Times Of TIU

Writer: Maurille R.
Editor: Samantha P.

As the fall semester comes to an end, we are also getting ready for our long winter vacation. Compared to other universities, TIU has three long months of winter break for students, and it’s a perfect opportunity for them to destress from all the academic stress they had during the past school year. One good way of destressing is by traveling since it allows you to step out of your daily grind by seeing new places and gaining new experiences. While you’re here in Japan, why don’t you spend your vacation meaningful by exploring the country’s winter wonderland?

Winter Illuminations

Winter illuminations, or winter light festivals, have been a huge event in Japan during the winter season since you can see light displays that are extravagant and breathtaking. With its cozy ambiance of romance, it also became a dating staple, but you can still enjoy visiting these places either alone or with friends. With such a broad repertoire to check out, we’ve handpicked some of the best and brightest, and of course, they are near TIU Ikebukuro Campus.

Yomiuriland Jewellumination

• Location: 4015-1 Yanokuchi, Inagi, Tokyo 206-8725
• Date:  October 19, 2023 to April 7, 2024 (16:00 to 20:30)
• Park Admission Fee:
  • Adults(Age 18-64): ¥1,800
  • Middle and High School Students(Age 12-17): ¥1,500
• One Day Pass:
  • Adults(Age 18-64): ¥5,800 
  • Middle and High School Students(Age 12-17): ¥4,600

Virtually every tree, building, and attraction in the Yomiuri Land amusement park just outside of central Tokyo is covered with lights, creating one of the largest illumination displays in the Tokyo area. Yomiuriland is not only famous for its winter illumination, but it is also a perfect place to go to have fun with your friends since it is also an amusement park. Not only that, but it is also only an hour away from Ikebukuro station, which makes it more convenient since you won’t travel that far to visit a magical place.

Marunouchi Illumination

• Location: Marunouchi Naka-Dori Ave, Chiyoda City, Tokyo
• Date:  November 16, 2023 to February 18, 2024
• Admission: Free

Marunouchi Illumination is one of the longest running and most beloved winter illuminations in Tokyo since it has decorated over 340 trees that stretch along the 1.2km long shopping street of Marunouchi. Going to Marunouchi’s Illumination will not only surprise you for its beauty, but it is also an ideal place for you to go if you are someone who likes shopping since you can find different kinds of luxury brands and shopping stores in this area. 

Skiing Adventures

If you’re looking for some adventure and want to go out and explore outside Tokyo, skiing is the best option for you since most of the ski places are mostly located in the provinces of Japan. Skiing is one of the most popular sports during the winter since it allows you to glide through the mountains of snow.

Shiga Kogen, Nagano

• Location:  Shigakogen, Yamanouchi-machi, Shimotakai-gun 381-0401 Nagano Prefecture
• Date: Mid December 2023 to Late March 2024
• Admission:
  • Adult: ¥7,500
  • Senior/Student: ¥6,400

There are few places in Japan where you can ski and enjoy sakura all in one trip. Shiga Kogen has a shockingly long ski season, usually open from the middle of November until the end of May. Shiga Kogen is a group of 18 ski resorts that have joined together to create the largest combined ski area in Japan. Shiga Kogen is so large that it would take at least two days to cover it all, yet a single lift ticket gives you access to all 48 lifts, gondolas, and ropeways in the area.

Myoko Kogen, Niigata

• Location: Taguchi, Myoko, Niigata 949-2106
• Date: Mid December 2023 to Late March 2024
• Admission: 
  • Adult (13+): ¥4,800 ~ ¥6,000

Myoko Kogen is made up of nine main ski resorts, all interconnected with Akakura village as the central point for the resort area. Each snow resort boasts ample snowfall and caters to everyone, from newbies to advanced riders looking for an adrenaline rush.

Hot Springs (Onsen)

If you are planning to escape the coldness of the winter season, visiting a hot spring is the best option for you. In Japan, visiting onsens or hotsprings is a big part of their culture since it is a good way to relax and bond with family and friends. Not only that, but it is also an effective way to relieve stress and reduce muscle tension.

Ginzan Onsen

Location: 999-4333 Yamagata, Obanazawa, Ginzanshinhata 85, Japan

Ginzan Onsen in Yamagata is a charming hot spring village nestled deep within the mountains. Running along the town’s central river are rows of meticulously maintained ryokans. It is also famous for its picturesque streets, especially when snow falls over the town, making winter one of the most popular times to visit.

Shibu Onsen

• Location: Nagano Prefecture
• Date: Available year round from 10AM-4PM
• Admission: Starts at ¥500

Nestled in the heart of the Japanese Alps of Nagano, Shibu Onsen is a historic and tranquil hot spring village that’s loved for its enchanting, snow-covered charm during the winter. Its streets are lined with beautifully preserved ryokans (Japanese inn). Furthermore, the place is famous for its Jigokudani Monkey Park, wherein you can experience seeing wild monkeys bathing in a natural hot spring. 

Take winter vacation as an opportunity for you to visit different places and enjoy different activities to learn and explore the country since there are a lot of options for you to go, whether it is inside or outside Tokyo. In my opinion, we can learn more about diverse cultures and develop a deeper respect for variety by traveling to new locations, sampling new foods, and engaging in various rituals and traditions. Developing open-mindedness and diversity will help you connect easier with other students at our university. Going on a vacation is also a good thing for you since you are rewarding yourself by taking a break from all the academic stress that you’ve gone through throughout the year. So take this opportunity for you to explore and gain new experiences.