Nov 28, 2024
Winter Illumination in Nagoya
Christmas Day in Japan is just another working day, for the most part. The most exciting facet of the Christmas and holiday season in Japan is that all traces of it are gone by morning on December 26. Without fail, every bell, light, garland, and decoration will come down, and the music stops. However, this disappearing act does not hold for one of Japan’s most interesting holiday traditions; “illumination.”
Illuminations are roughly equivalent to the western tradition of putting up Christmas lights. Rather than putting lights up on their own houses, cities or businesses will set them up, and the people will come to them. This is a trendy event for couples, and many illumination displays are set up and run from November straight until Valentine’s Day.
Here are some popular places to experience illumination in and around Nagoya.
Nabana no Sato
The best place to see winter illumination is in 10 minutes from Kuwana Station in Mie. Nabana no Sato is the closest thing you will get in Japan to a neighborhood decked out by friendly competition in lights visible from space. There are 8 million lights spread out all over the entire amusement park, divided into seven different sectors, including the 120m Great River of Lights, two 100m long Tunnels of Lights, a main area with a different theme each year, and a shimmering Mt. Fuji that represents the changing of the seasons. It is a magical place for couples to stroll and woe to any soul who neglects to suggest to their significant other that they meander romantically through the lights.
Perhaps the best way to spend Christmas Day might be to take in an early Christmas dinner and then head to Mie to see the lights. If you have a special someone, it is the perfect place to walk off your meal and enjoy each other’s company. This event is now open for almost seven months out of the year!
Where: Nagashimachokomae-Urusibata 270, Kuwana, Mie (Map)
Website: Nabana no Sato
Hisayaodori Park Flarie
A convenient place to see illumination is Hisayaodori Park Flarie, located between Sakae and Osu. Illumination at Flarie offers a Christmas tree and lights throughout the garden during the Holiday Season. The garden will also host a series of Christmas concerts until December 25 featuring various artists.
Where: 4 Chome-4-1 Osu, Naka Ward (Map)
Website: Flarie
Kiso-Sansen & 138 Tower Park, Ichinomiya
The theme of Ichinomya’s 138 Tower Park illuminations for this year is a “Winter Paradise Festival” and will be featuring a “candle night” celebration on the weekend of the 14th and 15th and the week of the 21st through to the 25th.
A variety of mini events running from mid-November until early January are on the event page of the website, so make sure to check it out and use browser translation to see when would be best to visit the park.
Where: 255-3 Kaizucho Aburajima, Kaizu, Gifu (Map)
Website: Kiso-Sansen Park
Nagoya Port Sea Train Land
Sea Train Land in Nagoya Port holds annual Christmas illuminations with lights and a wealth of attractions; from a towering 85 meters high Ferris Wheel to a classic carousel, this winter event will dazzle and entertain visitors of all ages. Entrance to the park is free, and the illumination is slated to run until the end of January.
This year as well there will be some 50,000 lights decorating Train Land, and there will also be a Starry Sky Dome. Furthermore, you can see a Christmas tree illumination, and a cascade of light will flow at the Tsudoi-no-Hiroba Square of the Port of Nagoya Garden Futo Pier. Furthermore, heart-shaped photo spots will be dotted around the area for you lovebirds, while children will enjoy the free-of-charge attractions, so it is fun for the entire family!
Where: Minato Ward, Nishikuracho, 1−51 (Map)
Website: Very Merry Christmas (Japanese)
Higashiyama Sky Tower
You can get a double whammy of illuminations at the Higashiyama Sky Tower. Firstly, the view of the shining city below from its observation deck – designated as one of Japan’s ‘100 Night Views’ – is decorated with bright stars. But also, the tower itself is lit up like a giant Christmas tree.
Unfortunately, there have yet to be any announcements on the main website for the Sky Tower (see link below). Back in 2022, Tokoname Children’s Choir Christmas Concert was held on December 18 and Christmas Eve included a “Noppy Christmas Greeting” and a concert performance on Christmas Day. Keep an eye on the website for any potential events to be announced, but the botanical gardens and zoo are both lovely vists even outside of special events.
Where: Kameiri-1-8 Tashirocho, Chikusa Ward, Nagoya (Map)
Website: Higashiyama Sky Tower (Japanese)
Nagoya Station Area
It seems like all department stores in the Meieki area have one sort of illumination or another. Until Christmas Day, The Dai Nagoya Building is lit up at street level with the theme of White Gold, a sparkling 100,000 LED illuminations glowing at street level that change with each passing hour, as well as displaying shining golden decorations in the “Sky Garden” on the 5th floor;
The Kitte Building has taken a different tact. This year’s theme will be “Delight Christmas” where “delight” is a pormanteau of deli and light – the theme revolving around eating good food while enjoying the displays. The main tree will be decorated using items that would normally be disposed of in an effort to shine a light on the potentials of recycling and reuse.
In addition, the plaza and entrance of Lucent Tower are decorated with lights, with more to come for Christmas; Global Gate in Sasashima will be lit up in its annual green, and outside the JR Central Towers is a tall Christmas tree, lit up and decorated.
If that isn’t enough for you, the streets around the station and along Hirokoji-Dori combined to make the largest illumination display in Nagoya.
(Map)
Nagoya TV Tower
The TV Tower area has undergone a phenomenal redevelopment over the last few years, but not everything has changed. Remaining is the Tower, the symbol of Nagoya, and as every year, it will be lit up to celebrate the season. This year, they continue the Naked Flower theme, with projection mapping of Aichi’s flowers cast upon the tower.
Where: 3-6-15 Nishiki, Naka-Ku (map)
Website: nagoya-tv-tower.co.jp
Other Links
- https://sp.jorudan.co.jp/illumi/aichi.html (Japanese)
- Illumination Guide Aichi (Japanese)
- www.nagoya-info.jp/en/event
Image by Carlos Honda (Own work) [CC BY-SA 2.0], via flickr.com (modified)
Image by Christoph Rupprecht [CC BY-SA 2.0], via flickr.com (modified)
Image by kinpi3 [CC BY-SA 2.0], via flickr.com (modified)
Image by Carlos Honda [CC BY-SA 2.0], via flickr.com (modified)
Image by kinpi3 [CC BY-SA 2.0], via flickr.com (modified)
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