[2026–2027] Illuminations and Light Events in Hokuriku and Koshinetsu: Kenrokuen, Gokayama, Zenko-ji, Tsuruga Port and More

In the six prefectures of Niigata, Toyama, Ishikawa, Fukui, Yamanashi and Nagano, events using light and snow continue from November 2026 to February 2027. On Keyaki-dori, south of Niigata Station, the “NIIGATA Pageant of Light” begins on Friday, November 20, decorating about 200 trees with 160,000 lights. At the station plazas on the north and south sides of Toyama Station, illuminations light up from Tuesday, December 1, with projection mapping newly added this year. In February 2027, light-ups at Kanazawa Castle Park and Kenrokuen and at the gassho-zukuri villages of Gokayama follow, along with the Nagano Tomyo Festival and the snow festivals of Tokamachi and Iiyama. Based on official announcements by organizers, local governments and tourism organizations, this article sorts out the dates, times, admission, organizers and content of 16 events, along with notes on cold, footing and transportation.

Winter light in this region divides into autumn-leaf light-ups in November, illuminations of station plazas and temple approaches starting in mid-November, and snow and lantern festivals in February. The NIIGATA Pageant of Light has continued since 1988 and reaches its 39th edition in 2026. The Karuizawa Winter Festival grew out of the “Karuizawa Ice Festival,” first held in 1969 (Showa 44), and the Nagano Tomyo Festival began in 2004. Meanwhile, for many of the February festivals only the dates had been set as of October 26, with times and content still to be announced. This article distinguishes information for 2026–27 from information about past editions. Major illuminations nationwide are covered in our roundup of illuminations for winter 2026–2027.

Schedule: From October 31 to February 2027

Dates officially announced as of October 26 are listed in order of start date. For many February events only the dates have been announced, and the Matsumoto Castle dates are those planned in the city’s call for proposals.

• Saturday, October 31 – Monday, November 30: Yahiko Park Momiji Valley Light-Up (Yahiko Village, Niigata Prefecture)

• Tuesday, November 3 (national holiday) – Friday, December 25: Tsuruga Port Illumination “Miraie” (Tsuruga, Fukui Prefecture; lit only on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays in November)

• Saturday, November 7 – Sunday, November 29: Fuji Kawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Festival (Fujikawaguchiko Town, Yamanashi Prefecture; light-up of the Momiji Corridor)

• Saturdays November 7, 14, 21 and 28, and Sundays November 15, 22 and 29: Kanazawa Castle and Kenrokuen Four Seasons Story, Autumn Edition (Kanazawa)

• Saturday, November 14 – Sunday, February 14, 2027: Zenko-ji Omotesando Illumination 2026–2027 (Nagano)

• Friday, November 20 – Sunday, February 14, 2027: NIIGATA Pageant of Light (Niigata)

• Saturday, November 21 – February 28, 2027: Karuizawa Winter Festival (Karuizawa Town, Nagano Prefecture)

• Tuesday, December 1 – Sunday, January 31, 2027: Toyama Snow Pierrot “White Illumination Toyama” (Toyama)

• Saturday, December 12 – Sunday, February 14, 2027: Projection mapping on the keep of Matsumoto Castle (Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture; planned according to the city’s call for proposals)

• Tuesday, January 26, and Saturday, February 6 and Sunday, February 7, 2027: Light-up of the Suganuma Gassho-zukuri Village, Gokayama (Nanto, Toyama Prefecture)

• Late January to early February: Saiko Ice Festival (Fujikawaguchiko Town, Yamanashi Prefecture; as described in the town’s information, with specific 2027 dates not yet announced)

• Saturday, February 6 – Wednesday, February 10, and Saturdays February 13, 20 and 27, 2027: Kanazawa Castle and Kenrokuen Four Seasons Story, Winter Edition (Kanazawa; planned)

• Wednesday, February 10 – Sunday, February 14, 2027: 24th Nagano Tomyo Festival (Nagano)

