Eight Must-See Amazing Japanese Style Illumination Across Japan

content: This article will introduce eight different popular illumination events in Japan. Among all of them, there is one very new illumination attraction called “Tsukiakari no Niwa” or the “moonlight garden” opened in Tsukioka. Paper-covered lanterns are lined up to create a passageway. Created by the Tsukioka Onsen Tourism Association, the aim is to create a town not only know for hot springs but a town that is also exciting to walk in.

Summary

With regard to the different types of illumination, this article will introduce three major different categories. The first is Japanese umbrella Illumination. The material used as an umbrella is paper. It is lit up with different colors and creates a vivid colorful town. Secondly, it is lit up with paper lantern which creates a more traditional Japanese style atmosphere. Last, the third type is to light up with Bamboo lantern.

1. Yamaga Lantern Bamboo Festival In Yamagashi, Kumamoto Prefecture

The winter "Yamaga lantern Bamboo festival “paired with the summer "Yamaga lantern festival". They use objects such as umbrellas and bamboo paired with colorful old-fashioned townscapes. It creates a fantastic atmosphere in the evening. They also perform the traditional arts at the playhouse "Yachiyoza" continued from the Meiji era. The lantern is wrapped in a faintly shining light, and a hearty light is on the spirit.

2. Tokyo Dome City Winter Illumination - Edo's Style - Flower Of Japan

"Tokyo Dome City Winter Illumination - Edge of the Style - Flower of Japan" will be held from Wednesday, November 7, 2018, until February 17, 2019 (Sunday).

This year, the theme of the Illuminations is “Japanese style." The area will be decorated colorfully and with gentle color in the whole area of Tokyo Dome City. They tried to recreate and imagined the traditional craftsmanship of "Edo Kiriko" continued from the Edo period. The design of the illuminations is expressing the geometrical Japanese pattern with light prepares a romantic effect in which the pattern changes like a kaleidoscope according to the movement of the person.

3. Fantastic Japanese Umbrella Illumination Night Held In Tottori Prefecture

At the foot of Mount Daisen in Tottori Prefecture, there is a big area called Yujiang Umbrella. However, the culture is getting lost more and more as time passes. The lit up umbrella is a contribution from Obon and it is a luxurious umbrella made by local citizens at "Wakasa Studio" Hatsune. Each one of these umbrellas is customized, made to-order. From the Shrine entrance, umbrella light illuminates Oyamadera main hall and it becomes a beautiful, vivid and mysterious beauty that flickers vividly. The motif on the umbrellas is the scenery of Oyama that everyone who lives in the local area loves and the magnificent scenery that is at any moment attractive.
They have 25 paintings and about 500 candles which the wishes for families and important people and words of gratitude are expressed everyday. The light gently shines on the approach path.

4. 2,500 Goldfish Lanterns Are Light Up Along The Yanai River In Yamaguchi Prefecture

The goldfish lanterns adorning edge of the city center and the merchant's house along the street near the white wall and the Yanai River. They are lit up and light leaks from the goldfish lanterns, for the purpose of holding the "Yanai Goldfish Lantern Festival" which colors the summer in Yanai City. There are about 2500 of these goldfish lanterns. They are lit up from the end of July every year until the end of August

The scenery changes completely during the day and changes into a fantastic town.
You can enjoy the two faces of the white-walled townscape both during the daytime and night.

5. Theme of Illumination During Chinese New Year: “Abundance Year After Year” In China Town, Yokohama

This year's Chinese New Year Lantern Festival will produce gorgeous illumination which is based on red. It is the same as the theme of "Abundance Year of the Year " – Prosperity after years. A dragon consisting of 150 main lanterns is located on Chinatown Boulevard, and a cute small dragon also dances in the night sky of Chinatown as well as Kwon Temple Street. In addition to these, in each street, there are red lanterns and illuminations designated part of the Spring Festival, which makes the cityscape of Yokohama Chinatown a place of brilliant color and a perfect place to visit for some good luck for the coming new year.

6. Bathed in the Bamboo Forest with 15,000 Bamboo Lanterns In Yokohama

About 15,000 bamboo lanterns are bathed in light in the bamboo grove in the woods around the castle. You can experience a fantastic atmosphere by visiting the illumination in the forest. In addition, they serve Match soft drinks and bamboo cups with Kanzake(heated alcohol drink) in the Bamboo coffee corner. The sales from the coffee shop will be donated to maintain and establish bamboo groves.

7. Takehara Shokei-No-Michi Candle Illumination Festival shows 5000 Bamboo Lanterns

Every year, Takehara City holds an event of Bamboo light -Night Takehara 's path of admiration. It was held for the 16th time in 2018. The path is illuminated with bamboo arts and different types of shapes. Furthermore, the conservation efforts to preserve the atmosphere of the Edo period with candlelight shows itself as an overflow of light from 5,000 bamboo lanterns. There is not only the illumination but also traditional music performances in the festival. You can take your time and enjoy the town by taking pictures and exploring the history of Takehara City.

