Tanabata › Japan Today: Japan News and Discussion

Wednesday 25th June, 07:37 AM JST

The observation deck of Tokyo Tower is lit up with 5,000 LED lights for the Tanabata festival. The illumination will run until July 10.

Latest 15 of 18 Total Comments Show All

Blue_Tiger at 10:22 AM JST - 25th June

Cool!
Sarge at 10:27 AM JST - 25th June

I agree with thepro, Ossan and Blue Tiger - cool!

"I prefer the normal tanabata lanterns that people actually spend time making"

Hey, people spent time making these cool electric lights too!
cleo at 10:47 AM JST - 25th June

No, no, no, NO!

Tanabata is about looking at the stars, not about not being able to see them because of the glare from 5,000 LED lights.

Turn the damn lights off, so that Orihime and Hikoboshi can see the Milky Way!
Sarge at 10:54 AM JST - 25th June

Cleo - Being as how you don't live in Tokyo, you may be forgive for not understanding that we can't see the stars even with a cloudless sky anyway, so might as well have the pretty blue electric lights!
cleo at 01:17 PM JST - 25th June

Sarge -

I stand corrected. Poor Tokyoites....

Still looks like a waste of a lot o'lectrick, though.

Suggestion - ban all private vehicles from the capital, ditto smoke-belching factories, wait a coupla years and you might be able to see the stars!

:-)
keshii at 02:25 PM JST - 25th June

Or at least try to simulate real stars in honor of Tanabata, rather than hosting what seems to be the Japanese equivalent of Christmas in July...
sageb1 at 03:20 PM JST - 25th June

Japan knows that light pollution has obliterated viewing of the constellations for some time now.

Is it any wonder tourism elsewhere has gone up?

So I agree: today, Tanabata with LEDs is Christmas in July.
tclh at 03:31 PM JST - 25th June

It's good to have a whole "milky way "just meters above your head!And when people can enjoy such a beautiful display,it is not a waste but money(or energy) well used.
sabinuki at 04:19 PM JST - 25th June

I'd just like to let everyone know that I went here a few weeks back. They had blue crap dangling from the ceiling, whether it was Tanabata or not I don't know. The atmosphere was very nice, but that may have had something to do with the beer.

Note: beer cannot be purchased from the higher observation deck. But the view is even better, so drink your beer then go up, then drink more beer when you come back to the regular deck.
sharpie at 04:58 PM JST - 25th June

wow, way to do ur part for the energy crisis. demo, kireiiiii da neeeeee.
KitsuneYoukai at 10:13 PM JST - 25th June

So long as it is not long lasting, it appears to look nice. But I do agree that it is a waste of energy. Companies are increasing the temp in offices to avoid wasting electricity and the "no tie" to work to help. This is a contradiction to saving energy. I'd rather have employees feel comfortable with decent AC in offices than have this light show. I also think the same of all those Big screen TV's. I think they are cool but having them run practically all day????? I bet it's expensive.

I like Tanabata just the traditional way. It has a special feel. This feels nothing like it.
YadotNapaj at 11:15 PM JST - 25th June

It looks fine, too bad they don't have a shot of it from Shinagawa or somewhere nearby so we could get a better perspective.
PuffinMuffin at 01:26 AM JST - 26th June

dont they have blue lights every Xmas? How come so early
NipponGaijinKun at 01:43 AM JST - 26th June

To all the electrical-energy experts on this post : REad the books on electricity 1st then comment! LEDs are the most low consumption lightning available today! With 5K LEDS it only uses 150Volts of electricity per hour ( low wattage 1W only) So basically Your average lightbulb! It is pretty! And LOW Consumption! All the traffic lights in Japan are made from these now! It take 1AA battery to run ur average stop light! As for the stars in the sky in Tokyo.... I've seen them, so someone commenting on "I can't see them, even in the clear sky night" - Maybe u should stop looking @ the street girls, and look up? Neeee :))
NipponGaijinKun at 01:45 AM JST - 26th June

P.S. Buying 5000 LEDs is expensive though... Grrr about 5k$$ Each costs 1$ at least...