Christmas is coming soon so, many illumination events are being held throughout Japan. But I assume that many of you are hesitating to visit such events because of the cold weather. In this article, I will introduce to you some illumination events which will be held in comparatively warm, Kyusyu.
Umi no Nakamichi Kaihin Park (Fukuoka)
海の中道海浜公園 イルミネーション（福岡県・福岡市東区） #クリスマスイルミネーション pic.twitter.com/U9ZFEtlxin
— クリスマス☆イルミネーション人気スポット (@chiriiru) 2016年11月11日
The geoglyph using 10,000 candles called, “Candle Art” will greet visitors to this park. This candle light event is a little different from the common warm illumination events. This parks illumination will for sur be a calming and refreshing experience. The design of the candle art is created based on one of the designs gathered by public invitation. During this event period, about 300 fireworks will be set off every day and you can enjoy events such as candle-making and making a candle message.
Umino Nakamichi Kaihin Park
Address: 18-25, Saitozaki, Oaza, Higashiku, Fukuokashi, Fukuoka Prefecture
Business hours: 17:30 to 21:30 / last entrance – 21:00
Fixed holidays: 12/31,01/01,first Monday and the next of first Monday of February
Access: near JR Umino Nakamichi Station
TEL：092-603-1111
Tosu Premium Outlet (Saga)
265 thousand LEDs will be used (the largest number ever) based on the colors of champagne gold and white. Photo spots will be set up inside the venue. Also, the official Santa Clause from Santa Clause Financial Group will visit the event on the 3rd of December and a“Santa Clause commemorating photo event” will be held!
◼︎InformationTosu Premium Outlet
Address: 8-1, Yayoigaoka, Tosushim Saga Prefecture
Date: 2017,11,02 (Thurs.) to 2018,02,14 (Wed.)
Business hours: after the sun goes down ～ closing time
Access: 15 minutes on bus from JR Tosu Station, 20 minutes on bus from Nishi Nishon Tetsudo Ogori Station (get off at Tosu Premium Outlet Bus Stop)
TEL：0942-87-7370
Huis Ten Bosch (Nagasaki Prefecture)
Huis Ten Bosch is a huge theme park in Nagasaki. The park is located far away from the busy area but it is very popular among tourists. The high-quality illumination event during the winter season is a must-see. The spot is popular among couples and families, not just tourists.
■InformationHuis Ten Bosch
Address: 1-1, Huis Ten Bosch cho, Saseboshi, Nagasaki
TEL：0570-064-110
Greenland (Kumamoto Prefecture)
This is an illumination event held by Greenland which has the largest number of amusement attractions in Japan. Amusement attractions including the huge Ferris wheel will be decorated and more than 100 illumination spots will be set up inside the park. Moreover, the new fountain called “Hikari to Oto no Daifunsui” which was installed this summer will be used in the fountain show using lights and sounds. New spots such as the renewed “Luce Biar” will be set up inside the park. The magical renditions are a must-see.
◼︎InformationGreenland
Address: Midorigaoka, Araoshi, Kumamoto Prefecture
Business hours: November, Saturday, Sunday, holidays 9:00 to 20:00
December, Saturday, Sunday, 12,23 (holiday) to 30 (Sat.) 9:30 to 20:00
12,31 (Sun.) 9:30 to 26:00
2018,01,02 (Tue.) to 08 (holiday), February, Saturday, Sunday 9:30 to 20:00
Access: take a bus from JR Nishitetsu Muta Station and get off at the bus stop, Greenland Entrance.
TEL：0968-66-1112
URL：http://www.greenland.co.jp/park/news/2017/01011304.html
Sanrio Character Park Harmony Land (Oita Prefecture)
All illuminations inside the park will be lit up after the countdown by Sanrio’s popular characters. “Parade Parallel” which is included in the normal program will be changed into “Star Light Ver.” In addition, events that use 1.2 million light bulbs in total such as, “Tunnel of Light &Kirakira Attraction,” “Hikari no Tanabata Densetsu Area” created under the theme of bamboo and light and “HELLO KITTY no Ribbon Illumination” will be held. Also, the night show of HELLO KITTY where fireworks are set off will be held on the 11th of November (Sat.), 12 (Sun.), 8th of December (Fri.), 23rd (holiday), 24th (Sun.) and 25th (Mon.) in front of the castle of light.
◼︎InformationSanrio Character Park Harmony Land
Address: 5933, Fujiwara, Hinodecho, Hayamigun, Oita Prefecture
Date: 2017,11,11 (Sat.) to 2018,1,8 (Mon.)
Business hours: after sun goes down ～ 21:00 (the time may differ)
Access: 10 minutes on taxi or bus from JR Kitsuki Station or Yokoku Station
TEL：0977-73-1111
URL：http://www.harmonyland.jp/welcome.html
Sun A Kawaminami Bunka Hall (Miyazaki Prefecture)
This is an illumination event which uses about 250 thousand light bulbs. It will be held in the open space in front of Sun A Kawaminami Bunka Hall. It is Kawaminacho’s seasonal winter tradition where many visitors visit every year. You can enjoy the magical world of a rainbow colored tunnel, character illuminations and “Toron no Mori” where about 70 small/large trees are lit up. Moreover, “Photo Shushu”a spot where you can project the photos taken by a smartphone onto the screen will be set up.
◼︎InformationSun A Kawaminamicho Bunka Hall
Address: 2386-3, Aza Hirata, Kawaminamicho, koyugun, Miyazaki Prefecture
Business hours: 17:30 to 22:00
Access: About 5 minutes on taxi from JR Nippo Main Line.
TEL：0983-27-1497
URL：http://www.toron-boy.com/ivent-2/illumination
Flower Park Kagoshima (Kagoshima Prefecture)
This year, they will hold an illumination event under the theme,“enveloped in a glittering sea.” The botanical garden will be enveloped a world of a glittering sea using about 300 thousand light bulbs. You can enjoy the 60m long light “sea tunnel.” Also, special effects fireworks and a mini laser show can be enjoyed on the 25th of December (Mon.). Let’s enjoy this collaboration of illumination and sound at the magical botanical garden at nighttime.
◼︎InformationFlower Park Kagoshima
Address: 1611, Yamagawa Okachiyogamizu, Ibusukishi, Kagoshima Prefecture
Date: 2017,12,08 (Fri.) to 2018,01,14 (Sun.)
Business hours: 17:30 to 22:00 / last entrance – 21:30
Fixed holidays: 12,30 (Sat.), 31 (Sun.)
Access: about 25 minutes on taxi from JR Ibushiki Station
TEL：0993-35-3333
URL：http://www.fp-k.org/
How did you like our introduction to some illumination events in Kyushu? I am sure you will forget the coldness of winter by enjoying shopping facilities, theme parks and botanical gardens in addition to these illumination events.
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