By MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network Editorial Team
Japan's Night View Summit recently conducted a professional poll to select the top three night views in Japan for 2015. Surprisingly, Hakodate, long famed for its nightscapes, dropped out of the top three this year, replaced by Sapporo alongside Nagasaki and Kobe as the new top three. The Night View Summit invited 4,500 night view connoisseurs from across Japan to participate, with each selecting five locations. The votes were categorized by location and tallied to determine Japan’s new top three night views.
Japan's Top Three Night Views for 2015 Announced. (Image source / retrip)
1st Place: Nagasaki
Nagasaki in Kyushu boasts many popular night view spots, among which Yamate Mountain’s night view—ranked alongside Hong Kong and Morocco as one of the world’s three great night views—is called the “million-dollar night view.” The vast night scenery surrounded by Nagasaki Harbor reflects lights on the water’s surface, creating a dreamlike beauty. With 360-degree panoramic views, high safety, and long viewing hours, it is highly favored by tourists.
Nagasaki Yamate Mountain Night View. (Image source / travel.rakuten)
2nd Place: Sapporo
Hokkaido has many cities where you can enjoy night views. Amid the crisp, cool air, the sight of vibrant, warm city lights feels particularly stunning. Sapporo’s Okura Mountain and the Sapporo TV Tower are among the most famous night view spots.
Sapporo Moiwa Mountain Night View. (Image source / moiwa.sapporo-dc)
3rd Place: Kobe
Among Japan’s many night views, the most majestic is Mount Maya in the Rokko Mountain Range, the highest elevation in Kobe, where you can enjoy a sweeping panoramic night view. The glittering night scene viewed from an altitude of about 700m not only offers a full view of Kobe’s urban landscape but also extends to Osaka and Kansai International Airport, even reaching as far as Akashi to the west. If you go before 11 PM, the pathways are illuminated, making it a popular date spot.
Kobe Mount Maya Night View. (Image source / travel.rakuten)
4th Place: Hakodate
Looking down from Mount Hakodate, the city lights resemble a celestial river on the ground, as if you could reach out and touch the twinkling lamps. The city’s brightness contrasted with the darkness of the sea, created by the unique geography wedged between Hakodate Bay and Tsugaru Strait, makes for an unforgettable sight.
Mount Hakodate Night View. (Image source / travel.rakuten)
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