That’s what you call this in Japan. It’s an experience that looks way better shared on social media than in real life. But I gotta say, Japan is genius at it.
But even though they did a pretty decent job of selling orange as the new amber, this team gets a certain number of #instabae demerit points because every half hour, when the lights switch from “Snow & Blue” to ten minutes of “Candle & Amber,” everybody collects eagerly at the photo spot with phones set to “Video,” hoping to catch the transition, but all that happens is that they turn off the blue ones, leave it dark for a few seconds, then turn on the orange ones. Hashtag #disappointment, trending.
(Here’s how everyone wishes it happened)
Other places are far more experienced at instabae. In fact, they were totally designed to be instabae, even back when all people could do was inflict their holiday photos on their friends face to face. Take Ashikaga Flower Park, for example. The actual experience is less like strolling through a garden than elbowing your way through a crowded plant theme park – it’s a small area utterly crammed with as many plantings (and people) as it can hold. It is, however totally designed for amazing photos.
I’ve got to admit, even though I know these places are pure uploading honey traps, I still go. Because Japan is really really really good at making the schlep worthwhile. And how did they get to be so good? By being snag-that-moment-and-save-it fanatics since the days before there were photos, of course. Back when you had to pen a haiku to capture a shareable travel moment.
How wild the sea is,
and over Sado Island,
the River of Heaven
–Matsuo Bashō
Didn’t even need to master the “starry night” setting on his camera for that one, did he?
If you’re in Tokyo and you’d like to capture your own instabae moments, here are the best places to see autumn leaves, the most fab holiday illuminations, and amazing flower extravaganzas in every season.
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The Last Tea Bowl Thief was chosen as an Editor’s Pick for
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“A fascinating mix of history and mystery.” —Booklist
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Jonelle Patrick writes novels set in Japan, produces the monthly e-magazine Japanagram, and blogs at Only In Japan and The Tokyo Guide I Wish I’d Had
Only In Japan 
Illuminating … thank you! [hmm, maybe I shouldn’t have put that, but I’ll leave it]
Bonus points for repurposing words as well as the publicity guys did with those Halloween lights!
Where’s the waterfall? And is the omiage shop worth the schlep?
The falls are definitely worth the schlep (plus, they’re near Nikko, so you’re probably there periodically showing some visitor around anyway) but despite the fact that my Google map (http://bit.ly/2B5B9Cy) helpfully tells me that Ryuzu Falls will deliver “twin wateralls and an eatery” I thought the latter was, hmm, not exactly five star. They do have a nice balcony from which to snap the instabae, though.