[2026–2027] Winter Illuminations and Snow Lights in Tohoku and Hokkaido: Pageant of Starlight, Kamakura, Snow Festivals and More

Across the six Tohoku prefectures and Hokkaido, events using light and snow continue from November 2026 to February 2027. On Jozenji-dori in Sendai, the “2026 SENDAI Pageant of Starlight” begins on Friday, December 4, lighting about 480,000 LEDs on 127 zelkova trees. In February 2027, snow and light festivals are held in Sapporo, Otaru, Asahikawa, Hirosaki and Yokote. Based on official announcements by organizers, local governments and tourism associations, this article sorts out dates, times, admission, organizers and content, along with notes on cold, footing and transportation.

Winter in this region brings a concentration of urban illuminations in November and December, and overlapping snow festivals in February. The Sapporo White Illumination began in 1981, the Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival in 1977 and the SENDAI Pageant of Starlight in 1986. 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. Because the way dates are set has changed in some cases, such as Yokote’s kamakura, 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 30 to February 2027

• Friday, October 30 – Sunday, November 8: Hirosaki Castle Chrysanthemum and Autumn Leaves Festival (Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture)

• Friday, October 30 – Monday, November 23 (national holiday): NAKED Matsushima: Autumn Night Visit to the National Treasure Zuiganji Temple (Matsushima Town, Miyagi Prefecture)

• Sunday, November 1 – Sunday, January 31, 2027: Blue Canal (Otaru, Hokkaido)

• From Friday, November 20: Sapporo White Illumination (Sapporo; the Odori venue until Friday, December 25)

• Tuesday, December 1 – Friday, December 25: Hakodate Christmas Fantasy (Hakodate, Hokkaido)

• Friday, December 4 – Sunday, December 27: 2026 SENDAI Pageant of Starlight (Sendai)

• Friday, December 18 – Sunday, February 21, 2027: Arts Towada Winter Illumination (Towada, Aomori Prefecture)

• Thursday, February 4 – Thursday, February 11, 2027 (national holiday): 2027 Sapporo Snow Festival (Sapporo)

• Saturday, February 6 – Thursday, February 11, 2027 (national holiday): 68th Asahikawa Winter Festival (Asahikawa, Hokkaido)

• Saturday, February 6 – Saturday, February 13, 2027: Otaru Snow Light Path (Otaru, Hokkaido)

• Wednesday, February 10 – Sunday, February 14, 2027: 51st Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival (Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture)

• Friday, February 12 and Saturday, February 13, 2027: Yokote Snow Festival “Kamakura” (Yokote, Akita Prefecture)

• 2026–27 dates not announced or to be confirmed: Ouchi-juku Snow Festival (Shimogo Town, Fukushima Prefecture), Zao juhyo light-up (Yamagata)

Miyagi: Sendai’s Pageant of Starlight and night visits in Matsushima

2026 SENDAI Pageant of Starlight

This event lights up the zelkova trees lining Jozenji-dori in central Sendai. It began in 1986 out of a wish to “brighten winter in Sendai” and to turn “the City of Trees into a City of Light,” and 2026 marks its 41st edition. This year about 480,000 LEDs light 127 zelkova trees, with the theme “A New Step: Lights of a Future We Create Together.” In his greeting, the chair of the executive committee positioned 2026 onward as the “entrance” toward the 50th edition, recalling that there had been times when the event could not be developed as hoped due to redevelopment plans around Jozenji-dori and other factors.

During the event, the “Starlight Wink,” in which all the lights are turned off for about a minute and then relit all at once, is planned three times every evening, at 18:30, 19:00 and 20:00 (times being adjusted). On the first day, Friday, December 4, a lighting ceremony will be held on the Jozenji-dori Green Path (in front of the Sendai Mediatheque) from 17:40 to 18:00, with all lights coming on after a countdown. At Nishikicho Park, “Sendai Christmas Market 2026” runs from Friday, December 4 to Friday, December 25. The nearest station is Kotodai-koen Station on the Namboku subway line, a 1-minute walk away. Dates and events are covered in detail in our article on the SENDAI Pageant of Starlight.