• Saturday, February 13 and Sunday, February 14, 2027: 44th Iiyama Snow Festival (Iiyama, Nagano Prefecture)

• Friday, February 19 – Sunday, February 21, 2027: 78th Tokamachi Snow Festival (Tokamachi, Niigata Prefecture)

• Saturday, February 20 and Sunday, February 21, 2027: Winter light-up of the Ainokura Gassho-zukuri Village, Gokayama (Nanto, Toyama Prefecture)

Niigata: Keyaki-dori south of the station, autumn leaves in Yahiko, snow in Tokamachi

NIIGATA Pageant of Light

On Ekinan Keyaki-dori at the south exit of JR Niigata Station, about 200 trees are decorated with 160,000 lights. The official website counts 2026 as the 39th edition and notes “Since 1988.” According to the official website, the event began with one resident’s wish and lights strung on 17 zelkova trees, and has continued for more than 30 years under private management with help from local elementary schools and many companies. Lights are on every day from 17:00 to 24:10, with a lighting ceremony on the first day, Friday, November 20. It is a 3-minute walk from JR Niigata Station; visitors coming by car should use nearby paid parking.

Dates: Friday, November 20, 2026 – Sunday, February 14, 2027
Hours: 17:00–24:10
Venue: Keyaki-dori south of Niigata Station (between the entrance to the Higashi overpass and Yoneyama/Tenjin 2-chome, Niigata)
Admission: Free
Organizer: NIIGATA Pageant of Light Executive Committee (secretariat: Niigata City Minami Commerce and Industry Promotion Association)
Official website: http://niigata-hikari.jp/

Yahiko Park Momiji Valley Light-Up

This light-up illuminates the vermilion Kangetsu Bridge and autumn leaves at “Momiji Valley” in Yahiko Park, Yahiko Village. According to “Niigata Kanko Navi,” the tourism website of the Niigata Prefectural Tourist Association, the 2026 light-up runs from Saturday, October 31 to Monday, November 30, from 17:00 to 21:00. A giant ginkgo more than 300 years old and 20 m tall, a 2-minute walk away, is also lit, as are the “first torii” and the “Tama no Hashi” bridge of Yahiko Shrine. During the period there is also a stamp rally covering three sites: Yahiko Park’s “Momiji Valley,” “Momiji-en” in Koshiji, Nagaoka, and “Shoun Sanso” in Kashiwazaki. It is about a 1-minute walk from Yahiko Station on the JR Yahiko Line, and parking costs ¥1,000 for standard vehicles and ¥3,000 for tour buses.

Dates: Saturday, October 31 – Monday, November 30, 2026
Hours: 17:00–21:00
Venue: “Momiji Valley,” Yahiko Park (Yahiko Village, Nishikanbara District, Niigata Prefecture)
Admission: No admission fee listed in the official information (parking ¥1,000 for standard vehicles, ¥3,000 for tour buses)
Organizer: Not listed in the official information (inquiries: Yahiko Tourism Association)
Official website: https://niigata-kankou.or.jp/experience/13501 (Niigata Kanko Navi)

According to Niigata Kanko Navi’s autumn-leaf light-up feature (updated September 29), the Former Saito Family Villa in Chuo Ward, Niigata City, holds light-ups from Friday, November 13 to Sunday, November 15 and from Friday, November 20 to Monday, November 23 (national holiday), from 17:30 to 19:30, with admission of ¥300 for adults and ¥100 for elementary and junior high school students.

78th Tokamachi Snow Festival

According to the Tokamachi Snow Festival Executive Committee, the 78th edition will take place over three days, Friday, February 19 to Sunday, February 21, 2027, with “festival plazas” opening at locations around the city, mainly in the town center. All snow sculptures are made by citizens for the festival, and judging of the art category of the Snow Art Exhibition takes place on the evening of the first day, Friday, February 19. The concept is “Make snow your friend, enjoy the snow.” Opening hours and content will be announced once decided, around December 2026. Temporary parking lots will be set up around the venues, and free shuttle buses will run to each venue.

