Anyone who’s been in Japan for a while knows that illuminations come in all sizes from a few lights and decorations at train station to a giant display timed with water and musical events. Yokohama is a mix of all of that. While I wouldn’t consider any of these displays worth their own personal trip combined together with a day in Yokohama for multiple stops in one it’s definitely a way to spend the evening with a significant other or your family. With colorful lights lighting your way between the stations, Christmas trees to decorated to celebrate the season and musical tunes that will have you dancing in place it’s definitely making the “to do” list.

Landmark Tower

When entering landmark tower from the Park Hotel side you’ll see the sign advertising the 2024 campaign , Spark Joy. In collaboration with Disney there are trees and lights to celebrate all the magic Disney and Pixar have to offer. In the lobby is a multi story tree with a stand that shows clips from different Pixar movies and has Mickey waiting to get the show started. With music and lights being performed at 15 minutes intervals you can time your arrival to the start of the show. There are plenty of places on the balconies around the tree where you can easily capture the memory.

Queen’s Tower

Continuing the Spark Joy theme and also celebrating 50 years of Hello Kitty the tree in Queen’s tower is done up in pink to celebrate this cool cat!

There is also a pop-up store nearby with tons of unique paraphernalia all celebrating Hello Kitty and her friends from Sanrio that you can take home with you or for the Hello Kitty or Sanrio lover in your life. This tree doesn’t have a timed and musical sequence but it is a great spot to capture more pictures and if you can’t make it to the Tokyo exhibition for Hello Kitty it is a great substitute.

MarxIS Mall

If you’re trying to maximize your day then head down to Minato Mirai station and before entering the platform walk over to MarkIS mall you can also enter from the street if you want to deal with crossing traffic. The Spark Joy theme continues with Elsa and Anna and their frozen tree!

Like the Christmas tree in Landmark Tower decorated with Disney and Pixar themes this tree has a music and light display that occurs every 15 minutes that you can time your arrival for.

Sogo Sky Building

If Toy Story is your jam than the Sky building is definitely where you want to start out. You can access this building from inside Yokohama station and catch the elevator up to this multi story display of childhood magic. 

The first stop on our adventures was at the toy story tree on the fifth floor located in the center of the food court it’s set up for easy access and it’s near an escalator so you can get your picture and go onto the next adventure

The third and final edition of the holiday display in the Sky building is probably my favorite part. A rooftop garden with lights, peacefulness and serenity. A great spot to relax at the end of your Yokohama adventures, drink hot chocolate and relax your feet before returning home!!

Have you already been through the Spark Joy displays? Let me know what was your favorite and why!