Bihoku Illumination: Tickets, Hours and Getting There

Dates, admission and venue

The venue is Bihoku Hillside Park (国営備北丘陵公園) in Shobara, Hiroshima Prefecture. The display uses the park’s wooded landscape to create different settings across its three main areas, with a record 800,000 lights for this edition.

Lighting hours and closed days

Most evenings finish at 21:00, with selected dates running until 22:00. Last admission is one hour before the lights switch off. Arrive with enough time to explore rather than aiming for the final entry cutoff.

Park closure calendar

• Mondays are normally closed. Exceptions are November 2, November 23, December 28 and January 11, when the park opens.
• Additional closures: November 4, November 24, December 31 and January 1.

The holiday period therefore needs a little care: December 28 and January 11 are open Mondays, but New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are closed.

What to see in the three main areas

The displays range from fairy-tale scenery to Japanese-style light installations. Use the three main areas as a starting point for deciding what you most want to see.

Photo spots, food and evening activities

Fireworks are not confirmed for every evening. If they are the main reason for your trip, check the individual event dates before making travel arrangements.

Getting there and parking

By train or taxi

• From JR Nanatsuka Station (七塚駅): a 20-minute walk.
• From JR Bingo-Shobara Station (備後庄原駅): approximately 10 minutes by taxi.

Check train times and your return journey before setting off. The walking access information does not establish how well lit the route is after dark.

By car

• Approximately 5 minutes from Shobara IC on the Chugoku Expressway.
• Approximately 15 minutes from Miyoshi-Higashi JCT/IC.

The parking capacity is 2,500 vehicles: 2,460 standard cars and 40 large vehicles. Rates depend on the entry time, so use the correct row when budgeting.

Parking is a separate expense from park admission. If you plan to arrive during the daytime and stay for the lights, confirm any conditions for that visit pattern with the park.

Weather and practical planning

Snow or other severe weather may lead to a cancellation at short notice. The official website is the earliest source for cancellation announcements. The park cannot provide advance confirmation by telephone before an announcement is posted.

Check the official seasonal information page before leaving. Warm clothing and a charged phone are sensible preparations for an outdoor evening. For general information about portable charging in Japan, see our d VALUE PASS and ChargeSPOT guide; availability at this park is not confirmed.

If you are comparing other days out, our Asoview campaign guide covers a separate attraction offer. For a different trip involving Tokyo, the Tokyo Metro 28-hour ticket guide explains that sightseeing ticket. Check each offer’s dates and conditions separately.

Frequently asked questions

Is Bihoku Illumination free?

Park admission is ¥450 for adults and ¥210 for visitors aged 65 and over. Junior high school students and younger enter free. The Lumina Flora area has no separate admission charge, but this does not waive park admission.

Do I need a reservation?

No reservation is required for Bihoku Illumination.

What time do the lights switch on?

The lights switch on at 17:30 from October through December and at 17:45 in January. They usually switch off at 21:00, with extended hours until 22:00 on Saturdays in October–December and on November 22. Last admission is one hour before the lights switch off.

Are fireworks held every night?

No nightly fireworks schedule is confirmed. Fireworks and music stages are planned mainly on weekends; check the official website for individual dates.

What happens in bad weather?

Snow or other severe weather may cause a last-minute cancellation. Check the official website first; telephone enquiries cannot provide confirmation before the online announcement.