Dates: Friday, February 19 – Sunday, February 21, 2027
Hours: Not announced as of October 26 (to be announced around December 2026)
Venue: “Festival plazas” at locations around Tokamachi (Tokamachi, Niigata Prefecture)
Admission: Not listed in the official information
Organizer: Not listed in the official information (inquiries: Tokamachi Snow Festival Executive Committee Secretariat)
Official website: https://snowfes.jp/hp/

Toyama: New projections at the station and Gokayama’s gassho-zukuri villages

Toyama Snow Pierrot “White Illumination Toyama”

This winter illumination uses the station plazas at the south and north exits of Toyama Station. In addition to the annual color-changing light tunnel and light poles, projection mapping will be newly shown at the south and north exit station plazas this year. A “Snow Globe of Light” will also be placed at the south exit. On the other hand, the tree illuminations usually held on Joshi-odori will not take place this fiscal year. Lights are on every day from 17:00 to 22:00, 30 seconds on foot from the south exit of Toyama Station. As of October 26, the official website did not give the projection mapping’s screening times, content or creators.

Dates: Tuesday, December 1, 2026 – Sunday, January 31, 2027
Hours: 17:00–22:00 (lights on)
Venue: Toyama Station South Exit Station Plaza and North Exit Station Plaza (Toyama)
Admission: Free
Organizer: Toyama Snow Pierrot Steering Committee (within the Toyama City Tourism Association)
Official website: https://www.toyamashi-kankoukyoukai.jp/event/white-illumination/ (Toyama City official tourism website)

Light-up of the Suganuma Gassho-zukuri Village, Gokayama

This light-up illuminates the gassho-zukuri houses of the Suganuma Gassho-zukuri Village, a World Heritage site in Nanto. According to the Gokayama NANTO Tourism Organization, in 2027 the “Gokayama Snow Light Light-Up” will be held on Saturday, February 6 and Sunday, February 7, and the “Cultural Property Fire Prevention Day Awareness Light-Up” on Tuesday, January 26. Hours for both are from sunset (around 17:30) to 20:00, with all lights turned off at 20:00. The organizer is the Suganuma World Heritage Preservation Association. Visitors coming by private car need no parking reservation, and the Suganuma Observation Plaza parking lot costs ¥1,000 for standard and light vehicles.

Dates: Tuesday, January 26, 2027 (Cultural Property Fire Prevention Day Awareness Light-Up), and Saturday, February 6 and Sunday, February 7 (Gokayama Snow Light Light-Up)
Hours: Sunset (around 17:30) to 20:00
Venue: Suganuma Gassho-zukuri Village (Nanto, Toyama Prefecture)
Admission: No light-up fee listed in the official information (Suganuma Observation Plaza parking lot ¥1,000 for standard and light vehicles)
Organizer: Suganuma World Heritage Preservation Association
Official website: https://www.tabi-nanto.jp/archives/21705 (Gokayama NANTO Tourism Organization)

Winter light-up of the Ainokura Gassho-zukuri Village, Gokayama

At the Ainokura Gassho-zukuri Village, also in Nanto, a winter light-up takes place on Saturday, February 20 and Sunday, February 21, 2027. “Gokayama Saisai,” the official tourism information website of the World Heritage site of Gokayama, titles this edition “Japan’s Primordial Landscape Floating on a Snowfield” and says the village will be lit from dusk until 20:00. The organizers are the Ainokura Tourism Association and the World Heritage Ainokura Gassho-zukuri Village Preservation Foundation.

Wednesday, January 13 and Wednesday, January 27 are “Window Light Viewing Days,” when the parking lot and the area around the viewing spot remain open after 17:00 until 20:00, letting visitors see the village with its ordinary evening window lights. The website notes that Window Light Viewing Days are not light-up events. The light-up at Shirakawa-go in Shirakawa Village, Gifu Prefecture, is covered in our article on the Shirakawa-go Light-Up 2027.

