December events in the Chugoku region (Okayama, Tottori and Shimane)
- Across 3 prefectures are 13 events, featuring Nishikawa Illumination (free) and the 1-million-bulb Tottori Hanakairo (¥1,200 for adults at night).
- Nishikawa Illumination runs November 7 to January 3, 2027, and Hanakairo Illumination runs November 14 to January 11, 2027.
- The Christmas Market at Kurashiki Ivy Square takes place on December 11 and 12.
If you are heading out in December in Okayama, Tottori or Shimane, the two biggest light events are Nishikawa Illumination (free), a walk from Okayama Station, and the 1-million-bulb Tottori Hanakairo (¥1,200 for adults at night). This page lists dates and prices for 13 events across the 3 prefectures, including the Christmas Market at Kurashiki Ivy Square (December 11 and 12), the night openings of Matsue Vogel Park (8 days in December) and the Tom and Jerry exhibition in front of Okayama Station (from December 18).
In short
- Free admission: Nishikawa Illumination, SOJA Illumination, Mirait Izumo, Kurashiki Christmas Market, and the Corridor of Light at Ishimasa Museum (outdoors).
- Admission charged: Tottori Hanakairo, Germany Forest, the Sand Museum, Matsue Vogel Park, the Tom and Jerry exhibition and the Tsuyama Manabi Railway Museum.
- Fixed dates: Kurashiki Christmas Market (December 11 and 12), Hikari no Tetsudokan (December 18 to 20), and the Vogel Park nights (8 days).
Checked with official pages on November 2, 2026 (Japan time). Prices and hours may change.
December events in Hiroshima Prefecture are on this page about December 2026 events in Hiroshima (Japanese), and those in Yamaguchi Prefecture are on this page about December 2026 events in Yamaguchi (Japanese).
Read next7 pages, swipe sideways
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1. Dates and prices of the 13 events in Okayama, Tottori and Shimane in December
They are listed by start date, earliest first. Tap an event name to jump to its section.
| Event | Dates | Place | Price | Parking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oidani terraced fields | Oct 27 – Jan 17, 2027 | Yoshika, Shimane | — | Observation deck lot |
| Nishikawa Illumination | Nov 7 – Jan 3, 2027 | Kita Ward, Okayama | Free | — |
| Hanakairo Illumination | Nov 14 – Jan 11, 2027 | Nanbu, Tottori | Adults ¥1,200, elementary and junior high ¥600 | 2,000 spaces, free |
| Germany Forest | Nov 21 – Feb 14, 2027 | Akaiwa, Okayama | Adults ¥1,500, children ¥1,000 | 2,000 spaces |
| Mirait Izumo | Nov 21 – Jan 22, 2027 | Izumo, Shimane | Free | — |
| Sand Museum | Nov 21 – Dec 6 | Tottori City | Adults ¥800, school students ¥400 | Free |
| SOJA Illumination | Nov 28 – Jan 3, 2027 | Soja, Okayama | — | — |
| Hesonarie | Nov 28 – Jan 31, 2027 | Kibichuo, Okayama | — | Available |
| Corridor of Light | Dec 8 – Dec 25 | Hamada, Shimane | Free to view | — |
| Kurashiki Christmas Market | Dec 11 and 12 | Kurashiki | Free entry | Available (crowded) |
| Vogel Park | 8 days, Dec 12 – Dec 30 | Matsue | Adults ¥1,750, elementary and junior high ¥880 | 250 spaces |
| Tom and Jerry exhibition | Dec 18 – Jan 31, 2027 | Okayama Station | Same-day adult ticket ¥1,600 | Paid lots nearby |
| Hikari no Tetsudokan | Dec 18 – 20 | Tsuyama, Okayama | Adults ¥310, elementary and junior high ¥100 | About 35 spaces |
All dates are in 2026 unless a year is shown. A “—” in the table means the organizer’s pages give no price or parking information. If you drive, it is safest to check parking near the venue first.
