Now in its 14th year, Namba’s signature winter illumination event has expanded to feature dazzling large-scale light displays and seasonal installations across the area’s key landmarks. These include the iconic Namba Parks and Namba Parks South, as well as Namba City, Namba SkyO, Namba Carnival Mall, Parks Street and Takashimaya Osaka. Every evening from 5pm to midnight, the bustling Osaka shopping district is transformed by around one million twinkling LEDs, creating a truly mesmerising winter atmosphere.
Namba Parks
One of Osaka’s most unique shopping centres, Namba Parks uses lights to create larger-than-life landscapes. The 18m-tall Waterfall of Light cascades from the 9th floor down to the 2nd, while a glowing ‘forest of lights’ welcomes visitors at the Parks Garden entrance. On the 8th floor, a giant full moon projection comes alive with digital fireworks and playful animated rabbits.
New this year, several installations are even enhanced with augmented reality, offering an interactive twist on the traditional illuminations. Through your smartphone, you’ll see 3D flowers and sparkling effects appear within the white-and-gold-themed Glittering Grassland on the 8th floor and on the Shining Tree on the 2nd floor.
Note that Namba Parks is closed on December 31 and January 1.
Namba Parks South
The light-up in this area alone features 500,000 LEDs, arranged to form a grand arch and wrapped around trees, bathing the surroundings in a luminous glow.
Takashimaya Osaka
At the eighth-floor rooftop garden, a sparkling gate inspired by stars creates a festive space to unwind and soak in the winter atmosphere.
Elsewhere in Namba
Namba City joins the celebrations with rainbow-themed illuminations at its main atrium and south entrance. At Namba Carnival Mall, new spherical installations with moving light effects bring a playful energy to the street. Meanwhile, the 2nd-floor entrance of Namba SkyO shimmers in champagne-gold lighting, rounding out a city-wide display of seasonal lights.
