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Yokohama Chinatown’s Lunar New Year lantern illumination (2027春節燈花) runs from November 1, 2026, to February 20, 2027, with lights on from 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. No reservation is needed, making it easy to fit a walk among the lanterns into an evening in Yokohama.
The main sights are a dragon lantern above Chinatown’s main street, a light-lined route toward Yamashita Park and Chinese-knot decorations on Ichiba-dori Bridge.
View the official lantern illumination page
Dates, hours and location
| Event | Yokohama Chinatown Lunar New Year Lantern Illumination |
|---|---|
| Dates | November 1, 2026–February 20, 2027 |
| Lighting hours | 4:00 p.m.–11:00 p.m. |
| Location | Yokohama Chinatown |
| Address | Yamashita-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan |
| Reservations | Not required |
| Nearest stations | Motomachi-Chukagai Station: approximately 1 minute on foot JR Ishikawacho Station: approximately 5 minutes on foot |
| Event parking | None; public transport is recommended |
The display begins well before Lunar New Year and continues through February. For this edition, the theme is gathering together, expressed through red lanterns and decorative lighting across Chinatown.
The lanterns and light displays
The dragon above Chinatown’s main street
The main street’s dragon lantern is the centerpiece and is described as one of the largest of its kind in Japan. Its long, illuminated body stretches above the street, giving you a different view as you walk beneath it.
A promenade linking Chinatown and Yamashita Park
The approximately 200-meter illuminated promenade runs between Yamashita Park’s central entrance and Choyomon Gate. This section connects the Chinatown display with the waterfront sightseeing area.
Red Chinese knots on Ichiba-dori Bridge
Ichiba-dori Bridge crosses the Horikawa waterway between Chinatown’s market street and Motomachi. Red Chinese-knot decorations turn it into the event’s illuminated bridge, adding another stop beyond the main street’s dragon lantern.
Getting there and planning your walk
Motomachi-Chukagai Station on the Minatomirai Line is approximately a one-minute walk from Chinatown. JR Ishikawacho Station is another option, approximately five minutes away on foot.
For a walk focused on the lights, use the dragon lantern on Chinatown’s main street as your main stop, then include Choyomon Gate and the promenade toward Yamashita Park. Add Ichiba-dori Bridge if you also want to see the Chinese-knot decorations. These are suggested stops rather than a timed route.
If driving, the listed access points are Yokohama-koen, Yamashita-cho and Shin-yamashita on the Shuto Expressway, each approximately five minutes away by car. The event has no parking, so arriving by train is the recommended option.
Planning to take plenty of photos? Our d VALUE PASS and ChargeSPOT guide explains the power-bank rental service for outings in Japan.
If your wider itinerary also includes a separate day in Tokyo, see the Tokyo Metro weekend 28-hour ticket guide for that part of your trip. For a different kind of winter outing, our guide to Yuchelin three-star hot springs introduces destinations around Japan.
More images from the official website
The lighting ceremony
The opening ceremony was scheduled for around 6:00 p.m. on November 1, 2026. That date has already passed; the ongoing lantern display continues through February 20, 2027.
Certificate and Chinatown artwork
Frequently asked questions
- When is the Yokohama Chinatown lantern illumination?
- It runs from November 1, 2026, through February 20, 2027.
- What time are the lights on?
- The lighting hours are 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
- Do I need a reservation?
- No reservation is required.
- Which stations are closest?
- Motomachi-Chukagai Station is approximately one minute away on foot, and JR Ishikawacho Station is approximately five minutes away.
- Where is the dragon lantern?
- The main dragon lantern is on Chinatown’s main street.
- Where does the illuminated promenade run?
- It runs approximately 200 meters between Yamashita Park’s central entrance and Choyomon Gate.
- Where can I see the Chinese-knot decorations?
- They decorate Ichiba-dori Bridge, which connects Chinatown’s market street and Motomachi across the Horikawa waterway.
- Is event parking available?
- No event parking is provided. Public transport is recommended.
Before heading out, check the official lantern illumination page. You can also browse the official Chinatown event listings for other activities.
Plan your next day out
See what else is on that day, that month and in the same area on our event calendar.
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