Nabana no Sato: Magical Winter Illumination + Flower Theme Park in Mie Prefecture, Japan
One of the best things to do when traveling during wintertime in Japan is to experience their winter illuminations. There are several winter illuminations in Japan, especially in big cities. It has become one of the Japanese tradition to visit light festivals during wintertime. The largest winter illumination in Japan can be found in Nabana no Sato. Nabana no Sato Winter Illumination is a flower theme park in Mie Prefecture, just a short bus ride from Nagoya city. If you are planning a trip to Japan, there are also several great Discover Japan tours available.
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The main area of Nabana no Sato Winter Illumination which is the light festival is what most people came here for. If you search for Winter Illuminations in Japan, this light tunnel will be one of the top photos you’ll see. This light tunnel consists of millions of led bulbs that will transform this ordinary place into a sparkly wonderland at night time.
Nabana no Sato Winter Illumination is one of the most beautiful places I have visited in Japan. If only I’m not a huge Disney fan, Nabana no Sato will surely be my favorite place in Japan instead of Tokyo Disney Resort.
Money-Saving Tips: I activate my Rakuten cashback when booking hotels so that I can save more money when I travel.
We visited on a Saturday which means there were more crowds. Since Nabana no Sato Winter Illumination is very famous both to locals and tourists, this place can get really crowded. At first, it was too crowded that I could not see anything but just a sea of people ahead of me. I stayed at the side first and when I saw that there are only a few people, I quickly took my photos.
The light tunnel will open at 6:30 P.M but we can start queuing as early as 5:00 P.M. The staff will be there to assist since there will be an organized queue.
We watched the light show at the end of the tunnel. There’s a different theme for the light show every year and this year, the theme is “Japan ~ Japanese sceneries ~” It has 14 different views from different eras and times in Japanese history.
We did not finish the light show since it was already late. We have to catch the bus back to Nagoya and ride the bullet train (Shinkansen) back to Osaka.
I would love to visit Nabana no Sato Winter Illumination again on our next Japan trip but no longer as a day trip. There’s just so much to do around this area. I would definitely check out the Nagashima Resort on our next visit.
This winter illumination is different, special and unique compared to other light festivals in the country. If you cannot visit during wintertime, you will still be able to experience this winter illumination. This illumination will start around mid-October and ends in May. Tourists will still have a chance to experience this illumination even if they are not able to visit during winter.
Begonia Garden
This park may be best known for having the largest winter illumination but what most people forget is that this is also a garden theme park. Visitors will enjoy a different variety of beautiful flowers.
The visitors will surely enjoy this Begonia Garden, one of the highlights of this park. Visitors will not only enjoy Begonia flowers but also others such as petunias, amaryllis, poinsettias, and herbs.
This greenhouse is actually really big. Everyone is sure to enjoy this unique greenhouse. There’s also a beautiful cafe before the exit. We tried out some of the snacks like sakura flavored ice cream and just enjoyed the beautiful atmosphere.
There are still more activities to do in this place. We were not able to explore all. We combined our Nagoya day trip to this garden theme park so we were not able to explore a lot.
Since it was also raining very hard, we enjoyed spending time here at Begonia Garden. This place is also known for its beautiful tulip fields from late April to May. We went during the cherry blossom season so we didn’t see any tulips.
This was definitely the highlight of our trip. It’s like being a kid again watching all these beautiful lights. I got sick the next day because I got soaked by the rain. but that experience created a wonderful memory for me. I will definitely come back to this place again and explore the other features of this park.
Check out what I did in Nagoya
Itinerary for Nagoya: Day Trip from Osaka
Other cities in Kansai Region
- Hidden Gem in Kobe: Nunobiki Herb Garden
- One day in Kyoto: How to Maximize Your Day Trip
- Mt Fuji Shibazakura Festival
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Fae Celine
Ever since starting her travel blog on April 2019, Fae has loved taking photographs of new places and sharing them online. Now, in her 20s, take a peek in her life as she pulls you into a world of travel, food and lifestyle.
