Osaka City Central Public Hall

This annual year-end celebration in Osaka covers a series of light-ups across the city. The Midosuji Illumination takes centre stage and has started earlier than usual this year to coincide with the recently concluded Osaka Expo. Another highlight is the Osaka Hikari-Renaissance, held on the ‘museum island’ of Nakanoshima, showcasing striking site-specific projection mapping displays.  

On the cultural island of Nakanoshima, the Osaka Hikari-Renaissance ('hikari' meaning 'light') has transformed the area into a wintertime 'light museum'. From Osaka City Hall to Nakanoshima Park, several landmarks are illuminated with detailed light shows, offering visitors a series of displays to explore. The Osaka Central Public Hall Projection Mapping (December 14–25, 5pm–9pm) turns the historic neo-Renaissance building into a night festival space, featuring vibrant stained-glass colours and shimmering effects. The Osaka City Hall facade, on the other hand, becomes a canvas for 3D LED mapping (until December 31, 5pm–1am), with additional video projections running closer to Christmas (December 14–25). While you're there, you can also pose for a photo with a reclining Myaku-Myaku, the celebrity of the now-concluded Osaka Expo. The 150 m-long riverside path connecting Osaka City Hall and Osaka Central Public Hall, which is flanked by tall zelkova trees, is transformed into a tunnel of light leading you to the event’s various sites. Meanwhile, around Naniwabashi Station, the Hikari Marche (December 14–25, 4pm–10pm), or Light Market, combines street food with up-close projection mapping. It’s an ideal spot to indulge in seasonal flavours while experiencing Osaka nights at their brightest. From here, you then slowly stroll over to Nakanoshima Park and enjoy more light installations along the way.