Osaka's Midosuji lights are on: 4 km, every night until 31 Dec
This week's news · Checked 2026-11-07
What happened. The Festival of the Lights in Osaka 2026 started on 3 Nov, as scheduled. Its core is the Midosuji Illumination: the trees along Midosuji avenue, from the Hanshin-mae crossing (Umeda) to the Namba Nishiguchi crossing, about 4 km in 5 zones. The lights are on 3 Nov to 31 Dec, from about 17:00 to 01:00. The nearest stations are the Osaka Metro stops from Umeda to Namba (City and Prefecture of Osaka releases, 24 Sept 2026).
| Programme | Dates | Hours | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midosuji Illumination | 3 Nov – 31 Dec | ≈ 17:00 – 01:00 | Midosuji, Umeda – Namba |
| City Hall facade + Nakanoshima light street | 3 Nov – 31 Dec | 17:00 – 01:00 | Nakanoshima |
| Projection mapping, Central Public Hall | 11 – 25 Dec | 17:30 – 21:30, about 10 min every 12 min, last show 21:20 | Nakanoshima |
| "Light marché" food stalls | 11 – 25 Dec | 16:00 – 22:00 | Around Naniwabashi Station |
| Lighting ceremony | 23 Nov | 17:00 – 19:00 | Midosuji, Yodoyabashi – Semba-chuo 3; part of the road opens to pedestrians |
Source: City of Osaka and Osaka Prefecture press releases, 24 Sept 2026, checked 7 Nov 2026.
What it means for you.
- Any evening in Osaka before 31 Dec works. The lights are on a public street, and neither official release mentions a charge. With small kids, skip the full 4 km: get off at one station along Midosuji and walk a single zone.
- If you're in Osaka 11–25 Dec, keep one evening for Nakanoshima. The show on the Central Public Hall lasts about 10 minutes, repeats every 12 minutes, and the last one starts at 21:20. Outside those dates there are only the lights.
- The "Light marché" stalls come with no halal information in the official releases. Plan dinner in Namba first: halal food in Namba and Dotonbori.
- The 23 Nov ceremony opens part of Midosuji to pedestrians and is cancelled in stormy weather. Dates for the other extras (digital art at Kitamido, night markets) have not been announced yet.
- Stay near Midosuji so you can head back early with the kids: Trip.com: Osaka hotels 11–15 Dec, 2 adults + 2 kids (prices in RM; filter "free cancellation").
Before you fly: Map of 231 halal places & prayer rooms (US$6.99) — December Edition, 15 Nov.
Affiliate links may be used; your price doesn't change. Sources: City of Osaka, press release on the Festival of the Lights in Osaka 2026, 24 Sept 2026 (Japanese); Osaka Prefecture, press release, 24 Sept 2026 (Japanese). Hours can change; check the official site before heading out. Checked 7 Nov 2026.