162 Comments
Brittany
Your pictures are GORGEOUS. I’m so amazed at the lights + flowers! Also, this makes me miss Japan so much. I used to live there for 3 years, and moved to Seoul last year. Japan’s winter illuminations were always a favorite for me.
PS – I love your purse!
Vee
OMG! This place is breathtaking! I’ve never been to Japan, but if I did I would have to check this place out. Your pictures are gorgeous. Now that I’m a homeowner I’m sooo into flowers. Great post! Definitely saving it for later.
Fae Celine
flowers always makes houses prettier and more cheerful. my mom and I have planted different types of flowers in our garden too
Kat
The photos are amazing! I’ve always wanted to visit Japan (it’s still on my to-go list) but now I found one more reaso to go. Beautifully inspirational!
Fae Celine
thank you! there’s so many beautiful places to visit in Japan
Erik the Hungry Traveller
Oh my your Japan adventure was just amazing. Glad you were able to witness such amazing events. The lights and flowers are just awesome
Fae Celine
Thank you! The lights are definitely the highlight of Nabana no Sato but the flowers are really beautiful too.
204park
This post makes me want to visit Japan even more. It’s such a wonderful place. I won’t dare to miss this one.
Kristina
What a magical place. Im loving that garden cafe. Did you have a big budget??
Mumfromdownunder
Truly breathtaking! The flowers! The lights! What a beautiful sight!!!
Fae Celine
I feel the same way too. The lights and flowers can really amaze anyone. I’ve always wanted to try living in Japan for a year, I would definitely enjoy the experience.
Jess
Absolutely gorgeous and breathtaking pictures! Your outfit is perfect for the occasion, xoxo Jess
Fae Celine
Thank you Jess
Jennifer
What a beautiful place! That cafe is breathe-taking!!!!
Shauna
I’ve been following your blog lately, and your posts never disappoint. I don’t know who you have taking these amazing pictures of you, but everything is beautiful!! Great job, and thank you for sharing.
Fae Celine
Thank you Shauna, I appreciate it. My brother is actually the one who takes my photos. I did not use DSLR camera but the Huawei Mate 20 pro camera is really great in photography
Mary
These place looks so amazing. Who knew something so beautiful could be made with lights.
Fae Celine
Lights makes everything prettier :))
Jade
Wow beautiful post!!! Love the photos!
Fae Celine
Thank you Jade 🙂
The Peasant's Daughter
This is just beyond beautiful — what do you even call this? Japan has been on my list for ages and I keep putting it off, but then I see pictures like this and I wonder why?
Fae Celine
Japan is a beautiful country, you can find everything here, from their traditional places such as temples and shrines, advance technology, kawaii culture and of course nothing is much better than eating japanese food.
Tracy @ Cleland Clan
Wow! How pretty! I loved the lights and the hanging baskets–two totally different vibes.
Fae Celine
me too, I loved the flowers but the lights are definitely my favorite 🙂
Neha
Wow this place looks so amazing. Love floral everything. I guess every holiday is somewhere I dream of going and I am glad I get to experience different cultures. Tokyo is on my list
Fae Celine
Tokyo is definitely a must visit. There’s so many things to do and see in Tokyo.
Janaira Perez
These pictures are gorgeous! This gives me some serious inspiration to visit Japan someday.
Janaira Perez
These pictures are gorgeous! This gives me some serious inspiration to visit Japan someday, thank you! Do you have to pay anything to get inside?
Fae Celine
There’s an entrance fee of 2300 yen but within the entrance fee price, they include a 1000 gift coupon which you can use inside Nabana no sato such as buying their food or souvenirs or enter their Begonia Garden.
Jen @ JENRON DESIGNS
Wow I am taking some serious notes I think I already mentioned that my nephew is moving there this summer to teach so we are looking forward to visiting. These pictures are amazing! LOVE IT!
anshul
Nabana no sato looks like a fairyland with all the pretty lights. I guess I would love to visit this place with all the bokeh effect it will give.
Eden
I can’t believe how cool this is. I had not heard of these before, but what a beautiful and fun idea. I hope I get to see these some day, I’ve been dying to visit Tokyo, but would love to explore more of the country as well. Honestly, I’d make the trip just to see all those flowers, how gorgeous!
