Best illuminations

Hi,

We will be in Tokyo with children for two evenings prior to christmas before heading to Niseko in 2015 and are just starting to plan. I have read all the information on illuminations but am still trying to decide which ones to visit.

I would like to visit perhaps one area where the illuminations best evokes the spirit of christmas. (I have previously lived in Japan and am aware about Japanese traditions re christmas)

I would also like to visit perhaps in general the most spectacular illuminations.

Therefore I would really appreciate your opinions on which areas you like to visit versus the factual information re number of lights etc.

Thanks again I really appreciate it.

I just came back a week ago and more from a trip to Tokyo, Osaka, Hiroshima. I have to say the illuminations in Hiroshima were nice, they weren't really festive but it was all along a stretch of a street on both sides.

In Tokyo, there is a nice display beside Shinjuku station where the krispy kreme is. There's a tree that is kinda interactive, you put your hands down and the tree and lights and song plays for thirty seconds. The trees are lighted differently and there is even a model shinkensen there. Not big and elaborate but nice to see.

THere's something in Shibuya close to the shibuya crossing. I thought it was nice, there were a few displays. Then again, in Harajuku one of hte dept stores has a patio by starbucks and if you spend money at the store you show them your receipt and they give you a coin. You put the coin into a box and the tree lights up and plays a song for a few seconds.

I don't know how this compares to the illuminations you've seen before, speaking as someone from North America, I was very impressed with these light displays. Lot better than what we have at home, imo.

My recommendations:

Kobe Luminarie:
http://www.visitkansai.com/sightseeing/illuminations-kobe/

Nabana No Sato winter illumination:
https://www.google.com.au/search?q=nabana+no+sato&biw=1164&bih=817&tbm...

Thanks for the info flonie and liem. Anybody else with their favourites??

Thanks again

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Sorry, just realised that the Kobe luminaries finished yesterday.

I have googled rankings for the christmas illuminations in Tokyo/Kanto area. Roughly, there are two kinds: the ones in central Tokyo and those in the suburbs. I am personally interested in Carreta Shiodome and Tokyo Midtown, based on their orientation toward bluer colors.

http://ocean-memory.com/archives/994
Marunouchi
Omote Sando
Roppongi Hills
Midtown
Tokyo Tower

http://www.rurubu.com/season/winter/illumination/list.aspx?AC=2
Marunouchi
Midtown
Imperial

http://xmas.walkerplus.com/list/illumi/ar0313/
Carreta Shiodome
Maru Bil
Tokyo Midtown
Tokyo Doitsu Mura
Kokuei Showa Kinen Koen
Ebisu Garden Place
Yokohama Aka Renga Soko
Miyagase Kohan
Ashikaga Flower Park
Marunouchi

http://gentle-breeze.org/culture/3653/
Yomouri Land
Seibuen
Sagamiko Illumillion
Midtown
Roppongi Hills
Tokyo Doitsu Mura
Marunouchi
Imperial
Tama Center

http://www.yakeikentei.jp/special_kanto/
Ashikaga Flower Park
Tokyo Doitsu Mura
Enoshima

wow thanks luisjp

I don't read japanese. Are there illumination all year round? Based on what I read when I clicked on the link, it seems like some of the illumination displays go until April, is that right?

Well, it seems some go until around 12/25, while others do till Jan, Feb, Mar and Apr. But not year around. All appears to be held in colder days. It tends to be the ones in the central Tokyo area will end earlier. Note some need admission fee.

There are many, but I here pick up some.

Until Apr 12
http://www.sagamiko-resort.jp/english/event/

Until Apr 5
http://www.seibuen-yuuenchi.jp/illumi-ju/
http://www.seibuen-yuuenchi.jp/illumi-ju/info.html

Until Mar 31
http://www.t-doitsumura.co.jp/special_event/

Until Feb 16
http://www.marunouchi.com/event/detail/1502
http://www.marunouchi.vreyeplus.com/marunouchi-illumination2013-2/2013...

Until Feb 5
http://www.ashikaga.co.jp/flowerfantasy_special2014.html

Until Feb 1
http://enoshima-seacandle.jp/event/2014/shonannohouseki/

Omotesando is nice!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D23aJ7XCkNU

My favourite are the illuminations at Tokyo Midtown. Ebisu Garden Place is also quite nice.

Kansai illuminations at Kyoto and Osaka:http://www.soleilrouge.org/les-illuminations-de-fin-d-annee-dans-le-ka...