4 best Christmas markets and winter illuminations in Kobe

For six magical days leading up to Christmas, Meriken Park in Kobe’s port district transforms into a winter wonderland brimming with festive cheer. The park is illuminated in dazzling blue and white lights to reflect its seaside setting, with nearby landmarks – Kobe Port Tower, Kobe Maritime Museum and Be Kobe Monument – joining in the light-up, too.

But Kobe Meriken Christmas (also stylised as 'Kobe Meriken Xmas') is more than just a light display. Twice daily at  6pm and 8pm, 500 drones take to the night sky to weave an enchanting winter tale set to music. Keep your eyes peeled, as Santa makes a special appearance in the story.

At other times, go explore the Food & Market Zone, where 20 food trucks offer a variety of local street food and winter warmers, including Kobe wine and sake. You can take your treats over to the 7-metre-tall sparkling Christmas tree for a picnic, as it’s surrounded by glowing stools and tables.

Adding to the festive spirit are street performances and live music popping up in every corner of the park. So there’s not just entertainment on stage, but also in front of the Christmas tree and across the lawn, ensuring that the festivities are well spread out and reaches everyone.

Scenic waterfront shopping centre Kobe Harborland Umie is hosting a Christmas market by the sea. Modelled after the authentic festive winter fairs in Germany, Umie’s take on this Christmas tradition features around 40 stalls, offering a plethora of Christmas goods and gifts as well as seasonal food and drinks including hot wine and sausages. 

Umie Christmas Market takes place at Takahama Wharf, in front of the shopping centre, over three weekends leading up to Christmas: December 5–7, December 12–14 and, of course, December 18–25.

A quintessential Japanese experience during the cold months, winter illuminations transform public spaces into magical, romantic landscapes. The historic Former Foreign Settlement district of Kobe, where the streets retain their European charm, is beautiful year-round, but especially picturesque during the winter season.

Along Akashimachi-suji avenue, near Daimaru Kobe department store, over 100,000 LED lights adorn the trees, creating a sparkling display that continues until February 28 2026.

This annual light-up is free to enjoy and stretches across three city blocks towards Kobe’s vibrant port area. It’s a delightful way to explore the heritage district after dark and a perfect spot for capturing photos or simply chasing away the winter blues. The lights stay on until 10pm, making it ideal for a post-dinner stroll.

Kobe Luminarie is an enchanting light festival held every winter in the heart of Kobe. Initially launched in 1995 to honour the victims of the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, the event has evolved to become a cherished annual tradition, symbolising the city’s resilience and renewal.

This year’s theme, ‘The Pulse of Kobe, A Story of Light’, promises an unforgettable experience. The large-scale, Italian-inspired installations resemble magnificent palaces of light, with glowing tunnels, arches and domes transforming the city into a spectacular winter wonderland.

The illuminations are concentrated at three main venues in central Kobe: Meriken Park, the Former Foreigners’ District and Higashi Yuenchi Park. Additionally, smaller displays are scattered along the route connecting these sites.

A key highlight is the striking ‘Spalliera’ at Higashi Yuenchi Park, a 50-metre-long, 22-metre-high illuminated wall. The festive atmosphere here is further enhanced by a music stage as well as food and drink stalls, making it the perfect spot to linger and soak in the stunning lights.

Over at the Former Foreigners’ District, in front of the Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation Kobe headquarters, the ‘Operetta Theatre’ is a breathtaking, box-shaped light installation. Standing 7 metres tall and 16 metres wide, this grand piece is a true spectacle.

Meriken Park is arguably the crown jewel of the festival. The ‘Palace Overlooking the Sea’ features a 75-metre-long illuminated corridor, fronted by a 48-metre-wide entrance. The sheer scale of this installation is awe-inspiring.

While many areas of Kobe Luminarie are free to visit, Meriken Park is a paid-entry zone to ensure a more relaxed experience for visitors. Tickets for this area are ¥500 on weekdays and ¥750 on weekends, if purchased in advance online...