Start making memories at year-end and New Year events in Kanagawa Prefecture

A seasonal feature of winter: Christmas illuminations

Many people are probably wondering where to go this year, as illuminations are held in various places every year. Kanagawa Prefecture has many spectacular illumination locations. It might be a good idea to visit them all on this occasion.

Smart Illumination Yokohama 2016

SMART ILLUMINATION YOKOHAMA 2015 (Photo: Hideo Mori)

"Smart Illumination Yokohama", which started as a "Night View Development Project" in 2011, has become a familiar art event in the Yokohama waterfront. Artists, designers, universities, and citizens from Japan and abroad come together to create a variety of expressions based on the theme of "illumination". It is also a trade fair where so-called "energy-saving" technologies such as LEDs and phosphorescent paints are deployed in the actual city.

The concept of the event is "A new era of illumination proposed by Yokohama, the environmentally friendly city of the future."
However, you don't have to worry too much about it, you can still have fun. There are plenty of events that are only held during this period, including not only the light-up but also hands-on events that children can participate in, light art, various performances and installations, and more! They will really liven up Yokohama's "Light Festival."

<Art Program>

・power of will! final shooting! // power of will! Final eruption!
Artist: Lu Yang (Shanghai, China/Zou-no-hana Park)

A balloon artwork modeled after the artist's own face that will appear at Zo-no-hana Park.

・Colors of Light
Ayumi Tsuchiya / Elephant Nose Park

A glass koto that can compose and play music. With seven colors and a transparent muffling board, it can spin a variety of melodies.

・A tea party “The light in rear window”
Soseki Tokunaga + Junichi Kusaka

A tea ceremony by collaboration between Urasenke Associate Professor Tokunaga Soyu and Junichi Kusaka. A fantastic light tea ceremony will be held in the show window of Zou-no-hana Terrace in a special setting for one night only. (Participation fee: 1500 yen to participate in the tea ceremony, advance reservation required) *Held only on November 4th

others.

The brilliant brightness of the colorful illuminations twinkling in the chilly air will burn into your mind, creating an unforgettable memory.
Whether you are an annual visitor or it is your first time, be sure to check it out.

The Little Prince Museum Romantic Starry Night

※The photograph is an image.

The "Little Prince Museum Hakone Saint-Exupery" is the only museum in the world themed on Saint-Exupery's masterpiece "The Little Prince," which is loved all over the world. It is a popular spot in Hakone that is also visited by people from overseas.
This is a soothing museum with gardens and streets created in the image of 20th century France, where the artist is associated, and flowers of every season, but at this time of year it becomes even more romantic! Decorated with Christmas decorations and illuminations, it welcomes the most festive season of the year. The atmosphere makes you feel as if you have wandered into a European Christmas, and will transport you to another world.

During the event, a projection mapping will be held from 5pm. Just imagining the world of "The Little Prince" spreading across the entire garden is enough to get your heart racing.

※The photograph is an image.

<Workshop: Make a snow globe!>

The workshop where you can make your own snow globe is so popular that it always fills up with reservations! This year, new designs have been added, so even those who have already tried it will want to give it another try. The snow globe that contains the world of "The Little Prince" can be easily made with just scissors and glue. Why not participate with your family or friends?

Dates: Saturday, November 26th to Sunday, December 25th, 2016
*Only held on Saturdays and Sundays during the above period. However, the event will be held on 12/23 (Friday, national holiday).
Reception hours: 10:00-11:00, 13:30-14:30
Venue: Cafe Saint-Germain-des-Prés
Participation fee: 3,000 yen per piece (one group may make one piece, admission fee not included)
Time required: 1.5 hours (approximate)
Reception method: Reservations are given priority. Vacant seats are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
For reservations and inquiries: Tel: 0460-86-3700

Enoshima Sea Candle Light-up

The most famous light-up event in Kanagawa Prefecture is "Shonan no Jewels." It is a collective name for three events, centered around "Enoshima Sea Candle Light-up," "Enoshima Winter Tulips," and "Light Art produced by MIRROR BOWLER." Its scale and uniqueness are unparalleled in its overwhelming beauty! In 2012, it was recognized as one of the "Three Greatest Illuminations in the Kanto Region," and in 2013, it was recognized as a "Japanese Night View Heritage."

The first event to start off the "Jewel of Shonan" is the illumination of Enoshima's landmark, Sea Candle (the observation lighthouse). After that, art events of color and light will be held at multiple venues one after another.

The main venue, Enoshima Samuel Cocking Garden, features a tunnel of 60,000 sparkling crystal beads, and its beauty is so great it leaves you speechless. Everyone who has seen it says they lose track of time in the overwhelming flood of light.

On the first day, November 26th, a lighting ceremony is held to herald the arrival of the glittering season, and Enoshima sparkles like warm lights shining in the clear air.

Why not visit one of the Kanto region's most romantic spots this year?

Let's go here for the New Year holidays! Recommended events in the prefecture

Besides the illuminations, there are plenty of other fun events! We have gathered information on events that you can only experience during this time of year, whether you want to have a lively time with friends, have a solemn time with family or loved ones, or even enjoy it alone.

