Yokohama Spring Festival
From November through February next year, the “THE YOKOHAMA ILLUMINATION” campaign will be held in Yokohama’s central waterfront area, connecting over 40 illumination events.
The campaign will span from Yokohama Station to Minato Mirai, Kannai-Chinatown, and Motomachi areas, creating a large-scale coordinated campaign that connects the city through light displays. During the period, illumination information from various locations will be shared, along with digital stamp rallies and nightscape photo contests that citizens and tourists can participate in.
Major participating events include “Yokohama Illumina Square” at Yokohama Station West Exit, “Yokohama Mirait 2025” in the Minato Mirai area, “Christmas Market” at Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse, and “Isezaki Light” at Isezaki Mall. In December, “Winter Wonder Park Yokohama 2025-26” at Yamashita Park and “Yoru no Yo 2025,” a light and sound show using the entire city as its stage, will also appear, brightly illuminating the Christmas season.
Additionally, starting from January next year, the “Yokohama Spring Festival 2026” will begin, with lantern decorations for the Lunar New Year spreading throughout various parts of the city. Along with the traditional “Christmas Market” and “Yoru no Yo,” coordinated efforts across the entire city will include light-ups by hotels and commercial facilities, and special illumination operations of tourist loop buses.
Yokohama City has been selected as one of “Japan’s New Three Major Night View Cities.” The selection was based on “the spread of nighttime events centered around the bay area, with high evaluation not only for the night views themselves but also for the diverse urban content that utilizes them.”
The event period runs from November through February 2026. Venues cover the central waterfront area including Yokohama Station, Sakuragicho-Minato Mirai, Noge-Kannai, Chinatown, and Motomachi.
Yokohama Station
Yokohama Station is a major railway hub in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, serving as the primary gateway to the port city of Yokohama. The original station opened in 1872 as the terminus of Japan’s first railway, connecting Yokohama to Shimbashi in Tokyo. Today, it is one of the busiest stations in the world, known for its vast commercial complexes and critical role in the Greater Tokyo transportation network.
Minato Mirai
Minato Mirai 21 is a modern waterfront urban district in Yokohama, Japan, built on former shipyards. Its name, meaning “Harbor of the Future,” reflects its development beginning in the 1980s as a major urban renewal project. Today, it is a prominent business and tourist center, famous for its iconic skyline featuring landmarks like the Landmark Tower and Cosmo Clock 21 Ferris wheel.
Kannai-Chinatown
Kannai-Chinatown is a vibrant district in Yokohama, Japan, that was established in 1859 following the opening of the port to foreign trade. It is one of the largest Chinatowns in the world, known for its colorful gates, authentic Chinese restaurants, and bustling market streets that showcase a rich blend of Japanese and Chinese cultures.
Motomachi
Motomachi is a historic shopping street in Kobe, Japan, which flourished as a foreign settlement after the port opened to international trade in 1868. It is known for its unique blend of Japanese and Western influences, featuring a variety of boutiques, cafes, and department stores that reflect its international heritage. Today, it remains a popular and fashionable district that preserves the cosmopolitan atmosphere of its past.
Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse
The Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse is a historic waterfront complex originally built in the early 20th century as customs buildings for the port of Yokohama. After falling into disuse, the warehouses were restored and reopened in 2002 as a popular cultural and commercial venue. Today, they house shops, restaurants, and event halls, serving as a symbol of the city’s blend of historical preservation and modern urban life.
Isezaki Mall
Isezaki Mall is a long, covered shopping street located in Yokohama, Japan, and is one of the city’s most famous and historic shopping districts. It originated in the post-World War II period, developing from a vibrant black market into a bustling, organized retail area. Today, it stretches for about half a mile and is renowned for its lively atmosphere, diverse shops, and local street food.
Yamashita Park
Yamashita Park is a scenic waterfront park located in Yokohama, Japan, stretching along the city’s harbor. It was opened in 1930 and was built on land reclaimed from the debris of the Great Kantō Earthquake of 1923. The park is famous for its beautiful views, rose gardens, and historical monuments, including the Hikawa Maru, a former ocean liner permanently docked there.
Yokohama Illumina Square
Yokohama Illumina Square is a seasonal winter illumination event held in the Naka Ward of Yokohama, Japan, primarily around the Queen’s Square area. It typically features millions of LED lights creating elaborate tunnels and displays, transforming the waterfront into a sparkling winter wonderland. While the specific installations change annually, the event has become a beloved modern holiday tradition in the city since its inception in the 2000s.