Dates: Friday, December 4 – Sunday, December 27, 2026 (24 days)
Hours: 18:00–21:00 Sunday to Thursday; 18:00–22:00 Friday and Saturday (18:00–22:00 on Thursday, December 24)
Venue: Jozenji-dori (from in front of Sendai Mitsukoshi on the east to in front of Jozenji Garden Hills Geihinkan on the west, Sendai)
Organizers: SENDAI Pageant of Starlight Foundation and the 2026 SENDAI Pageant of Starlight Executive Committee
Official website: https://sendaihikape.jp/

From January 19 to February 28, 2026, Sendai City and the SENDAI Pageant of Starlight Foundation also held a winter event, “SENDAI Bright-Nights STORY,” on Jozenji-dori and in Kotodai Park. The Sendai Tourism, Convention and International Association introduced it as a new illumination production using the latest technology. Whether it will be held in 2027 had not been posted on the event’s official website as of October 26.

NAKED Matsushima: Autumn Night Visit to the National Treasure Zuiganji Temple

This night visit at the National Treasure Zuiganji Temple in Matsushima stages the approach and main hall with light at night. It is organized by Zuiganji, with NAKED, INC. handling planning, direction and production, and 2026 is its fifth year. This year’s theme is “Moon-Viewing Light-Up,” focusing on the moon and moonlight beloved by Date Masamune. A new audio guide explains the history of the approach and the main hall. There is also projection mapping by a local vocational school, and the four display areas are the approach (in front of reception and on the Hosshinkutsu side), the main hall and courtyard, and inside the Onari Genkan.

According to information on the Miyagi Prefecture Tourism Federation’s tourism website, Zuiganji has no dedicated parking and crowds are expected during the event, so public transportation is recommended. Pets are not allowed.

Dates: Friday, October 30 – Monday, November 23, 2026 (national holiday)
Hours: 17:00–21:00 (last admission 20:45; ticket sales end 20:30)
Venue: National Treasure Zuiganji (Matsushima Town, Miyagi District, Miyagi Prefecture)
Admission: Adults (high school students and older) ¥1,300, ¥1,200 for web advance tickets. Free for junior high school students and younger (must be accompanied by a guardian)
Organizer: Zuiganji
Planning, direction and production: NAKED, INC.
Official website: https://www.zuiganji.or.jp/event/nightvisit2026/

Aomori: Autumn and snow at Hirosaki Park, and blue light in Towada

[Ended] Hirosaki Castle Chrysanthemum and Autumn Leaves Festival

This autumn festival has the Hirosaki Castle Botanical Garden in Hirosaki Park as its main venue. Its symbolic work is the flower art piece “Golden Autumn White Tiger,” the fourth in the Four Gods series following the Blue Dragon, Vermilion Bird and Black Tortoise, which also incorporates the weaving technique of the traditional craft of Tsugaru bamboo basketry. After sunset, projection mapping is shown on this work in the Free Plaza. The video and lighting are by Hirosaki digital creator Kaoru Kasai, on the theme “Autumn, Coming Around.”

From Saturday, October 31 to mid-November, from 16:00 to 21:00, a special autumn-leaf light-up illuminates the park’s 2,600 cherry trees and 1,100 maples. Bamboo objects by CHIKAKEN, a group producing bamboo light installations, are also placed in the park at night. The “Pompon Mum Garden” in the Sannomaru Garden is decorated with yarn flowers handmade by local residents, with art making use of the yukitsuri snow ropes and nighttime light effects added. The festival’s content is covered in detail in our article on the Hirosaki Castle Chrysanthemum and Autumn Leaves Festival.

Dates: Friday, October 30 – Sunday, November 8, 2026
Hours: The Hirosaki Castle Botanical Garden stays open until 20:00 during the festival (last entry 19:30). Special autumn-leaf light-up from Saturday, October 31 to mid-November, 16:00–21:00
Venue: Hirosaki Park (main venue: Hirosaki Castle Botanical Garden, Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture)
Admission: Hirosaki Castle Botanical Garden: adults (high school students and older) ¥320, elementary and junior high school students ¥100
Announced by: Hirosaki City
Official announcement: Hirosaki City press release

51st Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival

This winter festival in Hirosaki Park began in 1977. According to the Hirosaki Tourism and Convention Bureau, the 51st edition will run for five days, Wednesday, February 10 to Sunday, February 14, 2027; times and content had not been announced as of October 26. Information for the previous, 50th edition (2026) said that about 150 snow lanterns and snow sculptures would be placed in the park, and about 300 candlelit mini-kamakura would line the Lotus Pond, with a view of Mount Iwaki from the Honmaru. In the Yonnomaru, a large snow sculpture of Hirosaki Castle’s keep served as a screen for projection mapping on the themes of Hirosaki’s four seasons and festivals about seven times a day, and the snow lanterns and sculptures were illuminated from sunset at 16:30 to 21:00.

