Winter Light Displays
Christmas Candle Night at the Matsumoto City Museum of Art
Enjoy listening to music while strolling around the art museum garden lit up in numerous soft candle lights.
Date: Saturday, December 9
Time: 4:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
Location: Matsumoto Museum of Art
Lights Pageant in Daimyocho and on the Chitose Bridge
Nearly 80,000 lights decorate the trees lining Daimyocho, the road leading up to Matsumoto Castle. After viewing the lit-up trees, you can see the lit-up Matsumoto Castle just down the road.
The lights are up from early December until February 28 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. (on until later Dec. 20 through Jan. 3)
JR Matsumoto Station
The front of Matsumoto Station is lit up with a festive images on the side of the station building.
Asama Onsen
Look forward to the warm glow of decorative lights when you visit Asama Onsen’s Hot Plaza. Hot Plaza offers day-trip bathing and a hot spring foot bath, while overnight stays are available at a number of traditional Japanese inns in the area. Find out more about the area here.
Forest of Lights Pageant in Azumino
The Alps Azumino National Government Park is holding an illumination event from Nov. 11, 2017 (Sat) to Jan. 8, 2018 (Mon/holiday). The displays tell the story of “The Secret of the Seven Jewels”.
The illumination will be on display in two separate areas: the Horigane-Hotaka area and the Omachi-Matsugawa area. Please see below for access information.
In addition to the light displays, various other activities will be taking place. A single ticket allows you to enter both areas on the same day. Visit the official website here (Japanese only).
Admission
Hours: 4:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
* Park hours are 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., but you may remain in the park to view the lights.
Prices
Adult: 410 yen
Elementary/Junior High School Student: 80 yen
Senior (65+): 210 yen
Preschool: Free
Fireworks (Horigane-Hotaka Area)
A 5-minute fireworks show will take place every Saturday between Nov. 11, 2017 (Sat) and Jan. 6, 2018 (Sat) and also on Christmas Eve from 8 p.m. to 8:05 p.m.
The show will be cancelled in the event of rain or bad weather.
Food Tasting (Omachi-Matsukawa Area)
Grilled mochi, mochi in a sweet bean sauce, and baked apples!
100 yen *Limited to the first 100 people.
Live Performances (Omachi-Matsukawa Area)
Christmas Stage: Various performances (dates and times)
Magic Show: Jan. 6 (Sat)-8 (Mon/holiday) 4:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m., 6:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m., and from 7:30 p.m. FREE
Crafts (Both Areas)
Miniature Aquariums Display (Horigane-Hotaka Area)
Access
Free Shuttle Bus
JR Matsumoto Station –> Toyoshina Station –> Horigane-Hotaka Area: Dec. 23 (Sat/holiday)-24(Sun) 4:00 p.m.-9:15 p.m.
JR Matsumoto Station –> Shinano Omachi Station –> Omachi-Matsukawa Area: Dec. 23 (Sat/holiday)-24(Sun) 3:45 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
By Taxi
(JR Oita Line) Matsumoto Station –> Toyoshina Station + taxi
(JR Oita Line) Matsumoto Station –> Shinano Omachi Station + taxi
Inquiries (Japanese)
Horigane-Hotaka Area: 0263-71-5511
Omachi-Matsukawa Area: 0261-21-1212