Fae Celine
Other cities in Japan especially the less touristy ones are really unique and must visit too.
Anwesha Guha
Wao! I love visiting flower shows. Beautiful flowers from all around the city are displayed in beautiful art forms. There is a biennial flower show in my city called Lal Bagh Flower Show.
Fae Celine
Ohhh I’ve never heard of La Bagh Flower show before. will definitely check it
Kevin | Caffeinated Excursions
Ok, this is truly incredible! The tunnel of light looks like such a good place to take a picture, and the Japanese scenery theme is really cool. I went to a light show in Seattle during Christmas last year but this looks even more impressive than that; I really love the way the mountain looks! That’s also really nice that the festivities aren’t limited only to winter. The flower garden is stunning, and I would absolutely need to visit that beautiful cafe!
Nicole
Wow! This looks so amazing and like so much fun. I’m so jealous!
Jacqueline Leighton
I absolutely love those pictures of the flowers! i want to go visit that cafe. And see the light festival 🙂
Tammie Reinhart
The winter illumination looks amazing! I really want to see the lights in person!
Fae Celine
the lights are my favorite :))
Steph
This looks so beautiful! We have a Festival of Lights where I’m from but it’s in winter! This would be so awesome to see!
Sophia
I didn’t know something this beautiful existed but wow! I will have to plan a trip one day.
Kalyan Panja
I would love to see this magical beauty in person and feel the essence of the place that I so often read about.
Wendy Polisi
Those photos alone made my jaw drop. I can only imagine seeing all of this in person! Amazing!
Fae Celine
thank you!
Wren LaPorte
I love all of your photos. Everything looks so magical. I would love to see it all in person!
Fae Celine
thank you :))
Geraline Batarra
Nothing beats Japan for me.. It’s the most beautiful place I’ve seen here in the internet and social media. The Begonia flowers looks so stunning, the variety of colors is so interesting..!
Fae Celine
Japan is the best for me too. It’s my favorite country
Adriana
Wow this is seriously amazing. The photos came out amazing. I love the botanical garden!
Fae Celine
thank you :))
Kathy Kenny Ngo
Ooohhh it would be so nice to have coffee at that place surrounded by all the lights and all the flowers.
Maartje van Sandwijk
This looks so stunning!
Lavern Moore
This flower theme park is amazing. I would love to visit prefecture, Japan!
Alexandra Cook
Wow, this was full of surprises. I never considered this area, but it honestly sounds like the perfect place for me and my family. It’s so beautiful
Mudpie Fridays
Oh my goodness I just want to climb into your pictures and never leave! Thank you so much for sharing such a gorgeous trip with all of us!
Bree
Wow everything there is so pretty! You look like you had so much fun!
Vannie Tran
Omg this is such a fun and beautiful place. It reminds me my home country Vietnam
Fae Celine
I’ve never been to Vietnam but it’s on my bucket list
Angela
You’ve found two of my favourite things to see when travelling. I love wandering around gardens and those begonias are amazing. There’s something about exploring a large greenhouse and being surrounding by lovely plants that I find really relaxing. Plus the light show is fabulous. I’d love to see that.
Elizabeth O
I love attending light and garden shows because they are always spectacular. These two in your photos are incredible. I would love to see both.
Nish
Oh my! Those lights and those flowers! I love these pictures. SO beautiful!
Fae Celine
thank you 🙂
Nelly|explorewithnelly
Japan is just a dreamy city. It is full of themes everywhere, I would love to live there. It looks like so much fun
Nikki Hall
This is one of the main reasons I want to visit Japan. They really know how to make everything so beautiful and take so much time with all the details.
Stephanie
Oh my gosh, the lights are gorgeous! There an event here in the winter called Zoo Lights that’s similar but around the Houston Zoo. We haven’t been but I want to take the kids this year. And the gardens there look beautiful too.
Betty Liew
This place is beautiful and it feel with lights. It like going into magical world. I wish I was there.