The bureau asks visitors to wear non-slip footwear because the snow at the venue freezes and becomes slippery. Flying drones and similar devices without permission is prohibited in Hirosaki Park.

Dates: Wednesday, February 10 – Sunday, February 14, 2027
Venue: Hirosaki Park (Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture)
Inquiries: Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival Steering Committee (Visitor Promotion Section, Tourism Division, Hirosaki City)
Official website: https://www.hirosaki-kanko.or.jp/edit.html?id=cat02_winter_yuki (Hirosaki Tourism and Convention Bureau)

Arts Towada Winter Illumination

This event covers the Art Square of the Towada Art Center with blue LEDs. Towada City explains that the blue LEDs cover the entire square “like a carpet of light,” revealing artworks floating in the light with an appearance different from the daytime. From Wednesday, December 23 to Tuesday, January 5, 2027, lights stay on until 23:00, and on the first day they come on after a lighting ceremony.

Dates: Friday, December 18, 2026 – Sunday, February 21, 2027
Hours: 16:30–21:00 (until 23:00 from Wednesday, December 23 to Tuesday, January 5)
Venue: Art Square, Towada Art Center (Towada, Aomori Prefecture)
Inquiries: Tourism Planning Section, Tourism Division, Towada City
Official website: https://www.city.towada.lg.jp/kanko/event/arts-towada-winter-illumination.html

Akita, Yamagata and Iwate: Yokote’s kamakura, Zao’s snow monsters and Morioka

In Morioka, Iwate Prefecture, the executive committee of “Morioka Yuki Akari,” held since 2005, decided to forgo the main-venue event in fiscal 2022, end the project and dissolve the committee. The winter event has been taken over by Morioka City’s downtown illumination project, “Morioka Illumination Bright.” According to the website of the Morioka Convention and Visitors Association, the 2025–26 edition was held on the Ekimae-dori and Sakanacho shopping streets from November 18, 2025 to February 15, 2026. The 2026–27 dates had not been posted on that website as of October 26.

Yokote Snow Festival “Kamakura”

According to Yokote City, the kamakura of Yokote are said to have a history of about 450 years. From 2026 the city changed the dates to the second Friday and Saturday of February, announcing February 12 (Fri) and 13 (Sat) for 2027 and February 11 (Fri) and 12 (Sat) for 2028. Some pages, such as the Tohoku Tourism Promotion Organization’s website, still give the traditional “February 15 and 16.”

The Yokote City Tourism Association’s information for 2026 said the festival would be held on February 13 and 14 from 18:00 to 21:00, with about 60 kamakura built around the city during the period. Inside the kamakura, children invite visitors to pray to the water deity and serve amaeko (sweet sake). According to the city, a mini-kamakura movement arose around 1971 (Showa 46), and mini-kamakura came to be made all over town. Times and venues for 2027 had not been announced as of October 26.

Dates: Friday, February 12 and Saturday, February 13, 2027
Venue: Around Yokote (Akita Prefecture)
Inquiries: Tourism Hospitality Division, Commerce, Industry and Tourism Department, Yokote City; Yokote City Tourism Association
Official website: https://www.city.yokote.lg.jp/kanko/1004035/1004590.html

Zao juhyo light-up

In this event, the Zao Ropeway runs at night in winter to show illuminated juhyo (ice-covered trees known as “snow monsters”). On October 4, the company posted “Information on the Juhyo Light-Up” and “Information on the Juhyo Fantasy Corridor Tour” on its official website; check these notices for the dates and prices of the 2026–27 season. The previous season ended on February 22, 2026.

According to “VISIT YAMAGATA,” a tourism website run by Omotenashi Yamagata Inc., the 2025–26 season was held on a total of 36 days from December 27, 2025, from 17:00 to 21:00. It noted that the juhyo may not be visible depending on weather conditions and that the event may be canceled due to weather. Regarding the Zao Juhyo Festival Council’s “Zao Juhyo Festival,” Yamagata Prefecture’s official tourism website “Yamagata e no Tabi” said as of October 26 that “whether the 2026–2027 season will be held is undecided.”

