From late October this year to March next year, dazzling winter light festivals will officially kick off along the Tobu Railway lines in Tokyo and the four surrounding prefectures.
Among the grand light shows, Tochigi Prefecture’s “Ashikaga Flower Park” presents the iconic “Flower Fantasy: Garden of Light,” which is also one of Japan’s Night View Heritage sites — the “Three Great Light Festivals of the Kanto Region.” Additionally, at Tobu World Square, miniature replicas of global landmarks and World Heritage sites at a 1/25 scale will be illuminated simultaneously for the “Tobu World Square Light Festival.” Ibaraki Prefecture’s “Hitachi Seaside Park” will also host the specially themed “Hitachi Seaside Park Winter Light Festival 2016–2017,” where the entire amusement park is decorated with lights and features spectacular parades with animal-themed floats. In Tokyo, the “Tokyo Solamachi Dream Christmas 2016” event will take place, with the Tokyo Skytree — certified by the Guinness World Records™ as the tallest tower in the world — taking center stage.
Additionally, near the "Sendai Kokusai Hotel" in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, operated by the Tobu Group, Japan’s nationally renowned light show "Sendai Pageant of Starlight 2016" will be held. In Sendai, known as the "City of Trees," the roadside zelkova trees will transform into a breathtaking sea of lights.
Japan’s Night View Heritage: "The Top Three Light Shows in the Kanto Region!" A Kanto-scale light show featuring 3.5 million colorful lights
"Ashikaga Flower Park – Floral Fantasy: The Garden of Light"
The entire park is adorned with vibrant lights, where visitors can enjoy a spectacular floral-themed light display. 5,000 "Light Roses" and "Light Wisterias" shine brilliantly, while the "Miraculous Great Wisteria," decorated with lights, covers the entire wisteria trellis, swaying as if real wisteria blossoms in the breeze, exuding an air of mystery. Additionally, this year’s new attraction, the "Light Water Lilies," adds a unique touch to the "Garden of Light." The "Snow World" recreates the scene of Santa Claus speeding through the sky with lights, and the dreamlike aurora lights up the park’s night sky, making it especially popular with children.
Dates: October 22 (Saturday) – February 5 (Sunday), 2017, 16:30 – 21:00 (extended to 21:30 on weekends and holidays)
※Closed on December 31 (Saturday)
Location: Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture
Tobu Isesaki Line "Ashikaga City Station" (about 1 hour 10 minutes from Asakusa Station) – round-trip shuttle bus (about 30 minutes)
※From November 19 (Saturday) to January 9 (Monday), 2017, the shuttle bus operates only on weekends and holidays.
Admission: Adults 800 yen (approx. 52 RMB), Children 400 yen (approx. 26 RMB)
Including the illuminated landscapes of 102 world-famous structures, including 46 UNESCO World Heritage Sites!
"Tobu World Square Light Show"
Within "Tobu World Square," 102 buildings from 21 countries are perfectly reproduced at a 1/25 scale, including 46 that are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. During the light show, each building will be adorned with dazzling lights. The world’s tallest tower, Tokyo Skytree
In addition, "Tobu World Square" is located near the famous Kinugawa Onsen in the Kanto region. In addition to enjoying the light show, you can also indulge in the comfort of winter hot springs amidst the magnificent Kinugawa Valley.
Dates: Every day from November 5 (Saturday) – March 5 (Sunday), 2017; March 11 (Saturday) – 12 (Sunday),
March 18 (Saturday) – 20 (Monday), and March 25 (Saturday) – 26 (Sunday), 16:30 – 19:30
※ Times may vary depending on the date.
Location: Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture
Tobu Kinugawa Line “Tobu Kinugawa Onsen Station” (about 2 hours from Asakusa Station) – bus (about 5 minutes)
Admission: Adults 2,500 yen (junior high school students and above) (approx. 162 RMB),Children 1,200 yen (4 years old and above) (approx. 78 RMB)
※ From December 1 (Thursday) onward: Adults 2,800 yen (junior high school students and above) (approx. 181 RMB), Children 1,400 yen (4 years old and above) (approx. 91 RMB)
※ If entering after 16:30, adult tickets are 1,500 yen (junior high school students and above) (approx. 97 RMB), children 1,000 yen (4 years old and above) (approx. 64 RMB) (includes a 500-yen in-park shopping voucher, approx. 32 RMB).
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The "Kinugawa Plaza Hotel" offers accommodation packages that include admission to the light show
Nestled within the breathtaking natural scenery of the Kinugawa Valley, you can leisurely enjoy the comfort of the hot springs and exquisite cuisine made with fresh ingredients. The location is also very convenient, just a 15-minute drive from Tobu World Square. There are also accommodation options that include admission to Tobu World Square.
Accommodation rate: Starting from 12,960 yen (approx. 839 RMB) Dates: December 1 (Thursday) – March 31 (Friday), 2017
[Discount Information]
We offer you 3 convenient and affordable “Discount Passes” to help you explore the “Nikko & Kinugawa” area.
① “ALL NIKKO PASS” (Adult: 4,520 JPY, approx. 292 CNY): A 4-day pass allowing unlimited rides on trains and buses in the “Nikko & Kinugawa” area, saving you 1,600 JPY (approx. 103 CNY).