Tonya Morris
This is absolutely stunning! I will absolutely come here if I ever visit Japan.
Katie Diederichs
Wow, this is so beautiful! I wish I would have known about this when I was visiting Japan in the winter! Maybe next time 🙂
Fae Celine
you have a reason to visit Japan again 🙂
Kay
This is absolutely breath-taking! I thought I would NEVER go back to Japan during the winter, but you just changed my mind!
Fae Celine
you can also experience this illumination from oct – may so it’s not exclusive for winter :))
Marjie Mare
Everything looks so beautiful and perfect. My older daughter is visiting Japan next month, I will show her your post.
Fae Celine
thank you :))
Ivan Jose
Oh, Japan. If there’s another Asian country that I want to migrate to, it’s Japan. Love your photos, especially those in the light tunnel.
Fae Celine
Japan is my favorite Asian country :))
Angela Tolsma
The lights are beautiful. I think it would be awesome to catch a light show like this!
Rosey
Wow that’s better than any light show I’ve even seen at Christmas. What a gorgeous place to visit.
Angel
Oh my gosh, your pictures are STUNNING! I would love to visit an excursion like this. Beautiful and I’m sure a great time!
Ritu Sharma
I have always wanted to visit! It’s definitely one of the next trip I plan to visit when I return to the Hawaiian islands.
Krysten Quiles
Oh my goodness this is absolutely beautiful. I would love the opportunity to be able to check this out sometime!
kristian
Oh em gee! The light show and flowers are BREATHTAKING ! And your photography skills are amazing too!
Christa
Wow! What a fantastic way to spend a day. Those flowers are stunning!
Maysz
Wow, such lovely places I love the lightning colors that’s why I love to visit in Japan! Awesome photos!
Michael
Wow! My mother would like this, maybe on our next Japan trip! TY for this
Erika Tiara
There are so many kind of flowers in Japan’s Flower Theme Park. That’s really wonderful because I love flowers too and I also plant many kind of flowers in my garden. I wish could be there one day. Thanks for sharing!!
Kathy Kenny Ngo
The lights are really stunning and makes every photo look gorgeous!
Melanie Frost
I can only imagine the hundreds of pictures you could take there! It all looks so beautiful. You are very lucky to experience this!
Mum Mum Ma
This is one of the most spectacular posts I have seen, what terrific images, I am sure you had time of your life.
Laura
wow, the pictures look so beautiful. Love all the beautiful flowers x
Laura
https://pinkfrenzymissl.blogspot.com/
Ana
Wow! The flower theme parks look absolutely magical. Your pictures are just stunning! I haven’t got an opportunity to explore that part of the world yet but would love to visit Japan some day in my life!
Ken
Love all your photos, so pretty. I definitely have to experience this one day.
David Elliott
That really is a beautiful place. I would really love the lights and then all the flora and fauna there. Just such a peaceful and amazing place to spend some time. Very magical.
Mandi Morrison
Wow, this is amazing and so beautiful. I wish we had something like this to go and see in England I would love it.
Akamatra
Japan is magical! I always say I will go someday and I need to make it happen. Hubby love this country too!
Liz Santos
Japan, never fails to amaze and surprise me – there’s always a tones of reason going back, thanks for sharing your experience.
JM de Guzman
This place seems pretty cool and awesome. I love the vibrancy of the place. This is something I would love to go to with my kids and for them to see the light show and the flowers!
Melanie williams
Loving all your pictures by the way. What a beautiful and amazing place to visit – makes for a fab day out xx
Kate
Winter Illuminations look really magical! Wow! would love to visit this place in Japan one day! Whenever I plan my visit to Japan I will certainly add this to it!
Autumn Murray
I would love to visit Nabana no Sato on my next trip to Japan. It looks absolutely amazing!
Danielle
This place is so beautiful! I am loving all of these flowers and the set up!
Gervin Khan
Oh my gosh, that was really an amazing and a magical place to visit. It feels like you are in a Disney film when you are there, I wanna be there!
Lyanna Soria
All of those look so absolutely amazing! I would love to go to Begonia Garden, imagine all the different kinds of flowers you’ll see.
