Illuminating Memories <3

Hello Friends,

It's been a while of not writing here. I was a bit busy and have been struggling with my personal living in Japan because of so many changes that happened recently. Anyway, let me share you one of the happy time I had for this year before Covid-19 arrived in Japan...

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Winter is not only sadness and cold in Japan. But, it is also the time of warm light that brights anywhere we go where illumination is. Needlessly to say, I becoming to deny the fact of liking winter season as it doesn’t comfort you with warm air and vibe. It is more likely to fill with such melancholy whilst people much more likely to stay at home and shops tend to close earlier than usual. But, one thing I liked about this season is the illumination. It is a place where we felt warm because of the happiness of seeing the scenic lights and the loving couple or family spending time together at the park.

Illumination usually starts as early as October or if lucky August it often depends on the area and weather. Somehow, winter typically starts late or early in Japan but for last year winter started a bit off the calendar. The weather in Japan has become erratic since global warming started and as hearsays winter here is warmer than before. But for first starter like me, I couldn’t tell the difference and all I think about was it’s a hella cold out here!

Setting aside the bad thoughts about winter, the great thing about the season was good food and scenic view and a getaway from a warm and rigid heat of the sun. So once in a time, me and my boyfriend decided to go on a quick date to a park where there was an illumination. It was 50 minutes away from our place by train. Although, it was a long way it wasn’t that crowded since it is running to the stations away from Tokyo or bigger stations so we can sit down and wait for getting off.

The zoo park is the pride in Dobutsukoen Saitama where we went. When you get off the train and go outside the station you might find the two giant sculptures.

from the station, you can ride a bus that will take 10 minutes to the zoo or if you are fond of walking you may walk for 15 minutes.

So we went walking, 15 minutes walking is not that long if you enjoyed the surroundings and unique infrastructure of this small town.

Illumination usually takes place at the park. The admission ticket was not that expensive we’ve paid for 2,500 yen/ person without rides and 3,500 Yen/person with unlimited rides. There was a roller coaster, Merry Go round, pirate ships, trains and etc. It is a great place for kids or more likely couples as well who wanted to have a fun and romantic dates. You would never get hungry will lurking around since there were tons of food selling.

It was fun page of my life amidst cold and freezing temperatures at that time it did not bother us to enjoy the moment and beautiful sights. If you are planning to come to Japan I would suggest you might come here during winter. Winter would not that bad if you love cold and if you have fine coats with you.

Thanks for reading! :)