Nov 30, 2022
Winter illuminations in Japan
What / where is your favorite winter illumination event in Japan and why?
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on Dec 1
When I lived in Tokyo I loved the Jewellumination at Yomiuriland -- it had such a magical atmosphere. Definitely worth visiting if you're in the area. Funnily enough there aren't really winter illuminations (at least not that I know of) in Niigata because of the snow. A lot of illumination events out this way are held earlier, like the Apallusion event at the APA Myoko Resort. It usually runs from July until November.
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on Dec 7
So I went to the Ikutopia illumination in the weekend, had only been there previously for their summer illuminations. It was really good! Very vibrant colors and the theme was light forest so it was very nature oriented as well. There's a small illumination at Aore Nagaoka as well which was pleasant because there were zero crowds.
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on Jan 17
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on Jan 24
A little late, but I always appreciated Omotesando Illumination which ran until the end of December 2022. The slope of the street and the backdrop of interesting architecture make the champagne-colored lights spectacular. Shinjuku Minamiilumi goes until mid-February this year. There are lots of good vantage points to see the lights.
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on Feb 5
The one that instantly came to mind when I read the question is the illumination in Takasaki City. I was very impressed with the display in 2021. I think there are two main reasons - one, I didn't expect it to be as magical as it is. And two, I have a soft spot for Takasaki because that's where my Japan journey began more than 20 yeas ago! Seibuen's is always impressive, but this year it costs 4400 yen - there was no way I was paying that for illumination! Keyaki Hiroba in Saitama Shintoshin always has a nice display too.
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15 Answers