Kansai’s winter nights are about to glow again. “Kobe Illuminage,” a large-scale illumination event, opens on Friday, October 23, 2026 at Michi-no-Eki Kobe Fruit & Flower Park Osawa in Kita-ku, Kobe. Now in its 17th year, it carries the theme “Starlight Dream” and is said to draw more than 150,000 visitors every year, making it a regular fixture of Kobe’s winter. It runs for about four months, until Sunday, February 14, 2027.
Three new attractions: a glowing butterfly swing, rainbow animals and a balloon play area
Three attractions are new this year. First is the “Butterfly Swing,” a swing topped with a glowing butterfly about 4 m tall. With each push, the large wings flap, giving the feeling of taking off into the night sky. Families and couples can sit side by side.
“Rainbow Animals” is an area where about 20 animals, including lions, giraffes, elephants and peacocks, appear in rainbow-colored lights. The organizers say it feels like walking through a zoo.
Also making its debut is the “Balloon Play Area,” a family-oriented space with colorful inflatable play equipment. It lets children move around and play, not just look at the lights, which is reassuring for anyone visiting with small kids.
Annual favorites return, upgraded
The familiar attractions are back too. The “Love Tunnel” is a pink, heart-shaped tunnel about 30 m long, with arches of light that make a good photo spot from almost any angle. Others include the “Dog Light Up Park,” with dog-shaped illuminations and spots where you can take photos with your dog; the “Arabian Palace,” inspired by the world of One Thousand and One Nights; the “Ice Palace,” an icy palace in blue and white light; the “Rainbow Maze,” where you find your way out through multicolored lights; and the “Starlight Bubble Show,” with glowing soap bubbles filling the night sky.
Shows and food trucks
There is stage entertainment as well as lights. The “Illuminated Monkey Show,” which combines illumination with traditional Japanese performing arts, runs every day except December 31, five times a day at 17:00, 18:00, 18:45, 19:30 and 20:15. A “Fire Show” with light and flame is also planned.
The Michael Jackson–themed “Dance Show” is held on limited dates: October 31; November 21, 22 and 23; December 24, 25 and 31; and January 2, 3, 9, 10 and 11. Showtimes are 18:00, 18:30 and 19:00.
Food trucks will also be on site, offering hot food, sweets and hot drinks, so you can stroll through the lights with something in hand.
Event details
- Event: Kobe Illuminage
- Dates: Friday, October 23, 2026 – Sunday, February 14, 2027
- Hours: 17:00–22:00 (held rain or shine). Lights are on 17:30–21:30; last admission (ticket sales end) is 21:15
- Venue: Michi-no-Eki Kobe Fruit & Flower Park Osawa (2150 Kami-Osawa, Osawa-cho, Kita-ku, Kobe, Hyogo)
- Admission: Regular (priority entry): adults ¥2,000 (¥3,000), children ¥1,000 (¥2,000), pets ¥500
- Note: A separate ticket is required on December 31, which is a countdown event
- Tickets: On sale now on the official website
- Official website (Japanese): https://illuminagegroup.com/
