Travel
Best spots to catch winter illuminations in Japan
Stripes Japan
November 27, 2024
(123RF)
Catch the illuminations
SHIROI KOIBITO PARK ILLUMINATION (HOKKAIDO):
Until Mar. 31, 4 – 7:30 p.m.
The indoor of park buildings will be beautifully illuminated; 7-minute walk from Miyanosawa Station; exit Sapporo Nishi I.C. free parking; 011-666-1481
MISAWA PHANTASIA(AOMORI):
Until Jan. 13, 4 p.m. – midnight
Featuring a 16-meter tall ‘big tree’ with 10,000 LED lights and dozens of suspended balls illuminated in various colors in the Nakayoshi Park; 5-minute walk from Misawa AB main gate; 0176-53-2175
ARTS TOWADA WINTER ILLUMINATION 2024 (AOMORI):
Dec. 15 – Feb. 16, 4:30 – 9 p.m.
Blue 300,000 LED lights decorate with the snow covered in front of Towada Modern Arts Museum; 35-minute bus ride from JR Shichinohe Towada Station; 0176-51-6772
KOIWAI WINTER LIGHTS (IWATE):
Until Jan. 13, 4 - 8 p.m., close on Dec. 31
Featuring illumination decorates with 2 mil. LED lights themed with “Galaxy Farm Night”; 1,000 yen for 12 or older; 15-minute drive from Morioka I.C. on Tohoku Express; 019 692-4321
TOKYO SKYTREE DREAM CHRISTMAS 2024 (TOKYO):
Until Dec. 25
Enjoy 460,000 lights around the Skytree Town. Collaborates with TV Tokyo event “TV Tokyo winter park in Tokyo Skytree Town” to provide special event and gourmet foods; Oshiage or Tokyo Skytree Station. 0570-55-0634
MARUNOUCHI ILLUMINATION 2024 (TOKYO):
Until Feb. 16, 3 – 11 p.m. (Dec. 1 – 31, 3-midnight)
Around 286 street trees can be decorated with 1 mil. Champagne gold LED lights around Otemachi and Yurakcho; JR Tokyo Station; 03-5218-5100
OMOTESANDO FENDI ILLUMINATION 2024 (TOKYO):
Until Dec. 28; Sunset – 10 p.m.
Omotesando Fendi Illumination 2024 with the theme of “Re-Crystallized,” decorated on a 23-ft tree with the LED lights on the center of open space at the venue along with “light curtain’ consisting of 6,000 icicle appears on the upper part of stairway. JR Harajuku or Omote Sando Station; 03-3497-0310
SHIBUYA BLUE GROTT 2024 (TOKYO):
Until Dec. 25; 5 – 10 p.m.
Iillumination of 770,000 LED lights with the theme of “Blue Grotto” through Shibuya Koen Street and Yoyogi Park; walking distance from Shibuya and Harajyuku Station
SAGAMI LAKE ILLUMILLION (KANAGAWA):
Until May 11
About 6 mil. LED lights are decorated around the Sagamiko Resort Pleasure Forrest. Amusement Park, Hot Spring, Camping and BBQ area is also available. 2,000 yen for adults, 1,300 yen under 12.10-minute bus ride from JR Sagamiko or Hashimoto Station; 7-minute drive from Sagamiko Higashi I.C on Chuo Express. 0570-037-353
MOTHER FARM ILLUMINATION (CHIBA):
Until Feb. 24 and Weekend only, (Every night: Dec. 24, 25 and Dec. 28 - Jan 5); 4 – 7:30 p.m.
Annual theme is flower garden of light that is featuring the lighting flower garden, princess flower dress and rainbow tunnel; 1,500 yen for over 15, 800 yen for under 12. Shuttle bus service is available from Kimitsu Station. 0439-37-3211
30th KOBE LUMINARIE (HYOGO):
From Jan. 24 to Feb. 2, Sunset – 9:30 p.m.
Held since Dec. 1995, entrusted with the requisition of the victims of the Hanshin-Awaji earthquake and the reconstruction and regeneration of the city. 7 minute walk from JR Motomachi Station. 078-230-1001
BIHOKU PARK ILLUMINATION (HIROSHIMA):
Until Jan. 13; Tue – Sun , 9:30 a.m. - 9 p.m., close on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1
Various illumination decorated with over 700,000 LED lights throughout the park, live performance and fireworks are scheduled on the weekends.450 yen for over 15, 210 yen for over 65; 0824-72-7000
KIRAKIRA FESTIVAL IN SASEBO (NAGASAKI):
Festival opens until Dec. 22 (Illumination opens until Jan. 13), 5 – 11 p.m.
Decorate around the shopping street in Sasebo city and the illumination selected by annual Sasebo news on the Shimanose Art Center wall is remarkable; Live performance and dance battle are scheduled through the event; 15-minute walk from JR Sasebo Station; 0956-24-4411
SOUTHEAST BOTANICAL GARDEN ILLUMINATION (OKINAWA):
Until May 25, 5 – 10 p.m.
Decorates the light tunnels, tree house and light carpets with 1.8 mil. LED lights to illuminate trees and the promenade fantastically. 2,300 yen for adult, 1,350 yen for ages 13 - 17; 800 yen for ages 4 - 12; 5-minute drive from Okinawa Kita I.C; 098-939-2555
Christmas market time!
TOKYO CHRISTMAS MARKET:
Until Dec. 25, 11 a.m. – 9:30 p.m., Hibiya Park
ROPPONGI HILLS CHRISTMAS MARKET 2024:
Until Dec. 25, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. everyday, free, Roppongi Hills
TAMAARI TOWN CHRISTMAS MARKET 2024:
Until Dec. 13 - 26; noon – 9 p.m., free, Tamaari Town Keyaki Hiroba 2F
YOKOHAMA RED BRICK WAREHOUSE CHRISTMAS MARKET 2024:
Until Dec. 6, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.; ages 18 and older, 500 yen, Dec. 7 – 25, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.; ages 12 and older, 500 yen. Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse near Bashamichi Station (Minatomirai line)