Winter's just around the corner, and you know what that means it's winter light-up season, once again. Starting every November, Japan (and the Chubu area) reignites its love affair with seasonal lighting. The Chubu region is home to many impressive events, so if your travel plans allow, check out the festivities. It's a chance to enjoy a bit of sparkle and step out of the ordinary. So grab your mittens, and let's head out!

1. Izu Plateau Granillumi (Shizuoka)
A light display with attractions.

The Izu Plateau Granillumi at Shizuoka's Izu Granpal Amusement Park draws the crowds with its hands-on events. Try out rides like the Ryusei Meteor zipline through the night sky and hover over the colorfully-lit park or hop in a full-size Dino Age go-cart (age restrictions apply) and tear up the track racing your friends and family. You'll also see The Show of Light & Sound with lights synced to music for a truly incredible experience.

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2. Tokinosumika Illumination: Hikari-no-Sumika (Shizuoka)
Experience beautiful lights atop the plateau.

Gotemba Kogen Tokinosumika, in Shizuoka's Gotemba City, is home to hot springs, restaurants, overnight accommodations, sports facilities, and a host of activities for visitors to enjoy and feel refreshed. The park hosts a light festival called Hikari-no-Sumika. Here you can see Japan's highest altitude water fountain show, Ookyu no Oka along with the light of KALEIDOSCOPIX and the Slow House Twinkle, Hikari's Walk. There is also a 370-meter light tunnel that shouldn't be missed. Is close to Nagoya, making Gotemba fun for an overnight trip, and because Gotemba sits in the middle of Nagoya and Tokyo, it will easily fit into an itinerary that starts in Nagoya and ends in Tokyo.

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3. Laguna Ten Bosch (Aichi)
Have a blast at this lighting event and a magical winter night by the sea.

Gamagori City in Aichi Prefecture is home to the massive resort complex, Laguna Ten Bosch. The light festival received a major upgrade in 2019 with its new Frozen Ocean display. As you pass through light gates floating on the sea, white rime and icy objects surround you creating a world of fantasy. In addition to the six light displays, including the Lucky Rainbow Arch, the largest illuminated arch composed of over 1 million lights, you'll also find three projection mapping shows and a fireworks display. After seeing the lights, we recommend spending the night at the robot hotel, Henn na Hotel Laguna Ten Bosch.

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4. Nabana no Sato (Mie)
Just a hop, skip and jump from Nagoya—see a massive lighting display with tons of attention to detail.

Famous for being Japan's largest lighting display, Nabana no Sato is a theme park centered around food, flowers, and hot springs. Every year, visitors flock to the park to see the massive number of lights on display, including the 200-meter-long light tunnel, Hana Kairo, and the magnificently lit reflecting pond, Hikari no Taiga (The Great River of Light). To get to Nabana no Sato, you can take a 40-minute bus ride from Nagoya Station directly to the park. The latter part of November into the end of December is also a good time to see the fall leaves as they change color. Check them out together.

Check out articles about past Nabana no Sato lighting displays.

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5. Hoshigaoka Terrace's Winter Illumination (Aichi)
At-home illumination, right in the middle of the city.

Right next to Hoshigaoka Station on the Higashiyama Line is the Hoshigaoka Terrace shopping and entertainment complex. The terrace, in collaboration with students at the nearby Sugiyama Jogakuen University and Aichi Prefectural Aichi High School of Technology and Engineering, puts together an annual lighting display for visitors to enjoy. The lights warm up the area and create a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere. The display's design centers around a motif of local homes, the stars in the night sky, and observatories—all things certain to bring a smile to your face. Also decorating the terrace are snow fairies, snowmen, and wishing trees. Altogether it creates a comfortable, homey sort of feeling.

We recommend swinging by Hoshigaoka Station after your day at the Higashiyama Zoo & Botanical Gardens is over.

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6. Nagoya Port Garden Kinjo Futo Green Park (Aichi)
The ultimate light show at Nagoya Port.

Nagoya Port is one of Japan's most important trading ports. The Port's Garden Pier area sports a public park called Nagoya Port Garden Futo Rinkai Ryokuen and is home to the Nagoya Port Aquarium, in addition to various dining establishments, shops, and a Japanese ship that ventured all the way to Antarctica and back. The winter season is quite romantic here, particularly in the park. Admission to the park is free. Each year brings a new theme for the lights in the park. The area is open and it is easy to see and enjoy the lights.

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Wrap-up

Nagoya Station Area

Sakae Station Area

Winter light shows are always fun to get out and see. We think you'll really enjoy the spots we introduced in this article, so get out there and check them out! Don't forget to check out some of the lights on display around downtown Nagoya either though. The rotary in front of Nagoya Station, the area around Midland Square, and Hirokoji Street in Sakae is also lit up each winter. These lights feel like an everyday part of life in the city, brightening up an evening stroll, and making a wonderful memory of your trip.