotion Department. Kagawa Prefecture says it holds events utilizing the prefectural arena to promote nighttime tourism, and this executive committee also held “Kagawa Oktoberfest 2026” (October 2–15) at Sunport Takamatsu in October. The Christmas market’s special website was said to be in preparation as of October 26.

Dates: Thursday, December 3 – Friday, December 25, 2026
Hours: 15:00–21:00 (light-up from 17:00; lighting ceremony from 18:30 on December 3)
Venue: Sunport Takamatsu multipurpose plaza and pedestrian walkway (Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture)
Admission: Not listed in the announcement as of October 26
Operator: Executive Committee for Creating Tourism Content Utilizing the Prefectural Arena (within the Tourism Promotion Division, Exchange Promotion Department, Kagawa Prefecture)
Official website: https://kagawanightproject.jp/event/

Elsewhere in Kagawa Prefecture, we could not confirm the 2026 dates of “Winter Fantasy” at Sanuki Manno Park or the autumn light-up at Ritsurin Garden in Takamatsu from official announcements as of October 26. In 2025, Winter Fantasy ran for 37 days from November 29, 2025 to January 12, 2026, and according to the Parks and Recreation Foundation, a record 208,268 people visited. Ritsurin Garden was illuminated from November 21 to 30, from 17:00 to 21:00, centered on the South Pond in autumn colors.

2nd Hesokko Lumière: Yume Akari Illumination 2026

This illumination lights up Ikeda Hesokko Park, just east of JR Awa-Ikeda Station in Ikeda, Miyoshi, Tokushima Prefecture. Organized by the Youth Division of the Awa-Ikeda Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 2026 is its second edition. The organizer explains that “Lumière” means light in French, and that “Yume Akari” (dream light) expresses a fantastical dream world and a light of hope for the future. It lit up on Saturday, October 10, and is lit every day until Sunday, January 10, 2027.

Dates: Saturday, October 10, 2026 – Sunday, January 10, 2027
Hours: 17:00–23:00
Venue: Ikeda Hesokko Park (Sarada, Ikedacho, Miyoshi, Tokushima Prefecture)
Admission: Not listed in the announcement as of October 26
Organizer: Youth Division, Awa-Ikeda Chamber of Commerce and Industry (co-organizer: Women’s Association, Awa-Ikeda Chamber of Commerce and Industry)
Official website: Information page of the Awa-Ikeda Chamber of Commerce and Industry

In Tokushima Prefecture, for many events held in 2025–26, such as “Yume Narie Jonai Memorial,” which decorates the area around Tokugin Tomoni Arena (Tokushima City Gymnasium) with about 50,000 LEDs, the Tokushima Prefecture Tourism Association’s information still showed 2025 content as of October 26 (Yume Narie ran from December 1, 2025 to January 15, 2026).

Ehime and Kochi: Ten days at Matsuyama Castle’s Ninomaru, and “LIGHT PARKS” at the Children’s Castle

Matsuyama Castle “Ninomaru Garden of Light”

This night event is held at the Matsuyama Castle Ninomaru Historical Garden in Matsuyama on a total of ten days, mainly weekends, from Friday, November 13 to Sunday, December 6. The official page gives no detailed description of the lighting. From Saturday, November 21 to Monday, November 23 (national holiday) and on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29, a matcha tea seating is offered at the Kankotei in the garden (17:30–20:00; ¥600 per seating; first 50 people each day). On all ten days, a potted-flower display and sale is held in front of the rice storehouse (11:00–17:00), and the garden’s coffee shop “PLIC CAFE” opens from 13:00 to 20:00 (canceled in rain).

Dates: Friday, November 13, Saturday 14, Sunday 15, Saturday 21, Sunday 22, Monday 23 (national holiday), Saturday 28 and Sunday 29, and Saturday, December 5 and Sunday 6, 2026
Hours: 17:00–21:00 (last entry 20:30)
Venue: Matsuyama Castle Ninomaru Historical Garden (Marunouchi, Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture)
Admission: Adults ¥200, children ¥100
Operator: Respace Corporation, Matsuyama Castle General Office (designated manager of Matsuyama Joyama Park and other facilities)
Official website: https://www.matsuyamajo.jp/event/ninomaru/11-6.html

LIGHT PARKS in Ehime Children’s Castle

This winter illumination is held at Ehime Children’s Castle in Matsuyama. The organizing executive committee is named the “Festa Luce in Ehime Children’s Castle Executive Committee” (secretariat: Sailor Advertising Co., Ehime head office), and for 2026–27 the event takes the name “LIGHT PARKS in Ehime Children’s Castle.” The official website bills it as a grown-up “Night Journey” and adds “spotlighted by FeStA LuCe” in English. As of October 26 the official website displayed “Coming Soon,” with no lighting times or prices.

