The Tokyo Sky Tree Christmas Special Illumination

From December 23rd to 25th, the Tokyo Skytree was illuminated in special colors for Christmas. People enjoyed the red illumination inspired by a candle and the green illumination which reminds you of a Christmas tree, on the first Christmas since the world's tallest TV tower completed.

The massive Christmas tree soaring in the huge capital brought people peace, calmness and happiness on the holy night.

The Tokyo Sky Tree Christmas Special Illumination [iPhone 4S/HD]
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 4S on Dec. 25th, 2012

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Christmas Illumination at Roppongi Hills and the Tokyo Tower

Keyakizaka Street, which is lined with keyaki trees, or Japanese zelkova trees, passes through Roppongi Hills, one of the luxurious areas in Tokyo. The trees along the street are gorgeously illuminated every Christmas season.

When you stand on the pedestrian bridge across the street on a winter evening, you can see the Tokyo Tower soaring and shining at the end of the glittering street. Even if you were busy preparing Christmas, you could not help stopping there to enjoy the brilliant scenery.

Christmas Illumination at Roppongi Hills and the Tokyo Tower [iPhone 4S/HD]
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 4S on Dec. 23rd, 2012

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Hagoita-Ichi (Japanese Battledore Fair) at Sensoji Temple, Asakusa, Tokyo

Hagoita, or Japanese battledores, are a traditional new year's toy which has been popular among young girls. It used to be a common sight to see kids playing with them on a street during new year's days. It is, however, now becoming rare to come across the scenery in urban areas.

Hagoita also often serve as ornaments. At Sensoji Temple in Asakusa, Tokyo, Hagoita Fair is held every December 17th to 19th. The precincts of Tokyo's oldest temple are filled with numerous stalls serving beautifully decorated hagoita. It is very enjoyable to search for your favorite one among their many varieties.

Hagoita-Ichi (Japanese Battledore Fair) at Sensoji Temple, Asakusa, Tokyo [iPhone 4S/HD]
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 4S on Dec. 19th, 2012

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Japanese Lucky Rake Fair with Many Stalls at Kawaguchi Shrine

From November to December, many 'lucky rake fairs' are held at shrines around Japan. People visit a fair to get a decorated bamboo rake, which, it is said, has a charm to gather luck. Tori-no-Ichi, that takes place at Otori Shrine in Asakusa, Tokyo in November, is the most well-known rake fair.

There is also a large fair called Okame-Ichi in my city Kawaguchi. It is held at Kawaguchi Shrine, the guardian god of the city, every December 15th. The street, leading you from Kawaguchi Station to the shrine, is lined by 600 food stalls and entertainment stalls, while the precincts of the shrine are dominated by rake stalls. The area bustles with numerous people exploring stalls, buying a rake and worshiping at the shrine on the winter day.

Japanese Lucky Rake Fair with Many Stalls at Kawaguchi Shrine [iPhone 4S/HD]
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 4S on Dec. 15th, 2012

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Rainbow Colored Rainbow Bridge, Tokyo

If you would like a great view of the Rainbow Bridge during winter, visit Harumi Pier at dusk. Around the winter solstice, you can watch the sun setting on right side of the bridge across the Tokyo Bay from east to west.

The bridge, connecting central Tokyo and the massive artificial island Odaiba, is illuminated in rainbow colors in December and the first few days of new year. It is literally the Rainbow Bridge.

Rainbow Colored Rainbow Bridge, Tokyo [iPhone 4S/HD]
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 4S on Dec. 12th, 2012

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Sensoji Temple Night View at Asakusa, Tokyo

Sensoji Temple, located in Asakusa, is Tokyo's oldest Buddhist temple. It is also known as one of the most popular tourist attractions in Tokyo, which is always crowded with numerous people. It is, however, not as bustling at night as in the daytime. You can quietly enjoy the view of the historical buildings being gloriously illuminated. Although the souvenir shops along the main approach of the temple are closed, it is worth considering to visit there at night.

Sensoji Temple Night View at Asakusa, Tokyo [iPhone 4S/HD]
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 4S on Dec. 7th, 2012

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Old Shopping Streets at the Foot of the Tokyo Sky Tree

The Tokyo Skytree, the world's tallest TV tower at 634 meters, is located in an old residential area dominated by small houses and shops. It was designed to avoid tall buildings that would disturb radio waves passing through.

In the area, there are several local shopping streets. They had been declining for decades due to the flourishing of major supermarket chains and large shopping mall chains. They hoped that the opening of the tower would galvanize them with newly built tower's attraction. However, it was not all it was cracked up to be. The number of people who visited the shopping streets decreased rather than increased after the tower's opening. People chose to visit the Tokyo's new landmark and its surrounding facilities including a large shopping mall without stopping over the old streets.

It would be sad if nostalgic scenery like this would be completely replaced with uber-modern structures.

Old Shopping Streets at the Foot of the Tokyo Sky Tree [iPhone 4S/HD]
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 4S on Dec. 7th, 2012

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The Tokyo Sky Tree Illumination for Christmas

As the first Christmas event since the Tokyo Skytree completed, the world's tallest TV tower is being illuminated in different colors from usual. Five illumination types are prepared and they change depending on the hour and the day. You can enjoy the special spectacle of lights from the sunset to 11 pm until Christmas. On every weekend, you can see the 1995 LED footlights changing their colors at 8 pm and 9 pm.

Tokyo's new landmark lights up winter nights quietly and warmly.

The Tokyo Sky Tree Illumination for Christmas [iPhone 4S/HD]
- Shot in 1080p full HD with an iPhone 4S on Dec. 7th, 2012

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