Locations - Nakanoshima, Kita-ku, Osaka

In front of Osaka City Hall, Miotsukushi Promenade road and surrounding area, Osaka Central Public Hall to Nakanoshima Park(Rose garden, Kensaki Park) and the north public square of Osaka Science Museum.

Osaka Hikari Renaissance

Dates – Saturday December 11 to Christmas Day, Saturday December 25, 2010

Hours – 17:00 – 22:00

If you wish to experience the Kobe Luminarie, it is best to take the train. Traveling there by car will take much more time out of your day because of heavy traffic. Also, if you visit the area earlier in the month, you will experience less foot traffic, as the event goes on more and more people gather to enjoy it. But if you like crowds, then later in the month is for you.

To get to the Luminarie take the Hanshin Railway line to any of the stations between Motomachi and Sannomiya stations.

NOTE: Illumination area times may change due to weather changes.

Still, Christmas is not the most important time of the winter holiday season for most Japanese, New Years Day is.

People from all over Japan, from now to many days after the new year has rung in, will get off their tatami mats and out of bed to go to a shrine or temple to pray for a better new year even if they are on their death beds. It is what Japanese do. And if you know Japanese, when one person goes all go. Of course, I’m being a little facetious, but not far from the truth.

So if you are planning to spend time in Japan during the New Year’s holiday season, get yourself ready to endure long lines of traffic, crowded trains, shrines, temples and restaurants because everyone and their brother will be out hiking up to a temple alter to pray for health, money, children, love and anything else thought of.

On a little different note, prices during the holiday season won’t get higher like they do touristy areas in other countries around the world. They will in some cases actually become lower because of the high number of people visitors traveling about. So shopping during New Year’s season can be a good time to spend money. But then for you, battling the crowds may or may not be more important than saving a few yen. That’s something you’ll have to weigh for yourself.

Be careful and enjoy a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, wherever you are and especially if you are in Japan! And remember that the bells you may be hearing in the distance, if you are in Japan during this time, won’t be Santa Claus riding off in his sleigh, but people pulling and shaking the ropes to the bells and chimes at temples and shrines as they pray in the New Year!

Even though the main reason for Christmas is to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, many people, however, cannot deny feeling the need to focus on shopping for presents to give their loved ones, coworkers and friends. There are many other things to do besides shopping for gifts. There are parties to prepare for, lights to put up and out, decorations to make and set out, places to go and people to see and foods to be bought and eaten.

Christmas is one of the busiest times of the year, and it is getting busier here in Japan as more and more people implement the holiday into their lives.

Less than 5 years ago, Christmas wasn’t as popular as it is today. Very few people decorated their homes with lights or put up Christmas trees. Nowadays, you can find Christmas trees and ornaments in many, if not most, “Do-It-Yourself” home craft and home centers like Musashi, Kohnan, Royal, Komeri and Joyful home centers. My personal favorite is Musashi. They have a huge assortment of things from building supplies to interior as well as tons of art and craft supplies. And when I say art and craft supplies, I don’t mean just a few. If you are having a hard time finding something to do your next craft or art project, go to Musashi. They’ll probably have it along with a few others to choose from. And their prices? Most of the things I buy there are less there than anywhere else; just one more reason to shop there. Besides that, their products are also well made, some from China, but many things made in Japan.

So if you are in need of Christmas supplies, find the nearest Musashi, or any other DIY home center and you should be able to find what you’re looking for. And when Christmas Day arrives, take some time to reflect on the true meaning of the holiday, if not allow it to carryover into all the days thereafter. Have a very Merry Christmas!