Yorunoyo 2026 (ヨルノヨ2026), one of Yokohama's signature illumination events, will be held from Friday, December 4 to Wednesday, December 30, 2026. The theme of this seventh edition is "華やぐ水辺" (a vibrant waterfront).
The main attraction is "Highlight of Yokohama" (ハイライト・オブ・ヨコハマ), a 5-minute spectacle in which the whole city is linked by light and music. This year, new participating facilities include the restaurant cruise ship Marine Rouge, the Sailing Ship Nippon Maru and THE MOVEUM YOKOHAMA, bringing the total to a record 50 facilities. At 5:00 PM, when Yorunoyo begins each day, the horn of the NYK Hikawa Maru sounds, and the ships and waterside spaces that represent the port town of Yokohama add color to the show across the city.
Beyond the core venues of Osanbashi and Yamashita Park, Yorunoyo 2026 spreads across the entire central waterfront area of Yokohama.
First for Yorunoyo: Projection Mapping and Lighting on the Sailing Ship Nippon Maru
Yorunoyo will present projection mapping and full-color lighting on the Sailing Ship Nippon Maru, a nationally designated Important Cultural Property, for the first time. Projection mapping is combined with mist and lasers to bring out the beauty of form and the scale of the ship. The entire dock at Nippon Maru Memorial Park serves as the venue, and the show is staged around the full circumference of the hull, so it can be seen from any angle in 360 degrees. During the "Highlight of Yokohama" show, the ship also syncs with light and music and lights up the central waterfront together with the surrounding facilities. This special staging is available only this winter.
A merchandise booth will also be set up inside Nippon Maru Memorial Park. It sells original goods such as a whale-shaped penlight called クジライト, which syncs with "Highlight of Yokohama," and glow-in-the-dark keychains.
Light Staging Along Kishamichi and Zou-no-Hana Park
At the waterside areas of Kishamichi (汽車道) and Zou-no-Hana Park (象の鼻パーク), moving searchlights and sound create a staged display. The searchlight beams spread across the night sky and highlight the scenery of Yokohama's waterside spaces. The staging adds new color to spots where visitors can feel the history of Yokohama Port, expressing the "vibrant waterfront" theme.
Visitors can walk the waterfront from the Minato Mirai area to Yamashita Park while enjoying the staging along the way.
Yorunoyo × Christmas Gate 2026 at Shinko Chuo Plaza
Following last year, a Christmas market called "Yorunoyo × Christmas Gate 2026" appears at Shinko Chuo Plaza (新港中央広場), in cooperation with Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse. The plaza links the Minato Mirai area with the Osanbashi and Yamashita Park area. The market encourages visitors to move between the areas and adds to the liveliness of the entire central waterfront.
At "Yorunoyo × Christmas Gate 2026," a Yorunoyo Shop sells Yorunoyo goods and special menu items. From December 4, the main tree in the venue also syncs with the "Highlight of Yokohama" show, in which the whole city is linked by light and music.
The Christmas tree in the park at "Christmas Market in Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse" will also sync with "Highlight of Yokohama." This is a special sight that can be seen only at these times.
Yorunoyo × Christmas Gate 2026 Hours
- Friday, November 20, 2026: 5:00 PM to 9:05 PM
- Saturday, November 21 to Friday, December 25, 2026: 11:00 AM to 9:05 PM (last order for food and drinks at 8:30 PM)
Yorunoyo Shop Opening Times
- Saturday, November 21 to Friday, December 18: from 4:00 PM on weekdays, from 11:00 AM on weekends and holidays
- Saturday, December 19 to Friday, December 25: from 11:00 AM every day
- Friday, November 20 follows the same hours as the event hours above.
"Highlight of Yokohama" Show Times
Friday, December 4 to Friday, December 25, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 9:05 PM, a 5-minute show starts on the hour and on the half hour.
The Christmas tree in the park at "Christmas Market in Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse" syncs with the show only for the 5:00 PM, 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM sessions from Friday, December 4 to Friday, December 25, 2026.
A Record 50 Facilities Join "Highlight of Yokohama"
A record 50 facilities will take part in "Highlight of Yokohama," a spectacle in which Yokohama's historic buildings, clusters of high-rises and the waterline of the port are linked by light and music. The restaurant cruise ship Marine Rouge, the Sailing Ship Nippon Maru and THE MOVEUM YOKOHAMA are among the new staging facilities. Ships and waterside spaces that represent the port town of Yokohama add color to the staging of the whole city.
