Best 10 Must-see events guide in Tokai December 2017
Tokai is a region perfect for day trip visits from Kanto area. Tokai region includes Shizuoka, Aichi, Gifu and Mie prefectures. The popular places in the region are Nagoya, Ise, Shirakawa-go, Mount Fuji and a lot more of famous and interesting places. Excellent for sightseeing but there are also many events which you can enjoy. Not to be missed as part of your trip in Japan!
Modern art event
1. ＜Aichi ＞SEA TRAIN LAND Very Merry Christmas: November 18th – 25th December 2017
Source: http://4travel.jp
SEA TRAIN LAND is an amusement park nearby Nagoya Port. There are 16 attractions and facilities which children till adults can enjoy. Especially big Ferris wheel of 85 meters of height, about a 15-minute round is popular. Nice view of Nagoya port, Ise Bay and to far Suzuka mountains. Great spot for dating couples.
During Christmas period, about 50,000 balls of light are decorated in the park. At the entrance, is a sky dome where images of the starry sky welcome you.
This rich illuminated and soundly park attract you.
Besides wonderful illumination, the object “Hamstan” of the “gururimori- daiboken” make a romantic night. Visit free. You can feel Christmas atmosphere.
Schedule
November 18th – 25th December 2017
16:30 – 20:00（Saturday, Sunday, National holidays & winter holidays 16:30 – 22;00）
Access & Address
・Place
NAGOYA PORT SEA TRAIN LAND
・Nearest station and travel time from the station
From subway Nagoya port station 5-minut walk
・Travel time from the terminal station of the city
From Nagoya Station JR Chūō Main Line, Subway Meikō Line about 20 minutes
・address 1-51 Nishikuracho Nagoya Minato-ku, Aichi
・Map
Fee & reservation
No park admission ( attraction fees excluded )
Unlimited rides card – 2,200 yen (elementary school students and older )
1,200 yen (3 years old– younger than elementary school students)
No reservation required
Official Website
http://www.senyo.co.jp/seatrainland/
2.＜Shizuoka＞Hikari-no-sumika Toki-no-sumika illumination: October 28th 2017 – March 21st 2018
Popular spot in Shizuoka for it’s gorgeous illumination. The theme of this year is “Feeling elegance”.
Mainly of three areas “Tunnel of light” “ Royal Palace Hill” “ Hikari-ra of rainbow”, show
art of light. At the “Tunnel of light” you can enjoy a royal romantic night. At the “ Royal Palace Hill” you see a mysterious fountain show which has been made by creators who work around the world. Invitation to the world of enchantment and excitement
An Illuminated spot. A heartwarming and fun world with lights.
Let’s go!
Schedule
October 28th 2017 – March 21st 2018
16:30 – 22:00（Time will be changed depending on the seasons’）
Access & Address
・Place
Toki-no-sumika Koyama Gotemba-shi, Shizuoka
・Nearest station and travel time from the station
From JR Gotemba Line Iwanami Station about 5 minutes by car.
※From JR Gotemba Station / Susono Station / Iwanami Station / Mishima Station
free shuttle bus
・Travel time from the terminal station of the city
From Nagoya Station Tokaido-shinkansen & free shuttle bus about 2 hours
・Address 719 Koyama Gotemba-shi, Shizuoka
・Map
Fee & Reservation
Fee : Royal Palace Hill : Adult 1,000yen / elementary school students 200 yen
AQUARIUM : Adult 1,000yen / elementary school students 300yen
※Tunnel of light, Hikari-ra of rainbow, Twin tree, Mount Fuji
Hikari-no-kuni festival are free of charge
No reservation required
Official Website
3.＜Mie＞ Christmas at Shima Spain village: November 11th – December 25th ,2017
Source: 4travel.jp
Shima Spain village is a theme park which reminiscent of the exotic Spanish townscape.
Their attractions, entertainment, restaurants and shops aimed at people of all ages.
The Christmas event “Christmas at Shima Spain village”. A huge Christmas tree with a height of 7 m, and Christmas decorations, about 200,000 pieces of lights. The inside of the park is gorgeous decorated.
There are also performances of characters with Christmas costumes, the attraction Illumination ride” The Nutcracker” ideal for Christmas.
