Christmas in Tokyo is a festive garden of reflecting lights through which friends and couples come together to enjoy each other’s company. I was fortunate enough to have a friend who had booked us a ryokan (Japanese-style inn) in Koto for a few days including Christmas weekend. Our plan was to take trains around to different places to see their illuminations and experience the festivities.

When we arrived at the ryokan, we were kindly welcomed by the owner with fresh tea and conversation. I felt a sense of warmth and kindness surrounding me, especially after walking in the cold weather for what felt like a long time. After saying our evening’s goodbye to the owner, my friend called me over to show me something. I smiled immediately once I saw what she was showing me. It was a Kotatsu! In other words, it was a low table with a thick blanket attached all the way around the perimeter in order to hold in the heat created by an adjustable heater beneath. I felt like I could’ve stayed under that warm kotatsu forever, but we had plans for later that night to visit Tokyo Dome City Attractions, so we set off.

We ended up spending the entire night there, enjoying the grand illuminations and various attractions. It was really quite beautiful to look down from atop the “Big O” ferris wheel upon the entire park. You could see all the groups of friends laughing and walking together through the glowing fairgrounds. My memories of this moment feel like a dream.

The following days were spent exploring places like Roppongi Hills with its gorgeous heaven-like illuminations and Christmas market; Marunouchi’s lively streets with live music and cocoa & mulled wine vendors; and Tokyo Midtown’s Promenade of Lights. If one thing was to link all these experiences together, it would be the sense of love and amusement radiating from friends and couples coming together for this once-in-a-year experience.

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Learn more about this blogger’s study abroad program: Sophia University