Nabana no Sato Illumination 2026–2027: Tickets, Prices and Access

Nabana no Sato’s 2026–2027 illumination season is already underway near Nagoya, with giant displays, a long tunnel of light and a new main theme built around the natural world. The event continues into May 2027, so it is not limited to Christmas. The most important planning decision is your date: admission prices change through the season, and December 23–25 requires a special date-specific ticket.

For many international visitors, a normal evening outside December 23–25 will be simpler and less expensive. If you want to go at Christmas, arrange the correct ticket before traveling to the venue rather than assuming you can buy admission at the gate.

Nabana no Sato Illumination 2026–2027: Essential Facts

• Season: October 17, 2026–May 31, 2027.
• Scheduled closures: January 6 and 7, 2027.
• Location: Nabana no Sato, Kuwana, Mie Prefecture, accessible from Nagoya.
• 2026–2027 main theme: Wild Paradise (野生の楽園).
• Lighting: varies with sunset and date; check the official calendar for your visit.
• Admission: varies by period and purchase method. The December 23–25 Christmas period has special rules.

What Is New This Season?

The 2026–2027 main themed area is Wild Paradise (Yasei no Rakuen / 野生の楽園). Its changing light-and-sound scenes take visitors from prehistoric dinosaurs through savanna wildlife and ocean life to vast waterfalls and flowering landscapes. A new champagne-gold installation, Golden Safari, has also been introduced this season.

Elsewhere in the gardens, the approximately 200-meter Hikari Kairo light tunnel, the illuminated water features and the twin trees remain major attractions. Because the event lasts through spring, some nearby flowers and seasonal displays change over the months.

How Much Do Tickets Cost?

The official pricing schedule below distinguishes the cheaper convenience-store presale from the normal on-site window price. These are admission prices per person; the stated ticket includes an on-site spending coupon, subject to its conditions. Children younger than elementary-school age are admitted free under the published schedule.

• October 17–November 20: ¥2,500 convenience-store presale; ¥2,700 regular on-site window; includes a ¥1,000 voucher and Begonia Garden admission.
• November 21–December 22: ¥3,000 presale; ¥3,200 on-site; includes a ¥1,000 voucher and Begonia Garden admission.
• December 23–25: special date-specific ticket, ¥5,000 in advance; ¥5,500 at the venue only if tickets remain; includes a ¥2,000 voucher and Begonia Garden admission.
• December 26–February 28: ¥3,000 presale; ¥3,200 on-site; January 6–7 are closed.
• March 1–May 31: ¥2,500 through either listed sales method; includes a ¥1,000 voucher and Begonia Garden admission.

These coupon values are not cash refunds. They can be used for eligible purchases or dining inside the venue, and some machines or services may exclude them. Verify ticket validity, coupon conditions and the date’s price before purchasing.

The December 23–25 Christmas Ticket Rule

December 23, 24 and 25 are restricted special-admission days. Standard tickets and ordinary presale tickets are not valid for entry on these dates. Buy the dedicated ticket for the exact day you will visit. Sales are limited and first-come, first-served; an on-site ticket is possible only when unsold capacity remains, so it should not be your plan.

• December 23: special opening from 3:00 to 10:00 p.m.
• December 24–25: special opening from 3:00 to 11:00 p.m.
• No daytime general opening: the venue does not run its usual daytime admission before 3:00 p.m. on these dates.
• Purchase channels: the official operator names FamilyMart and 7-Eleven convenience stores in Japan and the Asoview! digital ticket service.

For someone booking from overseas, Asoview! is worth checking before relying on a Japanese convenience-store machine. The operator lists it as a purchase channel, but that alone does not establish that the entire checkout, account registration and payment process works in English or accepts your overseas-issued card. Confirm that you can complete the booking and receive a usable admission ticket before planning a Christmas visit.

How to Buy and Use a Ticket on Other Dates

On ordinary operating days, the operator recommends buying and issuing a convenience-store ticket before reaching the venue. Tickets may be available at the venue, but the official site warns that arranging admission on arrival can take 30 minutes or more. If you do not want to use a Japanese convenience store, check the current official booking options and whether the venue’s standard on-site purchase conditions suit your date.

