What to Do in Osaka & Kyoto in December 2024: Christmas, New Year’s Countdown, Seasonal Festivities & More

Illumination and Christmas Events

Shima Spain Village: Sparkling Christmas (Ise Shima, Mie)

©SHIMA SPAIN VILLAGE CO.,LTD.

Shima Spain Village’s Christmas event is located in Shima City, Mie Prefecture, about two and a half hours from Namba, Osaka.

As its name suggests, Shima Spain Village is a resort that recreates the charm of Spanish streets, featuring the theme park Parque España and relaxing hot springs. Its setting amid the natural beauty of Ise Shima adds to its appeal.

From November 2 to December 25, 2024, the Sparkling Christmas event will feature a grand Christmas tree in the Parque España area. As evening falls, illuminations light up, creating a romantic atmosphere. At night, a beautiful illumination show, titled Espectáculo de Gran Árbol Feliz Navidad 2024 (performed twice after 5 PM from December 2 to 25, each lasting 6 minutes), will showcase dazzling visuals projected onto the tree, set to Spanish Christmas songs. Restaurants will also serve holiday dishes and sweets inspired by the tree and stars.

Hirakata Park Light Amusement Park ~ Flowering Illumination (Osaka)

Hirakata-koen Station on the Keihan Electric Railway is about a 5-minute walk from Osaka’s Hirakata Park, home to the annual illumination event.

This year’s event, themed “Flowering Illumination,” will run from November 2024 to April 2025 and features seven themed areas. Highlights include the Tree of Flowers and Fairies, with a grand 13-meter tree symbolizing blooming flowers, and the Lantern Square of Light, adorned with glowing lanterns. Interactive areas like the Fortune-Telling Fountain allow visitors to press a button to start a flower-themed fortune-telling experience, changing the music and lighting. The Butterfly Garden offers a whimsical photo spot where you can pose as a butterfly.

In the evening, over 20 attractions light up, creating a sparkling, magical atmosphere. You can even take a ride on the popular Sky Walker Ferris wheel for a panoramic view of the illuminated Hirakata Park and Osaka’s nightscape.

Himeji Castle History: Kyoka Suigetsu (Himeji City, Hyogo)

Over the holiday season, Himeji Castle will host a stunning light-up event called Himeji Castle History: Kyoka Suigetsu (Elegant Night Under The Castle).

The castle will transform into a magical nighttime setting, featuring water mirror effects and colorful lanterns that create a serene, dreamlike atmosphere. At the entrance, balloons and colorful lanterns set the tone for an enchanting journey back in time.

The event includes eight attractions, with the highlight being the Revived Mukoyashiki Garden. This area showcases light towers inspired by kimono patterns, a giant moon-shaped balloon, and colorful lighting effects on the ground, offering a spectacular visual experience.

Other activities include beautiful projections on the northern stone walls and interactive features like the Full-Color Shadow Play, where visitors can join the artwork and take memorable photos. All ticket holders will also receive a special commemorative Gojoin stamp exclusive to the event.

Rokko Morinone Museum: Morione Wonder Christmas 2024 (Kobe, Hyogo)

The Rokko Morinone Museum, located on Mt. Rokko in Kobe City, is arranging the “30th Anniversary Morione Christmas 2024” this holiday season.

The museum’s Forest Sound Hall, designed in a German-style mansion, will feature a German Christmas theme. The Concert Room will be decorated with Christmas trees and German ornaments, creating a beautiful light display. An Orchestra-less Illumination Concert will feature antique music boxes, violins, and other automated instruments playing Christmas hymns and songs.

At the Forest Café, visitors can enjoy traditional German treats like Stollen Christmas Plates (1,500 yen), along with cakes and other sweets. There will also be German-inspired foods and snacks, similar to those found at Christmas markets.

The museum shop will offer German crafts like nutcrackers and smokers, and you can enjoy fun experiences such as music box assembly workshops and the “Christmas Stamp Rally ‘Find Santa!'” where participants collect stamps to create custom Christmas cards. Visitors can enjoy seeing, listening, eating, and creating while celebrating the Christmas season.

NAKED City Light Fantasia 2024 ―Go Around OSAKA― (Abeno Harukas, Osaka)

“NAKED CITY LIGHT FANTASIA” is a unique projection mapping show that blends realistic nightscapes with light art. Starting in 2015 from the Abeno Harukas observation deck Harukas 300, the event changes its theme and presentation every year.

