Every year thousands of people flock to parks, malls and other attractions to marvel at the elaborate and colorful light displays – from the northern island of Hokkaido to the southern islands of Okinawa – set up to ring in the holiday spirit with dazzling brilliance throughout Japan.
We have now entered one of Japan’s most beautiful seasons – fall. All around us the green forests, mountains and landscape transform into fiery crimson and orange hues throughout the month of November.
Lake Towada is a popular tourist destination in Aomori Prefecture. And at less than a two-hour-drive from Misawa Air Base, this area is a great spot for when you’re looking to go out the gate and take in the spectacular scenery.
As a child growing up in Tennessee, Parish Jones loved it when his family would drive through a place called Christmas City and see its mile-long display of lights.
Some of the illumination displays set up at parks within driving distance of the bases offer a great opportunity to get out, enjoy a fresh walk, social distance and have at least a little taste of the holidays we could all use right about now.
Families enjoyed the opening of the illuminations on Nov. 13, which Yoshihito Morita of Stars and Stripes’ Misawa Office said was busy despite cold rain that evening.