② “2DAY NIKKO PASS” (Adult: 2,670 JPY, approx. 173 CNY): A 2-day pass allowing unlimited rides on trains and buses in the “Nikko & Kinugawa” area, saving you 550 JPY (approx. 35 CNY).
③ “KINUGAWA THEMEPARK PASS” (Adult: 7,380 JPY, approx. 478 CNY): A 2-day pass allowing unlimited rides on trains in the “Nikko & Kinugawa” area and buses that tour Tobu World Square and Nikko Edomura, plus included admission tickets, saving you 3,830 JPY (approx. 248 CNY).
Discount Pass link: http://www.tobu.co.jp/foreign/cn/pass/
Countless colorful lights scattered across vast nature, and a spectacular animal float parade takes the stage in a dazzling display.
“Tobu Zoo Winter Illumination 2016–2017”
The “Tobu Zoo Winter Illumination” is entering its 8th year this season, with the zoo decorated in approximately 2 million LED lights of various colors. This year, the LED projection used last year has been expanded to over 20 meters, combined with dynamic CG visuals. The LEDs laid out on the plaza will light up in a symphony of colors, presenting a fantastic music and light show. In addition, cherry blossom trees around the Swan Lake at the zoo’s east entrance will be adorned with lights, creating a magical “bloom” in winter, while the amusement park area will also be transformed with brilliant illuminations. During the event period, there will also be an animal-themed illuminated float parade and the “Starlight Animal Float Parade,” as well as the limited-time “Reindeer Festival” during Christmas.
Dates: November 12 (Sat) – February 12 (Sun), 2017, 17:00 – 20:00
※ Includes days when the zoo is closed. As dates may vary, please check the official website for details.
Tobu Zoo URL: http://www.tobuzoo.com/global/chinese_s/
Location: Wataraseyama Onsen Ropeway
Tobu Skytree Line “Tobu Zoo Station” (about 35 minutes from Asakusa Station), a 10-minute walk from the station
Admission: Evening admission is 1,000 JPY (approx. 64 CNY) for adults (junior high school students and above),500 JPY (approx. 32 CNY) for children (ages 3 to elementary school students)
Illumination & Ride Pass (admission + ride pass): 2,500 JPY (approx. 161 CNY) for adults,1,800 JPY (approx. 116 CNY) for children
Night Ride Pass (sold inside the park, ride pass only): 1,500 JPY (approx. 97 CNY) for adults,1,300 JPY (approx. 84 CNY) for children ※Sales start after 15:00.
“Forest City” Sendai: Over 600,000 LED lights adorn the zelkova trees along the road, turning it into a sea of lights
“Sendai Light Festival 2016”
Organized by citizen volunteers, the “Sendai Light Festival” celebrates its 31st edition this year. As a beloved winter tradition in Sendai and one of Japan’s top light displays, it attracted about 2.8 million visitors last year. The festival’s main venue is the zelkova-lined Jozenji-dori Avenue, the symbol of “Forest City” Sendai. Six hundred thousand LED lights dress up 160 zelkova trees, transforming the 800-meter-long tree-lined street into a sea of lights. Strolling along the pedestrian path of Jozenji-dori, you can enjoy the dreamlike interplay of light. During the event, the “Light Up” show, where all the lights illuminate simultaneously, is performed three times daily, letting you experience the magical moment multiple times. The splendid, warm, and serene lights create a romantic Christmas atmosphere in the forest city.
Dates: December 9 (Fri) – December 31 (Sat)
Sundays – Thursdays: 17:30 – 22:00; Fridays, Saturdays, and December 22 (Thu): 17:30 – 23:00
December 31 (Sat): 17:30 – 24:00
Location: Jozenji-dori Avenue, Aoba-ku, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture
From JR “Sendai Station” → Sendai Municipal Subway Namboku Line “Kotodai-koen Station” (about 1 hour 35 minutes from Tokyo Station)
The venue is right next to the station
[Recommended Accommodation Information]
During the event period, Sendai International Hotel provides maps of the "Sendai Illumination" in both Chinese and English, and offers special accommodation packages that include an original tea blend—"Forest Aroma"—specially crafted to reflect the essence of the "Sendai Illumination" and the impression of Sendai. Sendai International Hotel boasts convenient access, just a 15-minute walk or about 10 minutes by subway from the "Sendai Illumination." We welcome you to stay with us.
Sendai International Hotel’s accommodation package to enjoy the Illumination: http://hotel.travel.rakuten.co.jp/PLAN/912/3849606
The world’s tallest tower transforms into the world’s tallest Christmas tree—and even more breathtaking light projections are coming soon.
"Tokyo Skytree Town Dreamy Christmas 2016"
Tokyo Skytree
Not only that, this year will see the first-ever attempt to use the lower half of Tokyo Skytree as a giant screen, ingeniously utilizing the structure of the tower to present audiences with stunningly impactful visuals.
Dates: November 10 (Thursday) – December 25 (Sunday)
※ The projection mapping begins on December 10 (Saturday)
Location: Sumida City, Tokyo
※ Accessible via the Tobu Skytree Line “Tokyo Skytree Station” (about 3 minutes from Asakusa Station) — right outside the station
※ Other lines: “Oshiage Station” — right outside the station<>Station”, and you’ll arrive right upon exiting the station
[Light Show Locations Map Across Japan]