- Open now: October 23, 2026 to February 14, 2027
- Gates 17:00–22:00, lights on 17:30–21:30, last entry 21:15
- Held rain or shine
- Standard tickets: adults ¥2,000, children ¥1,000, pets ¥500
- December 31 is a countdown event with its own ticket
Kobe Illuminage (神戸イルミナージュ) is one of the big winter light festivals in the Kansai region. This is its 17th year, and the organizer says more than 150,000 people visit every season. The 2026–27 theme is Starlight Dream, and three new attractions have been added, including a light-up butterfly swing about 4 m tall.
The festival opened on October 23 and runs every evening until mid-February. Below is what you need to plan a visit: hours, ticket prices, what is new, and when the shows start.
Dates, hours and tickets
| Event | Kobe Illuminage (神戸イルミナージュ), 17th edition |
|---|---|
| Theme | Starlight Dream |
| Dates | October 23, 2026 (Fri) to February 14, 2027 (Sun) |
| Hours | 17:00–22:00 (held rain or shine) Light-up: 17:30–21:30 Last entry and ticket sales end: 21:15 |
| Venue | Michi-no-Eki Kobe Fruit & Flower Park (道の駅 神戸フルーツ・フラワーパーク大沢) |
| Address | 〒651-1522 兵庫県神戸市北区大沢町上大沢2150 (Kita Ward, Kobe, Hyogo) |
| Organizer | Illuminage JAPAN (Japan Illumination Association) |
| Tickets | On sale on the official Illuminage website |
There are two ticket types: standard entry and priority entry. Prices are as follows.
| Ticket | Standard | Priority entry |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | ¥2,000 | ¥3,000 |
| Child | ¥1,000 | ¥2,000 |
| Pet | ¥500 | — |
New this season
Three attractions are brand new this year. The butterfly swing is likely to be the photo spot everyone queues for, while the animal displays and the balloon area are aimed squarely at families with kids.
| Attraction | What it is |
|---|---|
| Butterfly Swing | A glowing butterfly swing about 4 m tall. Big enough for two, and the wings flap as you swing. |
| Rainbow Animals | About 20 animal figures lit in rainbow colors, including a lion, giraffe, elephant and peacock. |
| Balloon Play Area | A family zone with colorful inflatable play equipment where children can run around. |
Returning favorites
The popular sections from past years are back, some of them reworked. The Love Tunnel, about 30 m long, is the classic photo shot here.
| Attraction | What it is |
|---|---|
| Love Tunnel | A pink, heart-shaped tunnel of light about 30 m long. |
| Dog Light Up Park | Dog-shaped illuminations and photo spots where you can pose with your own dog. |
| Arabian Palace | A palace of light inspired by the Arabian Nights. |
| Ice Palace | An ice palace lit in blue and white. |
| Rainbow Maze | A maze of colorful lights where you search for the exit. |
Show times
Two of the shows have published schedules. If you want to catch the Michael Jackson dance show, it only runs on certain dates, so pick your day around it.
| Show | Times | Days |
|---|---|---|
| Illuminated Monkey Show (traditional performing arts with lights) | 17:00, 18:00, 18:45, 19:30, 20:15 | Daily, except December 31 |
| Michael Jackson Dance Show | 18:00, 18:30, 19:00 | Oct 31 Nov 21, 22, 23 Dec 24, 25, 31 Jan 2, 3, 9, 10, 11 |
The festival also has a Starlight Bubble Show with glowing soap bubbles and a fire show set against the lights. The announcement gives no times for these two, so check the schedule on the official site or at the venue.
Tips for planning your visit
- Mind the gap between opening and light-up. Gates open at 17:00 but the lights come on at 17:30. The first Monkey Show at 17:00 is one way to use that half hour.
- Do not cut it close at the end. Last entry is 21:15 and the lights go off at 21:30, so arriving late leaves you very little time inside.
- Rain does not cancel it. The event runs rain or shine, so bring an umbrella and shoes that can handle wet ground.
- Dogs are welcome with a pet ticket. At ¥500, the pet ticket gets your dog into the Dog Light Up Park area with its photo spots.
- Food is on site. Kitchen cars serve hot food, sweets and warm drinks, which helps on cold nights.
- Watch your phone battery. A long evening of night photos drains it fast. If you use docomo services, see our guide to free ChargeSPOT power bank rentals with d VALUE PASS.
The announcement does not cover access, parking or shuttle buses. Check the official site for transport before you go. Planning more outings this season? We also cover the Asoview discount campaign for leisure spots, the Ghibli Park exhibition in Osaka, Yokosuka and Kyoto, and seasonal events such as the Setagaya Tamagawa fireworks.
FAQ
- When is Kobe Illuminage held?
- From October 23, 2026 to February 14, 2027. The venue is open 17:00 to 22:00 and the lights are on from 17:30 to 21:30.
- How much are tickets?
- Standard entry is ¥2,000 for adults and ¥1,000 for children. Priority entry is ¥3,000 for adults and ¥2,000 for children. A pet ticket is ¥500.
- What time is last entry?
- Last entry is 21:15, which is also when ticket sales end.
- Does it go ahead in the rain?
- Yes. The event is held rain or shine.
- Can I bring my dog?
- Yes, with a ¥500 pet ticket. The Dog Light Up Park area has dog-shaped lights and photo spots for you and your dog.
- Is December 31 different?
- Yes. December 31 is a countdown event and needs a separate ticket. The Monkey Show is not held that day.
- Where can I buy tickets?
- Tickets are sold on the official Illuminage website.
Source: announcement by the Japan Illumination Association (October 22, 2026). Details may change, so please check the official site for the latest information.
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