With chairlifts, an illuminated slide, and a dazzling Tamagotchi display, Illumillion is a must-visit spot in Japan this winter.
illuminations
Thankfully, there’s still no actual nudity attached to these modern-meets-traditional installations to celebrate the spring.
Chōshi Electric Railway gets an A for effort, even if they don’t quite nail the whole Christmas spirit thing…
Tokyo Skytree has a brilliant light display in store for four days only, and it’s designed to represent three of Japan’s signature dishes: tamago kake gohan (egg with rice), o-nabe (Japanese hot pot), and takikomi gohan (seasoned steamed rice).
We appreciate that while many of you are interested in Japan and Japanese culture, not all of you are able to visit the Land of the Rising Sun quite so easily. But Christmas is a great time of year here in Tokyo, what with all the lights, decorations and hand-holding couples, so in order to share the various seasonal sights with you we took the liberty of putting together a little slideshow.
Join us after the jump for a photo tour of Tokyo’s best Christmas illuminations!
Since the opening of the Tokyo Skytree in 2012, Tokyo Tower is no longer the tallest or most fashionable structure in Tokyo. Still, the 56-year-old steel giant has managed to hang onto its reputation as one of the city’s most romantic locales, thanks in part to its location in quiet, sophisticated Shiba-koen as opposed to the boisterous Shitamachi district where the Skytree stands.
This month, Tokyo Tower is doing a little more to set the mood, with a beautiful light display that ties in with Japan’s Tanabata star festival.
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Tokyo ramen restaurant’s made-to-order noodles are only the beginning of its awesomeness
We found possibly the quietest Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Japanese hotel has rooftop hot spring bath, unlimited sushi and alcohol, costs less than 80 bucks
Japanese high school student shows how to recreate cute hairstyle from hit anime Your Name
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
We eat gold-leaf “Kinkaku Soft Ice Cream” near Kinkakuji Golden Pavillion temple in Kyoto
Hayao Miyazaki makes rare video appearance to check out Ghibli Museum’s revamped cafe【Video】
Permanent Sailor Moon stage show theater announced for Tokyo
Summer nights at this amazing Tokyo open-air museum are like stepping back in time
Weekly
- Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Cyberpunk anime meets traditional culture in Ghost in the Shell gold leaf Japanese changing screens
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
Can a dirty butthole make you filthy rich in Japan? We’re starting a New Year’s lottery experiment
Monthly
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo- Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan- Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
Yearly
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
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Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
We eat gold-leaf “Kinkaku Soft Ice Cream” near Kinkakuji Golden Pavillion temple in Kyoto
Hayao Miyazaki makes rare video appearance to check out Ghibli Museum’s revamped cafe【Video】
Permanent Sailor Moon stage show theater announced for Tokyo
Summer nights at this amazing Tokyo open-air museum are like stepping back in time
Ultra-retro cafe in Tokyo is like a hidden hideout, serves up cheap breakfasts with great coffee
Is it rude to sing along at concerts in Japan? We ask a pro musician for his take
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods, drinkware and candles for the 2025 holiday season
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
What do hosts in Kabukicho eat after a night of working in Tokyo’s red-light district?
This pork-wrapped Japanese dessert recipe is outside the box and out of this world【Recipe】
Can a dirty butthole make you filthy rich in Japan? We’re starting a New Year’s lottery experiment
Japan’s most popular MSG maker had to battle some nasty rumors 100 years ago
Kesho Danshi: Visiting Yushima’s sublime transgender bars
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