Events

Don’t let the cold stop you from heading outside as there are beautiful displays of holiday lights throughout the Kansai region. Get out of the house and away from your kerosene heater to see as many of the winter illuminations as possible this December. They’ll leave you feeling full of holiday cheer. Universal Crystal Christmas Every year, Universal Studios Japan holds a large Christmas celebration, complete with illuminations, a live show, and special seasonal treats. This year seems to be a bit subdued, but the park is open. Where: 2-1-33 Sakurajima, Konohana Ward, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 554-0031 (map link) Website: Universal Studios Japan | USJ Tel: 0570-200-606 Kobe Luminarie (CANCELLED) One of the most famous illuminations not just in Kansai but in all of Japan, Kobe Luminarie, sees millions of visitors every year. Unlike other illuminations, the display has a special meaning as it honors the Great Hanshin Earthquake victims of 1995. Kobe Luminarie is a historic illumination that features Italian-inspired cathedral facades that you can walk underneath in the evenings. Where: Near Motomachi Station from the Former Foreign Settlement to Higashi Yuenchi Park (map link) Website (Japanese): http://kobe-luminarie.jp/ Tel: 078-303-0038 Gaslight Street All year-round, the main street of Harborland…