Some of Japan’s Most Exquisite Winter Illuminations in Metropolitan Tokyo

[Marian Goldberg]

Ashikaga Flower Park: "Christmas Fantasy"

Holiday lights season is almost upon us! Brilliantly colored, intricate illuminations are one of the highlights of a winter trip to Japan, and Tobu Railway Group presents some of the best. These include: Tokyo Skytree, the cit's tallest structure, where colorful lights turn it into the world’s tallest Christmas tree; Ashikaga Flower Park, a magnificently landscaped illuminated garden, recognized as one of the country's three best light shows; the tenth anniversary light-up at Tobu Zoo; and Tobu World Square, where some of the world’s most famous monuments are re-created in miniature, then lit up to the max.

In Tokyo’s Sumida Ward, Tokyo Skytree’s colorful lights will be displayed in two versions:

•  - The “Champagne Tree,” which will transform Tokyo Skytree into the “world’s tallest Christmas tree.”
  
  
  

• And the “Candle Tree” which will transform the tower it into a sparkling candle.

And with the theme of a “Colorful Christmas,” Tokyo Skytree Town will also be lit up with around 520,000 Christmas lights. At the center of the fourth-floor Sky Arena, which will also feature an illuminated garden, will be a more-than-26-feet tall Christmas tree covered in flowers. Visitors will also be able to experience projection mapping patterns on the Tokyo Skytree structure itself. Dates November 8 – December 25; Projection mapping December 14-25. 

And in the Greater Tokyo metropolitan region, other Tobu illuminations beckon. Less than an hour north of Tokyo, Ashikaga Flower Park will showcase “The Garden of Illuminated Flowers: Flower Fantasy 2018.” This 4½-million-light show is one of the three best light shows in Japan, and it has been voted the number-one light show in Japan for two years in a row!  From October 27-February 5, Flower Fantasy 2018 will feature three different themed light show designs, incorporating both seasonal events and flowers:

• “Fusion of Light and Amethyst Sage”

• “Co-starring Lights and Winter Peonies” 

*Christmas Fantasy 

Meanwhile, there's another amazing show at the Tobu Zoo, just 76 minutes from Tokyo’s Shibuya Station on the Hanzomon Line (becoming the Tobu Skytree Line/Isesaki Line without a train change). The zoo, which is home to 120 species of animals including rare white tigers, is celebrating its 10th annual winter illumination, which show will feature three million lights, making it the largest show in its history. The zoo will sell a special ticket for the light extravaganza, allowing entry from 3 pm onwards, and guests can enjoy both the illuminations and the zoo attractions. The event period is October 27  - to February 11. Note that from January 8 to 30 the zoo will be closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and in February it will be closed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. In November and December, the zoo will be open every day, with extended hours on weekends and holidays in November and extended hours daily in December. (Calendar: http://www.tobuzoo.com/info/)

Tobu World Square is approximately two hours north of Tokyo and is where 102 of the world’s most famous sites and landmarks – including 47 on the UNESCO World Heritage List – are re-created at precisely 1/25th their actual size. These magnificent structures in miniature will be illuminated with light strings and spotlights from November 3 to – March 3 with additional dates in March (9-10, 16-17, 21-31). Here’s an opportunity to be moved by magical, illuminated night scenery not just from Japan but also around the world.

 

About Tobu Railways

TOBU RAILWAY GROUP, LTD. is a major Japanese corporate conglomerate consisting of approximately 90 companies. Tobu Railways covers the longest operating distance in Metropolitan Tokyo, leading to numerous tourist attractions, including: Asakusa and Tokyo SKYTREE in Tokyo; Nikko and Kinugawa Onsen, famous for its world heritage and hot springs; the Tatebayashi and Ashikaga area, known for their blooming flower fields; and Kawagoe, where the atmosphere of the Edo era lives on. Tobu is also invested in numerous hotels, including the highly anticipated luxury properties: Nikko Fufu Resort and The Ritz-Carlton Nikko, both of which will open in 2020, in time for the Tokyo Olympics.

 

Explore destinations around Tobu Railway Group at TOBU JAPAN TRIP:

http://www.tobujapantrip.com/en/

For images and other media materials: https://www.mynewsdesk.com/tobu-railway