Dates: Saturday, February 20 and Sunday, February 21, 2027
Hours: Dusk to 20:00
Venue: Ainokura Gassho-zukuri Village (Nanto, Toyama Prefecture)
Admission: Not listed in the official information
Organizers: Ainokura Tourism Association and World Heritage Ainokura Gassho-zukuri Village Preservation Foundation
Official website: https://gokayama-info.jp/archives/8999 (Gokayama Saisai)

Ishikawa: Kanazawa Castle Park and Kenrokuen, with light-ups in November and February

Kanazawa Castle and Kenrokuen Four Seasons Story, Autumn Edition

This is the autumn edition of the “Kanazawa Castle and Kenrokuen Four Seasons Story,” which illuminates Kanazawa Castle Park and Kenrokuen at night. According to “Hot Ishikawa Tabi Net,” the tourism website of the Ishikawa Prefecture Tourism League, following September 19–22, it will be held on seven days in November—Saturday the 7th, Saturday the 14th, Sunday the 15th, Saturday the 21st, Sunday the 22nd, Saturday the 28th and Sunday the 29th—from 18:00 to 21:00. Admission is free during light-up hours. At Kanazawa Castle Park, the Ishikawa Gate, Gyokusen’inmaru Garden, Kahoku Gate, Hishi Turret, Nezumita Gate and other sites are illuminated, and at Kenrokuen you can see the yukitsuri snow ropes installed on about 800 trees in the garden and the maples that usually turn red and yellow in late autumn. Kanazawa’s museums and craft spots are introduced in our guide to art spots in Kanazawa.

Dates: Saturday, November 7, Saturday 14, Sunday 15, Saturday 21, Sunday 22, Saturday 28 and Sunday 29, 2026 (also held September 19–22)
Hours: 18:00–21:00 (last entry 20:45; gates close at 21:00)
Venue: Kanazawa Castle Park and Kenrokuen (Kanazawa)
Admission: Free during light-up hours
Organizer: Not listed in the official information (inquiries: Ishikawa Four Seasons Tourism Campaign Executive Committee, within the Ishikawa Prefecture Tourism Strategy Division)
Official website: https://www.hot-ishikawa.jp/event/detail_22163.htm (Hot Ishikawa Tabi Net)

Kanazawa Castle and Kenrokuen Four Seasons Story, Winter Edition

The winter edition takes place in February 2027. Hot Ishikawa Tabi Net says it is scheduled from Saturday, February 6 to Wednesday, February 10, and on Saturdays February 13, 20 and 27, from 18:00 to 21:00. At Kenrokuen, in addition to the yukitsuri snow ropes that are a winter tradition, the Kotoji Lantern, the Karasaki Pine, the fountain and other features are illuminated, and at Kanazawa Castle Park the Ishikawa Gate, Gyokusen’inmaru Garden and other sites are lit. Admission is free during light-up hours, and the parks close temporarily from 17:00 to 18:00 for preparations. Special performances such as concerts are held in the gardens during the period.

Kanazawa Castle Park also offers free evening openings from sunset to 21:00 every Saturday and during peak seasons such as cherry blossom time. According to the Ishikawa Prefecture Kanazawa Castle and Kenrokuen Management Office, the castle’s outer stone walls are illuminated every day until 22:00.

Dates: Saturday, February 6 – Wednesday, February 10, and Saturdays February 13, 20 and 27, 2027 (planned)
Hours: 18:00–21:00 (last entry 20:45; gates close at 21:00; temporarily closed 17:00–18:00)
Venue: Kanazawa Castle Park and Kenrokuen (Kanazawa)
Admission: Free during light-up hours (daytime admission charged)
Organizer: Not listed in the official information (inquiries: Ishikawa Four Seasons Tourism Campaign Executive Committee, within the Ishikawa Prefecture Tourism Strategy Division)
Official website: https://www.hot-ishikawa.jp/event/detail_22104.html (Hot Ishikawa Tabi Net)

Fukui: Kanegasaki Ryokuchi at Tsuruga Port and winter in Fukui City

In December 2025, Fukui City held a nighttime town walk around Fukui Station, “Fukui Yoi Sanpo: A Town Walk to Meet the Light.” According to the city, the 2025 edition ran on six Fridays and Saturdays from December 12 to 27; when visitors placed lanterns received at reception on lantern stands in Fukui Castle Inner Moat Park, the light-up of the Fukui Castle ruins changed in response. NAKED, INC. collaborated on the special production at Fukui Castle Inner Moat Park. Whether it will be held in 2026 was not indicated in Fukui City’s announcements checked by our editorial team as of October 26.