Emily Fata
Wow, the Mie Prefecture looks like such an amazing getaway! I would love to come here and see it for myself one day.
Marjie Mare
Everything looks so magical and inviting. I would definitely love to visit Japan myself. I will share this post with my daughter who will visit Japan soon.
Ceci Rey
Those light shows look amazing. They make our winter light shows look like child’s play! Beautiful…my bucket list is always growing!
Sushmita
Woah! I always wanted to go to Japan for the cherry blossoms but this is so gorgeous! Great pictures!
Kuntala Bhattacharya
Such nice photos, amazing. You must be having a good high-end camera. The place is magical. I hope I can visit soon.
Garf
Wow…those places that you visited look magical. I want to go there…So pretty!
twinspirational
Such a romantic place..! The hanging plants are so pretty..! Their colors are so lively.. ♥️
Jackline A
That park is gorgeous. So many pretty lights and displays. Thank you for sharing.
Jessa B
Flower Garden and Winter illumination wonderland, so prestigious!
Subhashish Roy
Japan is in my list of must visit places soon. Lovely post and thanks for taking through a beautiful place. Love the lights, flowers and lovely pics.
Lex Styles
Beautiful photos! I’d love to visit someday.
Sundeep
Wow! Looks like you had a great time in flower theme park. The place looks sooooooooo beautiful. I am adding this to my over flowing bucket list
Geraline Batarra
This café looks so nice..! It’s so amazing..! The flowers are so mesmerizing.. Thanks for suggesting this place..!
Claire - Heart Handmade UK
Sorry if someone already told you but the flowers look like amaryllis. I’m not an expert but I do love flowers 😬 and I read a book with ‘amaryllis’ in the title so they’re burned into my brain 😁
Hannah Swancott
Oh wow, that looks absolutely beautiful! Stunning!
Jessie
Wow, such an awesome post! The pictures are absolutely gorgeous! I want to go see it myself someday!
Jessie
http://www.theramblingraccoon.com
Sarah
The pictures are just breathtaking! I love the lights! Thank you so much for sharing this with all of us.
Tami Wilcox
Nabano No Sato is a beautiful destination; I am glad that the winter illumination has a longer season than just the winter months. It seems those gorgeous light displays would be popular year-round at night. The tunnel of lights is particularly enchanting. The Begonia Garden is also spectacular. I Just loved those huge hanging baskets of flowers in your photo — amazing that you got so many great photos without too many other people around.
Ami Bhat
Did not know about this light festival and how gorgeous it is. In fact, it is almost fairytale like – the tunnel of lights that lead to a center stage of sorts. The flower garden is so dreamy. Loved all your pics. For the night shots, did you carry a tripod?
Erica
A light show of Japan’s scenery sounds incredible. Such a great way to share the beauty of Japan in a unique way. Too bad you didn’t get to see the whole show because it was getting too late. But at least you got to see some of it! The tunnel looks gorgeous as well. I have no doubt that it is a very popular attraction. The gardens are equally as gorgeous. I love the flowers hanging down from the ceiling. I’ve never seen anything like that before but love it! PS- I love TDR as well! Can’t wait for the new Fantasyland attractions to open next spring. 🙂
Anna
Wow! I would love to visit the Begonia Garden. That cafe looks so picturesque and I have never heard of Sakura flavoured ice cream before! Looks like a great place to take hundreds of photos <3
Annick
I had seen photos of the light show before and it caught my attention since it’s so beautiful. I didn’t realize that it was seasonal so I’m glad you mentioned that. But I was blown away by the flower park! What an amazing greenhouse! I think I’d have to sit in that cafe for a long time to admire it all!
Hailey
That cafe is absolutely gorgeous! I have never seen a flower ceiling like that before. I could honestly sit there for hours with a cup of coffee and just look around.
Shreya Saha
This is a beautiful theme park. I have never heard of Nabana no Sato, but now when I plan my Japan trip, I am surely going to introduce this place in my plan. I am in love with the magical pictures of yours.
