Just like the holiday classics It's a Wonderful Life or Love Actually depicts, the holidays are for spending time with our loved ones. Whether it's with the kids decorating the Christmas tree, with your parents over a deliciously curated meal or with your partner finally getting that quality time over some mulled wine illuminated by the Christmas lights, love is in the air.

 

As the days get shorter, colder and consequently darker around the world, Tokyo stays bright and cheery transformed by the illuminations that dot the entire city. Tokyo is not alone in this seasonal festivity however; other large cities like Osaka, Nagoya, Kyoto, Sendai, Sapporo to smaller cities and towns across Japan also celebrate the season with beautiful illuminations that make for a perfect date night spectacle.

 

Here at CareFinder, we want to make your nights away from the kids as easy and smooth as possible. From providing you with the best quality babysitters at affordable prices to helping you plan the perfect date night, we are committed to providing families with support and care. So gift your partner in crime that quality one-on-one time that's so hard to get during the rest of the year and be charmed in the twinkling winter wonderland Japanese-style.

 

We've listed our top picks of illuminations in Tokyo to enjoy this holiday season:

 

Date: ~December 31 (5-10pm)

Location: Yoyogi Park

A short walk from both Shibuya and Harajuku, this is a great spot to take a walk after dinner or a day of holiday shopping in two of Tokyo's most popular shopping districts.

 

(image from Jalan.net)

Date: ~December 25 (Sundown-10pm)

Location: Jingu-bashi Crossing to Omotesando Crossing

One of the most popular illumination spots in Tokyo, the famous 1.1 km omotesando shopping road is illuminated with about 900,000 champaign-colored LED lights. Grab a hot chocolate from one of the many cafes along the road and take a stroll down omotesando to really indulge in the holiday spirit.

 

Date: December 25 (5-11pm)

Location: Tokyo Midtown (Roppongi)

This year, Tokyo Midtown has raised the bar a notch higher with a special bubble show in their Star Light Garden. These bubbles and over 100 balloons reflect the lights from the illumination to create a breath-taking field of sparkles.

 

Date: ~February 28 (4pm-12am)

Location: Yebisu Garden Place

Looking to feel the Christmas spirit? With a 10m tall Christmas Tree and over 100,000 champaign gold-colored lights illuminating the small Christmas market below, Yebisu Garden Place has turned itself into a Christmas Winter Wonderland. Grab a glass of champaign from the champagne bar and walk around the German-style Christmas market. Not a fan of the cold? Stay warm and cozy and admire the view from inside!

 

Date: ~February 17 (4-8:30pm)

Location: Yomiuri Land (Inagi)

If you're looking for a full-body and mind-blowing experience, Yomiuri Land's Jewellumination is THE place to go. Just 35 minutes away from Shinjuku or Shibuya by train, Yomiuri Land is delivering 40 stories of Jewellumination complete with an ice skating rink, dancing light parade, and sodas served in a light bulb. With or without the kids, everyone is sure to be dazzled by the lights, colors, music, tastes and rides at Yomiuri Land.