Let’s have a wonderful Christmas at Shima Spain village!
Schedule
Saturday, November 11th – Friday, December 25th
Evening – Closing time (Closing time are subject to change. Check the park calendar .)
Access & Address
・Place
Shima Spain village
Isobechosakazaki Shima, Mie
・Nearest station and travel time from the station
From Kintetsu railway “Ugata Station” direct bus about 13 minutes
・Travel time from the terminal station of the city
From Kyoto Station Kintetsu Railway about 2 hours
・Address 952-4 Isobechosakazaki Shima, Mie
・Map
Fee & Reservation
Admissions fee：
1-day Passport
Adult Ages 18 to 59 / 5,300 yen
Senior Age 60 or older / 3,500 yen
Junior Ages 12 to 17 / 4,300 yen
Child Ages 3 to 11 / 3,500 yen
Afternoon Passport（ Entry after 14:00 ）
Adult Ages 18 to 59 / 2,300 yen
Ages 3 to 17 / 1700 Yen
60 and older / 1,700 yen
No reservation required
Official Website
4.＜Mie＞Nabana-no-sato illumination: October 14th 2017 –May 6th 2018
“Nabana-no-sato” is a botanical garden. Every winter it organizes the largest lighting event in Japan
The theme of this year is “ Kumamoto da mon”- Kumamon’s travel to hometown. Kumamoto is a prefecture which is famous for its beautiful landscape of Aso, Amakusa, Kumamoto castle. It’s rich colorful and beautiful landscape fascinates everyone visiting it. Enjoy the surprising charm of Kumamoto wonderfully decorated by illumination.
Everyone will be excited by seeing the epic scale of the beautiful illumination. The large-scale of this masterpiece makes you want to visit this light spectacle every year! These illuminations are also popular among foreign tourists. There are many spots where you can take good pictures and share. Let’s go!
Schedule
Saturday, October 14th 2017 – Sunday May 6th 2018
17:40 – 21:00
17:40 – 22:00 (Saturday, Sunday, National holidays & December 28th-30th /
March – May)
The lighting start time varies according to the season.
It will be held – rain or shine.
Access & Address
・Place
Nabana-no-sato
・Nearest station and travel time from the station
From Kintetsu railway Nagashima Station by direct bus about 10 minutes
・Travel time from the terminal station of the city
From Nagoya station about 30minutes by car
・Address 270 urushibata Nagashimachokomae Kuwana, Mie
・Map
Fee&reservation
Admissions fee
2,300yen（Admission is free of charge younger than elementary school students）
※included vouchers of 1,000 yen which you can use in this park.
No reservation required
Official Website
http://www.nagashima-onsen.co.jp/nabana/illumination/feature06.html/
Event for enjoy nature
5.＜Aichi＞Higashiyama Zoo & Botanical Gardens Momiji-gari (Leaf peeping): 17th November –3rd December 2017
Source:るるぶ.com
Higashiyama city Zoo & Botanical Gardens is located in an urban area of Nagoya.
You can enjoy nature of 600.000 square meters. It is one of the nicest places to visit
more than 500 trees of autumn leaf color.
It’s wonderful to see autumn leaf color of palmate maple, downy Japanese-maple, American storax, Chinese pistache and more at this Japanese garden, near pond/yayu-en(garden) and other places. Higashiyama Zoo & Botanical Gardens Momiji-gari (Leaf peeping) is held in this season. During this period, you also can enjoy light up of the leafs.
Especially you see the beautiful arch of the tree at the path to the Japanese garden, and illumination from Japanese garden to Yayu-en(garden). Besides “sakasa-momiji”( Momiji reflection at the pond ) also nice to see.
This year you can see more places than last year. For example, okuike(pond). Let’s enjoy the light up of beautiful autumn leafs at both sides of the pond.
Schedule
Friday 17th November – Sunday 3rd December 2017
Opening Hours: 9:00 A.M.- 4:50 P.M.
※The last entrance is 4:30P.M.
※Around 4:00P.M. some animals are not viewable anymore due to time of day
※During light up period, Friday November 17th-Sunday 19th November
National Holiday 23rd November – Sunday 26th November
open till 8:30P.M. ( You can enter till 8:00P.M.)
