Japanese title: 2027春節燈花（横浜中華街のイルミネーション）

Details ↓Kyochika’s take · what it is · getting there

Good to know

Yokohama Chinatown is lit with red lanterns and lights ahead of Lunar New Year, featuring a giant dragon lantern over the main street, a 200 m light promenade from Yamashita Park and a light bridge to Motomachi. Free to view.

Dates

Nov 1 (Sun) – Feb 20 (Sat)

Time

16:00–23:00

Price

Free to view

Venue

Yokohama Chinatown, Ichiba-dori Bridge, Yamashita Park-dori

Nearest station

Motomachi-Chukagai Sta.

Check closed days and last admission on the official page before you go.

About this event

One of Japan's largest dragon lanterns will light up Chinatown Main Street, while a smaller dragon will appear on Shanghai Road. The 2027 Shunsetsu Toka illuminations celebrate Chinese New Year by bathing Yokohama Chinatown in red light. Lanterns and traditional red decorations stretch above the streets, transforming the neighborhood after dark. The Path of Light runs for approximately 200 meters between the central entrance to Yamashita Park and Choyomon Gate. The Bridge of Light also illuminates Ichiba-dori Bridge, linking Chinatown with Motomachi across the Horikawa River. On opening day, a traditional lion dance accompanies the lighting ceremony near Zenrinmon Gate.

Highlights

• Compare the enormous dragon lantern on Chinatown Main Street with the smaller dragon on Shanghai Road.
• Walk the approximately 200-meter Path of Light between Yamashita Park and Choyomon Gate.
• See the Bridge of Light connecting Chinatown and Motomachi.
• Watch the lion dance at the lighting ceremony near Zenrinmon Gate on November 1 at 6 PM.
• Explore streets decorated with red lanterns for Chinese New Year.

Good for

For visitors interested in Chinese New Year traditions, dragon lanterns, night photography and illuminated streets.

Good to know

• This is an outdoor event and can be viewed in rainy weather.
• Yokohama's official tourism website offers English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese and Korean, among other languages.

Summarized from the official page and press materials.

When and why did Yokohama Chinatown's Shunsetsu Toka begin?

Chinese New Year, known as Shunsetsu in Japanese, has long been part of Yokohama Chinatown's cultural life. According to an article published by the City of Yokohama, the English-language magazine The Japan Punch reported on the neighborhood's New Year celebrations as early as 1883. A Yokohama guidebook from 1913 also listed Chinese New Year among the city's annual occasions. Families decorated doorways and eaves with lanterns and auspicious New Year pictures.

The celebration developed into a major public festival in 1986. The first Shunsetsu Festival featured a special stage with lion dances, dragon dances and other performances. What had been a community tradition increasingly became an event that visitors could experience alongside local residents.

Shunsetsu Toka extended this festive atmosphere across the winter season. According to Yokohama's official tourism website, the illuminated celebration has used the name Shunsetsu Toka since 2003. Red lanterns and strings of lights decorate the streets in anticipation of the lunar new year. The Yokohama Chinatown Development Association organizes the illuminations, turning the shopping and dining district into a glowing celebration.

The festivities have also spread beyond Chinatown. City records describe how the Yokohama Spring Festival expanded in 2022, bringing giant lantern installations to Landmark Plaza, Yokohama Marine Tower, Yokohama Station and Haneda Airport Terminal 3, among other places. For the 2027 illuminations, decorations extend toward Yamashita Park and the bridge linking Chinatown to Motomachi. So after admiring the giant dragon, look for the illuminated paths that connect the surrounding neighborhoods.

City of Yokohama: Traditions of Yokohama Chinatown (Japanese) · Official Yokohama Tourism Guide: Shunsetsu Toka 2027 (Japanese)

Today, also nearby

Open Today, within walking distance

Food eventsJiangsu Shanghai Hairy Crab at Kaseiro, Yokohama Chinatown (Autumn 2026)Motomachi-Chukagai · 0.1 km, about 2 min on foot from here · 11:30–20:30

Food eventsAutumn High Tea at Jukeihanten Annex (Yokohama Chinatown)Motomachi-Chukagai · 0.1 km, about 2 min on foot from here · 17:00–19:30

Food eventsWeekday Grape Afternoon Tea "Taste of Autumn" (THE GATE HOTEL Yokohama by HULIC)Motomachi-Chukagai · 0.4 km, about 6 min on foot from here · 12:00–19:00

Food eventsHotel New Grand "Autumn Afternoon Tea" 2026Motomachi-Chukagai · 0.4 km, about 7 min on foot from here · 12:00–20:00

Distance from major stations

From Motomachi-Chukagai

0.4 km, about 6 min on foot

From Ishikawacho

0.5 km, about 8 min on foot

From Nihon-odori

0.5 km, about 9 min on foot

From Yamate

0.8 km, about 13 min on foot

Distances are straight-line; times are rough estimates.