2. Okayama: lights near the station and in town, and winter exhibitions
Nishikawa Illumination 2026 (Nishikawa Green Park, Okayama City)
Nishikawa Green Park, about a 10-minute walk from Okayama Station, is lit every day from 17:00 to 22:00, from Saturday, November 7 to Sunday, January 3, 2027. The site runs about 550 m from Momotaro-odori to Akura-dori and includes the former Nishikawabashi police box wrapped in light, a 4 m wooden tree and a photo spot on a water terrace. This year there are also limited panels celebrating 50 years since the park opened. (Nishikawa Illumination 2026 page on Okayama Kanko Web, by the Okayama Prefecture Tourism Federation, Japanese)
| Name | Nishikawa Illumination 2026 (Nishikawa Green Park) |
|---|---|
| Address | 1-chome Minamigata to 1-chome Seikibashi, Kita Ward, Okayama City, Okayama |
| Hours / Closed | November 7–January 3, 2027, 17:00–22:00 |
| Phone | 086-803-1393 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
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SOJA Illumination (Soja City)
The area around JR Soja Station and City Hall Street is lit from 17:00 to 22:00, from Saturday, November 28 to Sunday, January 3, 2027. The venues are in front of Soja Station, City Hall Street, Chuo Bunka Street, the city hall and Kamigatsuji Plaza, and there is a lighting ceremony on the first day. You can see it right outside Soja Station. (SOJA Illumination page on Okayama Kanko Web, Japanese)
| Name | SOJA Illumination (in front of Soja Station and other locations) |
|---|---|
| Address | In front of Soja Station, Soja City, Okayama |
| Hours / Closed | November 28–January 3, 2027, 17:00–22:00 |
| Phone | 0866-92-8277 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
Okayama Forest Park Germany Forest Winter Illumination (Akaiwa City)
About 350,000 lights are on every Friday to Sunday and holiday from Saturday, November 21 to Sunday, February 14, 2027, and every day from December 24 to January 5. Hours are 17:00 to 21:00 (last entry 20:00), and this year the venue has grown to include the rose garden. Admission is ¥1,500 for adults (junior high school age and older), ¥1,000 for children (age 4 to elementary school) and free for ages 3 and under. The lighted “Big Forest Swing” costs ¥500 extra. It is closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays. By car it is about 30 minutes from Sanyo IC, and the parking lot holds 2,000 regular cars. (Germany Forest Winter Illumination page on Okayama Kanko Web, Japanese)
| Name | Okayama Forest Park Germany Forest |
|---|---|
| Address | 2006 Nihori-naka, Akaiwa City, Okayama |
| Hours / Closed | November 21–February 14, 2027 on Fridays–Sundays and holidays, and December 24–January 5, 17:00–21:00 (closed Wednesdays and Thursdays) |
| Phone | 086-958-2111 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
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Kibi Kogen Toshi Winter Illumination “Hesonarie” (Kibichuo Town)
Sansan Plaza in Kibi Kogen Toshi, in the middle of Okayama Prefecture, is lit from 17:00 to 22:00, from Saturday, November 28 to Sunday, January 31, 2027. At the lighting ceremony at 17:00 on the first day, warm drinks are given out free. It is about 10 minutes from Kayo IC on the Okayama Expressway, or about 60 minutes by bus from Okayama Station on the Kibi Kogen line to the “Kibi Plaza-mae” stop. (Hesonarie page on Okayama Kanko Web, Japanese)
| Name | Hesonarie (Kibi Kogen Toshi Sansan Plaza) |
|---|---|
| Address | 4860-6 Kibichuo Town, Kaga District, Okayama (Kibi Kogen Toshi Sansan Plaza) |
| Hours / Closed | November 28–January 31, 2027, 17:00–22:00 |
| Phone | 0866-56-8255 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
Kurashiki Christmas Market 2026 (Kurashiki Ivy Square)
A Christmas market with 57 stalls is held at Kurashiki Ivy Square from 16:00 to 21:00 on Friday, December 11 and from 11:00 to 20:00 on Saturday, December 12. Entry is free. Most stalls sell food and drinks, and there are also goods and workshop stalls. The red-brick courtyard is decorated with lights and candles. It is about a 15-minute walk from JR Kurashiki Station. Parking at Ivy Square is limited, and the organizer asks visitors to use nearby coin parking or public transport. Pets cannot be brought in. (Kurashiki Christmas Market 2026 page on Okayama Kanko Web, Japanese)
| Name | Kurashiki Christmas Market 2026 (Kurashiki Ivy Square) |
|---|---|
| Address | 7-2 Honmachi, Kurashiki City, Okayama |
| Hours / Closed | December 11, 16:00–21:00; December 12, 11:00–20:00 |
| Phone | 086-422-0011 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
Tom and Jerry 85th Anniversary Exhibition (Okayama City Museum)
