Step on the romantic Christmas lights!
King's Reading Paradise's Light Fantasy
After hearing about Keio Yomuri Land (京王よみうりランド), a park on the outskirts of Tokyo that is known as Japan's second most beautiful, I decided to go there to find out what it was all about and immerse myself in the feast of lights.
↓See the map below for details↓
Afternoon, Journey into Light
Taking the train, I arrived at "京王よみうりランド駅（中文：京王讀賣樂園站）". After leaving the station, I turned left and saw a signboard leading to the park. I followed the sign and walked up the stairs to take the cable car (よみうりランド スカイシャトル 京王口 ステイション, "Yomioli Rande スカイシャトル 京王口 ステイション" in the map) to the park.
A round-trip ticket costs 500 yen. Sitting in the ropeway, we could see the whole mountain scenery, and the park could be seen in the distance. I imagined that it would be a sea of lights as night fell, and while I was excited, we had already arrived at Yomiuri Paradise ("Yomitori Rand Skaijutsu Peak Styx" on the map).
This time, my purpose was just to enjoy the light show, so I only bought an evening admission ticket, which costs 1,200 yen for adults and allows you to enter the park between 16:00 and 20:30.
If you want to experience the rides in the park, we recommend purchasing a Night Pass, which is a great deal, with prices dropping from 2,300 yen during the day to 1,800 yen at night. After all, it costs at least 300 yen per ride. (2016 prices)
The Ferris wheel in the park requires a separate ticket, which costs 600 yen per ride. However, a set ticket for two people is only 1,000 yen. Luckily, we were able to take advantage of these two-person discounts because we had a friend with us this time.
The Festival of Lights
As night falls, the park is transformed into a crystal clear fairytale world. The park is illuminated with colorful lights, and every view is a sight to behold.
The amusement facilities are full of vitality under the light. Laughing on the carousel and screaming on the roller coasters, the atmosphere of lights and fun is a delightful mix.
I strolled through the sea of lights, looking up at the starry sky, and felt the beauty that is hard to describe. The lights make the silence of the night come alive.
Lights and water intertwined, audio-visual feast
In the center of the park is a large pool ("Acqua Elia" on the map), which is the stage for a water dance show and a light show. Water jets shoot out in time with the music, lights change colors and patterns, and a black shadow show is performed.
The perfect combination of water, light, music and human beings presented a mind-blowing show. Watching the water columns dancing in the air and the lights flashing on the water, I couldn't help but be moved by this fusion of art.
Lights and fireworks, mind-blowing
When the night reached its peak, the fireworks show started. In comparison, I think the fireworks show here is more impressive than the one in Disneyland.
Although the white smoke from the burning fireworks left traces in the air due to the bright lights, which affected the photography, the impact of the scene was undiminished. There are fireworks displays every day, and although the number of shots is not as high as that of a large-scale fireworks display, which is only about 700, the quality of the fireworks is quite high.
When the last fireworks burst into the air, I was mesmerized by the splendor. I even forgot to press the shutter of my camera, and by the time I realized it, the show was already over.
"Lights on the Grand Tour Bus
It's been 10 years since I rode on an "観覧車" (Chinese: Ferris Wheel), but this time, I decided to relive this long lost romance. In order to avoid the queue, I bought the ferris wheel ticket as soon as I entered the park in the afternoon. If the queue started at night, I might have to wait for an hour in the cold wind.
As the Ferris wheel rose slowly, the lights of the whole park could be seen as far as the eye could see. The wind was a bit chilly up there, but the view made you forget the cold. The brilliant lights of the park, along with the lights of the city in the distance, made for an enchanting night scene.
(Update 2024: In addition to the original Ferris Wheel, Yomiuri Park has added a new Ferris Wheel called "Sky-Go-Land" (see map), so it now has a bit of a Gemini Ferris Wheel feel to it).
End, unforgettable memories
After riding the Ferris wheel, we were ready to take the cable car back to the park. By then, there was a long queue at the cable car station. We waited in the cold wind until 10pm before we finally got on the cable car.
The cold was still unbearable despite the lights. I couldn't help but remind myself to wear more clothes next time.
For me, the Lantern Festival was one of the most enjoyable experiences I had in Tokyo. The lights bring not only visual enjoyment, but also a shock to the soul.
Since it is already very late after finishing, it is recommended to book a hotel near there to rest for the night. Below are some of the highly rated hotels near Yomiuri Paradise:
ホテル ケヤキゲート TOKYO FUCHU (HOTEL KEYAKI GATE TOKYO FUCHU)
The Hotel King's Court Tokyo Fuchu is a comfortable and convenient accommodation in Fuchu City, Tokyo. Ideally located for both sightseeing and business travelers, the hotel is well-equipped to meet a variety of needs. The following is a detailed description of the hotel:
- transportation
- means of transportation: Trams
- Route: It takes about 20~30 minutes to get from Keio Yomiuri Paradise Station to Fuchu Station on the Keio Line.
