Thursday, December 29, 2005

Tokyo Millenario

Tokyo Millenario is a long-established traditional lighting display which is installed in the middle of Tokyo for a week at the end of each year. Ok, it actually started in 1999 to mark the end of the millennium (a year too early, of course - but weren't we all) and proved so popular they've done it each year since. There are posters up all over the place advertising it, and we were in Tokyo today anyway, so thought we might as well have a look to see what all the fuss is about.

The nearest main station is Tokyo itself, and immediately on leaving the station - or rather, joining the queue to leave the station - it was obvious that we were not going to go the wrong way and miss the event:



About an hour later, we eventually shuffled the 2 blocks to reach the lights.



This picture really doesn't do them justice - they were much more boring and inconsequential than they appear. Folks, save yourselves the bother, look at the posters on the trains, and stay away. Or if you must go and don't mind missing out on walking under the arch at the very start, approach via a side-street half way along and avoid the queues.

3 comments:

EliRabett said...

The same story in New York from some friends who did the grand tour of the US east coast during the holidays. Try pushing your way into Rockefeller Center during Christmas season

EliRabett said...

For that matter, I have painful memories of being trampled to the ground the first day of the Harrods sale lo so many years ago. You brought back the memories.

James Annan said...

Glad to know I brought back some happy memories :-)

I've just managed to spend a few quiet days away from the crowds - quite an achievement at this time of year in Japan...