Sendai Pageant of Starlight 2026: Miyagi’s Zelkova Tree Illumination
Tohoku · MiyagiIllumination
Central Sendai’s grand zelkova avenue glows with hundreds of thousands of lights through December.
Overview
Since 1986 the Sendai Pageant of Starlight has turned Jozenji-dori, a broad avenue lined with towering zelkova trees, into one of Tohoku’s signature winter illuminations. Hundreds of thousands of warm-white lights wrap the bare branches, and each evening a brief ‘Starlight Wink’ plunges the street into darkness before switching the lights back on. It is free, central and easy to combine with Sendai’s food and shopping.
When & Where
The 2026 pageant runs December 4 to 27, illuminating Jozenji-dori Avenue and Kotodai Park in central Sendai each evening. Nearest station: Kotodai-koen Station on the Sendai subway, or a short walk from JR Sendai Station.
Getting There
Sendai is under two hours from Tokyo by Tohoku Shinkansen. From JR Sendai Station, Jozenji-dori is about a 15-minute walk, or one stop on the subway to Kotodai-koen. The illumination is right in the city centre, so no special transport is needed.
What to Expect
- Hundreds of thousands of lights on the zelkova trees
- A grand tree-lined avenue transformed each evening
- The nightly ‘Starlight Wink’ when the lights briefly go dark
- Illuminations extending into Kotodai Park
- Seasonal food and drink stalls nearby
Tickets & Access
The illumination is free to walk through. There is no ticket; simply stroll the avenue after dark.
Tips for Visitors
Evenings are cold, so dress warmly and pair the walk with a hot meal, such as Sendai’s famous grilled beef tongue. Weekends are busiest, and the ‘Starlight Wink’ moments are worth timing your visit around.
Access and Map
| Dates | December 4 to 27, 2026 (nightly) |
|---|---|
| Venue | Jozenji-dori Avenue and Kotodai Park, Sendai, Miyagi |
| Nearest station | Kotodai-koen Station (Sendai subway); JR Sendai Station ~15 min walk |
| Access | Tohoku Shinkansen to Sendai, then short walk or one subway stop |
| Admission | Free |
| Official site | Discover Sendai (Official Tourism) |
Source: Discover Sendai (Official Tourism)
Image: Photo: 掬茶 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
