Tokyo is a wonderful city to be in during Christmas and New Year's Eve. The festive spirit can be found in every corner of the city. One of the favorite attractions during this season is called "Illumination", the display of lights.
Every year there are locations around Tokyo that will have illumination events. One of the longest running illumination events that I have been to is Ebisu Garden Palace.
Most of the illuminations are open to the public and free, like Ebisu.
I would say Ebisu's illumination is one of the simpler examples. The colors are white, traditional and dwarfed by some of the more spectacular events, like Shibuya's.
There are actually 3 illuminations in Shibuya this year. The first is at Miyashita Park.
The lighting here is a blue/violet, which seems to be a theme across this city this year, although not the rule.
In addition to the illumination, food trucks can be found at Miyashita this year.
Just down the street from Miyashita park is Sakura Street. It is illuminated every year during the holidays and during Hanami, sakura viewing.
Sakura street or hill is very easy to get to. One of the reasons I like it so much is the lights rotate various colors and the natural arching of the trees creates tunnel fit for royalty during hanami season.
It's a special place that I have written about earlier this year while in full bloom here: @rt395/tokyo-travel-11-night-lights
Moving north towards Harajuku at the entry to Yoyogi Park there is a path lined with zelkova trees. This year the trees were lit up in a blaze of blue/violet lights. You'll know you are near as the trees that line the streets are also lit up.
The illumination at Yoyogi was quite a scene.
Towards the end or beginning, depending on how you enter, there is a digital screen that let's you write messages for everyone to see. Someone sends birthday wishes.
On the opposite side of the screen there is a message "Ao no doukutsu" meaning blue cave.
A full moon came out too add to the illumination.
A look back to Shibuya Scramble skyscraper.
Now, i've saved the best for last. The most stunning illumination I've been to this season is over in Roppongi at Roppongi Hills development. We start out at the small pond in the middle of the complex.
The path is lined with various color lighting, but with a blue/violet majority.
Walking around the pond will lead you outside to the TV Asahi building and then the scenery changes.
Here you can see the lighting is white, but accented with the blue/violet seen at the other illuminations.
Looking back in the opposite direction, Tokyo Tower makes it's entry.
Just behind this crosswalk there is a foot bridge that will allow even better photos of the scene. But, you'll have to wait in line to get the best spot.
It's well worth the minute or two I had to wait to get to the front.
And that concludes this post. Hands down the Roppongi Hills illumination has been my favorite so far. There are several more illuminations around the city, these just happen to be the few that I have been to so far. I am going to try and make it to a few more and if I do I'll be sure to write about those here on HIVE & Pinmapple.
I've pinned this post to the Roppongi Hills location on pinmapple, but here is a map showing all 5 locations. You could probably get to all 5 in one evening.
Now that Japan has opened back up you have the opportunity come visit. If you are looking for places off the beaten path, I have been writing about sightseeing spots all over Japan for several years and of course I pin it all on Pinmapple.com. My direct link is here: https://pinmapple.com/@rt395
Thanks for reading! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
