KITTE Osaka (3-2-2 Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka), directly connected to the West Exit of JR Osaka Station, will hold its Christmas event "Merry go Christmas" from Wednesday, November 18 to Friday, December 25, 2026.
On November 18, a Christmas tree surrounded by wooden karakuri toys (mechanical toys) will appear in the 1st-floor atrium, and projection mapping will light up the wall of the preserved building of the former post office. The theme is the "connection" through which Japanese handcrafts and culture have been passed from person to person, and the event tells a Christmas story woven from the warmth of wood and light.
From December 9, music live shows with students from the Kansai region will add to the Christmas mood, with gospel, jazz and other genres changing day by day. On December 12, a music work in which the audience turns a handle to take part in the performance, "旋回するIdola," will also appear. Through experiences of seeing, touching and playing sounds, visitors can enjoy a Christmas in which encounters between people come around.
Three Highlights
- A tree about 5 m tall surrounded by wooden karakuri toys: Toys work hard around the tree to liven up Christmas.
- First-ever projection mapping, about 19 m × 19 m: The preserved building of the former post office becomes the stage, with a Christmas story spreading across the whole wall.
- Plenty of events visitors can join: Live music in which the audience and performers make music together, and an extremely difficult game that visitors can earn a chance to try by shopping in the building, are planned.
Event Overview
- Event name: Merry go Christmas
- Dates: Wednesday, November 18 to Friday, December 25, 2026
- Venue: Various places inside KITTE Osaka (directly connected to the West Exit of JR Osaka Station)
- Address: 3-2-2 Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka
- Special website: https://osaka.jp-kitte.jp/merry_go_christmas
Dates, venues and participation conditions differ by program. Images are for illustration purposes.
A Tree About 5 m Tall and Karakuri Toys Working Hard for Christmas
A Christmas tree about 5 m tall, surrounded by wooden karakuri toys, will stand in the 1st-floor atrium. The toys work hard to liven up Christmas, which comes only once a year. Wooden balls set the mechanisms in motion and light up the lights, and the small movements connect to the next in a story.
The decorations are not limited to the tree. The toys also appear on glass sheets, and a "face-in-hole karakuri panel" (顔はめからくりパネル), completed with visitors' own hands and faces, is set up as a photo spot. When a ball rolls past the nose position, visitors can take a photo as if they were a red-nosed reindeer. The expression changes along with the movement of the karakuri, making it a photo spot visitors take part in.
- Display dates: Wednesday, November 18 to Friday, December 25
- Location: 1st-floor atrium
Projection Mapping, the First Since KITTE Osaka Opened
A Christmas-themed projection mapping, about 19 m × 19 m, will light up the entire wall of the preserved building of the former post office. In the space where traces of the former post office remain, a story of presents being delivered will be projected. It is a combination of KITTE Osaka's architecture and light.
Daily Music Live Shows and a Participatory Performance Anyone Can Join
From December 9 (Wed) to December 13 (Sun), Christmas music live shows will be held. Music from a variety of genres, changing each day, can be enjoyed with free admission to watch.
On December 12 (Sat), an automatic performance machine by 山之内厳駿 of Kyoto City University of Arts will appear. The giant music-box-style work "旋回するIdola" is a participatory program in which music plays when audience members turn the handle, and the performers around it play their instruments in time with the speed of the turning. Even without any experience playing an instrument, audience members can join the ensemble. The person turning the handle and the performers responding to the sound make music together.
- Dates: Wednesday, December 9 to Sunday, December 13 (2 performances on weekdays, 3 performances on weekends)
- Location: B1F Sunken Garden
- Admission: Free to watch
NISHIUMEDA CANDLE NIGHT and a "Candy Candle" Gift
On Wednesday, December 9, "NISHIUMEDA CANDLE NIGHT" will be held across the Nishi-Umeda area. KITTE Osaka is also preparing a limited-edition novelty, suited to a night wrapped in gentle light, to accompany a walk around town to see the lights.
- Date and time: Wednesday, December 9, 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM (candles lit at 5:00 PM)
- Location: Across the Nishi-Umeda area
"Candy Candle" Gift From KITTE Osaka
On the day of the Candle Night, KITTE Osaka will give out candy in a candle-shaped box, as a companion for a walk around town.
- Distribution location: KITTE Osaka 1F Multipurpose Plaza (多目的広場)
- Distribution time: From 5:00 PM (limited to the first 500 on a first-come, first-served basis; ends when they run out)
Conditions apply to receiving the gift, and details are scheduled to be announced on the special website.
Yurayura Ball Challenge: A Chance to Win Shopping Vouchers of Up to ¥5,000
On Saturday, December 19 and Sunday, December 20, a game called "Yurayura Ball Challenge" (ゆらゆらボールチャレンジ) will be held, in which players roll a ball and aim for the top as if climbing a tree. The time limit is 90 seconds. If the ball carried to the goal is blue, the player receives a ¥500 KITTE Osaka shopping voucher, and if it is gold, a ¥5,000 voucher.
- Dates and hours: Saturday, December 19 and Sunday, December 20, 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM (last entry 5:30 PM)
- Location: B1F Sunken Garden
- Participation conditions: One ball for every ¥2,000 (tax included) on eligible purchase receipts, up to 3 balls
- Eligible receipts: Receipts issued at KITTE Osaka from Tuesday, December 1 to Sunday, December 20
Some stores are excluded from eligible receipts.
Christmas-Limited Menus and Products in Stores
Stores in the building will offer limited menus and products for Christmas, from gift ideas for loved ones to dinner. Recommended products and menus will also be introduced on KITTE Osaka's official Instagram.
- Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kitteosaka/
