December Festivals and Illuminations Information
In Japan, December is also known as “shiwasu”. Using the Chinese characters for ‘mentor’ and ‘to run’, the popular origin of this expression is that December is so busy, even the priests have to run around. The festivals that accompany the end of the year give people a chance to compose themselves and think of the future. It is also the time of year when towns sparkle with illuminations. Here we introduce festivals and illuminations taking place in Tokyo and surrounding areas in December.
Ako Gishi-sai FestivalSengaku-jiDecember 14,2017
The Ako Incident, or the revenge of the forty-seven ronin, is a famous tale of revenge that occurred during the Edo Period and has been immortalized as Chushingura. Every year in December, the month the ronin took their revenge, a festival is held in their memory. A memorial service is held in front of the graves from 11:00 a.m. and in the evening, a procession of samurai arrives. Many samurais lined up in armor is a stunning sight.
Asakusa's Colorful Hagoita-Ichi FestivalSenso-ji TempleDecember 17 to 19,2017
Hagoita are wooden paddles that were originally used to play hanetsuki, a game similar to badminton, but then came to have a ceremonial use in warding against evil. Finally, they became a traditional New Year decoration. Hagoita markets have a real New Year atmosphere and you can buy a wide variety of Hagoita, including ones decorated with kabuki designs or popular celebrities.
Keyakizaka IlluminationsRoppongi HillsNovember 7 to December 25,2017
Roppongi celebrates this year’s winter with about 1.2 million tiny LED lights that adorn the 400-meter long tree-lined street called Keyakizaka. These “Keyakizaka Illuminations” enchant passersby and holiday tourists with beautiful color gradations.
Marunouchi Illumination 2017The Tokyo Station Marunouchi BuildingNovember 9,2017 to February 18,2018
The classic Marunouchi illuminations celebrate their 16th anniversary this year. About 250 trees are lit up in a beautiful champagne gold with the help of almost a million LED lights.
Midtown Christmas 2017Tokyo MidtownNovember 15 to December 25,2017
The massive complex known as Tokyo Midtown also celebrates winter and the holiday season in an illumination event called “Midtown Christmas 2017.” About half a million LED lights dip various parts of Tokyo Midtown in shimmering colors, making for a beautiful, almost otherworldly scenery.
Baccarat Eternal Lights – A joyous sceneYebisu Garden PlaceNovember 3,2017 to January 8,2018
Yebisu Garden Place is among Tokyo’s hot spots that get a shiny makeover every winter season. This year marks the 18th anniversary of the well-beloved illuminations that follow the theme of “Timelessness” this time.
Blue Cave ShibuyaYoyogi ParkNovember 22 to December 31,2017
“Blue Cave Shibuya” is an illumination installation that recreates the “Blue Cave” in Nakameguro, which has been immensely popular since its first launch in 2014. Look forward to the dream-like experience of walking through a cave-like tunnel of 600,000 tiny, blue LED lights that adorn the about 800-meter long Zelkova road in Yoyogi Park.