Tsuruga Port Illumination “Miraie”

This illumination is held at Kanegasaki Ryokuchi facing Tsuruga Port. According to information updated by Tsuruga City on October 9, the 2026 edition runs from Tuesday, November 3 (national holiday) to Friday, December 25, lit only on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays in November and every day in December, from 18:00 to 21:00.

Dates: Tuesday, November 3 (national holiday) – Friday, December 25, 2026 (lit only on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays in November, and every day in December)
Hours: 18:00–21:00
Venue: Kanegasaki Ryokuchi (Kanegasakicho, Tsuruga, Fukui Prefecture)
Admission: Not listed in the official information
Organizer: Not listed in the official information (issued by the Tourism Promotion Division, Tsuruga City)
Official website: https://www.city.tsuruga.lg.jp/page/3749.html (Tsuruga City)

At the same Kanegasaki Ryokuchi, “Kanegasaki Projection Mapping” has been held since April 1, 2021. According to Tsuruga City, projections are shown from sunset to 21:00 every Friday, Saturday, Sunday and national holiday, among other days, and viewing is free. The city describes the production as using “cute animation, calming background music and the sound of waves.” During projections, illuminations light up the cherry trees from Tsuruga Post Office to Kanegasaki Ryokuchi, and when they are lit, it is a sign that projections are under way.

Days: Every Friday, Saturday, Sunday and national holiday, among others (since April 1, 2021)
Hours: Sunset to 21:00
Venue: Kanegasaki Ryokuchi (Kanegasakicho, Tsuruga, Fukui Prefecture)
Admission: Free
Official website: https://www.city.tsuruga.lg.jp/page/3747.html (Tsuruga City)

Yamanashi: Kawaguchiko’s Momiji Corridor, Saiko’s ice, Kofu Station

For “Fantasia Kofu,” the illumination at the south exit station plaza of Kofu Station, details for 2026–27 had not been announced as of October 26. According to “Fuji no Kuni Yamanashi Kanko Net,” Yamanashi Prefecture’s official tourism website, the 2025–26 edition was lit from November 23, 2025 to February 14, 2026, from 17:00 to 22:00, and was organized by the Kofu Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Fuji Kawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Festival

This autumn festival showcases the autumn leaves along the shores of Lake Kawaguchi, with a light-up of the Momiji Corridor during the festival. According to Fujikawaguchiko Town’s tourism information website, the 2026 festival is held at the festival’s special venue from Saturday, November 7 to Sunday, November 29, with the light-up from sunset to 21:00. Some 400 to 500 maples along the lakeshore are reflected in the lake at their peak from early to mid-November.

Dates: Saturday, November 7 – Sunday, November 29, 2026
Hours: Light-up from sunset to 21:00
Venue: Autumn Leaves Festival special venue (Fujikawaguchiko Town, Yamanashi Prefecture); the light-up is along the Momiji Corridor
Admission: Not listed in the official information
Organizer: Not listed in the official information (inquiries: Tourism Division, Fujikawaguchiko Town Office; Fujikawaguchiko Tourism Federation)
Official website: https://fujisan.ne.jp/news/6065/ (Fujikawaguchiko Town tourism information website)

Saiko Ice Festival

This ice festival is held at Saiko Bird Forest Park. In an October 5 notice, Fujikawaguchiko Town’s tourism information website gives the timing as “late January to early February,” with a light-up from sunset to 19:00. The highlight is ice-covered trees up to 5 m tall, and food stalls open in special booths at the venue on weekends and holidays. The same notice also says “every year from late January to mid-February” at the beginning, and specific dates for 2027 had not been given as of October 26.

