Experience a Romantic Christmas Near Tokyo: Karuizawa Kogen Church

For those in Japan looking to avoid the crowded city during Christmas, here's a great spot near Tokyo to celebrate the holiday season: Karuizawa in Nagano Prefecture. Every December, they host a Christmas illumination event, and you can either enter a lottery or purchase tickets a day in advance. Since the event runs almost daily throughout December, winning the lottery is relatively easy, except for Christmas Day itself. If you can't plan your trip early, you can check for last-minute tickets a day before. Even if you're driving, you must park in their designated parking area and take a shuttle bus to the venue. Along the way, staff will introduce the history of the event. As you approach the venue, the bus lights will be turned off, creating a sense of ceremony as you enter a new world. Reminder: Entry is real-name based, so bring your ID. It's cold in the mountains, and the earliest entry is at 7:30 PM, so dress warmly. Restaurant recommendation: The Yamasita Outlet has many dining options, and there's a nice restaurant near the venue called 'Village Canteen' (no reservations, only walk-ins). You can enjoy Shinshu specialties like bandit grilled chicken and Shinshu salmon. The event runs until Christmas Day, so if you're interested, don't miss out! #ChristmasTreePhotos #LightUpChristmas #ChristmasInJapan #LifeInJapan #JapanTravel #KaruizawaNagano