On the 4th floor of Okayama City Museum, directly connected to the east-west passage at Okayama Station, a hands-on exhibition with objects you can photograph runs from Friday, December 18 to Sunday, January 31, 2027. Hours are 10:00 to 18:00 (last entry 17:30). Same-day tickets are ¥1,600 for adults, ¥1,000 for junior high and high school students and ¥800 for elementary school students, and preschool children are free. Advance tickets for adults (¥1,400) are sold until December 17. It is closed from December 28 to January 4 and on January 12, 18 and 25. (Tom and Jerry exhibition page on Okayama Kanko Web, Japanese)
| Name | Tom and Jerry Exhibition (Okayama City Museum) |
|---|---|
| Address | 15-1 Ekimotomachi, Kita Ward, Okayama City, Okayama (Ritt City Building, South Wing, 4th floor) |
| Hours / Closed | December 18–January 31, 2027, 10:00–18:00 (closed December 28–January 4, January 12, 18, 25) |
| Phone | 086-898-3000 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
Hikari no Tetsudokan (Tsuyama Manabi Railway Museum)
For 3 days only, from Friday, December 18 to Sunday, December 20, the Tsuyama Manabi Railway Museum stays open until 19:30, and the trains in the fan-shaped locomotive shed are lit with washi paper lanterns (there is no turntable demonstration). Inside, the “Fantasia Train” also runs free from 14:00 to 19:00 (not in bad weather or snow). Admission is ¥310 for adults, ¥100 for elementary and junior high school students, and free for small children. It is about a 10-minute walk from JR Tsuyama Station, and the parking lot holds about 35 regular cars. (Hikari no Tetsudokan page on Okayama Kanko Web, Japanese)
| Name | Hikari no Tetsudokan (Tsuyama Manabi Railway Museum) |
|---|---|
| Address | Otani, Tsuyama City, Okayama |
| Hours / Closed | December 18–20, 9:00–19:30 |
| Phone | 0868-35-3343 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
3. Tottori: the 1-million-bulb flower garden and a sand sculpture with projections
Flower Illumination (Tottori Hanakairo)
Tottori Hanakairo in Nanbu Town holds an event of 1 million lights and flowers from 17:30 to 21:00, from Saturday, November 14 to Monday (holiday), January 11, 2027. In December the park is open from 13:00 to 21:00 and closed on December 1, 8, 15 and 31. The Illumination Ticket, which lets you stay into the evening, is ¥1,200 for adults and ¥600 for elementary and junior high school students. Fireworks go up on weekend nights. A free direct shuttle bus runs from JR Yonago Station in about 25 minutes, and parking for 2,000 cars is free. (Flower Illumination page of Tottori Hanakairo, Tottori Hanakairo business information (admission and hours), Japanese)
| Name | Flower Illumination (Tottori Hanakairo) |
|---|---|
| Address | 110 Tsuruta, Nanbu Town, Saihaku District, Tottori |
| Hours / Closed | November 14–January 11, 2027, 17:30–21:00 (opens at 13:00 in December; closed December 1, 8, 15, 31) |
| Phone | 0859-48-3030 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
Sand sculpture and projection mapping (Tottori Sand Dunes Sand Museum)
From Saturday, November 21 to Sunday, December 6, the Sand Museum at the Tottori Sand Dunes projects a film about the history of Spain onto a sand sculpture about 10 m high and 20 m wide. Showings start at 16:00 and run every 30 minutes (about 8 minutes each); the last showing is at 19:00 from Sunday to Thursday and 19:30 on Friday and Saturday. You can watch it with just the admission fee: ¥800 for adults and ¥400 for elementary to high school students. The current exhibition, “World Tour in Sand: Spain”, runs until January 3, 2027. It is a 1-minute walk from the “Sunabijutsukan-mae” stop, about 21 minutes by route bus from JR Tottori Station, and parking is free. (Sand Museum notice on projection mapping 2026, Japanese)
| Name | Tottori Sand Dunes Sand Museum |
|---|---|
| Address | 2083-17 Yuyama, Fukube-cho, Tottori City, Tottori |
| Hours / Closed | Projection mapping: November 21–December 6, 16:00–19:00 (until 19:30 on Fridays and Saturdays) |
| Phone | 0857-20-2231 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
4. Shimane: an indoor night garden and lights in the towns
Winter Night Festival 2026 (Matsue Vogel Park)
You can see the flowers, birds and lights of the big indoor greenhouse at night on 8 days: December 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27, 29 and 30. On these days the park stays open until 20:45, and all areas are lit from 17:00. There are also a night owl show and a stage. Admission is ¥1,750 for adults and ¥880 for elementary and junior high school students, and free for small children (residents of Matsue City get about half off). The park connects directly to Matsue Vogel Park Station on the Ichibata Electric Railway, and the regular car lot (250 spaces) is free for up to 2 hours. (Winter Night Festival 2026 page on Shimane Kanko Navi, the prefecture’s tourism site, Matsue Vogel Park hours, admission and access, Japanese)