Dates: Check the Zao Ropeway’s official website for the 2026–27 season (the 2025–26 season ran on 36 days between December 27, 2025 and February 22, 2026)
Hours: 17:00–21:00 in the 2025–26 season
Venue: Zao Ropeway (Yamagata)
Official website: https://zaoropeway.co.jp/winter/index.php

Fukushima: Snow lanterns of Ouchi-juku

Ouchi-juku Snow Festival

This snow festival is held at Ouchi-juku in Shimogo Town, where a streetscape of thatched-roof houses survives. According to the Japan Tourism Agency’s multilingual commentary database (text prepared by Shimogo Town), residents make lanterns of snow and line them along the street, lighting them as fireworks go up in the night sky. The 2027 dates had not been announced as of October 26. The same commentary gives the timing as “the second week of February,” and according to Shimogo Town, the 39th edition in 2025 was held on February 8 and 9.

In its 2025 information, Shimogo Town asked visitors to allow plenty of time because of crowds during the festival, and recommended protection against the cold and shoes with non-slip soles to prevent falls. From Yunokami-Onsen Station on the Aizu Railway, take the shuttle bus “Saruyu-go” or a taxi; by car, use the paid parking at Ouchi-juku. Cars cannot enter the village.

Dates: 2027 dates not announced as of October 26 (the 39th edition in 2025 was held February 8–9)
Venue: Ouchi-juku (Shimogo Town, Minamiaizu District, Fukushima Prefecture)
Inquiries: Commerce, Industry and Tourism Section, Comprehensive Policy Division, Shimogo Town
Official website: https://ouchi-juku.com/ (Ouchi-juku Tourism Association)

Hokkaido in November and December: Illuminations in Sapporo and Hakodate

Sapporo White Illumination

This winter event in Sapporo began in 1981, according to the organizers as “Japan’s first illumination,” and 2026 is its 46th edition. The Odori venue runs from Friday, November 20 to Friday, December 25, with the spatial design of 3- to 5-chome by VELVETA DESIGN, whose chief designer is Yoshu Kato. In 3-chome, “Wonder Streams: Fountain of Light” expresses waves of light with arch-shaped forms; in 4-chome, “Snow Fantasia” is a tunnel of light with a snow-crystal motif; and in 5-chome, “Cosmic Square” is an interactive plaza with motifs of stars and space. In 5-chome stands “More Stars,” an object whose light colors and effects change with humidity and temperature.

In 2026, the Akarenga (Former Hokkaido Government Office Building) and Nakajima Park were added as venues. The Akarenga venue envelops the building in blue light at night. The Nakajima Park venue is supervised by the Sapporo International Art Festival (SIAF2027), and the art collective ENESS will premiere its new AI-integrated work “SNOWFISH” to the world from Saturday, January 9 to Thursday, January 28, 2027. Luminous creatures made of large balloons change their light and sound in response to people’s movements, and visitors can also enter the work. The Ekimae-dori venue decorates the trees in the median strip along about 1.5 km from Sapporo Station to Susukino with about 270,000 LEDs. In Odori Park 1- and 2-chome, the “Munich Christmas Market in Sapporo” is held from Friday, November 20 to Friday, December 25, from 11:00 to 21:00, marking its 25th edition in 2026. Details of each venue are covered in our article on the Sapporo White Illumination.

Dates: Odori venue, Friday, November 20 – Friday, December 25, 2026. The other venues also start on Friday, November 20: the Ekimae-dori venue runs until Thursday, February 11, 2027 (national holiday), the Akarenga venue until Sunday, February 28, and the Minami 1-jo-dori, Sapporo Kita 3-jo Plaza (Akapla) and Sapporo Station South Exit Plaza venues until Sunday, March 14. The Nakajima Park venue runs from Saturday, January 9 to Thursday, January 28, 2027
Hours: Odori venue 16:30–22:00 (until 24:00 from Wednesday, December 23 to Friday, December 25). Nakajima Park venue 10:00–20:00
Venue: Odori Park and other locations (Chuo Ward, Sapporo)
Organizer: Sapporo White Illumination Executive Committee
Official website: https://www.sapporo.travel/white-illumination/event/illumination/

Hakodate Christmas Fantasy

In this event, a Christmas tree floats on the sea in front of Hakodate’s Red Brick Warehouses and is lit with illuminations. The tree is relit every day at around 18:00, with fireworks each time. At 18:30, 19:30 and 20:30, the “Premium Red Tree” turns the tree red for 15 minutes each. On December 1 (Tue), 19 (Sat), 20 (Sun), 24 (Thu) and 25 (Fri), larger fireworks are launched from 18:00 with special sponsorship from JRA Hakodate Racecourse. On the sidewalk in front of Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse BAY Hakodate, a soup bar by local shops opens (¥700 per cup). Hakodate City’s tourism website “Hakobura” urges visitors to use public transportation where possible because of traffic restrictions around the venue.

