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Seasonal illuminations around Christmas have become a popular attraction in cities across Japan. Illuminations are typically displayed from around November to around Christmas or New Year, while a few are kept up until Valentine's Day in February.
Among Japan's first and most spectacular light shows is Kobe's Luminarie. Started after the disastrous earthquake in 1995, the Kobe Luminarie (December 3-14, 2009) is an Italian designed tunnel consisting of millions of lights.
Below are some of Tokyo's popular seasonal illumination spots:
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Shiodome (more details)
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Caretta Ocean Xmas:
December 1, 2009 to January 11, 2010
17:00 to 23:30
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Caretta Shiodome hosts the "Caretta Ocean Xmas" featuring a vast ocean of blue lights. Shiodome City Center puts on the "Romantic Winter 2009" illumination show, while nearby Nihon TV has even more illuminations.
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Shinjuku (more details)
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November 11, 2009 to February 14, 2010
17:00 to 24:00
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"Shinjuku Southern Lights" is the illumination display on the Shinjuku Southern Terrace City, south of JR Shinjuku Station.
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Ginza (more details)
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Mikimoto Jumbo Tree:
November 7 to December 25, 2009
10:00 to 22:00
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Christmas trees along Chuo Street and illuminations by many individual stores, including the "Mikimoto Jumbo Christmas Tree", make the popular shopping and entertainment district even more colorful than it usually is.
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Roppongi Hills (more details)
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November 5 to December 25, 2009
17:00 to 23:00
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"Artelligent Christmas" at Roppongi Hills combines several illumination areas with seasonal events, such as a Christmas market. As well as the free illuminations on ground level, Tokyo City View observation deck has seasonal illuminations included in the cost of admission (1500 yen).
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Tokyo Midtown (more details)
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November 12 to December 25, 2009
17:00 to 23:00
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Tokyo Midtown's "Midtown Christmas" involves multiple illumination areas around the Midtown complex. The blue-lit "Starlight Garden" is a particularly popular and attractive display located in the park behind the main tower.
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Odaiba (more details)
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November 7 to December 25, 2009
17:00 to 24:00
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"Daiba Memorial Tree" is a large, decorated tree in Odaiba Kaihin Park in front the of Decks shopping center. Several other places on Odaiba, such as Venusfort, also have illumination events.
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Tokyo Dome City (more details)
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November 11, 2009 to February 14, 2010
17:00 to 01:00
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"Winter Illumination 0|" (pronounced as "zero-ichi") is the name of the impressive collection of illuminations around Tokyo Dome and the adjacent amusement park.
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Marunouchi (more details)
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November 12, 2009 to February 14, 2010
17:00 to 23:00
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Maranouchi's Naka Dori is lit up for the "Marunouchi Illumination 2009" event. In addition, several buildings in the district, including the Marubiru, have their own displays.
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Akasaka Sacas (more details)
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November 13, 2009 to February 28, 2010
16:00 to 24:00
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The Akasaka Sacas complex features an illumination event called "White Sacas". In addition to the light decorations, Akasaka Sacas will also have an outdoor skating rink (opening hours vary by day; typically 11:00 to 20:00).
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Yebisu Garden Place (more details)
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November 3, 2009 to January 11, 2010
16:00 to 23:00
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Yebisu Garden Place features an illumination event called "Baccarat Eternal Lights" with a huge chrystal chandelier, decorated trees and illuminated areas.
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