Dates: Specific 2027 dates not announced as of October 26 (the town’s information says “late January to early February”)
Hours: Light-up from sunset to 19:00
Venue: Saiko Bird Forest Park (Fujikawaguchiko Town, Yamanashi Prefecture)
Admission: Not listed in the official information
Organizer: Not listed in the official information (inquiries: Tourism Division, Fujikawaguchiko Town Office; Fujikawaguchiko Tourism Federation)
Official website: https://fujisan.ne.jp/news/6007/ (Fujikawaguchiko Town tourism information website)

Nagano: Zenko-ji’s lights and the Tomyo Festival, Karuizawa, Iiyama and Matsumoto Castle

Zenko-ji Omotesando Illumination 2026–2027

This event turns the Zenko-ji Omotesando, from the Nagano Station-mae intersection to the Zenko-ji intersection, into an “approach of light” with LEDs. According to Nagano City, the 2026–2027 edition is lit from Saturday, November 14 to Sunday, February 14, 2027, from 17:00 to 22:00. Details of a lighting ceremony and staging were not shown on the city’s page as of October 26.

Dates: Saturday, November 14, 2026 – Sunday, February 14, 2027
Hours: 17:00–22:00
Venue: Zenko-ji Omotesando (Nagano Station-mae intersection to Zenko-ji intersection, Nagano)
Admission: Not listed in the official information
Organizer: Not listed in the official information (inquiries: Inbound and International Office, Tourism Promotion Division, Tourism and Culture Department, Nagano City)
Official website: https://www.city.nagano.nagano.jp/n150800/kanko/p006155.html (Nagano City)

24th Nagano Tomyo Festival

This winter festival began in 2004 to carry on the legacy of the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics and to send a wish for peace out to the world once again. According to Nagano City, the 24th edition will be held from Wednesday, February 10 to Sunday, February 14, 2027, from 18:00 to 21:00. As of October 26 the content had not been announced, and the official website still showed information for the 23rd edition in 2026.

The official website for the 23rd edition (February 20–23, 2026) gave the venues as the area from Nagano Station to Zenko-ji and around Joyama Park, and introduced the light-up of Zenko-ji by lighting designer Motoko Ishii as the scene symbolizing the festival. Zenko-ji and Joyama Park hosted the “Yume Akari Picture Exhibition,” lining up 800 paper-cut lanterns, and a “Great Dream Lantern” 2.5 m tall and 1.5 m wide was also to be made.

Dates: Wednesday, February 10 – Sunday, February 14, 2027
Hours: 18:00–21:00
Venue: Not announced as of October 26 (in 2026, the area from Nagano Station to Zenko-ji and around Joyama Park)
Admission: Not listed in the official information
Organizer: Nagano Tomyo Festival Executive Committee (as stated on the 2026 official website; co-organized by Junior Chamber International Nagano)
Official website: https://nagano-tomyo.com/

Karuizawa Winter Festival

This winter event grew out of the “Karuizawa Ice Festival,” first held in 1969 (Showa 44), and took its current name in 1998 (Heisei 10). The official website of the organizer, the Karuizawa Winter Story Executive Committee, gives the 2026–27 period as Saturday, November 21, 2026 to February 28, 2027. According to Karuizawa Town, on the first day, Saturday, November 21, an opening ceremony will be held on the pedestrian deck at the north exit of Karuizawa Station from 17:00 to 18:30, with fireworks launched at Yagasaki Park from 18:00. As of October 26, the official website did not show the locations or lighting times of the illuminations.