Pooja Shah
Oh, the very first photo took my breath away. Such richly decorated night illumination with LED bulbs, just wonderful. The light show is absolutely stunning too. This sure has to be added to my travel bucket list. Can’t wait to visit.
joy
wow! that looks like an amazing evening experience w/ all those lights and the twinkle light tunnel. wow. and i love your outfit!
Joy at The Joyous Living
Nicole
Wow! What a beautiful place. Looks like a great experience! All those flowers are so pretty!
Stacie
That is absolutely spectacular! The lights and the flowers are absolutely beautiful. I am super impressed by how dramatic they made the illuminated scenes.
Jessie | Follow Their Sunshine
I just love those huge flowers that you took the picture with. I have no idea what they are either!
littlemisadvencha
wooooooow. this is really really magical! i love all your pictures. i am so jealous…
cha @ littlemisadvencha.com
Ntensibe Edgar Michael
Wwwoooaaahhhh….isn’t this illumination fabulous? I haven’t seen anything this good, in a very very long time.
Carrie | Clean Eating Kitchen
Wow, this place looks amazing! Those displays are so pretty! Wha a lovely way to spend a day!
Heather
Wow! This place is amazing. I wish we lived closer so we could see it in person.
Dana Brillante-Peller
These are beautiful lights. I’d love to see this winter display in person sometime.
Fatima Torres
I’ve always been curious about events like this one. They do look worth seeing with family and friends.
Angela Milnes
There are so many awesome things to see there! I am glad you had such a great time!
Emman Damian
Wow! I will be visiting Japan on January 2020. I hope to visit this place too. So pretty!
emily zielinski
wow, this looks spectacular!! Japan is on my list of places to visit!
angelina
Japan has absolutely moved up my wishlist since reading this post. It all looks so wonderful!
Ann
Oh wow this looks like pure magic! I always love gardens 😀
Matthew Lovett
Absolutely stunning photography. Japan can be such a picturesque place and you really brought out the heart and essence of it. Really great work.
Brittany | Bucketlist Bri
Wow, I never knew about this light show! It looks breathtaking and I bet it was amazing to experience in person! I can’t wait to travel in Japan! xx
Soumya Gayatri
I had heard about Nabana no Sato from a friend but had never come across such a detailed guide on how to see this beautiful winter illumination. I am glad I came across your post. The tips about queues are really helpful. I am visiting Japan next year, so this extremely helpful. Will keep in mind the Begonia Garden too.
Kay
Winter in Japan is SOOOOO beautiful, but I almost froze to death last time I was there for Christmas! I’ll have to remember to pack thicker jackets next time!
Sam
I’ve never heard about the winter illuminations in Japan! It looks and sounds absolutely amazing! I also loved all your photos. Deff adding this to my bucket list!
Cyndi Buchanan
This place looks breathtaking!! All of the lights and flowers are amazing!
Ashley Nichols
These pictures are amazing! I don’t think I have ever seen lights like these before!
Henson
beautiful… full of light..
Justin Douglas
It look surrreal,loved the pctures
Akriti
This seems like a perfect place to visit during Christmas.
– http://www.itsasweetsweetworld.com
Alessia Marciano
Wow! It looks so beautiful. I love it. <3
Hackytips
omggg! Very beautiful.. I want to visit this festival.
Amanda Croaff
So beautiful!! Japan has always been on my bucket list, I would love to visit!
vasundhra
Such stunning pictures! Both the florals as well as the lighting are just breathtaking and surreal. Thanks for such a wonderful representation of Japan, it is truly a magical winter illumination 🙂
Amelia Pollock
Beautiful pictures. I am amazed to see lights ad flowers together. I really want to visit Japan someday.
Jackline A
Such a beautiful place. Looks magical. Thanks for sharing.
Slavka
Just magical!!!
Angela
Loved this article. In the UK we have lots of light illumination shows and this one looked great. I think the big flower you are smelling is an amaryllis.
Jackie S.
My husband and I have been to Japan a few times and have yet to visit Nagoya. Looks like we should plan a trip to see the Nabana no Sato during the wintertime. Would love to see the light show and the gorgeous greenhouse.