- Hotel Features
- There is a partnership with Readers Paradise where you can choose the Readers Program to save on admission fees.
- This highly rated hotel is the closest to Yomiuri Paradise, so you can go back to the hotel and rest right away, even if you have fun until 10pm.
- Hotel Facilities
- Daily necessities store and drugstore "Kokkarafune: Necessities and medicines can be purchased.
- Café "Kafu".: A lounge space offering coffee and light meals.
- Sightseeing spots around the hotel(Read about the attractions outside of the park)
- Fuchu no Mori Park: The extensive grounds are dotted with natural landscapes and are perfect for walks and picnics.
- Fuchu Racecourse: You can experience Japanese horse racing by watching exciting horse races.
- Kokufutai Shopping Area: Numerous shopping centers and restaurants for easy shopping and dining.
- Fuchu-no-mori Art Museum: A must-see exhibition venue for art lovers.
- Price(Rates vary depending on room type and time of booking, but the general price range is as follows)
- Single Room: About 15,000 yen/night
- Double Room: Around 20,000 yen/night
- Superior Double Room: Around 25,000 yen/night
The hotel also offers special offers, early bird discounts and long stay discounts from time to time. For the latest pricing information, please refer to the Ichigo website or the Kima Accommodation website.
JR-East Hotel Mets Mizonokuchi (溝ノ口)
- transportation
- means of transportation: Trams
- Route: It takes about 30~40 minutes from Keio Yomiuri Land Station to JR Mizunokuchi Station.
- Hotel Features
- The station is located on the border of Tokyo and Kanagawa, making it easy to get to either side.
- There are a lot of restaurants in the vicinity of Mizunokuchi Station, so you don't have to worry about not having anything to eat if you stay out too late.
- Hotel Facilities
- Denny's, the family restaurant.: Open until 23:30, so you don't have to worry about not having anything to eat when you're too late.
- Convenience store "NewDays": Be aware that this store is not a 24-hour convenience store.
- Flower Shop "Aoyama Flower Maker: If you want to keep the romance going after the light show, you can buy flowers for your loved ones.
- Bank "The Bank of Mitsubishi UFJ: If you don't have cash on you, you can withdraw it here, but be aware of the bank charges.
- Sightseeing spots around the hotel(Read about the attractions outside of the park)
- Cawasaki Kawasaki Aquarium: Under the theme of "Beautiful Waterfronts of the World," this event utilizes the latest lighting technology to showcase creatures living in various environments around the world, from the Tama River flowing through Kawasaki City to the Amazon rainforests of Asia, Africa, and South America. Technology. This is a new type of nature-entertainment aquarium where you can stroll along seashores around the world.
- Kuji Madoka Water SeparationThe Cylinder Diversion in Hisachi, Takatsu-ku, is the only one of Japan's many Cylinder Diversions to be registered as a nationally-designated tangible cultural property, and is the inspiration for the design of this hotel and the Central Deck at the North Exit of Musashinokuchi Station.
- Futago Tamagawa RISE: With a total development area of approximately 11.2 hectares, Futago Tamagawa RISE is one of the largest private redevelopments in Tokyo. It is directly connected to the station and leads to Futago Tamagawa Park, where there are commercial facilities, offices and residential areas.
- Ikuta Green ParkKawasaki City Taro Okamoto Museum of Art and the Japanese Folk Garden are also located in the area, and there are also the Fujiko F. Fujio Museum and the Ikuta Green Rose Garden nearby, so you can enjoy the sightseeing all day long.
- Price(Rates vary depending on room type and time of booking, but the general price range is as follows)
- Single Room: About 10,000 yen/night
- Double Room: Around 20,000 yen/night
For the latest prices and other information, please refer to the Ichigo website or the Kima Lodging website.
Kichijoji Tokyu REI Hotel
- transportation
- means of transportation: Trams
- Route: It takes about 40~50 minutes from Keio Yomiuri Land Station to JR Mizunokuchi Station.
- Hotel Features
- Located at Kichijoji Station, which is a well-known tourist spot, you can get a full night's sleep the next day and continue your sightseeing in the neighborhood.
- It is close to the center of Tokyo, so if you want to continue your sightseeing in Tokyo, you can consider staying here again to save money on travel expenses.
- Hotel Facilities
- None, but the shopping street is nearby so it's still easy to shop.
