Because I’m helplessly drawn to things that glow in the dark (gee, ya think?), I recently returned to two of my favorite lit-up-for-winter amusement parks, because I’d heard that they’d updated their gazillion-fairy-twinkle extravaganzas. (And you can check them out too, if you’re anywhere near Tokyo, until Valentines Day!)
SAGAMIKO “ILLUMILLIONS” THEME PARK
Fair warning: the Sagamiko “Illumillions” park is instabae heaven, but while it’s fun to walk around and look at all the lights, it does look better in pictures than in real life, and it’s HELLA COLD AT NIGHT because it’s on the side of a mountain out in the country.
This place is a bit of a trek from Tokyo (it takes about an hour by train from Shinjuku Station, then a short bus ride), but if you love whole hillsides carpeted with lights, Sagamiko is fun to see once. Tips & tricks for getting there are here.
Open:Until April 7, closed Wednesdays and Thursdays
Hours: 16:00 – 21:30 (last admission 30 minutes before closing time)
Admission: Adults ¥1000, Children ¥700, Pets ¥700
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YOMIURILAND
And I dare you to walk away mid-spurt during the dancing fountain shows. That wheel o’ vortex thing in the middle also becomes a shimmering screen of mist, onto which they project bubbles, snowflakes, (and, more mysteriously) herds of reindeer.
Getting to Yomiuriland takes a little time, but it’s worth it! The best public transportation option is to take the Keio Line to Yomiuriland Station, then either hike up and over the hill to the park (takes about 20 minutes, but it’s free) or hitch a ride on the gondola (which isn’t).
Open: Until February 17, every day except Jan 21-24
Hours: 16:00 – 22:00*
Admission: You can go see the illuminations with a special Night Entrance Fee that starts at 16:00 and includes a free pass for all the attractions: Adults(18-64) ¥1400; Middle and high school students ¥600; Children ¥300 (under 3 are free); Senior(65+) ¥600
*Check their English web page here for other prices and hours, because sometimes they’re open later
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Of course, some of the Tokyo Illuminations stay up until mid-February, and they’re free. Check their end dates and photos and maps here.
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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 
Thank you – so good to see these pictures – I still haven`t made it to Japan in winter. I tend to go spring or autumn, so this is fantastic!
Ha, you’re smart, because spring and autumn are the best times to be here, in general (flowers! leaves! comfortable temperature!) but I have to say, every season has stuff you can only do then, and the summer and winter things are pretty spectacular. Winter especially has things I love, like the lit-up icicle cave, the igloos all over town at the Kamakura Matsuri ( up in Akita), Fox Village in the snow (when all the foxes are at their furriest), and, of course, the nighttime illuminations all over Tokyo. You should come!
Thanks for the tips – I will probably do winter before I do summer in Japan. Food is a very big driver for me, I love oden. Which I can eat in autumn as well, but I`d like to try more winter foods. Re: foxes are at their furriest – cute!