The 2nd National High School Japan Boulevard Street Dance Battle

The second street dance battle, where high school students from all over the country perform, will be held on Japan Boulevard in front of the Kanagawa Prefectural Office in Naka-ku, Yokohama! On this day, representative teams that have passed the regional qualifying rounds in Kanto, Kansai, and Kyushu will compete for the title of Japan's best.

A new dance culture will be born from energetic high school dancers who have gathered from all over the country. We can expect a lot of drama on the day of the final!

The competition featured hip hop, locking, popping and other performances by high school students, as well as a dance performance by guest judges in the finals and an event where the entire audience joined in the dancing, making it a day well worth seeing.

The tournament will be broadcast nationwide through J:COM cable TV stations, as well as
It will also be broadcast on cable television stations in Kanagawa Prefecture and on the Dance Channel.

Street dance, which enriches communication with peers and expresses oneself with one's whole body, is likely to become an increasingly popular form of entertainment in the future. Japan Boulevard is where high school students who represent the future of street dance engage in heated battles. The day may soon come when this place will become a mecca for the high school dance scene.

High school students create space! Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse Art Link

(C) Hideo Mori

A limited-time outdoor skating rink called "Art Rink in Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse" appears in the winter at Yokohama's representative tourist spot, "Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse." This skating rink started in 2005, and every year various artists use the skating rink as a canvas to create their own space, entertaining Yokohama residents as a winter event.

The artists chosen for this year's 12th annual Art Link are the members of the local Kanagawa Prefectural Yokohama Hiranuma High School Art Club. Art Link has always provided a platform for young artists to shine, but this is the first time they have had such a young group! Hiranuma High School has 22 members in its Art Club. It is a very active club, with many students hoping to go on to art college. Their skills are well-known, having won the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award at the National Kimono Design Competition in the past.

The theme of the art is "The Four Seasons of Japan." As you skate around the rink, you can enjoy the changing scenery of the seasons. The artwork also includes alphabet designs and greetings from various countries so that tourists from overseas can enjoy it.

Apparently, there were many heated discussions before these themes were decided. The art is partly hand-drawn and partly printed, but many students said they wanted to draw it all by hand. This is an episode that gives us a glimpse of the rich sensibility and creative power that only high school students have.

They have been working on this panel for most of their summer vacation, but there are currently no plans to exhibit it anywhere else, so it can only be seen during the Art Link period.
This is the only season where you can enjoy "The Four Seasons of Japan" on the ice, decorated by high school students artists, so you definitely want to go skating!

Kanagawa Prefectural Hall Organ Christmas Concert Virgin Mary and Noel

(C) Satoshi Aoyagi

It is said that in European churches, there is a tradition of organists entertaining the churchgoers with impromptu performances during Christmas. The beautiful melodies of the pipe organ make it even more special to hear them on a holy Christmas day. At the Prefectural Hall, which has a German-made pipe organ, the Christmas organ concert is very popular every year.

This year's concert will feature a collection of unique and nostalgic melodies with the theme of "Virgin Mary and Noel." The first half will be a hymn to the Virgin Mary, and the second half will be "Noel (Christmas carol)." Other familiar songs will be played, including Bach, "Messiah," and "Hansel and Gretel." In front of the Prefectural Hall is Yamashita Park. Enjoying the night view after the concert is also a wonderful way to spend Christmas.

<Cast>
Hiroko Takahashi, organ, Eri Ugi, soprano, Masaya Fuse, tenor

Yokohama Nigiwaiza New Year's Special Performance

Sanyutei Enraku Maggie Shiro

Laughter brings good fortune! Yokohama Nigiwaiza, a rakugo-focused entertainment hall in Noge, Yokohama, will be hosting entertainment shows featuring manzai, comedy sketches, magic, and more from January 1st to January 4th, 2017. Why not laugh from the bottom of your heart and welcome in the new year with a cheerful mood?

Each will go on sale on November 1st. From veterans to young artists, popular families, and even a lion dance to celebrate the New Year will be performing on some days! Before or after your first visit to the shrine. If you have time, come and experience your first laugh in Yokohama Noge!

recommendation!
On January 2nd, there will be a rakugo and entertainment performance by the Enraku V family! The performers are impressive, including master San'yutei Enraku and magician Maggy Shiro, and it is a popular performance that is sold out every year.

Recommended year-end souvenirs : Ride the big wave next year

Surfing Manju/Japanese Sweets Ookuni (Kamakura)

"Ookuni" is a long-established Japanese confectionery shop founded in 1936 that has long been popular with the locals of the ancient capital of Kamakura.
All products are carefully handcrafted one by one using carefully selected ingredients. They are renowned for their traditional and refined taste, and are even used at tea ceremonies at temples.
The "Naminori Manju" (Seafood Manju) with its distinctive wrapping paper was invented by the owner, whose hobby is surfing. It comes in two flavors: coffee bean paste and apricot bean paste. It will keep for four days, making it a perfect souvenir to take home.
Why not grab one and express your hope that you will be able to ride out any big waves that come your way with ease next year?

Largely
Address: 2-2-10 Omachi, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture
TEL: 0467-22-1899
Business hours: 8:30-18:00
Closed: Every Monday