Dates: Tuesday, December 1 – Friday, December 25, 2026
Hours: Tree lit 16:30–17:45 and 18:00–22:00 (from 18:00 on the first day)
Venue: On the sea in front of the Red Brick Warehouses (Suehirocho, Hakodate, Hokkaido)
Admission: Free
Inquiries: Hakodate Christmas Fantasy Executive Committee (within the Hakodate International Tourism and Convention Association)
Official website: http://www.hakodatexmas.com/

Hokkaido in February: Snow festivals, the Snow Light Path and the Asahikawa Winter Festival

2027 Sapporo Snow Festival

The 77th edition will be held for eight days, from Thursday, February 4 to Thursday, February 11, 2027 (national holiday), at three venues: Odori, Tsudome and Susukino. The Odori venue runs from Nishi 1-chome to Nishi 11-chome and is planned around five large snow sculptures. The “Sapporo International Art Festival 2027” will occupy 2-chome, and the International Snow Sculpture Contest and other events will be held in 11-chome. The Susukino venue is on Ekimae-dori from Minami 4-jo-dori to Minami 6-jo-dori. On August 21, the executive committee announced a new concept, “A Festival of Gratitude to Snow: Blessed by the Snow,” along with a new logo and the character “SAPORON.” Times and nighttime productions at each venue had not been announced as of October 26. The venue layout is covered in our article on the 2027 Sapporo Snow Festival.

Dates: Thursday, February 4 – Thursday, February 11, 2027 (national holiday)
Venues: Odori venue (Odori Park, Nishi 1- to 11-chome), Tsudome venue (Sapporo Community Dome Tsudome), Susukino venue (Ekimae-dori from Minami 4-jo-dori to Minami 6-jo-dori)
Organizer: Sapporo Snow Festival Executive Committee
Official website: https://www.snowfes.com/

Otaru Snow Light Path and Blue Canal

The “Otaru Snow Light Path,” which the Otaru Tourism Association describes as “lit by candles,” has been scheduled for Saturday, February 6 to Saturday, February 13, 2027. The association says “details will be announced once decided,” and times and venues had not been announced as of October 26. Until then, from Sunday, November 1 to Sunday, January 31, 2027, the “Blue Canal” is lit from sunset to 22:30 along the Otaru Canal from Asakusa Bridge to Chuo Bridge.

Dates: Otaru Snow Light Path, Saturday, February 6 – Saturday, February 13, 2027. Blue Canal, Sunday, November 1, 2026 – Sunday, January 31, 2027
Hours: Blue Canal from sunset to 22:30
Venue: Otaru Snow Light Path in Otaru. Blue Canal along the Otaru Canal (Asakusa Bridge to Chuo Bridge)
Official website: https://otaru.gr.jp/winter (Otaru Tourism Association)

68th Asahikawa Winter Festival

On February 17, 2026, the official website of the Asahikawa Winter Festival announced that the 68th edition would be held for six days, from Saturday, February 6 to Thursday, February 11, 2027 (national holiday). Details will be announced in turn on the official website and social media. An October 22 notice said that, as a festival held every year in early February, it plans a main snow sculpture as well as a Winter Marché, nighttime shows and other programs. Venues and times had not been announced as of October 26.

Dates: Saturday, February 6 – Thursday, February 11, 2027 (national holiday)
Inquiries: Asahikawa Winter Festival Executive Committee
Official website: https://asahikawa-winterfes.jp/

Cold, footing and transportation: From official notices

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

• Footing: The Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival asks for non-slip footwear because the snow at the venue freezes and becomes slippery. Shimogo Town also recommends shoes with non-slip soles for the Ouchi-juku Snow Festival to prevent falls.

• Cold: Shimogo Town asks visitors to the Ouchi-juku Snow Festival to come prepared for the cold.

• Cars: The SENDAI Pageant of Starlight has no parking and asks visitors to use nearby paid parking. Zuiganji also has no dedicated parking. Cars cannot enter the village of Ouchi-juku.

• Traffic restrictions: Hakodate Christmas Fantasy imposes traffic restrictions around the venue.

• Weather: The SENDAI Pageant of Starlight is lit even in stormy weather, except in disasters and the like, but events may be canceled depending on the weather.

• Changes in times: The Sapporo White Illumination says lighting times may change without notice during the event.