Dates: Saturday, November 21, 2026 – February 28, 2027 (the official website gives the day of the week as Saturday, but February 28, 2027 is a Sunday)
Hours: Opening ceremony Saturday, November 21, 17:00–18:30; fireworks from 18:00
Venue: Opening ceremony on the pedestrian deck at the north exit of Karuizawa Station; fireworks at Yagasaki Park (Karuizawa Town, Nagano Prefecture)
Admission: Not listed in the official information
Organizer: Karuizawa Winter Story Executive Committee
Official website: https://karuizawamonogatari.com/

44th Iiyama Snow Festival

For this winter festival in Iiyama, the official website of the Iiyama Snow Festival Executive Committee announces that the 44th edition will be held on Saturday, February 13 and Sunday, February 14, 2027. Times, venues and content had not been announced as of October 26. The 43rd edition (February 7–8, 2026) was held throughout the city with Iiyama Castle Ruins Park as the main venue, and snow sculptures large and small lined locations around the city. The official website noted that at night, the dance of the Narasawa Great Tengu and the illuminated snow sculptures were also highlights.

Dates: Saturday, February 13 and Sunday, February 14, 2027
Hours: Not announced as of October 26
Venue: Not announced as of October 26 (the 2026 main venue was Iiyama Castle Ruins Park)
Admission: Not listed in the official information
Organizer: Iiyama Snow Festival Executive Committee
Official website: https://www.isnowfes.org/

Projection mapping on the keep of Matsumoto Castle (2026–2027)

At the National Treasure Matsumoto Castle in Matsumoto, projection mapping on the castle keep—the main attraction of the winter event “Matsumoto Katchin: Castle Town Festival of Light and Ice”—enters its fourth year. According to Matsumoto City’s call for proposals announced on May 22, the lighting period is Saturday, December 12, 2026 to Sunday, February 14, 2027, with lighting from 18:00 to 22:00. The contractor, content of the production and admission had not been announced as of October 26. The previous “National Treasure Matsumoto Castle Keep Projection Mapping 2025–2026” was free to view, and according to the city, it drew about 130,000 visitors. Results of past editions are covered in our roundup of castle projection mapping and night events.

Dates: Saturday, December 12, 2026 – Sunday, February 14, 2027 (planned according to the city’s call for proposals)
Hours: 18:00–22:00 (same)
Venue: Matsumoto Castle keep, within Matsumoto Castle Park (Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture)
Admission: Not announced as of October 26 (free in 2025–2026)
Organizer: Castle Town Matsumoto Festa Organizing Committee
Official announcement: Matsumoto City’s call for proposals

Cold, footing and transportation: From official information

Here are points to check before you go, compiled from the official websites of each event and information from local governments and tourism organizations.

• Footing and clothing: Gokayama’s official tourism information website recommends rubber boots, snow boots or snow shoes for Gokayama in December, and suggests waterproof footwear because water is run over some areas to melt snow. It asks visitors to watch for icy roads on days below 0°C and urges protection against the cold, such as knitwear, scarves, hats and gloves.

• Cars: The same website says that in January, driving in Gokayama is difficult without a 4WD vehicle fitted with studless tires. In the villages, visitors are asked not to approach people clearing snow from roofs or snowplows on the roads.

• Parking: For Gokayama’s winter light-ups, private cars need no parking reservation, while buses require reservations, and applications for 2026–27 have closed. The Tokamachi Snow Festival asks visitors to carpool or use public transportation because parking lots get very crowded.

• On-street parking: Tsuruga City asks people viewing the Kanegasaki Projection Mapping to use the adjacent parking lot or the lot beside the Tsuruga Red Brick Warehouse and not to stop or park on surrounding roads. On October 13, Fujikawaguchiko Town also said it would not allow on-street parking or unauthorized parking at nearby shops and facilities, following severe congestion and traffic jams around Oishi Park.

• Cancellations and temporary closures: The winter edition of the Kanazawa Castle and Kenrokuen Four Seasons Story may be canceled if it is judged that safety cannot be ensured due to weather or path conditions. The parks close temporarily from 17:00 to 18:00 for preparations.

