Nabana no Sato Illumination 2026–2027 Runs Until May 31; New Theme “Paradise of the Wild” and Prices

The 2026–2027 illumination season began on October 17, 2026 at Nabana no Sato in Nagashima-cho, Kuwana, Mie Prefecture. It runs until May 31, 2027, with closures on January 6 and 7. The official website introduces “Paradise of the Wild,” new to the main theme area, in five scenes, from the age of dinosaurs to jacarandas on a moonlit night. Admission varies by period; until November 20 it is 2,500 yen at the convenience store price (including 1,000 yen in vouchers). Date-specified tickets are required from December 23 to 25.

A light event that began in 2004, with a theme area that changes every year

The Nabana no Sato illumination began in fiscal 2004. According to the “Past Illuminations” page on the official website, the water illumination appeared in fiscal 2005 and the tunnel of light (corridor) in fiscal 2006. Since then, the main theme area has presented a large-scale display on a new theme each time.

Recent themes were “The Golden Pyramid” in fiscal 2023 and “Beautiful Mt. Fuji” in fiscal 2024. Fiscal 2025’s theme was “ZIPANGU.” The press page for the previous (2025–2026) season said that 2025 marked the 22nd edition and gave the size of the main theme area as 8,000 tsubo (26,400 square meters).

The same page states plainly that “no projection mapping that projects images is used at all,” emphasizing that the illumination is created only with the light of bulbs. As video-based displays spread across Japan, the event stands out for painting landscapes with the light and control of bulbs alone. Over a season that runs from autumn to May of the following year, it also adds light-ups of seasonal flowers such as autumn leaves, cherry blossoms and tulips.

Highlights: the new theme “Paradise of the Wild” and the signature lights

The theme area page on the official website introduces the new “Paradise of the Wild” in the following five scenes. The illumination across the entire area is said to move in sync with sound.

• Chapter 1 (Prologue), “Ancient Continent: The Age of Dinosaurs”: recreates the Earth of about 230 million years ago, with dinosaurs such as Tyrannosaurus appearing. A great volcanic eruption changes the scene.

• Chapter 2, “Paradise of the Wild: Land of Life”: depicts animals such as flamingos, elephants and hippos, and plants such as baobabs and jacarandas.

• Chapter 3, “Savanna Sunset: The Desert”: lions, zebras and giraffes race across the dunes in the setting sun.

• Chapter 4, “From Sea to Land: A Spectacular Great Waterfall”: moves from an undersea world of jellyfish, manta rays and whales to a giant waterfall modeled on Victoria Falls and a rainbow.

• Stillness (Epilogue), “Jacaranda on a Moonlit Night”: blue-purple jacarandas bloom in the stillness of the night.

As of October 19, the official website did not give the size of the theme area or the length of the show.

The signature displays continue. The water illumination “River of Light,” staged on the central pond, is about 8 meters wide and about 130 meters long, and the official website calls it one of the largest in Japan. Inspired by the flow of the three Kiso rivers, its program of about 10 minutes, set to music, depicts the changing seasons and more.

In the “Flower Corridor,” a tunnel of light about 200 meters long, bulbs shaped like petals give off a warm glow. It debuted in 2006 and has been lit with LEDs since 2017. The Twin Trees near the chapel are natural Himalayan cedars more than about 20 meters tall decorated with lights, and every year a lighting ceremony is held at the sound of the chapel bell. From November 21 to February 28, there is also a special sound-and-light show at the Begonia Garden after the lights come on (a Christmas-only version from December 23 to 25).

Tickets and prices: admission that varies by period

Admission varies by period, with separate prices for convenience store purchase and the on-site window. Both include 1,000 yen in vouchers and admission to the Begonia Garden. The price table does not show age categories, but states that children below elementary school age are free.

