Okinawa Nangoku Illumination (Photo courtesy of Southeast Botanical Gardens)
I can’t remember since when Christmas illuminations have become so popular on Okinawa or Japan’s mainland. Growing up in the 80s, Christmas was already brightly lit and KFC was a must for many Okinawans, but the Christmas glamour in various colors was not around like they are now.
According to Thu-Huong Ha, a culture critic for the Japan Times, who wrote an article titled “All I want for Christmas is fewer illuminations in Japan,” it was in the 1990s that Christmas illuminations became common in Japan. What’s behind the rise of its popularity, according to Ha, was the collapse of Japan’s bubble economy in the early 90s and the Great Hanshin Earthquake in 1995. Back then the Japanese needed a ray of hope during an economic recession and the aftermath of the catastrophe that left more than 6,400 dead, noted the critic.
Fast-forward almost 30 years and Christmas illuminations have become somewhat omnipresent. You don’t need to be in Tokyo or Kobe to immerse yourself in the blinding lights. Illumination events are taking place across the country and some families even decorate their homes with festive lights.
Okinawa is no stranger to such a glittering Christmas trend. Illuminations begin lighting up many locations on the island in mid-fall. Although white Christmas is unlikely in Okinawa, the colorful lights setting the mood for the holiday season.
Christmas Fantasy Illuminations at Okinawa Zoo & Museum (Photo courtesy of Christmas Fantasy Planning Committee)
From mid-December through the end of the year, the Okinawa Zoo & Museum gives off exceptional radiance with 1.4 million bulbs. Not only that, the zoo also becomes a stage for many festivities to pump up the excitement. With “Super Aurora Attraction” a laser light and firework show as a main feature, illuminations of various themes will be displayed to include “Heart Land (heart-shaped illuminations”, “Niagara (waterfall-simulating illumination).”
Santa Claus is also coming to join the crowd, and there will even be a snowfall for a “White Christmas” in Okinawa. Not only that, zombies and dinosaurs are expected to bring some chill to the warm winter on the sub-tropical island.
Illuminations at Okinawa Zoo & Museum near Kadena Air Base
Date: Dec. 21 – 31
Time: 1 – 9:30 p.m. (Last admission at 9 p.m. On Dec. 31, the hours will be 4 p.m. – 1 a.m. with the last admission at 12 a.m.)
GPS Coordinates: N 26.327100, E 127.804266
Admission (walk-up): 2,800 yen (approx. $18.3, high schoolers and above, 3,500 yen on Dec. 31); free admission for 15 years and below.
* Advance tickets are available at MCCS Tours+ and KADENA ITT. They are priced at 2,500 yen for high schoolers and above (3,000 yen for Dec. 31)
Ryukyu Lantern Festival (Photo courtesy of Murasaki Mura)
Murasaki Mura Ryukyu Kingdom Theme Park will celebrate the 10th anniversary of its lantern festival dedicated to Okinawa’s history. Enjoy the view as lanterns of various, sizes, and styles lighting up the park’s Ryukyu-style buildings. Under the lights, buildings and streets in a traditional style will exude a unique mood. Memorable scenes such as a stone-paved road lit with a line of Chinese red lanterns, and traditional Okinawan houses adorned with decorations of various shapes and lights will be waiting for you.
Ryukyu Lantern Festival at Murasaki Mura
Date: Through Mar. 31
Time: 5:30 – 10 p.m. (last admission at 9:30 p.m.)
GPS Coordinates: N 26.407128, E 127.719856
Admission: 1,800 yen for adults; 700 yen for high school and middle school students; 600 yen for elementary school students; free admission for younger children.
Tounan Shokubutsu Rakuen, or Southeast Botanical Gardens, is home to 1,300 different plants. People go there to see unique plants such as baobab trees, dragon’s blood trees, and Alexandra palms. However, when winter rolls around, shining lights add more reasons to visit the place.
Until May 25, Okinawa Nangoku Illumination will add special splendor and colors to the garden’s lush green. Four million light bulbs modeled after lotus, waterfall, hibiscus, Emerald creeper and more will create fantastical scenes. Ranked second in the International Illumination Award (for the illumination event category dedicated to storytelling), this garden’s illuminations are now a winter highlight widely acknowledged in the country.
Nangoku Illumination at Southeast Botanical Garden
Date: Through May 25, 2025
Time: 5 – 10 p.m. (Last admission at 9:30 p.m.)
GPS Coordinates: N 26.375447, E 127.806597
Admission: 2,300 yen for adults (18 and older); 1,350 yen for ages 13-17; 800 yen for ages 4-12; free admission for 3 years old and below.
* Dec. 21 – Jan. 5, Jan 11 - 13, the above fees will be replaced with one-day admission which will cost 2,800 yen (18 and above), 1,550 yen (Ages 13-17), 1,000 yen (Ages 4-12) respectively.
Star Dust Fantasia at Kanucha Resort (Photo courtesy of Kanucha Resort)
This resort hotel near Camp Schwab hosts a large-scale illumination event every year. Its pool and beach will be a stage for various illuminations including “STELLA PARK AVENU”, a chapel with illuminations in many colors, or “Open Heart”, a big illumination in the shape of a heart, and “Garden Pool Square” where an illumination in the shape of a large tree stands.
Star Dust Fantasia at Kanucha Resort
Date: Until Feb. 14 (Only open to resort guests on Dec. 21, 22, and 31.)
Time: 6 – 11 p.m. (Subject to change, admission between 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.)
GPS Coordinates: N 26.548740, E 128.076245
Admission Tickets required: 3,000 yen per vehicle; Tickets can be purchased through the hotel’s website. Only credit card payment is accepted.
Mihama American Village Illumination
Until March 15; 5 p.m. – 12 a.m.; Mihama American village near Camp Foster and Kadena Air Base; free admission. This annual illumination returns to the popular shopping area. Buildings, palm trees, banisters, and more will don colorful illuminations.
WINTER ELEGANCE at Ashibinaa
Until Feb.14; 5 – 8:30 p.m.; Okinawa Outlet Mall Ashibinaa (N 26.159139, E 127.657608) near Naha Airport; free admission. This popular outlet shopping mall’s illumination event marks its 21st anniversary this year. Queen’s Gimlet tower, a hexagonal pyramid and a plaza nearby will be lit in silver. Plus, once every 30 minutes between 5 and 8 p.m., snow made from bubbles will fall to bring white Christmas to the southern island.
Beachside Illumination at Iias Okinawa
Until Feb. 26; Iias Okinawa Toyosaki (26.157377, 127.650212) near Naha Airport; free admission. “Beach Side”, a terrace on the second floor of this large shopping mall will be decorated with many lights including those in the shape of a crescent moon.