• Photography: Flying drones and similar devices without permission is prohibited in Hirosaki Park.

Editor’s perspective

This season’s light and snow events in Tohoku and Hokkaido fall into two periods. November and December center on urban illuminations in Sendai, Sapporo and Hakodate, while snow festivals concentrate in February 2027. In Hokkaido, the Sapporo Snow Festival (4th–11th), the Asahikawa Winter Festival (6th–11th) and the Otaru Snow Light Path (6th–13th) overlap from Saturday the 6th to Thursday the 11th (national holiday). In Tohoku, the Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival (10th–14th) and Yokote’s kamakura (12th–13th) follow, so from Wednesday, February 10 to Saturday, February 13, snow festivals in Hokkaido and Tohoku are held at the same time.

Looking at the events that name the creators of their light productions, the types of creators vary. Sapporo’s Odori venue is designed by the spatial design team VELVETA DESIGN, the Nakajima Park venue by the art collective ENESS and the Sapporo International Art Festival, Zuiganji by NAKED, and Hirosaki’s projection mapping by local digital creator Kaoru Kasai. There are also cases like the Arts Towada Winter Illumination, which turns the outdoor space of a museum, the Art Square of the Towada Art Center, into a venue for light.

On the other hand, for many of the February festivals only the dates had been decided as of October 26. The Asahikawa Winter Festival and the Otaru Snow Light Path say they will announce details in turn, and the Sapporo Snow Festival has not announced times or nighttime productions either. Yokote’s kamakura changed how its dates are set from 2026, and the Ouchi-juku Snow Festival has not announced its dates at all. 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

What are the dates and lighting hours of the 2026 SENDAI Pageant of Starlight?

It runs for 24 days, from Friday, December 4 to Sunday, December 27, 2026. Lights are on 18:00–21:00 Sunday to Thursday, and 18:00–22:00 on Fridays, Saturdays and Thursday, December 24. The venue is Jozenji-dori from in front of Sendai Mitsukoshi to in front of Jozenji Garden Hills Geihinkan, and there is no dedicated parking.

What are the dates of the February 2027 snow festivals, such as the Otaru Snow Light Path?

In Hokkaido, the Sapporo Snow Festival runs from Thursday, February 4 to Thursday, February 11, 2027 (national holiday), the Asahikawa Winter Festival from Saturday, February 6 to Thursday, February 11 (national holiday), and the Otaru Snow Light Path from Saturday, February 6 to Saturday, February 13. In Tohoku, the Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival runs from Wednesday, February 10 to Sunday, February 14, and Yokote’s kamakura on Friday, February 12 and Saturday, February 13. For most, times and content had not been announced as of October 26.

Isn’t Yokote’s kamakura held on February 15 and 16?

From 2026, Yokote City changed the dates to the second Friday and Saturday of February. It has announced February 12 (Fri) and 13 (Sat) for 2027 and February 11 (Fri) and 12 (Sat) for 2028.

Night events staged at castles across Japan are summarized in our roundup of castle projection mapping and night events, and winter light and snow events in the Hokuriku and Koshinetsu regions, including Niigata and Nagano, in our roundup of illuminations and light events in Hokuriku and Koshinetsu.

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

*Top image: Bamboo lights at Hirosaki Park (Ishibashi Bridge) (from a Hirosaki City press release)

*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 associations (as of October 26, 2026).

Text: TOKYO ART SPHERE Editorial Team

A note from the publisher

*Disclosure: Of the events featured in this article, “Tsuruga-jo Castle Projection Mapping 2026” is produced by HITOHATA, INC., an affiliate of HITOHATA ASSOCIATION, the general incorporated association that operates TOKYO ART SPHERE (About us).

Tsuruga-jo Castle Projection Mapping 2026

This event projects images onto the keep and stone walls of Tsuruga-jo Castle in Aizuwakamatsu. Images with motifs of Aizu lacquerware, Aizu painted candles and Aizu cotton are projected together with a sea-of-clouds effect. Viewing is free, and no advance registration is required. The production and venue are covered in detail in our article on Tsuruga-jo Castle Projection Mapping 2026.

Dates: Friday, November 20 – Sunday, November 22, 2026
Hours: 17:30–21:00
Venue: Tsuruga-jo Castle Park (Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima Prefecture)
Admission: Free (no advance registration required)
Organizer: Tsuruga-jo Night Walk Executive Committee
Official website: https://tsurugacastle.com/

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.