Christmas and New Year in Japan by Campervan
The Christmas and New Year season is approaching; do you intend to visit around that time but have no idea where to go or what to do? JAPAN ROAD TRIP is ready to serve you!
This blog will show you where you may go by campervan over the Christmas and New Year holidays.
We have published a blog on places to go in December and January, which you can check out for additional recommendations, or you can read our blog about how to enjoy Hokkaido and Kyoto for a more wintery experience.
First and foremost, many Japanese couples and families visit amusement parks and illuminations on Christmas Eve and Christmas, and if you are traveling in a campervan, you will be able to visit more destinations because some of these are difficult to get by train.
Here is the list of the places we recommend for you to visit:
Roppongi Hills Christmas Illumination in Tokyo
Keyakizaka Street, behind Roppongi Hills, is a popular couples’ strolling destination with around 800,000 LED lights. The Christmas Market returns, and Mohri Garden is illuminated. The illuminations begin in mid-November and continue until December 25, featuring a variety of Christmas trees, including a flower-themed tree at Roku-Roku Plaza. The lights are set up to illuminate from 5 p.m. until 11 p.m. every night.
For more information visit their website:https://www.roppongihills.com/sp/christmas/2023/illumination-event/keyakizaka.html
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Disneyland in Chiba
Tokyo Disneyland is particularly popular with families that have children. Every year, hundreds of Christmas decorations are placed around the park. Near the entrance, there will be a 15-meter Christmas tree, which is popular for photographing as souvenirs. You can also encounter characters dressed in Christmas-themed clothing that are adorable to photograph. A brand-new family-friendly ride called Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast debuted in 2020 so, you can enjoy the park as a family.
For more information visit their website:https://www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/en/tdl/
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Ashikagawa Flower Park Illumination in Tochigi
The Ashikaga Flower Park Illumination event, held every year in Japan, contains approximately 5 million lights distributed across the park’s gardens. The festival has three themes, which generally include Christmas and New Year’s, as well as a restaurant, flower store, and souvenir stand. Despite Japan’s pride in winter illuminations, this event is regarded as one of the greatest in the country.
For more information visit their website:
https://www.ashikaga.co.jp/english/
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Midosuji Illumination in Osaka
The Midosuji Illumination takes place between November 3 and December 31 (5 p.m. to 11 p.m.). It is officially designated as the roadway with the most lit trees in the world, with lights stretched over 4 kilometers from the Ooebashi-Kitazune intersection to the Hanshin Mae intersection.
For more information visit their website:
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Sagamiko Illumination in Kanagawa
Sagamiko Illumination is one of the major lighting festivals in the Kanto region that takes place at “Sagamiko Mori Mori,” an outdoor resort with an amusement park, camping, barbecue places, and a hot spring facility. With 6 million lights, it provides an immersive experience with dynamic and themed illuminations, transforming the park’s undulating scenery and slopes into an enchanting world in the forest at night.
For more information visit their website:https://www.sagamiko-resort.jp/index.html
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And in New Years Eve and New Year we recommend to a countdown fire works display and visit temples to wish a good year ahead.
Here is the list of the places we recommend for you to visit:
Hakone Shrine New Year Fireworks and Festival in Kanagawa
Japan celebrates the New Year at Hakone Shrine, which is noted for its gorgeous Lake Ashi and torii gates. On December 31, at midnight, the shrine organizes customary festivities, including fireworks. Visitors may spend a quiet day in Hakone before the lights are turned on, and after the fireworks, they can pray at the temple. As the night changes to January 1, fireworks will launch from Motohakone Bay for approximately 15 minutes.
For more information visit their website:https://hakonejinja.or.jp/hakone/first_visit.html
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Mitoshi Shrine Fireworks Display in Hiroshima
The shrine holds a countdown to the New Year with a 10-minute fireworks display at midnight on New Year’s Day, bringing many tourists for their first visit of the year. There is also a parking space where you can park your vehicle, but they only have 40 parking spaces so we recommend to come early. You can also park in Miyakonojo Police Station or Aeon Miyakonojo Shopping Center.
For more information visit their website:
https://mitosijinja.net/gyouji.html
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Green Land Countdown Fireworks Display in Kumamoto
Green Land offers the largest number of attractions in Japan. You may have fun at the amusement park during the day. This year’s event will have two spectacular parts: ”Fantastic Fireworks,” which are let off on the last night of New Year’s Eve, and ”New Year’s Fireworks,” which are let off as the new year begins.
For more information visit their website:
https://www.greenland.co.jp/park/
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Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine in Osaka
Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine was the most visited shrine in Japan for the New Year of 2024. Approximately 1.28 million people visited the temple for hatsumode, or the first visit of the year to a shrine. It is thought to bring good fortune, for business prosperity, road safety, protection from misfortune, matchmaking, and safe childbirth. The temple hosts a number of activities, including the Fuuka Shinto ritual.
For more information visit their website:
https://www.sumiyoshitaisha.net/en/
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Naritasan Shinshoji Temple in Narita
If you want to enjoy airplane sightseeing after your first visit of the year to a shrine, Naritasan Shinshoji temple is a best place to visit. Chizan-ha, the head temple of the Shingon sect of Buddhism, is a 230,000-square-meter compound with multiple temples and pagodas. The New Year Acala seal is a common good luck symbol among students. Its proximity to the airport draws in a large number of international visitors. Nearby attractions include Naritasan Park and Yuhi Falls you can also visit them.
For more information visit their website:
https://www.naritasan.or.jp/english/
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Summary
Regarding the fireworks show, it may be cancelled due to weather, so please check their website and forecasts to confirm.
JAPAN ROAD TRIP has branches around Japan, so we can always offer you with a campervan that is convenient for you. In addition to the destinations mentioned in this blog, there are more places to visit over the Christmas and New Year season. Contact our staff for more information.
03-6777-6565
