Japan Invites Visitors to Walk Through Its Twinkling Tunnel of Lights

Nabana no Sato Light Tunnel

Photo: Phuong D. Nguyen via Shutterstock

Japan is known for its impressive fall foliage and spring cherry blossoms, which are often illuminated at night for locals and tourists alike. But Nabana no Sato, a flower park located in Mie Prefecture, takes things up a notch with its illuminated tunnels. From mid-October to early-May, the park hosts the Winter Illumination event, which attracts visitors from across the country.

Visitors follow trails of lights strewn across the landscape, which rotates through the seasons, and are guided through two large illuminated tunnels. Each tunnel is lit to highlight seasonal foliage, making them captivating installations that are impossible not to photograph.

Millions of LED lights are used to produce the spectacular illuminations, which Nabana no Sato has been creating for 14 years. In the Kawazu Sakura light tunnel, pink bulbs mimic the growth of cherry blossoms throughout the 100-meter (328-foot) tunnel. This newer tunnel complements the even longer one, which runs for 200 meters (656 feet) strung with 1.2 million bulbs shaped like flowers.

Each year, the park selects a theme for its light show, with 2018 celebrating Kumamoto. This prefecture in Southern Japan was rocked by an earthquake in April 2016, and Nabana no Sato hoped to remind travelers of the area's beauty through its light show.

Each year, Nabana no Sato draws crowds for its Winter Illuminations, which include two spectacular light tunnels.

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Nabana no Sato Light Tunnel

Photo: chat432000 via Shutterstock

Nabana no Sato Light Tunnel

Photo: chat432000 via Shutterstock

The tunnels are strewn with millions of LED light and are intended to mimic Japan's seasonal foliage.

Nabana no Sato Light Tunnel

Photo: panparinda via Shutterstock

Nabana no Sato Light Tunnel

Photo: Phuong D. Nguyen via Shutterstock

The light tunnels are the highlight of the six-month event, which includes light shows, and draws visitors from around the country.

Nabana no Sato Winter Illumination

Photo: richardernestyap via Shutterstock

Nabana no Sato Winter Illumination

Photo: Chachamp via Shutterstock

Nabana no Sato Winter Illumination

Photo: Renuka Patikansunthon via Shutterstock

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Jessica Stewart

Jessica Stewart is a Staff Editor and Digital Media Specialist for My Modern Met, as well as a curator and art historian. Since 2020, she is also one of the co-hosts of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. She earned her MA in Renaissance Studies from University College London and now lives in Rome, Italy. She cultivated expertise in street art which led to the purchase of her photographic archive by the Treccani Italian Encyclopedia in 2014. When she’s not spending time with her three dogs, she also manages the studio of a successful street artist. In 2013, she authored the book "Street Art Stories Roma" and most recently contributed to "Crossroads: A Glimpse Into the Life of Alice Pasquini." You can follow her adventures online at @romephotoblog.
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