Editor’s perspective

This season’s light events in Hokuriku and Koshinetsu fall into three periods. In November, autumn-leaf light-ups continue in Yahiko, Kanazawa and Kawaguchiko, and from November into December, illuminations begin at Tsuruga Port, the Zenko-ji Omotesando, south of Niigata Station and at Toyama Station. In February 2027, snow and lantern events overlap: on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7, the Suganuma light-up in Gokayama and Kanazawa’s winter edition; on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14, the Nagano Tomyo Festival and the Iiyama Snow Festival; and on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21, the Tokamachi Snow Festival and the Ainokura light-up in Gokayama fall on the same weekend. The NIIGATA Pageant of Light, the Zenko-ji Omotesando Illumination and the Matsumoto Castle projection mapping (planned), which run through the winter, all end on Sunday, February 14.

There are also differences in how venues are chosen. Niigata, Toyama and Nagano use the city’s pathways—streets in front of stations, station plazas and the temple approach from the station—as venues for light. Gokayama illuminates World Heritage gassho-zukuri villages and Kanazawa a castle and garden at night, while projections have continued at Kanegasaki Ryokuchi at Tsuruga Port since 2021. Few events name the creators of their light, but the official website of the Nagano Tomyo Festival introduces the 2026 light-up of Zenko-ji as the work of lighting designer Motoko Ishii. For Matsumoto Castle, Matsumoto City sought a contractor through a public proposal process.

On the other hand, for many of the February festivals only the dates had been decided as of October 26. The Tokamachi Snow Festival says it will announce opening hours and content around December, and the Nagano Tomyo Festival and the Iiyama Snow Festival have not announced their content either. For the Matsumoto Castle projection mapping, the creator and price, and for the Saiko Ice Festival, specific dates, had not been given. Itineraries should be built around the event dates, and times and content need to be checked on each official website before setting out.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Kenrokuen light-up in 2026–2027?

The autumn edition is on Saturday, November 7, Saturday 14, Sunday 15, Saturday 21, Sunday 22, Saturday 28 and Sunday 29, 2026, from 18:00 to 21:00. The winter edition is scheduled from Saturday, February 6 to Wednesday, February 10, and on Saturdays February 13, 20 and 27, 2027, from 18:00 to 21:00. During light-up hours, Kanazawa Castle Park and Kenrokuen can be entered free of charge.

Do I need a reservation for the winter light-up of Gokayama’s gassho-zukuri villages?

If you go by private car, no advance parking reservation is needed. Suganuma is on Saturday, February 6 and Sunday, February 7, 2027, and Ainokura on Saturday, February 20 and Sunday, February 21; parking for microbuses and larger buses requires reservations, and applications have closed. The Suganuma Observation Plaza parking lot costs ¥1,000 for standard and light vehicles.

What are the dates and lighting hours of the NIIGATA Pageant of Light?

It runs from Friday, November 20, 2026 to Sunday, February 14, 2027, lit every day from 17:00 to 24:10. The venue is Ekinan Keyaki-dori at the south exit of JR Niigata Station, and viewing is free. It is a 3-minute walk from the station.

Night events staged at castles across Japan are summarized in our roundup of castle projection mapping and night events, winter light and snow events in Tohoku and Hokkaido in our Tohoku and Hokkaido roundup, and events in Aichi, Gifu, Mie and Shizuoka in our Tokai roundup.

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

*Top image: Winter light-up at Kenrokuen (photographed in 2013; Photo: suri, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

*This article was compiled by the TOKYO ART SPHERE editorial team based on official announcements and published materials from each event’s organizers, local governments and tourism organizations (as of October 26, 2026).

Text: TOKYO ART SPHERE Editorial Team

A note from the publisher

*Disclosure: Of the events featured in this article, the previous edition (2025–2026) of the “National Treasure Matsumoto Castle Keep Projection Mapping” was produced by HITOHATA, INC., an affiliate of HITOHATA ASSOCIATION, the general incorporated association that operates TOKYO ART SPHERE, together with Epson Sales Japan Corporation and Seiko Epson Corporation (About us). The creator of the 2026–2027 edition had not been announced as of October 26.

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.