Blogmas Day #3: Tokyo Dome City and Its Winter Illumination for 2019

One of the things I really look forward to during the winter months in Japan is the illumination displays. Tokyo Dome City does several illumination events throughout the year and it's amazing how unique and magical each event is. Located right outside Korakuen Station and Suidobashi Station, there are several huge landmarks to locate Tokyo Dome City.

The first landmark is of course the Tokyo Dome which is the home stadium for the Yomiuri Giants baseball team. Tokyo Dome opened in March of 1988 which is coincidentally the same year I arrived in Japan. It has also hosted many other sporting events as well as concerts by such artists as Mick Jagger, Mariah Carey and both Michael and Janet Jackson. On the day I came to see the Illumination, I wondered why the area was so crowded. One of the most popular J-Pop groups, Arashi just happened to be having their farewell tour in Tokyo that weekend! There was so much excitement and energy all around!

The other easily recognizable landmarks include the La Qua Shopping Center which has a fitness club, a hot springs area and a variety of shops and restaurants and the Tokyo Dome City amusement park. You can easily spot the parachute ride, the ferris wheel and the giant roller coaster which has a steep drop and at one point even enters the shopping mall!

The Tokyo Dome Hotel is another easy landmark to spot. I couldn't believe how high that hotel was!

Tokyo Dome City truly has so much to explore so you can easily spend an entire day here. I've linked their website below.

When I arrived on Saturday, my plan was to eat lunch and shop until the illuminations began. Since it gets dark early, the illuminations begin at 17:00. Well, I had no idea that the Arashi concert was going on so every eating place I went to had long lines to get in. One of the shortest lines I found was at the Major League Baseball Cafe so I decided to eat there. I've eaten there before and having grown up with MLB as a Houston Astros fan from an LA Dodgers family, I really enjoy the atmosphere of the cafe.

After my late lunch, I enjoyed walking around Tokyo Dome City and eagerly awaited for the illuminations to begin. When the lights turned on, Tokyo Dome City became this magical fantasyland of lights and color. This year, the illumination theme was Edo Japan. I thought it was quite appropriate since the new Reiwa Year began along with the reign of the new emperor. There were many symbols associated with Japan captured in beautiful displays of lights. My You Tube video of the display will be coming soon, but for now, here are a few pictures I took from the event. I enjoyed livestreaming the display as well and hopefully those of you either in Japan or visiting Japan will have the opportunity to experience and see the magic in person.

xox