Day Trip from Nagoya by Bus: Nagashima Outlets Shopping and the Nabana no Sato Winter Illumination

Leave Nagoya Station for a Day of Shopping and Lights

Board the bus at Nagoya Station and head to the Nagashima area in Kuwana, Mie Prefecture. This day trip of about 11 hours takes you to Mitsui Outlet Park Jazz Dream Nagashima by day and Nabana no Sato by night.

With dedicated time for both shopping and an evening stroll, you can browse the stores that catch your eye and then enjoy the illuminations. It's also reassuring that the round trip from Nagoya and the transfers between the two stops are all arranged for you.

First, it's time to shop for your favorites. After that, an evening walk surrounded by light awaits.

First, About 4 Hours of Shopping at the Nagashima Outlets

Your first stop is Mitsui Outlet Park Jazz Dream Nagashima. With about 4 hours to spend, you can browse fashion, accessories and other brands that interest you.

Look for that one item you've been wanting, or step into a shop you wouldn't usually visit. If you pick out a few stores you want to see in advance, it's easier to fit in a meal or a break between purchases.

Once you've found your favorites, it's on to Nabana no Sato. The mood of the trip shifts from the bustle of daytime to a world of light at night.

Next, Nabana no Sato: An Evening Stroll Through the Park

At Nabana no Sato, you'll spend about 3 hours. As you follow the park's guide route, take a moment to enjoy the scenes of light spreading around the buildings and along the water.

Between walks, you can also have a meal in the park. Check your selected plan for meal prices and what's offered, and plan your time around the places you most want to see.

During the autumn foliage season, the illuminated trees and their colors reflected on the water are a highlight. Enjoy how the garden shows a different face with each season.

Next, a Walk Through the Tunnel of Light

One of the highlights of the evening is the tunnel of light, a signature attraction of Nabana no Sato. Golden light fills the space overhead and stretches far ahead of you.

Walk side by side with someone special, or capture yourself surrounded by the glow in a photo. On rainy days, reflections on the wet ground can add even more depth to the scene.

Beyond the tunnel, an even larger-scale illumination awaits.

Finally, the Main Venue: A World of Light and Sound

Next, you'll head to the vast themed area. Illuminations that fill your entire field of view combine with music, creating a scene that changes moment by moment.

The theme of the main venue changes every year. The Mount Fuji and pyramid displays in the photos are examples from past years. Discovering each year's unique world is part of the fun of visiting.

Start by taking in the whole view, then pay attention to the changes in color and pattern. In addition to time for taking photos, try setting aside time to fully savor the show in front of you.

Enjoy the Flower Greenhouse, Then Head Back to Nagoya

If you love flowers, consider visiting the Begonia Garden in the park. In the large greenhouse, flowers hang from above and colorful potted plants line the space, offering a different kind of splendor from the outdoor illuminations.

If you plan to visit, check whether entry is included in your tour ticket and confirm the opening hours on the day. The evening lighting shown in the photos is for reference only, and what is offered varies by season.

After an evening of shopping and strolling, you'll take the bus back to Nagoya. On the way home, you can look back on the favorites you found and the scenes wrapped in light.

Things to Check Before Booking

• Your travel date, and the meeting point and time at Nagoya Station
• The scheduled return time to Nagoya
• The languages the accompanying guide speaks
• Nabana no Sato admission tickets and the conditions for entering the Begonia Garden
• Whether meals are included, and how luggage from shopping is handled
• The lighting hours on your travel date, warm clothing, and the cancellation policy

Prices, hours and plan details are subject to change. Please check the latest information before booking.

Summary

The appeal of this tour is that, with a round-trip bus from Nagoya Station, you can enjoy about 4 hours of shopping at Jazz Dream Nagashima and one of Japan's largest winter illuminations at Nabana no Sato in a single day. Over about 3 hours, you can explore the tunnel of light, displays depicting Japanese scenery, autumn leaves and greenhouse flowers.

Check the latest information and plan details at Nagoya Day Trip: Nagashima Outlets & Nabana no Sato Illumination Bus Tour.