A winter fixture in front of Osaka Station is coming back a little bigger this year. Hilton Osaka (Kita-ku, Osaka) opens its festive season, running from Christmas through the New Year holidays, on Saturday, November 21, 2026, starting with the giant lobby diorama “Hilton Christmas Train 2026.”
A bigger diorama, free to view
The Hilton Christmas Train is a diorama of about 40 square meters that recreates a winter European townscape and snow-covered mountains in fine detail. G-gauge model trains by Germany’s Lehmann run through it. This year the layout is larger and more impressive than last year’s.
It is on view from Saturday, November 21, 2026 to Monday, January 4, 2027, free of charge, in the hotel’s first-floor lobby. An opening event starts at 15:00 on Saturday, November 21, with live Christmas songs. A photo session with Santa Claus (free) is by advance application and lottery, limited to 30 groups. Applications run from Friday, October 30 to 15:00 on Friday, November 6; winners are notified by email by Friday, November 13. There is no on-the-day sign-up.
The diorama is made possible by sponsorship from local companies, organizations and individuals. Part of the funds goes toward building it, and part is donated to children’s homes and nonprofits.
Afternoon tea in a gift box, and festive menus at four venues
The hotel also offers limited Christmas menus at four venues.
“MYPLACE,” the first-floor café & bar, serves “Afternoon Tea Set – Christmas Gift Box” from Saturday, November 21 to Friday, December 25. The shop’s signature box is tied with a ribbon, and untying it is meant to feel like opening a Christmas present. Executive Pastry Chef Hyakuda creates nine sweets and three savories, including a reindeer-shaped “chocolate terrine tart” and a “Japanese chestnut Mont Blanc” depicting Santa Claus fallen down a chimney.
On the second floor, three restaurants serve festive menus from Saturday, December 19 to Sunday, January 3, 2027. The grill & wine restaurant “CENTRUM” offers courses with grilled Wagyu tenderloin and a strawberry bûche de Noël. The all-day dining restaurant “Folk Kitchen” has a buffet with roast turkey (December 24–25 only) and more, plus osechi New Year dishes from Friday, January 1 to Sunday, January 3. The teppanyaki restaurant “Tenka” serves courses with sautéed spiny lobster and Wagyu fillet topped with truffle.
MYPLACE also offers two festive cocktails at ¥2,500 each: “Pomme de Noël” (green apple and rosemary) and “Étoile de Café” (Moët & Chandon with Earl Grey and coffee).
Information
- Hilton Christmas Train: Saturday, November 21, 2026 – Monday, January 4, 2027, first-floor lobby, free
- Afternoon tea: November 21 – December 25, 12:00–15:00 (limited quantity, 2-hour seating). Mon–Fri ¥5,900; Sat, Sun, holidays and December 21–25 ¥6,900 (coffee or tea included; 10% tax and service charge included; two optional drinks +¥300 each)
- CENTRUM: December 19 – January 3, 2027 (closed Mon and Tue except holidays). Lunch from ¥7,000, dinner from ¥17,000
- Folk Kitchen: December 19 – January 3, 2027. Lunch from ¥7,800, dinner from ¥9,800
- Tenka: December 19 – January 3, 2027. Lunch from ¥10,500, dinner from ¥26,000
- Location: Hilton Osaka (Kita-ku, Osaka), in front of JR Osaka Station
- Official page (Japanese): https://osaka.hiltonjapan.co.jp/restaurants/lp/christmas
