This brilliant annual winter illumination display is a must-see for every tourist visiting Japan
he bright holiday lights may be dimming and dreary January tedium setting in around the world, but there’s a dazzling glow in Japan, courtesy the spectacular Winter Light Festival at the Nabana no Sato botanical gardens on the island of Nagashima in Kuwana. This world-famous attraction – on display until March 31 – has been brilliantly created with over a million LED lights, and is pulling in crowds from all over the world.
Visitors enter the garden through the iconic Tunnel of Lights – a dazzling tunnel created from millions of glittering lights – which leads on to a number of installations and landscapes based on this year’s theme of Nature. These LED-lit installations encompass sights such as a sunrise at Mount Fuji and the wonderful auroras borealis. Another tunnel-like path replicates a colourful, swirling rainbow. From afar, it all looks like a glitzy photograph; however, a closer look reveals that each light is carefully placed into tiny botanically-inspired, flower-shaped bulbs. What’s more, in keeping with the environment-friendly theme, all the lights are powered by solar panels.
Interestingly, many festivals of light take place in Japan during the winter months, but Nabana no Sato’s annual light festival is the most popular and is rightly called “the best light show in the country”. It is a huge tourist attraction and draws in millions of visitors every year, so be prepared to face large crowds.
The festival is open 9 am-9 pm Monday to Friday, and 9 am-10 pm on weekends and bank holidays. Tickets cost 2000 Japanese Yen; children under 12 are free.
