Nabana no Sato garden at night in Kuwana, Japan

© Zoonar GmbH/Alam

Turning darkness into light

Winter illuminations are a big deal in Japan and there is perhaps no bigger display than the one here at Nabana no Sato, a flower park in the gardens of Nagashima Spa Land in the city of Kuwana. This image is just a glimpse of what awaits visitors in the park. More than 8.5 million LED lightbulbs illuminate pathways, trees and the park’s famous Tunnel of Lights. The good news is, while many of Japan’s light displays end after the new year, this one lasts from mid-October until early May. And if not this year (hello pandemic), maybe next?

After taking in the lights, consider heading over to the rest of Nagashima Spa Land, where a huge complex of onsen baths await you. There you will find traditional Japanese hot spring baths, where you can soak in hot-water pools both indoors and out, some complete with floating aromatic herbs. Could there be any better way to end a stressful 2020, than with a relaxing soak?