Japan joins the world in welcoming Earth Hour 2026

Earth Hour is a global environmental initiative where individuals, communities, and businesses turn off non-essential lights for one hour as a symbol of their commitment to the planet. It started in Sydney, Australia, in 2007, and has grown into a worldwide movement, with millions of people across more than 180 countries participating each year. The event is organized by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), aimed at raising awareness about the importance of energy conservation and the need for climate action.

Earth Hour 2026 will take place on 28 March at 8:30 PM local time. Many places in Japan will also be participating in the traditional lights out session. Several iconic landmarks in Japan will participate in Earth Hour by turning off their lights. These include Hiroshima Castle, Atomic Bomb Dome, Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Skytree, and Rainbow Bridge.

Cities are also encouraging their citizens to join in the one hour lights out. Yokohama City will encourage residents and businesses to turn off their lights for one hour, continuing their commitment to sustainability and environmental conservation.

There are others taking the opportunity to do more, for example, talk events. Minato Science Museum will host a special planetarium screening and talk event titled “Coral Reefs Now and Future – What Can We Do to Protect Corals?” on 22 February. This event is held in collaboration with WWF Japan, aiming to raise awareness about the importance of coral reefs and what we can do to protect them.

Some establishments are also using it to provide entertainment. Feniks Seagaia Resort will host a special event with wave sounds as background music. An entertainment group will provide a theatre experience in the Tokyo Dome Hotel during the lights off.

More activities will be announced as we move towards the end of the month, so keep a lookout for them to see how you can join in this year’s Earth Hour, whether you are in Japan or elsewhere in the world. So, mark your calendars for 28 March at 8:30 PM!