Access & Address
・Place
Higashiyama Zoo & Botanical Gardens
・Nearest station and travel time from the station
Subway Higashiyama Line “Higashiyama Kōen (Higashiyama Park) Station” 3-minute walk
Subway Higashiyama Line “Hoshigaoka Station” 7-minute walk
・Travel time from the terminal station of the city
From Nagoya station, subway Higashiyama Line about 30minutes
・Address 3-70 Higashiyamamotomachi, Nagoya Chikusa-ku, Aichi
・Map
Fee & Reservation
Admission fees needed
Admission fees: Adults 500 yen
Admission is free of charge for junior high school students and younger.
No reservation required
Official website
http://www.higashiyama.city.nagoya.jp
6.＜Shizuoka＞Shuzenji Maple festival: November 15th – December 5th 2017
Source: flickr
About 1 hectare of Shuzenji Natural Park Maple forest (Shuzenji Maple Forest) located middle in Shuzenji Natural park and the largest one at Izu area.
About 1000 maple trees at the forest are planted as a memorial of former Shuzenji town.
It is said that it is rare in Izu ,maple colors so much vivid. So it began Shuzenji Maple festival.
Admission fee to the maple forest is free. During the festival you will find street stalls where you can buy local goods. In the forest, palmate maple / trident maple /
Japanese maple changes color. Move the branches aside which cover the sidewalks, you can enjoy such a wonderful sight.
Besides Maple forest, At the onsen street, Shuzenji garden is open to public. At “Niji-no-sato” you can visit special at night and enjoy illuminated maple.
Let’s have nice moment with onsen and maple.
Schedule
November 15th – December 5th 2017
9:00A.M. – 4：00P.M.（enter till 3：30P.M.）
Access & Address
・Place
Shuzenji onsen and other places
・Nearest station and travel time from the station
From Izuhakone railway “Shuzenji Station” bus “To Shuzenji-onsen” last stop get off
・Travel time from the terminal station of the city
From JR Tokai Shinkansen Mishima Station, Izuhakone railway Sunzu Line about 35 minutes
・Address 4279-3 shuzenji izu Shizuoka
・Map
Fee & reservation
admission fee：Adult 1,200yen
Child（4 years old – elementary school students）600yen
admission fee night special: Adult 750yen
Child 350yen
No reservation required
Official Website
http://www.shuzenji-kankou.com/
7.＜Mie＞autumn leaves at Ise-jingu(shrine/naiku): End of November – Early of December,2017
Ise-jingu is a shrine which has 2000 years of history and worships Amaterasu-Omikami (the goddess of the sun / the Emperors of Japan). On the temple grounds Naiku has a size of 5500 ha. You can enjoy autumn leaves from the end of November.
We’ll recommend you to stand at the Kazahinomiya-hashi (bridge ) to have a look the autumn leaves around Isuzu river . At the shores of Isuzu River there are shrines of ancient Japanese architecture such as go-shougu. Besides at Mitarashiba (place where you wash your hands) you can enjoy autumn leaves that are reflected in the clear stream of the Isuzu river. At this shrine, you see protected trees which are not allowed to be harvested unless it is necessary for growing new trees. So you can enjoy nature from the old days.
Schedule
End of November – Early of December,2017
5:00 – 17:00
Access & address
・Place
Ise jingu (Shrine/ Naiku)
・Nearest station and travel time from the station
From Kintetsu railway “Ujiyamada Station” about 15-minute bus to “naiku-mae” nearby
・Travel time from the terminal station of the city
From Nagoya station Kintetsu limited express & bus Geku-Naiku Line about 2.5 hours
・Address 1 Ujitachi-cho, Ise city, Mie
・Map
Fee & Reservation
No admission
No reservation required
Official Website
A traditional cultural event to experience and to learn about history
8.＜Gifu ＞Old style traditional Japanese sword-hammering performance open to the public December 3rd 2017
Source:みる！しる！かわる関ヶ原
Seki Sword Tradition Museum is located at Seki city Gifu. This museum shows techniques of Seki’s sword making by using videos, documents at an exhibition. On the first floor you see displays of famous Japanese swords such as typical of Seki “kanemoto” “kanesada” and documents of the production history and the manufacturing process of Japanese swords. On the 2nd floor, you see a collection of handmade knives and lots of modern cutlery products produced by Seki’s cutlery culture.