Dates: Saturday, November 14, 2026 – Sunday, January 31, 2027
Hours: Not listed on the official website as of October 26
Venue: Ehime Children’s Castle (Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture)
Admission: Not listed on the official website as of October 26
Organizer: Festa Luce in Ehime Children’s Castle Executive Committee
Official website: https://festaluce-ehime.jp/

Minetopia Besshi Illumination

This illumination is held every year by Minetopia Besshi in Niihama, and the 2026 edition is billed as “A Fantastical World of Light Coloring the Winter Night.” Decorations evoking the history of the Besshi Copper Mine, such as objects modeled on the mine railway, are planned. Viewing is free. Lighting times were not given in the official announcement as of October 26.

Dates: Sunday, November 1, 2026 – Monday, January 11, 2027 (national holiday)
Hours: Not listed in the official announcement as of October 26
Venue: Minetopia Besshi (Niihama, Ehime Prefecture)
Admission: Free
Operator: Minetopia Besshi Co.
Official website: https://besshi.com/news/981/

In Kochi Prefecture, we could not confirm the dates of winter light events for 2026–27 from official announcements as of October 26. In 2025–26, the prefecture’s tourism campaign promoted events around the prefecture together as “Kochi Light Festa 2025” (November 1, 2025 – March 1, 2026). The “Illumination Festa,” which decorates central Kochi’s shopping streets and Toyo Denka Chuo Park with about 50,000 LEDs, was held from November 28, 2025 to January 12, 2026, and Kochi City gives its usual timing as late November to around mid-January.

Before you go: Checking reservations, closing days and parking

• Tickets: Shiromine-ji’s special viewing ticket (¥1,500) is sold online and at the tourist information center inside JR Sakaide Station (9:00–17:00). Activities require advance online reservations, and neither online nor paper tickets can be refunded. At Joeiji Sesshu Garden, online tickets (¥1,100 for adults) are cheaper than same-day tickets (¥1,300).

• Hours and closing days: From December to January 11, Tottori Hanakairo is open 13:00–21:00 and closed on December 1, 8, 15 and 31 and January 5. Illumination-period admission tickets (¥1,200 for adults) can be bought at any time during opening hours and allow you to stay until closing at 21:00.

• Transportation and parking: Okayama Korakuen and Okayama Castle recommend public transportation as crowds are expected. The Matsuyama Castle Ninomaru Historical Garden’s dedicated parking lot has 31 spaces and stays open from 9:00 to 21:15 (last entry 20:30) on event days. Shiromine-ji asks visitors to carpool because temporary parking nearby is limited.

• Weather: Shiromine-ji goes ahead in light rain, but the event may be canceled or changed in stormy weather. The Matsuyama Castle Ninomaru event and the Minetopia Besshi Illumination also say content may change due to weather and other factors.

• Unannounced information: For LIGHT PARKS in Ehime Children’s Castle, Yuushien’s evening viewing and Minetopia Besshi, some lighting times or prices were not on the official websites as of October 26. The area map on Hiroshima Dreamination’s official website is also in preparation.

Editor’s perspective

Laying out the dates of the 15 events shows that those opening gardens, temples and castle grounds at night are concentrated in November. Yuushien started on Saturday, November 7, Shiromine-ji and Matsuyama Castle’s Ninomaru on Friday, November 13, and Okayama Korakuen on Friday, November 20, and all end by early December. Shiromine-ji, Okayama Korakuen and Matsuyama Castle’s Ninomaru each run for a short ten days, and Yuushien and Shiromine-ji say they illuminate autumn leaves. Meanwhile, illuminations at station fronts, downtown areas and parks continue across the new year: Kurashiki Kirameki no Michi and LIGHT PARKS in Ehime Children’s Castle are lit until Sunday, January 31, 2027, and Hiroshima Dreamination until Sunday, January 24.