Photo source: Press release of the Tourism Promotion Division, Shimane Prefecture, November 29, 2024 (Japanese)
| Name | Matsue Vogel Park |
|---|---|
| Address | 52 Ogaki-cho, Matsue City, Shimane |
| Hours / Closed | Night hours: December 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27, 29, 30, until 20:45 |
| Phone | 0852-88-9800 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
Mirait Izumo 2026 (Dandan Square, Izumo City)
At Dandan Square, south of Izumo City Hall, a big tree and tunnels of light are lit from 17:00 to 22:00, from Saturday, November 21 to Friday, January 22, 2027. Viewing is free, and there is a lighting ceremony at 18:30 on the first day. (Mirait Izumo 2026 page on Shimane Kanko Navi, Japanese)
| Name | Mirait Izumo 2026 (Dandan Square) |
|---|---|
| Address | Imaichi-cho, Izumo City, Shimane (south of Izumo City Hall) |
| Hours / Closed | November 21–January 22, 2027, 17:00–22:00 |
| Phone | 0853-25-3710 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
Iwami Winter Solstice Festival: Corridor of Light 2026 (Hamada City Ishimasa Museum)
At Ishimasa Museum in Misumi-cho, Hamada City, light art works made of ceramics and Sekishu washi paper are displayed from Tuesday, December 8 to Friday, December 25. The corridor, courtyard and front garden are lit only on Saturday nights, from 17:00 to 20:00, with a lighting ceremony at 16:30 on Saturday, December 13. Viewing is free, and the exhibition rooms charge a separate admission. The museum is closed on Mondays. (Corridor of Light 2026 page on Shimane Kanko Navi, Japanese)
| Name | Iwami Winter Solstice Festival: Corridor of Light 2026 (Ishimasa Museum) |
|---|---|
| Address | 589 Furuichiba, Misumi-cho, Hamada City, Shimane |
| Hours / Closed | December 8–25, 9:00–17:00, outdoors on Saturday nights 17:00–20:00 (closed Mondays) |
| Phone | 0855-32-4388 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
Oidani Terraced Rice Fields Light-up (Yoshika Town)
2,800 LED lights are placed on the 600-year-old Oidani terraced rice fields in Yoshika Town, and they change every 15 minutes between 4 colors: red, gold, blue-green and purple. They are charged by solar power and come on when it gets dark, staying lit for about 3 hours from dusk. The event runs until mid-January 2027 (planned) and may end earlier if there is a lot of snow. The observation deck is dark underfoot at night, so the organizer asks visitors to view from the deck’s parking lot. (Oidani Light-up page on Shimane Kanko Navi, Japanese)
| Name | Oidani Terraced Rice Fields Light-up (Yoshika Town) |
|---|---|
| Address | Shiratani, Kakinoki-mura, Yoshika Town, Kanoashi District, Shimane (Oidani district) |
| Hours / Closed | October 27–mid-January 2027 (planned), about 3 hours from dusk |
| Phone | 0856-79-2213 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
5. What to know when choosing in Okayama, Tottori and Shimane
- You can walk from the station to Nishikawa Illumination (about 10 minutes from Okayama Station), SOJA Illumination (right outside Soja Station), the Tom and Jerry exhibition (directly connected to Okayama Station) and Hikari no Tetsudokan (about 10 minutes from Tsuyama Station). A free shuttle bus runs to Hanakairo from Yonago Station.
- Germany Forest and the Oidani terraced fields are far from stations and are places to reach by car. Germany Forest is closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and its evening lights are mainly on Fridays to Sundays and holidays.
- Saturday, December 12 is when the Kurashiki Christmas Market and the Matsue Vogel Park night opening overlap, and the Sand Museum projection ends on Sunday, December 6.
Sources
16 pages we checked
- Shimane Kanko Navi: Oidani Terraced Rice Fields Light-up
- Okayama Kanko Web: Nishikawa Illumination 2026
- Tottori Hanakairo: Flower Illumination
- Tottori Hanakairo: business information (admission and hours)
- Okayama Kanko Web: Germany Forest Winter Illumination
- Shimane Kanko Navi: Mirait Izumo 2026
- Sand Museum: Projection Mapping 2026 announcement
- Okayama Kanko Web: SOJA Illumination
- Okayama Kanko Web: Hesonarie
- Shimane Kanko Navi: Ishimasa Museum Corridor of Light 2026
- Okayama Kanko Web: Kurashiki Christmas Market
- Shimane Kanko Navi: Matsue Vogel Park Winter Night Festival 2026
- Matsue Vogel Park: hours, admission and access
- Okayama Kanko Web: Tom and Jerry exhibition
- Okayama Kanko Web: Hikari no Tetsudokan
- Japanese version of this page (日本語版)
Checked with official pages on November 2, 2026 (Japan time).
