YORUNOYO 2026 in Yokohama: Free Lights, Dates and Where to Go

Yokohama’s waterfront becomes an open-air light show from December 4 to 30, 2026. YORUNOYO combines illuminated buildings, music and interactive art across the harbor, and admission to the main installations is free. You can make an evening of it from Tokyo without buying an event ticket.

If this is your first visit, focus on two places: Osanbashi Pier for the synchronized citywide show and the projection-mapped rooftop, and Yamashita Park for a giant illuminated cube. If you have more time, the Sail Training Ship Nippon Maru joins the event for the first time in 2026 with projection mapping across its hull. The installations are spread out, so choose a route that suits your evening rather than trying to see everything.

YORUNOYO 2026: Dates, Hours and Admission

• Dates: December 4–30, 2026 (daily).
• Hours: 5:00–9:05 p.m. Japan time.
• Main areas: Osanbashi Yokohama International Passenger Terminal, Yamashita Park, Nippon Maru Memorial Park and other central waterfront locations.
• Admission: free for the YORUNOYO event installations. Other nearby attractions, cruises and dining are separate.
• 2026 theme: “Radiant Waterfront.”

The organizers announced the full 2026 program on November 6. Their current official English page lists a record 50 participating facilities in the synchronized light show; some earlier announcements may show an older count.

Four Highlights Worth Planning Around

1. Highlight of Yokohama: the whole harbor moves with light

The main synchronized show lasts five minutes and takes place nine times each evening, every half hour from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. Buildings and ships around the bay join a coordinated sequence of light and music. The official main viewing point is the rooftop of Osanbashi Yokohama International Passenger Terminal, where you can look across the harbor skyline.

Rather than racing between neighborhoods during the show, choose one viewpoint and stay for a full five-minute performance. Watching again later from another location can give you a different perspective, but there is no need to see every participating building.

2. Qujiland: a glowing whale on Osanbashi Pier

At Osanbashi, the rooftop deck called “Whale’s Back” becomes an interactive outdoor projection-mapping space. A 25-meter light whale is part of the installation. Because the surface is a working outdoor deck rather than a conventional theater, plan for exposed waterfront conditions, especially on windy evenings.

3. Y Cube: light and sound in Yamashita Park

Yamashita Park has a separate installation centered on a 10-meter-high illuminated cube. The nearby Yokohama Marine Tower and the historic Hikawa Maru ship also connect visually with the citywide show. This is a useful second stop if you want a different atmosphere after the broad harbor view at Osanbashi.

4. Sail Training Ship Nippon Maru: new projection mapping for 2026

New this year, the historic Sail Training Ship Nippon Maru at Nippon Maru Memorial Park becomes a 360-degree projection-mapping display. Light, mist and laser effects surround the ship, and its illumination also joins the synchronized citywide show. The outdoor event display is free; this does not mean that admission to the ship or museum itself is included.

The park is approximately a five-minute walk from Sakuragicho Station, making it a convenient first stop if you arrive from Tokyo by JR. It is farther from the Osanbashi–Yamashita Park pair, so treat it as an optional addition rather than squeezing it into a quick two-stop visit.

Two Ways to Plan Your Evening

Shorter route — Osanbashi and Yamashita Park: Start at Nihon-odori Station on the Minatomirai Line; the official event page gives approximately seven minutes on foot to Osanbashi Pier from exits 3 or 4. Arrive before a half-hour show, spend time on the rooftop for Highlight of Yokohama and Qujiland, then follow the waterfront toward Yamashita Park to see Y Cube.

You can reverse this short route by starting at Motomachi-Chukagai Station, about three minutes on foot from the Yamashita Park installation via exit 4. That works well if dinner in Chinatown or the Motomachi area is part of your plans. Allow extra time for crowds, winter weather and photography.

Longer route — add Nippon Maru: Start at Sakuragicho Station and walk about five minutes to Nippon Maru Memorial Park. After seeing the ship projection mapping, continue along the waterfront toward the Osanbashi and Yamashita Park areas, passing Kishamichi Promenade if it fits your route. This covers more ground than the shorter option; check the official location map and decide which installations matter most to you.

Can You Visit from Tokyo in One Evening?

Yes. Yokohama works well as an evening trip from Tokyo, particularly if you are already sightseeing in the city during the day. Choose the return railway and last service based on your Tokyo accommodation; do not assume that every Tokyo station has the same direct connection. Check your route before dinner, especially if you plan to stay until the final displays.

If you are not familiar with paying for Japanese trains, our guide to train tickets and IC cards explains how local services work.

Practical Advice Before You Go

• Choose a viewpoint first: Osanbashi is the official main viewpoint for the five-minute citywide show.
• Allow a full evening if adding Nippon Maru: YORUNOYO is spread across a waterfront district, not a single indoor venue. A shorter Osanbashi–Yamashita Park visit is easier to fit into a tight schedule.
• Dress for the pier: wind on exposed decks can feel colder than in built-up shopping streets.
• Keep tickets separate: entry to YORUNOYO is free, but optional cruises, restaurant meals and unrelated attractions may cost money.
• Check the official page near your visit: it carries the live program and any changes to outdoor installations.

Official Information

• YORUNOYO 2026: Official English Event Site
• Highlight of Yokohama: Show Times and Viewing Point
• YORUNOYO: Sail Training Ship Nippon Maru (New 2026 Display)
• Qujiland at Osanbashi (Japanese)
• Y Cube at Yamashita Park (Japanese)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is YORUNOYO 2026 free?

Yes. The official event lists free admission to its main light installations. Charges for other activities, such as cruises or dining, are separate.

What are the YORUNOYO 2026 dates?

The event runs December 4–30, 2026, daily from 5:00 to 9:05 p.m. in Yokohama’s central waterfront area.

Where is the best place to watch Highlight of Yokohama?

The official main viewing point is the roof of Osanbashi Yokohama International Passenger Terminal, with a broad view of the harbor’s coordinated light show.

When does the five-minute citywide show start?

It is scheduled at 5:00, 5:30, 6:00, 6:30, 7:00, 7:30, 8:00, 8:30 and 9:00 p.m. each evening.

Can I combine YORUNOYO with a Tokyo trip?

Yes. Many visitors can make Yokohama an evening excursion from Tokyo. Check your return train connection to your accommodation before deciding how late to stay.

Is Nippon Maru part of YORUNOYO 2026?

Yes. For the first time, projection mapping and light effects will cover the Sail Training Ship Nippon Maru at Nippon Maru Memorial Park. The outdoor YORUNOYO display is free. The park is about five minutes on foot from Sakuragicho Station and is best added to a longer waterfront visit.

Continue Planning Your Trip

For a Tokyo-and-Yokohama itinerary, our Japan trip planning timeline can help you decide how many days to spend in each area. If you will use several railways during the trip, see How to Pay for Train Travel in Japan.