You also can see a demonstration of traditional forging where swordsmiths hammer the swords on the day of Hamono matsuri(knives festival) or on the day of open to the public. 8th of November is the day of knives at Seki city. So memorial service of knives is held at Hamono-zuka thanks to the knives that are no longer useable.
And also Traditional Japanese sword-hammering demonstration is open to the public. It shows techniques of the swordsmith which has been taught since the Samurai period. This event day is free of charge. Traditional Japanese sword-hammering and exterior technology performance twice a day.
Don’t miss the opportunity to see traditional technology so close-up.
Schedule
December 3rd
10:30- / 13:30-
Access & Address
・Place
Seki, Gifu Seki Sword Tradition Museum
・Nearest station and travel time from the station
Nagaragawa railway“Hamonokaikan-mae station” 5-minute walk.
・Travel time from the terminal station of the city
From JR Nagoya station Hida limited express & Nagaragawa railway
about 1hour and 18minutes.
・Address 9-1 Minamikasugacho Seki Gifu
・Map
Fee & Reservation
Visit free on the day of this event
No reservation required
Official website
http://www.city.seki.lg.jp/kanko/0000001558.html
9.＜Gifu＞The year end market / An open-air morning market held before Jinya (manor house): December 27 – 31 , 2017
An open-air morning market held before Jinya (manor house). It’s held at the end year period of 27th till 31st December. Besides normal morning market where you can buy vegetables or souvenirs. In total around 30 stalls are open till noon on 31st of December.
Many citizens and tourists visit this market to buy typical new year’s goods of this district.
You can buy “shimenawa (enclosing rope)” – decoration for the New Year so that you can spend the year peaceful without disaster, “hana mochi ( decoration; small rice cakes stick into trees)” typical new year’s decoration in this area, traditional flower arrangement for God or Buddha, “kagamimochi(traditional Japanese New Year decoration with rice cakes.)” Branches of Pine for decorations and more. You also can buy Japanese pickles, miso, vegetables, fruits. So it surrounded bustling end of year’s atmosphere.
Normally this market is open till noon. During the end of the year this market is open till late afternoon. So there is more time to shop. Let’s enjoy the year-end scenery of Japan.
Schedule
December 27 – 31, 2017
※early in the morning – ending time are depends on the shops
Access & Address
・Place
Takayama city Gifu An open-air morning market held before Jinya (manor house)
・Nearest station and travel time from the station
JR Takayama Main Line “Takayama Station” 10 – minute walk
・Travel time from the terminal station of the city
From Nagoya Station to Takayama Hida bus center by bus about 2 .5 hours
・Address 1-5 Hachikemmachi, Takayama-shi, Gifu
・Map
Fee & reservation
No fee
No reservation required
Official Website
Sports event
10.＜Mie＞ Ise Marathon: December 2nd & 3rd , 2017
Source: 15emit
Ise Marathon is held at Mie Prefectural Sun Arena as a main stadium. There are four courses of walk, Barrier free run, half marathon and 5km-run. Especially by half marathon, you can run through Ise jingu shrine, Oharai-machi and more famous spots.
Oharai-machi is a famous tourist spot. So it must be fun to run. You also can run over the motorway “Ise- futami –toba line”. which is an interesting part of the course.
The entry for this marathon has already been closed. However you can visit. As a travel tip: it’s nice to join the combination of visiting both marathon and shrine.
Schedule
Saturday, December 2nd, 2017 10:00A.M. Walk / Barrier free run start
Sunday, December 3rd ,2017 9:00 A.M. 5km-run start
9:10A.M. Half marathon start
It will be held even if it rains
Access & Address
・Place
Around Mie Prefectural Sun Arena
・Nearest station and travel time from the station
From JR Sangū Line” Futaminoura Station” about 5 minutes by car
・Travel time from the terminal station of the city
From Kyoto Station about 2 hours and 22 minutes with Kintetsu Limited express or Rapid express”Mie”
・Address 4383-4 kamodai asamacho ise-shi Mie
・Map
Fee & reservation
Entry fee：
Walk 1,500yen,
Barrier free run 2,000yen、
Half marathon 5,000yen、
5km-run 3,500yen
Visit free
No reservation required for visit