8. New Illumination Spot In Tsukioka Onsen Just Opened In October 18th, 2018

A new sightseeing spot along the main street at Tsukioka Onsen, located in a hot spring town known as Shibata, the "Moonlight Garden" just opened.

The moonlight garden is a new hot spot in Tsukioka Onsen. The fifty colorful lanterns made of paper lined are up in the garden and this walkway is perfect for walking at the hot spring resort at night. It is recommended that you wear yukata while walking in the moonlight garden because it is a perfect place for taking Instagram pictures. The colorful beautiful illumination definitely can bring you more views on SNS. In the back of the garden, there is also a waterfront zone where the lighting is reflected on the surface of the water. You can see the fantastic sight slowly while seated on a bench.

Information

Address: Yamaga-shi, Kumamoto, 861-0500
Time: Every Friday and Saturday on February from 19:00-22:00
Entrance Fee: JPY10002. Tokyo Dome City Winter Illumination
Tokyo Dome is in the center of Tokyo. The closet station is Suidobashi. You can access either by JR Chuo line or Korakuen Line.

Address: 1-3-61, Koraku, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 112-0004
Time: 2018 November 17th to 2019 February 17th 16:00-24:00
Entrance Fee: Free3. Japanese Umbrella Illumination Night in Tottori Prefecture
The fastest way to go to Mt. Daisen is by airplane. From Haneda airport, take the domestic flight to Yonago airport. From there, it takes about twenty-five minutes to the mountain or by train, it takes about thirty minutes.

Address: 9, Daisen, Daisen-cho Saihaku-gun, Tottori, 689-3318
Time: 2018August 24th to 26th and from September 22th to 24th. 19:30 to 21:30.
Entrance Fee: JPY300 for adults who are 15 years older4. Gold Fish Light Up in Yamaguchi Prefecture
From Tokyo, take the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkasen (Nozomi line) to Tokuyama Station. After arriving, transfer to local San-yo line to Yanai Station. From there, you can walk to the venue by 10 minutes.

Address: 1-10-2, Yanai City, Yamaguchi Prefecture
Time: end of July to end of August every year from 18:00 – 21:00.
Entrance Fee: JPY300 for adults who are 15 years older5. Theme of Illumination During Chinese New Year
Yokohama China Town is in the center of Yokohama. The closet station is Motomachi-Chukagai Station.

Address: China Town in Yokohama
Time: November 1st, 2018 to February 28th 2019 from 16:00-23:00.
Entrance Fee: Free6. Bamboo Forest Lanterns In Yokohama
The event is held closed to Kita-Yamata Station which is in the Yokohama area. You can transfer and take the green line to Kita-Yama Station from Hiyoshi-station.

Address: 7-3-1, Kitayamata, Tsuzuki-ku Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa, 224-0021, Japan
Time: October 6th 2018
Entrance Fee: Free for enter; however, they request a JPY500 donation for forest protection per person.7. Takehara Shokei-No-Michi Candle Illumination
Take the flight to Hiroshima airport. Take the Hiroshima-Airport Limousine Bus to KochiInter Change station. After arriving , transfer another bus bound for Shinkai (Takeharashi Bus Stop).

Address: 3 chome, Honmachi Takehara-shi, Hiroshima-Prefecture 725-0022 Japan
Time: October 27th-28th 2018, the date is not yet announced for 2019.
Entrance Fee: Free for enter.By train
Take the Shinkansen (JR Hokuriku Shinkansen) from Tokyo Station to Niigata Station. It is about a two-hours direct ride. From Niigata Station, take the Hkushin Line bound for Shibata to Shibata Station. From Shibuata station, take the Uetsu Line bound for Niitsu line to Tsukioka Station. From Tsukioka Station, take a taxi and it is about ten minutes ride.

By flight
Take the domestic flight to Niigata Airport. After arriving at Niigata Aiport, take the limousine bus bound for Niigata Eki Minamiguchi and arrive at Niigata Station south exit. It is about 25 minutes ride. From Niigata Station, take the Hkushin Line bound for Shibata to Shibata Station. From Shibuata station, take the Uetsu Line bound for Niitsu line to Tsukioka Station. From Tsukioka Station, take a taxi and it is about ten minutes ride.

There is also a parking lot close to the moonlight garden. You can go directly by car.

Address: 456-1, Tsukiokaonsen, Shibata-shi, Niigata, 959-2338, Japan
Phone Number: +81 254-32-3151 < Tsukioka Onsen Tourism Association>

It opens from 8:00 to 22:00 and is free to enter. The illumination starts from 17:30 and might differ depending on the season.

Reference List

https://niigata-kankou.or.jp/spot/31176
http://www.y-kankoukyoukai.com/hyakka.php
https://www.tokyo-dome.co.jp/illumination/photogallery/
http://tourismdaisen.com/feature/14/
http://www.oidemase.or.jp/tourism-information/spots/17549
http://www.welcome.city.yokohama.jp/ja/tourism/hottopics/illumination/
http://takefan.jp/taketourou/
https://www.takeharakankou.jp/event/9842