This season, some events have revised their dates or content. Hiroshima Dreamination has moved its period, generally November 17 to January 3 since fiscal 2004, to run from the first Friday of December to late January. Hiroshima City cites promoting visits in December and January, when hotel occupancy is low, and extending stays. The Tottori Sand Dunes Illusion has completely renewed its concept and aims for completion over three years from fiscal 2026. Okayama Castle holds projects commemorating the 60th anniversary of its reconstruction together with “Autumn Ujo Togenkyo.” Budgets and visitor numbers for light events involving local governments are compared in our comparison of local government light events.

Among organizers, events run by chambers of commerce and shopping districts stand out. The Shunan Winter Tree Festival, organized by the Tokuyama Chamber of Commerce and Industry, is in its 42nd edition; the Hiroshima Dreamination executive committee includes the Hiroshima Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the promotion associations of central shopping streets; and Hesokko Lumière is organized by the Youth Division of the Awa-Ikeda Chamber of Commerce and Industry. As for prices, Shiromine-ji’s special viewing ticket is ¥1,500, Joeiji Sesshu Garden’s same-day ticket ¥1,300, Tottori Hanakairo’s illumination-period admission ¥1,200 for adults, Okayama Korakuen’s admission ¥500 for adults and the Matsuyama Castle Ninomaru Historical Garden’s admission ¥200 for adults, while the Tottori Sand Dunes Illusion and the Minetopia Besshi Illumination are free. Events in Kyushu and Okinawa are summarized in our roundup of light events in Kyushu and Okinawa.

Frequently asked questions

When does Hiroshima Dreamination 2026 start?

It runs for 52 days, from Friday, December 4, 2026 to Sunday, January 24, 2027, with lights on from 17:30 to 22:30 (from around 18:00 on the first day only). From fiscal 2026, Hiroshima City has changed the period, generally November 17 to January 3, to run from the first Friday of December to late January (until the day of the National Men’s Ekiden).

Which light events in Chugoku and Shikoku can be seen after January 2027?

“Kurashiki Kirameki no Michi” and “LIGHT PARKS in Ehime Children’s Castle” continue until Sunday, January 31, 2027, and Hiroshima Dreamination until Sunday, January 24. Tottori Hanakairo’s Flower Illumination, the Minetopia Besshi Illumination and Hofu’s “Pageant of Light and Sound to Connect to the Future 2026” are lit until Monday, January 11 (national holiday), and Hesokko Lumière until Sunday, January 10.

Which events have advance or online tickets?

For Shiromine-ji’s special night viewing, the special viewing ticket (¥1,500) is sold online and at the tourist information center inside JR Sakaide Station, and activities require advance online reservations. For the Joeiji Sesshu Garden light-up, online tickets (¥1,100 for adults) are cheaper than same-day tickets (¥1,300). Yuushien directs visitors from its official website to a web ticket purchase page.

Night events staged at castles across Japan are summarized in our roundup of castle projection mapping and night events, and light events in Kansai in our roundup of illuminations and light events in Kansai.

*Information as of October 26, 2026. Please check the official websites for the latest information.

*Top image: Illuminations at Hiroshima Dreamination (photographed in 2012; Photo: warabi hatogaya, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

*This article was compiled by the TOKYO ART SPHERE editorial team based on official announcements by Hiroshima City, Okayama Prefecture, Kurashiki City, Kagawa Prefecture, Ube City, the Hiroshima Light-Up Project Executive Committee, Tottori Hanakairo, Tottori City’s tourism website, the Tokuyama Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the organizers and facilities of each event, and materials published by the Yamaguchi Prefecture Tourism Federation, the Shimane Prefecture Tourism Association, the Tokushima Prefecture Tourism Association and others (as of October 26, 2026).

Text: TOKYO ART SPHERE Editorial Team

A note from the publisher

The latest information on events produced by HITOHATA, INC. is available at HITOHATA, INC.’s event information. Inquiries about planning projection mapping on cultural properties, government buildings and other urban buildings are accepted through the company’s contact form.