Other events nearby

• 19th Bishokusetsu Yokohama Chinatown Food FestivalYokohama Chinatown (Motomachi-Chukagai Sta.) · right there from here · Nov 1 (Sun) – Nov 30 (Mon)
• Kaseiro Annex Seasonal Autumn Dishes (Yokohama Chinatown)Kaseiro Annex, Yokohama Chinatown (Motomachi-Chukagai Sta.) · right there from here · Sep 7 (Mon) – Nov 30 (Mon)
• Jiangsu Shanghai Hairy Crab at Kaseiro, Yokohama Chinatown (Autumn 2026)Kaseiro Main Store and Annex, Yokohama Chinatown (Motomachi-Chukagai Sta.) · 0.1 km, about 2 min on foot from here · Oct 16 (Fri) – Nov 30 (Mon)
• Autumn High Tea at Jukeihanten Annex (Yokohama Chinatown)Jukeihanten Annex (Rose Hotel Yokohama 1F) (Motomachi-Chukagai Sta.) · 0.1 km, about 2 min on foot from here · Sep 1 (Tue) – Nov 30 (Mon)
• Gourmet Journey 2026: Port Towns of Europe, Autumn (Hyatt Regency Yokohama Harbor Kitchen)Hyatt Regency Yokohama, 2F Harbor Kitchen (Nihon-odori Sta.) · 0.2 km, about 4 min on foot from here · Sep 1 (Tue) – Nov 30 (Mon)
• Takarazuka Revue Cosmos Troupe "Yoidore Gomen!" (KAAT Kanagawa Arts Theatre)KAAT Kanagawa Arts Theatre, Hall (Nihon-odori Sta.) · 0.3 km, about 4 min on foot from here · Nov 16 (Mon) – Nov 23 (Mon, holiday)

Places near here that were on Japanese TV

• 重慶飯店 本館Featured on Hirunandesu! (Oct 9, 2026) · about 2 min walk from the venueMapEpisode notes (Japanese page)

Shops and inns featured on Japanese TV within 1 km of the venue (walking times are estimates). Check hours and closing days with the shop. Not affiliated with the shows or broadcasters.

Food and cafes nearby

Search places around the venue on Google Maps.

FAQ

What is 2027 Shunsetsu Touka (Yokohama Chinatown illumination)?

One of Japan's largest dragon lanterns will light up Chinatown Main Street, while a smaller dragon will appear on Shanghai Road. The 2027 Shunsetsu Toka illuminations celebrate Chinese New Year by bathing Yokohama Chinatown in red light. Lanterns and traditional red decorations stretch above the streets, transforming the neighborhood after dark. The Path of Light runs for approximately 200 meters between the central entrance to Yamashita Park and Choyomon Gate. The Bridge of Light also illuminates Ichiba-dori Bridge, linking Chinatown with Motomachi across the Horikawa River. On opening day, a traditional lion dance accompanies the lighting ceremony near Zenrinmon Gate.

When is 2027 Shunsetsu Touka (Yokohama Chinatown illumination)?

Nov 1 (Sun) – Feb 20 (Sat)

What are the opening hours of 2027 Shunsetsu Touka (Yokohama Chinatown illumination)?

16:00–23:00 Check the official page for closed days and last admission.

How much does 2027 Shunsetsu Touka (Yokohama Chinatown illumination) cost?

Free to view

Where is 2027 Shunsetsu Touka (Yokohama Chinatown illumination) and what is the nearest station?

It is held at Yokohama Chinatown, Ichiba-dori Bridge, Yamashita Park-dori. The nearest station is Motomachi-Chukagai Sta..

Where to next

Nearby, within the next week

Festivals & local eventsHotchpotch Yokohama Gochamaze Music Fes (Zou-no-hana Park)Nihon-odori · 1.0 km · Nov 14 (Sat) – Nov 15 (Sun)

Festivals & local eventsUltra Multiverse Earth Defense Operation in Yokohama Red Brick WarehouseNihon-odori · 1.2 km · Jun 5 (Fri) – Nov 30 (Mon)

Festivals & local events · FreeYokohama Night Flowers 2026 (Oct & Nov fireworks, Shinko Pier)Bashamichi · 1.5 km · Nov 14 (Sat)

Festivals & local events · FreeYokohama Night Flowers 2026 (fireworks on 11/15, Shinko Pier)Bashamichi · 1.5 km · Nov 15 (Sun)

All Festivals →Today →This weekend →Free →

The photo shows the venue or its surroundings, not the event itself.

Checked against the official page on November 10, 2026. Titles and descriptions are our own translations.