• October 17 – November 20: 2,500 yen at convenience stores, 2,700 yen at the on-site window

• November 21 – December 22: 3,000 yen at convenience stores, 3,200 yen at the on-site window

• December 26 – February 28: 3,000 yen at convenience stores, 3,200 yen at the on-site window (closed January 6 and 7)

• March 1 – May 31: 2,500 yen at both convenience stores and the on-site window

Tickets are sold at FamilyMart and 7-Eleven. The official website advises visitors to issue their tickets before coming, warning that issuing them at the on-site window may take more than 30 minutes. The vouchers can be used for shopping and dining on the grounds. Advance tickets cannot be exchanged for other ticket types or refunded.

Date-specified tickets are required from December 23 to 25

From December 23 to 25, there are special Christmas hours from 15:00 (until 22:00 on the 23rd and until 23:00 on the 24th and 25th). There is no daytime operation, and date-specified tickets, sold in limited numbers on a first-come, first-served basis, must be bought in advance at convenience stores. Member benefits, general tickets and advance tickets cannot be used, and the disability discount does not apply. The price of the date-specified tickets is listed as “under consideration”; same-day tickets are sold at the on-site window for 5,500 yen (including 2,000 yen in vouchers) only if any remain.

How to avoid the crowds

According to the crowd forecast on the official website (posted in August 2025), visitors usually concentrate around 17:00, when the lights come on. It is relatively uncrowded if you arrive by 16:00 or after 19:00. During periods when hours are extended to 22:00, the website recommends arriving after 19:00, and on specific days such as weekends around Christmas, arriving by 15:00.

For the drive home, noting that National Route 1 and the Higashi-Meihan Expressway tend to be congested, the website suggests a detour south along the Ibi and Nagara river embankments to the west and onto the Isewangan Expressway. It urges visitors to use public transportation at busy times.

Access

By train, take the direct bus from Kintetsu Nagashima Station (about 10 minutes). From Nagoya, a direct bus from the Meitetsu Bus Center (4th floor, platform 22) takes about 30 minutes, and no reservation is needed. By car, exit at the Nagashima IC on the Higashi-Meihan Expressway or the Wangan Nagashima IC on the Isewangan Expressway. Parking for regular cars is free (5,700 spaces).

Light and art events in the Tokai region are introduced in our [Autumn/Winter 2026] Art and Light Events in Nagoya, Aichi, Gifu and Mie, and light events across Japan in our roundup of projection mapping and light events across Japan.

Frequently asked questions

What time do the lights come on?

The lighting time changes with sunset. Opening hours vary by period and day of the week; according to the opening hours calendar, hours in October 2026 are 10:00–21:00 (until 22:00 on October 17, 18, 24, 25 and 31). Admission closes 30 minutes before closing time.

Is it open on rainy days?

It is open and lit even on rainy days. The official website notes that on rainy days the lights are reflected on the ground and there are fewer visitors.

What other illuminations are there in the Tokai region?

Seventeen light events in the four Tokai prefectures, including LAGUNA TEN BOSCH (Gamagori, Aichi Prefecture), Tokinosumika (Gotemba, Shizuoka Prefecture) and Izu Kogen Gran Illumi (Ito, Shizuoka Prefecture), are organized in our roundup of illuminations and light events in the Tokai region.

Overview

Name: Nabana no Sato Illumination (2026–2027 season)
Dates: October 17, 2026 – May 31, 2027 (closed January 6 and 7)
Hours: Lighting time varies with sunset. Opening hours vary by period (15:00–22:00 on December 23; 15:00–23:00 on December 24 and 25)
Venue: Nabana no Sato
Address: 270 Urushibata, Komae, Nagashima-cho, Kuwana, Mie Prefecture
Admission: 2,500–3,200 yen depending on the period (including 1,000 yen in vouchers). Date-specified tickets required from December 23 to 25. Free for children below elementary school age
Official website: https://www.nagashima-onsen.co.jp/nabana/illumination/index.html
*Information as of October 19, 2026. Please check the official website for the latest information.

*Top image: Nabana no Sato illumination (photo: Hustvedt, CC BY-SA 3.0, from Wikimedia Commons)

*This article was compiled by the TOKYO ART SPHERE editorial team based on information on the official website of Nabana no Sato (as of October 19, 2026).

Text: TOKYO ART SPHERE Editorial Team