This year’s theme, “Go Around OSAKA,” makes full use of the 360-degree view at Harukas 300. Osaka’s famous landmarks will appear on the observation deck windows, mapped according to their direction. Looking north from Harukas, you’ll see Osaka Castle, while the south-facing windows feature the UNESCO World Heritage site, the Nintoku Tenno Tomb (Daisen Kofun). By walking around the observation deck, visitors can explore Osaka’s iconic spots.

NO LIMIT! Christmas (Universal Studios Japan, Osaka)

Universal Studios Japan’s Christmas event, NO LIMIT! Christmas, brings a vibrant and colorful experience to the park. In the Gramercy Park (New York area), a stunning Christmas tree over 30 meters tall dazzles guests with its bright and vivid decorations. During the day, the sunlight reflects beautifully off draping ornaments and large diamond-shaped decorations. At night, the tree comes alive with colorful, pop-inspired illuminations that rhythmically shine in sync with Christmas songs.

In the evenings, the Christmas live show, Frosty’s Electric Snow Party (approximately 20 minutes, held twice daily), will take place. Characters dazzling in neon colors will perform energetic dance routines on stage! Characters such as Electric Frosty, along with Christmas-clad Snoopy, Elmo, Hello Kitty, and Minions, will all gather in a spectacular show. The climax will feature upgraded pyrotechnics compared to last year, culminating in a three-minute photo opportunity during the finale.

In the Wizarding World of Harry Potter™, the castle show returns after five years with Hogwarts Magical Night Winter Magic (approximately 10 minutes; showtimes and frequency vary by day). In the finale, when the spell Lumos Maxima! is cast, Hogwarts™ Castle will illuminate in a brilliant display, marking the climax of the magical experience.

HARRY POTTER and all related characters and elements (C) & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Publishing Rights (C) J.K. (s24)
Minions and all related elements and indicia TM & (C) 2024 Universal Studios. All rights reserved.
(C) Nintendo TM and (C) 2024 Sesame Workshop
(C) 2024 Peanuts Worldwide LLC
(C) 2024 SANRIO CO., LTD.　APPROVAL NO. EJ4090902
TM & (C) Universal Studios & Amblin Entertainment
TM & (C) Universal Studios. All rights reserved.

Monster Hunter: The Field at Nijigen no Mori (Awaji, Hyogo)

©CAPCOM

Nijigen no Mori, a unique theme park in Hyogo’s Awaji Island Park, combines anime, technology, and nature. Currently, it features a limited-time collaboration with the action-packed game Monster Hunter in the special attraction, Monster Hunter: The Field.

Participants step into the role of rookie hunters at the “Awaji Gathering Hub,” embarking on training quests to hone their skills. The adventure unfolds in two stages: Field Exploration and the Large Monster Hunt. Armed with weapon controllers and tracking devices, players face the formidable Rathalos, using full-body movement to control weapons and dodge attacks, creating an intense, immersive experience. Exclusive collaboration merchandise and game-inspired food are also available.

Tickets are required, with prices varying based on the hunt and season. Please check the official website for details.

Countdown & New Years Eve Events

NO LIMIT! Countdown 2025 (USJ, Osaka)

Universal Studios Japan will hold a special event, “NO LIMIT! Countdown 2025,” on December 31, 2024.

From 7 PM on December 31, 2024 to 9 PM on January 1, 2025, enjoy up to 26 hours of unlimited access to rides and shows inside the park! The highlight of the event is the “Countdown Moment”, which will take place at 11:50 PM on December 31, 2024. As the new year begins, the sky will light up with about 4,000 fireworks while the crowd chants “HAPPY NEW YEAR!”. The fireworks display, along with powerful music and lighting effects, will make the moment unforgettable.

At Gramercy Park, various entertainment shows from the year will be showcased. These include “Kuromi Live” (the live stage show from the spring featuring My Melody & Kuromi), the “One Piece Premier Show 2024” from the summer, and the “Hamikuuma Shout It Out Party” from Halloween. Also, familiar characters like Sesame Street, Snoopy, Hello Kitty, and Minions will join the celebration.

This special one-day event brings together the best of the year’s entertainment into a spectacular show!

