#3756

Blue Cave Nakameguro the newest spot for winter Illuminations

Sparkling Blue for a Romantic Winter Evening

Winter means many things to many people and this vibrant holiday season is full of different traditions from all parts of the globe.

In modern Japan- the winter holidays leading up to Christmas time involve the sparkling and over-the-top tradition of Illuminations. From across Japan cities add creative light displays as a way to enjoy the longer winter nights and boost shopping and dining sales in local communities everywhere.

In Tokyo most people know about the former glory of the Ginza Illuminations event which ended several years back to be replaced by the resplendent lights on Omotesando dori and Harajuku. But this year there is a new-comer to the "Sparkle-scene."

Nakameguro area along the Meguro "river" (canal) is famous in the spring for the glorious strolling cherry blossom events. The river is lined end to end with gorgeous cherry trees and this is one of the best spots for walking with your sweet heart under the pink fluffy branches. But this year the city planners have added a new winter event.

"Blue Cave Nakameguro" is debuting this holiday season with a 1km area of the tree lined river fabulously illuminated with hundreds of thousands of blue LED lights wrapping the trees and branches that dip over the river.

"Blue Cave Nakameguro" kicked off on 11/23 and will run until 12/25 Christmas night. The lights are lit from 5pm- 9pm each night and the area is filled with wonderful small boutiques and restaurants making it a fabulous destination for a winter date night.

Have some hot wine from one of the take out spots along the street and stroll under the lights. Take a blue sparkling selfie, and have a nice dinner with friends or loved ones. The crowded area means that the pedestrians have largely taken over again as they do during Hanami Season. So it is a fun place to people watch as well.

The best photo spots are the two bridges but you will have to wait in the jostle of other Illumination fans to take your shot. Congratulations to the Nakameguro chamber of businesses for remembering that this area is vibrant and beautiful all year long, not just in March-April.

The official website and information plus a lovely video are here
http://nakameguro-aonodokutsu.jp/
and a more basic English site here http://japan-attractions.jp/illumination/nakameguro-cave-of-the-blue-2014/

See you under the twinkling lights.

LShannon image

LShannon

United States

LShannon's other advice

Kinsai in Nakameguro is a great Izakaya images

Kinsai in Nakameguro is a great Izakaya

If you are looking for tasty small plates of great japanese food that goes well with sake, beer and wine- but you don't want a low end chain or a disney-fake experience- check out KINSAI in nakamegur…

Air bnb taking Tokyo by storm images

Air bnb taking Tokyo by storm

Did you know you can find thousands of places to stay in Tokyo that are NOT hotels, guest houses, or commercial properties. Hosts all over the city are now posting up rooms, studios, and apartments t…

Popular Pocky! images

Popular Pocky!

Long sweet cookie sticks dipped in chocolate or other flavors - Pocky is an institution in Japan. The most famous are just straight up cookie and milk chocolate- but there are lots of other flavors, …

Graze the department stores images

Graze the department stores

In the B1 of most department stores there are amazing prepared foods, breads, snacks, bento boxes, great to eat in a hurry OR to take home for a high quality already cooked meat. The Isetan in Sh…

Local Trucks and shops near stations images

Local Trucks and shops near stations

Keep your eyes peeled. especially for seasonal items- the little trucks that park around back alleys and side streets usually offer good deals. Also near most train stations you can find fruit and ve…

Hotels are pretty fair for exchange rates AND there are more ATM Options images

Hotels are pretty fair for exchange rates AND there are more ATM Options

Unlike in many countries, I feel that the hotel exchange rates in Tokyo are pretty fair and accurate. The best is to change money at the airport but if you need to change more later- then most of the…

You might also like

Hanami Dango (Three-color dumpling) images

Hanami Dango (Three-color dumpling)

Sanshoku Dango (dango of three colors)is a skewered dango formed of one pink dumpling, one non-colored white dumpling and one green dumpling. Each color has a meaning : cherry blossom in spring, snow…

OKAKI-sun image

OKAKI-sun

“Oshiruko” can make you hot from the core of your body! images

“Oshiruko” can make you hot from the core of your body!

“Oshiruko” is one of the most popular winter foods in winter. Oshiruko is a sweet red-bean soup with mochi or shira-tama (rice‐flour dumplings). It tastes very sweet and keeps you warm especially du…

OKAKI-sun image

OKAKI-sun

Winter Fruit: Strawberries! images

Winter Fruit: Strawberries!

Best Winter Fruit: Strawberries!The strawberries that are grown in Japan are different varieties than those grown in my home country (U.S.A) and are super large and super sweet! Whereas American …

Andrea Miyata image

Andrea Miyata

Yozakura - cherry blossoms at night images

Yozakura - cherry blossoms at night

Sakura (桜) is Japanese for cherry blossom. Yozakura (夜桜) is written with the characters for night and sakura and means viewing cherry blossoms at night. Sakura looks beautiful in the evening with …

David image

David

Railway rules - “Mutual Cooperation Culture” in Japanese commuter trains images

Railway rules - “Mutual Cooperation Culture” in Japanese commuter trains

Rush hours are extreme in Tokyo as well as Japan's other major cities. In order to make this brutal moment of every day less stressful, both commuters and train companies are making invisible efforts…

yumin image

yumin

Japan Train Station “Tachigui Sobaya” (Soba Restaurant) images

Japan Train Station “Tachigui Sobaya” (Soba Restaurant)

As you may know, one of the most used modes of transportation in japan is the train. In the midst of your travel, I am fairly confident that you’ve come across a small “Soba” (noodle) shop within the…

AustinA image

AustinA