Illumination in Tokyo vs Kobe Luminarie
Kobe Luminarie (神戸ルミナリエ) is a light festival held in Kobe, Japan, every December since 1995 to commemorate the Great Hanshin earthquake of that year.The lights were donated by the Italian Government and the installation itself is produced by Valerio Festi and Hirokazu Imaoka.Over 200,000 individually hand painted lights are lit each year with electricity generated…
from biomass in order to stay environmentally friendly. This beautiful illumination is called “あおのどくつ”, meaning Blue Grotto, was in Nakameguro in 2014. It has relocated to Yoyogi park this year (2018) and maybe prior to my arrival so I’m not really sure.However, The illumination runs from November 22nd through January 9th. I had the chance to go since I usually cycle from Harajuku cutting through Yoyogi so I can reach Shibuya, I’ve heard they moved the illumination because of space and the fact that many people come to take photos.
Where does it start at and how to get there!
The Illumination starts on Shibuya Koen Dori (Shibuya park street) and those Japanese Zelkova trees were lit up for your 750 m walk. I recommend stopping by there when you are in the downtown Tokyo area. To get to the illumination vicinity, the closest station is Shibuya. The street is on the opposite side Meiji Shrine in the mid of Yoyogi park, so mak
e sure to get off at Shibuya Station, not Harajuku station. and in case you got off at Harajuku just go out to see Gap clothes store turn right towards the shrine to find the festival across the street.
From Shibuya station, exit from Hachiko exit and then cross the famous crowded intersection. And then take the street that is to the right of the building that is all glass and has a large tv display. You will see a Starbucks and TSUTAYA video store in this building. Keep walking until you see the blue lights on the trees.
Let me take you to another illumination in Shinjuku!
So you must be hungry and willing to eat shack shake shinjuku, Yet hold on, its the winter time and on your way, you will definitely won’t miss the lights sparkling at Shinjuku station. Shinjuku Terrace City is an area that considers all the shopping facilities around the Odakyu Line Shinjuku Station (from HALC outside the West Exit to the Shinjuku Southern Terrace) as a single town.
Talking about me walking
with my friend Sara spectating this illumination event, and the concept I think is to “Make people smile. Connecting smiles. Smile Terrace Illumination.” To be named this way, the theme color is the baby pink of cherry blossoms, something that’s both familiar to Japanese visitors and easy for foreign tourists to picture. This warm and gentle light brings decorative color to all of the areas around Shinjuku Station. The constant pink color throughout the illumination gives a unified quality to the areas of the town, symbolizes connectio
ns, and expresses the appeal of this area in an easy to understand way.
At front of Hikarie, Shibuya!
Japanese really like to “kazaru” which is decorating everything from trees, streets to pretty much everything. Don’t get me wrong as the photo on the right isn’t exactly Shibuya’s illumination yet it’s bluish as I mentioned before above about Yoyogi illumination.
Akihabara’s building decoration concept as an Illumination in Tokyo
Remember that in Japan illumination can be anywhere and using all materials as long as it will add a smile to your face and while you go north from Chiyoda to reach Akihabara you will see this photo to the left!enjoy.
Illumination in Tokyo isn’t complete without Roppongi illumination
Roppongi Hills is celebrating with a special display of Christmas illumination. As always, the trees
in Keyakizaka Street are decorated with dazzling blue LED lights and sprinkles of pure white snow. However, the sight is made even more magical this year with the addition of warm yet festive lights to celebrate its anniversary.
Don’tmiss Roppongi, Shibuya and Shinjuku’s illumination cause they add to winter time in Tokyo.
lovey’all,
Mostafa
