X-mas Illumination

Today is 冬至 (Winter Solace).
Click here to read my post about it last year and see how fruit plays an important part of this day in Japan.

In Japan, at Christmastime, many places put up beautiful X-mas light decorations…or 「イルミネーション」 (illumination), as it’s called in Japan.

Couples in Japan like to look at the Xmas illuminations on dates at this time of year.

Last night we went to Tokyo Tower to see the it lit up special for Xmas. On TV they said that every evening until x-mas, Tokyo Tower will be lit up with a heart in the center of the tower from 7:30 – 8:00 PM…so we went to see it.

After that, we went to Tokyo Midtown in 六本木 (Roppongi) to see their elaborate display.

11年ぶりの表参道通りクリスマスイルミネーション

表参道通り (Omotesando-dori) is a street in downtown Tokyo similar to “Rodeo Drive” in Beverly Hills, California.

It’s one of (but not the only) areas in Tokyo with many luxury brand stores.

Every year near Christmas time, the tree-lined street with but lit up with 「クリスマスイルミネーション」 (Xmas lights).

In the same way that there are other high-end shopping areas in Tokyo, there are also plenty of other places with beautiful Xmas illumination displays.
But 表参道通り (Omotesando-dori) was always one of the most popular places for couples to go on a date to enjoy the romantic lit up displays.

But in 1998, 表参道通り (Omotesando-dori) suddenly stopped decorating the street for Xmas.

There were still plenty of other places to see beautiful displays around Tokyo.
And in 2005, Omotesando Hills was built on 表参道通り (Omotesando-dori) and they have their own Xmas illuminations.

It’s been eleven years since 表参道通り (Omotesando-dori) had stopped doing their Xmas illuminations so I had forgotten about it.

But live on television last night I saw 表参道通り (Omotesando-dori) being lit up for Xmas again. The first time since 1998.
I can’t believe it’s been eleven years since I saw 表参道通りクリスマスイルミネーション (Omotesando-dori Xmas light display)! And now they’ve brought it back.