New Participating Facilities (in Japanese syllabary order)
- 汽車道港一号橋梁
- THE MOVEUM YOKOHAMA
- Sailing Ship Nippon Maru
- Marine Rouge
- 横濱ビルディング
- Yorunoyo × Christmas Gate 2026
Partner Facilities (50 in total, in Japanese syllabary order)
赤レンガパーク（水際線）; APA Hotel & Resort Yokohama Bay Tower; NHK Yokohama Broadcasting Station (tower); 大さん橋ふ頭ビル; Kanagawa Prefectural Police Headquarters building; Kanagawa Prefectural Government main building; 汽車道港一号橋梁; 汽車道港二号橋梁; Queen's Tower A; Queen's Tower B; Christmas Market in Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse; Colette Mare; THE GATE HOTEL Yokohama by HULIC; ザ・タワー横浜北仲; THE MOVEUM YOKOHAMA by TOYOTA GROUP; 産業貿易センタービル; シタディーンハーバーフロント横浜; Giant Ferris wheel Cosmo Clock 21; Navios Yokohama; NYK Hikawa Maru; Pacifico Yokohama ぷかりさん橋; ハマウィング; Sailing Ship Nippon Maru; ハンマーヘッドクレーン; BASEGATE Yokohama Kannai; Hotel New Grand; MARK IS Minatomirai; Marine Rouge; 女神橋; Yamashita Park (waterfront line); Yamashita Park (fountain); 山下臨港線プロムナード; 横浜海上防災基地; Yokohama Grand InterContinental Hotel (goddess statue); Yokohama Port Osanbashi International Passenger Terminal; Yokohama Cosmo World; 横浜市開港記念会館; Yokohama City Hall; Yokohama City Hall Citizens' Lounge (市民ラウンジ); Yokohama City Hall waterside terrace; 横浜税関本関庁舎; Yokohama Hammerhead; Yokohama Museum of Art; 横濱ビルディング; Yokohama Marine Tower; Yokohama Media Tower; Yokohama Landmark Tower; Yokohama World Porters; Yorunoyo × Christmas Gate 2026; Landmark Plaza
PICK UP: A First for Yorunoyo, the NYK Hikawa Maru's Horn
At the start of "Highlight of Yokohama" each day at 5:00 PM, Yorunoyo will include the sound of a ship's horn for the first time. In addition to joining the light staging as before, the NYK Hikawa Maru, a symbol of Yokohama Port, expresses the "vibrant waterfront" theme through sound with its horn.
The horn is staged only at the 5:00 PM session of "Highlight of Yokohama" each day.
PICK UP: Restaurant Cruise Ship Marine Rouge, the Only Moving Facility
The restaurant cruise ship Marine Rouge, which circles Yokohama Port, joins "Highlight of Yokohama" for the first time as its only moving facility. The light on the hull and the glitter spreading across the water surface add a new change to the staging and bring out the waterside appeal that symbolizes Yokohama's night view.
Ship operations follow the Marine Rouge operation schedule. Please check the schedule on the Y Cruise Co., Ltd. website.
Special Color Lighting
Red Light Symbolizing Coca-Cola
Clusters of buildings are lit in red, the color that symbolizes Coca-Cola, adding a bright accent to Yokohama's night view.
- Dates: Saturday, December 5 and Sunday, December 6, 2026
- Times: 5:00 PM to 9:05 PM, for 5 minutes each at 15 and 45 minutes past every hour
Blue Light for GREEN×EXPO 2027
On Wednesday, December 9, which is 100 days before the opening of GREEN×EXPO 2027, blue lighting inspired by GREEN×EXPO 2027 will be presented.
- Date: Wednesday, December 9, 2026
- Times: 5:00 PM to 9:05 PM, for 5 minutes each at 15 and 45 minutes past every hour
Special Lighting at the Citizens' Lounge on the 3rd Floor of Yokohama City Hall
The Citizens' Lounge (市民ラウンジ) on the 3rd floor of Yokohama City Hall will have special lighting. It offers a special light-filled space available only during Yorunoyo, with extended opening hours. It is also a chance to see the Minato Mirai night view shining with "Highlight of Yokohama" as if it were set in a picture frame.
Opening Hours
- Weekdays: 7:00 AM to 9:15 PM
- Weekends and holidays: 10:00 AM to 9:15 PM
The lounge normally closes at 8:00 PM, and its hours are extended only during Yorunoyo.
Yorunoyo 2026 Limited Design "Minato Burari Ticket"
The Yokohama City Transportation Bureau will sell a Yorunoyo 2026 special design version of the "Minato Burari Ticket" (みなとぶらりチケット), a Yokohama sightseeing one-day pass, for a limited time and with an original novelty. The pass covers unlimited rides on Yokohama Municipal Buses, the Yokohama Municipal Subway and Kanachu buses within the area that includes ベイサイドブルー and あかいくつ.
The ticket also offers benefits such as discounts and gifts at more than 200 facilities and shops, so visitors can enjoy Yokohama's nights at better value.
- Sales period: Saturday, November 7 to Wednesday, December 30, 2026 (valid for one day only, on a ride date within the period from the date of purchase until Wednesday, March 31, 2027)
- Price: adults ¥700, children ¥350
- Where to buy: offices and other locations at three Municipal Subway stations (Yokohama Station, Sakuragicho Station, Kannai Station)
- Quantity: 4,000 tickets
Original Novelty Included
Each ticket comes with a mini towel in original "Yorunoyo 2026" packaging, made with environmentally conscious materials and printing such as "waterless printing," which does not discharge harmful waste liquid. The Yorunoyo 2026 original design is printed on the packaging only, and the mini towel itself is plain.