If a combined Kintetsu rail, bus and admission ticket is offered for your journey, compare its total cost with individual tickets. The advertised rail-and-bus packages do not apply to the special December 23–25 period. The operator also notes that purchased advance tickets cannot be changed or refunded under the published terms.

How to Get to Nabana no Sato from Nagoya

During illumination season, the recommended route is a Kintetsu train from Kintetsu Nagoya Station to Kintetsu Nagashima Station, then the direct Mie Kotsu bus to Nabana no Sato. The trip takes roughly 20 minutes by train and 10 minutes by bus, excluding waiting time. The direct bus is listed at ¥250 per adult and ¥130 per child each way. Check which Kintetsu trains actually stop at Kintetsu Nagashima; not every express service does.

Do not plan to board a Nabana no Sato bus at Kuwana Station during illumination season. Mie Kotsu suspends the regular Kuwana Station–Nabana no Sato route from October 17, 2026 through May 31, 2027 and runs the direct Kintetsu Nagashima service instead. This seasonal change is easy to miss if you find an older summer access guide online.

A separate direct bus from Nagoya’s Meitetsu Bus Center is also listed by the venue, but its service pattern is different from the Kintetsu Nagashima shuttle. Before you buy an evening ticket, check the bus from Nabana no Sato back to Kintetsu Nagashima and your onward train to Nagoya. The operator’s timetable has later bus departures only on nights when the venue closes later, and the buses do not run on the January 6–7 closure dates. Do not assume that a late closing time guarantees a convenient return connection.

If you are reaching Nagoya from another Japanese city by Shinkansen, our Shinkansen ticket guide explains online reservations and station purchases.

Which Visit Date Makes the Most Sense?

For travelers who want a more flexible evening, choose a normal operating day before or after the December 23–25 special period. Late November and December offer a winter atmosphere, while later visits can combine the illuminations with seasonal flower displays. Select a date based on the actual lighting time and closing time shown in the official calendar, not simply the month.

Allow enough time for the main themed area, light tunnel and gardens, and dress for outdoor winter temperatures. If you are visiting with children or someone who needs step-free access, check the operator’s accessibility information and available facilities before deciding on the visit length.

Official Information

• Nabana no Sato: 2026–2027 Illumination Overview
• Nabana no Sato: Dates, Ticket Prices and Christmas Conditions (Japanese)
• Nabana no Sato: Illumination-Season Train and Bus Access
• Mie Kotsu: Kintetsu Nagashima Shuttle Timetable and Suspended Kuwana Station Service (Japanese)
• Nabana no Sato: 2026–2027 Main Theme Area (Japanese)

Frequently Asked Questions

When does Nabana no Sato Illumination 2026–2027 end?

The announced season runs through May 31, 2027. The venue lists January 6 and 7, 2027 as closure days.

Do I need an advance ticket for December 23–25?

Yes. Those three dates require special date-specific admission tickets. The operator lists Japanese convenience stores and Asoview! for advance sales; venue sales depend on remaining capacity.

Can I use a normal ticket on Christmas Eve?

No. December 24 is a restricted special-admission day; normal tickets and standard presale tickets cannot be used.

Can international visitors buy a Nabana no Sato ticket online?

The operator lists Asoview! for the December 23–25 digital tickets. Whether your account, language preference and overseas payment card are accepted must be checked in the actual purchase process.

How do I reach Nabana no Sato from Nagoya?

Take a Kintetsu train from Nagoya to Kintetsu Nagashima, then the direct bus (about 10 minutes). Buses from Kuwana Station to Nabana no Sato are suspended during the illumination season. Check the last return bus and train connection for your date.

Is Nabana no Sato only a Christmas attraction?

No. The 2026–2027 season runs from October through May, with changing seasonal displays and flowers in addition to the illuminations.

Can I take the usual bus from Kuwana Station during illumination season?

No. The Kuwana Station–Nabana no Sato bus is suspended for the 2026–2027 illumination season. Use the direct shuttle from Kintetsu Nagashima Station instead, and check the operator’s timetable for your return trip.

Continue Planning Your Trip

If you will travel via Nagoya, see How to Buy Shinkansen Tickets in Japan before choosing your intercity train. For the wider itinerary, our Japan trip planning timeline helps you coordinate stays, regional travel and date-specific attractions.