- Sightseeing spots around the hotel(Read about the attractions outside of the park)
- Inoue no Tou Enchi Park (Chinese: 井の頭恩賜公園): Located near Kichijoji Station, Inokashira-no-tou Enki Park is a vast urban park characterized by its rich natural environment. There is a pond in the park where visitors can take a boat trip. In spring, cherry blossoms are in full bloom, making it a popular spot for cherry blossom viewing. There is also a zoo and Inokashira Bentozaiten in the park, making it ideal for families and couples.
- Musashino Hachimangu ShrineKichijoji: This historic shrine in the Kichijoji area is loved by the local people and is the guardian deity of the area. Visitors can worship in a peaceful atmosphere, and the grounds of the shrine are blessed with beautiful natural scenery. It is an important cultural and historical site for the local people, and there are different views in all seasons.
- Harmony Yokohama (Chinese:(Harmonica Yokocho): A narrow shopping street located near Kichijoji Station in Tokyo, known for its nostalgic atmosphere and variety of small stores. There are about 100 stores, with retailers such as fish stores, flower stores, and wagashi stores attracting shoppers during the day, and izakaya (Japanese-style pubs) and restaurants lighting up at night, making it a popular spot for enjoying good food and drinks. In addition, a morning market is held on the third Sunday morning of every month, offering a taste of traditional Japanese market culture. The red lanterns and vintage atmosphere of the market are perfect for those who like to reminisce about the old days.
- Mitaka no Mori Jibori Art Museum (Chinese:Mitaka no Mori Ghibli Museum): The Mitaka-no-Mori Ghibli Museum allows visitors to experience the worldview of Studio Ghibli. The museum exhibits characters and artifacts from the works of director Hayao Miyazaki, making it a fun place for both children and adults. The museum is a must-visit for movie fans as it exhibits the original paintings and production process of Ghibli's works. Due to the reservation system, visitors are advised to make a reservation on the official website before departure.
- Price(Rates vary depending on room type and time of booking, but the general price range is as follows)
- Single Room: Approximately 17,000 yen per night
- Double Room: About 22,000 yen/night
For the latest prices and other information, please refer to the Ichigo website or the Kima Lodging website.
If you don't find the above hotel suitable for you, you can click the following link to find a hotel near Yomiuri Paradise.
"Japan Travel" Supplement
Kima Travel is an online travel service platform operated by Yahoo! JAPAN that allows users to search and book a wide range of domestic and international hotels, air tickets, package tours, and other travel products in a single trip, making it very convenient. The most important feature is that you can easily plan and book your trip via the Internet or smartphone, which is very convenient. The main services are as follows:
- Hotel Reservations:
You can search and book a wide variety of accommodations throughout Japan and overseas. From famous hotels, onsen ryokan, and business hotels to accommodations that fit your budget, you can find it all with ease. The platform provides hotel price comparisons and traveler reviews, making it easy to choose the perfect accommodation. - Ticket Booking:
Domestic and international airfare booking service, compare fares from various airlines and make bookings. You can also search for Low Cost Carrier (LCC) discount programs. - Trip Booking:
You can search and book domestic package tours offered by major travel agencies. Flexible packages such as "Accommodation + Airfare" are also available.
The advantages are as follows:
- T-points and PayPay points integration:
By using the platform to book services, you can accumulate T-points and PayPay points, and you can also pay with points. In particular, the cooperation with PayPay allows users who are accustomed to using mobile payment to enjoy more favorable activities. - Special Offers:
The platform offers seasonal or event-specific discounts, early bird offers, and last-minute offers. Limited coupons are also available for specific hotels and travel products. - Abundant choices and convenience:
The platform cooperates with other travel websites, accommodation providers and airlines to offer a wide range of itineraries and choices that can be easily compared in a single search. The intuitive user interface (UI/UX) is also one of the reasons for its popularity. - User Flexibility:
The platform offers packages that can be freely combined and uses algorithms to efficiently search for the best "airfare + accommodation" options.
For T Points and PayPay Points users, Yahoo! Japan Travel offers an excellent opportunity to enjoy travel at reasonable prices, often with 10% discount programs, so it will offer cheaper prices than Ichigo. Although there is still room for improvement in terms of customized itinerary planning compared to other platforms or services operated by travel agencies, Yahoo! Kima Travel is still extremely attractive to users seeking convenience and high CP value. If you are interested, please visit the following link to find accommodation!
Trivia
In this bustling city, Christmas light show adds warmth and romance to the cold winter. Whether you're traveling with your lover, family or friends, you'll find your own touch in the midst of the lights. If you have the chance to visit Tokyo, you must experience these wonderful light shows and let yourself be mesmerized by the sea of light and shadow.
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