Citizen Invitation Programs
1. Special Viewing Cruise for "Highlight of Yokohama"
Before Yorunoyo opens, a citizen invitation cruise lets participants experience the "Highlight of Yokohama" staging from the water. Participants are also invited to the opening ceremony held at Pacifico Yokohama.
- Date: Tuesday, December 1, 2026
- Cruise 1: special cruise, 4:45 PM to 5:25 PM
- Cruises 1 and 2: opening ceremony, 5:40 PM to 5:50 PM
- Cruise 2: special cruise, 6:20 PM to 7:05 PM
- Departure point: Pacifico Yokohama ぷかりさん橋 (Minatomirai 1-chome, Nishi Ward, Yokohama)
- Number of guests: 100 (by lottery if applications exceed capacity)
- Eligibility:
- Apply as one or two people
- At least one applicant must live, work or study in Yokohama
- Children under 16 must be accompanied by a guardian
- How to apply: web form
- Application period: Friday, November 6 to Sunday, November 15, 2026
For other details, see the Yorunoyo web page: https://yorunoyo.yokohama/shimin-cruise/
2. Special London Bus Ride
Citizens are invited aboard a London bus bound for Osanbashi, from which the Minato Mirai night view can be enjoyed through the windows.
- Dates and times: Friday, December 4 to Monday, December 7, 2026, daily at 4:00 PM, 5:00 PM, 6:00 PM, 7:00 PM and 8:00 PM
- Meeting place: around Sakuragicho Station
- Route: around Sakuragicho Station to Yokohama Port Osanbashi International Passenger Terminal (one way)
- Ride time: about 20 minutes
- Number of guests: 400 in total (20 per trip, by lottery if applications exceed capacity)
- Eligibility:
- Apply as one to five people
- At least one applicant must live, work or study in Yokohama
- Children under 16 must be accompanied by a guardian
- How to apply: web form
- Application period: Friday, November 6 to Sunday, November 15, 2026
For other details, see the Yorunoyo web page: https://yorunoyo.yokohama/london-bus/
Decarbonization Efforts (Made from Green Energy)
Of the electricity used at the event, 75% or more comes from renewable energy, including biofuel generators that run on waste cooking oil. Combined with carbon offsets, the event achieves an effective renewable energy usage rate of 100%. Promotional materials and the event as a whole are also produced with decarbonization, resource reuse and other aspects of sustainability in mind.
Decarbonization partners (in Japanese syllabary order): 三和エナジー株式会社, みなとみらい21熱供給株式会社
THE YOKOHAMA ILLUMINATION
Yorunoyo 2026 is a participating event in THE YOKOHAMA ILLUMINATION, a tourism campaign that promotes illumination events held across Yokohama as one. The campaign promotes illuminations and night events held across Yokohama from November to February. Along with information on more than 60 night events at sightseeing spots, commercial facilities and shopping streets, participatory programs are planned, including a digital stamp rally for touring the city and an illumination photo contest.
Japan's New Three Great Night View Cities
Japan's New Three Great Night View Cities (日本新三大夜景都市) is a night view brand created in October 2015 by the 夜景観光コンベンション・ビューロー, the only organization in Japan dedicated to night view tourism, with the aim of promoting night view tourism in Japan and abroad. The top three cities are certified based on votes by night view tourism specialists (qualified holders of the night view tourism certification exam) across Japan. Yokohama was certified in the 2024 reselection, the first city in the Tokyo metropolitan area to be chosen.
The bureau gave the following comment on why Yokohama was selected.
In recent years, centered on the bay area, night events that can serve as models for other cities, such as "Yorunoyo" and "横浜スパークリングトワイライト," have spread. Not only the appeal of the night view itself but also the wide variety of content that makes use of that resource has given many night view tourism specialists a sense of satisfaction. Yokohama was also rated as gaining new appeal as a foundation of the city, including the fluid appeal of a night view that transforms along with the changes in the city.
Event Overview
| Event Name | Yorunoyo 2026 (ヨルノヨ2026) |
| Dates | Friday, December 4 to Wednesday, December 30, 2026 |
| Hours | 5:00 PM to 9:05 PM |
| Venue | Yokohama central waterfront area (Yokohama Port Osanbashi International Passenger Terminal, Yamashita Park and others) |
| Admission | Free |
| Organizer | THE YOKOHAMA ILLUMINATION・ヨルノヨ実行委員会 |
| Co-organizer | City of Yokohama |
| Cooperation | THE YOKOHAMA ILLUMINATION Promotion Council (THE YOKOHAMA ILLUMINATION推進協議会) |
| Official Website | https://yorunoyo.yokohama/ |