HARRY POTTER and all related characters and elements (C) & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Publishing Rights (C) J.K. Rowling.
Minions and all related elements and indicia TM & (C) 2024 Universal Studios. All rights reserved.
(C) Nintendo
TM and (C) 2024 Sesame Workshop
(C) 2024 SANRIO CO., LTD. APPROVAL NO. EJ4091702
(C) 2024 Peanuts Worldwide LLC
TM & (C) Universal Studios & Amblin Entertainment
TM & (C) Universal Studios. All rights reserved.
(C) HYBE JAPAN. All Rights Reserved. Distributed By BIGHIT MUSIC／BELIFT LAB／SOURCE MUSIC／PLEDIS ENTERTAINMENT／KOZ Entertainment／ADOR ／HYBE LABELS JAPAN
(C) Eiichiro Oda / Shueisha, Fuji TV, Toei Animation
(C) Koyoharu Gotouge / Shueisha, Aniplex, ufotable
(C) Gosho Aoyama / Shogakukan, Yomiuri TV, TMS 1996

Taiyuji Temple – New Year’s Eve Bell Ringing (Kita Ward, Osaka)

On New Year’s Eve, temples across Japan hold a traditional event called Joya no Kane (New Year’s Eve Bell Ringing). This ceremony begins shortly before midnight and involves ringing the temple bell 108 times, symbolizing the purification of the 108 earthly desires (bonnō) in Buddhist belief. The final strike coincides with the transition into the New Year, offering participants a sense of renewal as they welcome a fresh start.

In Osaka’s Kita Ward, Taiyuji Temple, a historic site founded in 821, is one such place where visitors can participate in this tradition. Known for its resilience through wars and disasters, Taiyuji’s bell-ringing ceremony is thought to bring good fortune, as the Japanese word for “bell” (kane) is a homonym for “money.” Crowds gather here to experience this event.

The ceremony at Taiyuji starts at 11:45 PM, and anyone in line before the ringing begins can strike the bell. Additionally, the first 108 participants receive a commemorative gift, making this event even more special for attendees.

Todaiji Temple New Year’s Bell (Zoshicho, Nara)

Todaiji Temple, located in Nara City, is the head temple of the Kegon school of Buddhism. Its Great Bell, a national treasure, dates back to the temple’s founding and weighs 26.3 tons. The bell’s long reverberations earned it the nickname “Nara Taro,” and it is one of Japan’s three great bells.

Due to its size, 6 to 8 people at the time are selected in order of arrival to strike the bell together during the New Year’s Eve ceremony. The bell, 270 cm in diameter, is struck with four small ropes attached to a wooden beam, with each group taking turns. Participants can line up from around 10:30 PM on December 31, and tickets (which also serve as mementos) will be given out. The bell ringing starts at midnight on New Year’s Day, and about 800 people can participate in ringing the bell throughout the night.

Hieizan Enryakuji Temple – New Year’s Eve Bell (Otsu, Shiga)

Located in Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture, Mount Hiei, at an elevation of 848 meters, is home to the Tendai Sect’s headquarters, Enryaku-ji Temple, which spans the entire mountain.

On New Year’s Eve, starting at 10:50 PM, the “Shūsei-e” ceremony will be held to express gratitude for the safe passage of the year and pray for good health in the coming year. This will be followed by the “Oni Oi-shiki,” where monks use their spiritual power to reform three demons that represent human desires.

At 11:45 PM, visitors can ring the temple bell at the bell tower in front of the Great Lecture Hall. Tickets for ringing the bell are distributed from around 9 PM at the Banpaidō (Ichigu Hall) to those who have been given the “Kōsaki-ya” (1,500 yen). The ringing of the bell begins at 11:45 PM, and around 500 people are allowed to participate each year.

Public transportation is not available to the site, so those wishing to ring the bell should arrive by car. The Hiei Mountain Driveway and Oku-Hiei Driveway are open all night from December 31 to January 1, but road restrictions may be applied in case of snow or ice. Also, the mountaintop is about 5°C colder than the flatlands, so visitors should dress warmly.

Let’s Enjoy Kansai in December!

December in Japan is filled with fun events, including illuminations, Christmas celebrations, and the ringing of the New Year’s bells. Many of these events take place in the evening, so don’t forget to dress warmly. Be especially cautious in Kyoto, where the winter cold can be quite biting!

(The information in this article is current as of November 2024. Please check official websites for the latest updates.)

Written by:

Kaori Kimura is a Japanese travel writer with roughly 20 years of experience in editing and publishing travel guides. After graduating from university, she worked at a publishing company for about 10 years, specializing in travel guides. She has undertaken numerous assignments both internationally, including in places like Paris, France, and Taiwan, as well as domestically in areas such as Hokkaido and Kyushu. Following this, she lived in Guangzhou, China for about two years as an expatriate spouse and contributed to local media, writing on economics and travel guides. Upon returning to Japan, she gained experience in editing and writing for web media. A key strength of hers is her involvement in creating travel guide articles for both inbound and outbound tourism. She possesses the highest level (HSK-6) of the standardized Chinese language proficiency test, level 2 in Japan’s French language test, and EIKEN Grade Pre-1.