An island Christmas. Enjoy resort vibes this winter in Okinawa, Japan

It doesn’t snow in Okinawa, but there will be Christmas light events. We will tell you about sightseeing and Christmas light spots that are easily accessible from Naha, Okinawa. Come visit Okinawa for lights and views unique to a tropical island.

※Photos are from past events and may differ from 2024 events.

Palm trees and whale sharks and lights! A very Okinawan light event at the Southeast Botanical Gardens

The Southeast Botanical Gardens is the largest outdoor botanical garden in Japan with over 50,000 plants of around 1,300 types. Apart from plants, there are capybaras and squirrel monkeys. You can spend all day here. In winter, they are hosts to a large-scale Christmas light event. Palm trees and hibiscus flowers are decorated with lights. This unique, tropical display of lights is beloved by many, and it has won the International Illumination Award 2 years in a row. The photo shows the sparkling lotus flowers reflecting in the water. It is magical and photogenic. This year, there will be a sparkling ocean area where you can see a whale shark swim in a sea of light. Come visit and enjoy things you can only see in Okinawa.

Event period	October 25th, 2024 (Friday) – May 25th, 2025 (Sunday) 5:00PM – 10:00PM (Last entry 9:30PM)
Address	2146 Chibana, Okinawa-shi, Okinawa Prefecture
Access	Hotel Gracery Naha: 45-min. car ride
URL	https://www.southeast-botanical.jp/en/

Get in the Christmas spirit with the lights at the romantic American Village

American Village is located in Chatan, Okinawa. Starting in the end of November, they will have a Christmas light event. The facility is split into multiple areas, and each area will have a different type of light-up display. Take a walk and look at them all. In the daytime, take a walk along the shore, eat lunch at a cafe, and do some shopping. After watching the sunset at the beach, enjoy the lights at night. The photo shows lights from Depot Island. There will be Christmas goods for sale that make perfect gifts for this time of year. There will be a Christmas tree and a Santa Claus monument, so take some pictures and get in the Christmas spirit.

Event period	End of November 2024 – Beginning of February 2025 (tentative)
Address	Mihama, Chatan, Nakagami-gun, Okinawa Prefecture
Access	Hotel Gracery Naha: 45-min. car ride
URL	https://www.okinawa-americanvillage.com/en/

Right next to the hotel! Christmas light event in Naha, Okinawa: 2024 Kumoji Illumination

From November 8th, 2024 to the end of January 2025, the 2024 Kumoji Illumination event will be held in UFURUFU (the plaza in front of Palette Kumoji) in Naha, Okinawa. Local companies and groups get together to host the event. Starting at Palette Kumoji, the streets will be decorated beautifully. The event is close to the main street in Naha, so you can sightsee, eat, and enjoy the lights conveniently. It’s a great event for people traveling in Naha or those staying at Hotel Gracery Naha. There will be 3 Christmas trees standing at 4-meters tall and around 35,000 LED lights. Make some fun winter memories in Naha, Okinawa.

Event period	November 8th, 2024 (Friday) – End of January 2025
Address	Palette Kumoji 1-1-1 Kumoji, Naha-shi, Okinawa Prefecture
Access	Hotel Gracery Naha: 5-min. walk from the hotel
URL	（Palette Kumoji）https://www.palette-kumoji.co.jp/