The 2017 SENDAI Pageant of Starlight is here! A detailed explanation of this year's highlights!

This winter, the light of the hearts of Sendai citizens will once again shine on Jozenji Street

When it comes to winter traditions in Sendai, the first thing that comes to mind is the "SENDAI Pageant of Starlight"!

600,000 LED bulbs will be installed along the zelkova trees lining Jozenji Street, brightening up the Sendai nightscape

This year's event will start on December 8th!

In this article, we will introduce the highlights of the upcoming 32nd "SENDAI Pageant of Starlight - Let's Light Up Our Hearts Together"!

What is the SENDAI Pageant of Starlight?

The SENDAI Pageant of Starlight is a winter illumination event held along Jozenji Street, a street lined with zelkova trees in downtown Sendai

The first event was held in 1986, and this year marks its 32nd anniversary

This is a major winter event in Sendai, attracting over 2.5 million visitors every year

The electric lights installed along the rows of zelkova trees are called "Starlight Leaf" and were jointly developed by the executive committee and a light bulb manufacturer

This was also used at Tokyo Disney Resort, but from 2009 they began gradually switching to LED bulbs called "Pageant of Light."

In 2011, during the Great East Japan Earthquake, all of the LEDs were damaged in the tsunami, but the event was held without incident thanks to financial support and the provision of LEDs from all over the country

This event gave momentum to the reconstruction of Tohoku

The Pageant of Light, which has continued without interruption since 1986, is not actually an event led by the prefecture or city, but rather an event that has grown primarily through citizen volunteers

Growing with donations from citizens! This year, they're also using crowdfunding!

This light pageant has been developed by local citizens and volunteers, inheriting the philosophy of "From the City of Forests to the City of Light."

Much of the event's funding comes from donations from local residents

Every year, donation boxes and bottles are set up in supermarkets and department stores throughout Sendai, and the event is held with the cooperation of local residents

This year, we are also trying our hand at the popular crowdfunding method

Backers will receive the following rewards:

• 5000 yen
  thank you letter & your name listed on the website
• 10,000 yen
  Sendai 89ERS official poster signed by 3 players
  Vegalta Sendai official poster signed by 10 players
  Miyagi Pageant rice (Hitomebore 3kg, harvested in October 2017 in Yamamoto-cho, Watari-gun)
  Thank you letter & your name listed on the website
• 15,000 yen
  SENDAI Pageant of Light x Oursera Collaboration Lunch Tote Bag & College Tote Bag
• 20,000 yen
  SENDAI Pageant of Light x Oursera Collaboration Special Lap Blanket
• 30,000 yen
  Special box seats (for two, dinner course with drinks at Back Page on the 8th floor of Jozenji Hills)
  + Pageant Car ticket (December 18-21, 18:00 onwards)
• 50,000 yen:
  Starlight Wink usage rights (a recorded voice message will be played along with Starlight Wink)

The first target amount has already been reached

Some rewards are in stock, so please support us early!

What are the highlights of the SENDAI Pageant of Starlight 2017?

From here, we will explain the highlights of the SENDAI Pageant of Starlight 2017!

• Mitsui Fudosan Realty Tohoku presents Starlight Wink:
  600,000 light bulbs will be switched off simultaneously, then switched back on approximately one minute later.
  This is a signature event of the Sendai Pageant of Light, and every year when the lights are switched back on, cheers erupt from the visitors.
  It will be held three times a day during the event period (18:00, 19:00, 20:00), but on the 23rd only, the time will be changed due to the "Santa's Forest Story" event.
• Life Support System presents Pageant Car:
  A dazzlingly illuminated pageant car driven by a cheerful Santa.
  We are looking for passengers, and two groups per day will get to tour the pageant with Santa for 45 minutes.
  Passengers will be selected by lottery, but supporters of the crowdfunding campaign will be given priority, so if you really want to ride, support the crowdfunding campaign!
• the STARLIGHT☆WINK CONCERT
  Enjoy a romantic piano concert for one day only during
  The piano music, accompanied by Starlight Wink, will transport you to a fantastical world of light and sound.
  Spend a dreamlike moment on December 17th in front of the chapel at MJQ Wedding Jozenji Garden Hills Guest House.
• Re-Style FES!
  is an event that promotes understanding and action towards the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) through the lending of reusable tableware and stage events.
  Head to Kotodai Park Citizens' Plaza on December 23rd (Sat/Holiday) and 24th (Sun)!
• Sendai Winter Park ~Starlight Link~
  Sendai is the birthplace of figure skating in Japan, having produced skaters like Shizuka Arakawa and Yuzuru Hanyu.
  From December 8th to 25th, an ice skating rink will be set up in Kotodai Park Citizens' Plaza, so why not aim for a gold medal this winter?
• The Kahopyon Fantasy Park
  Kotodai Park is illuminated with white-based lights.
  The mystical glow, different from the lights on Jozenji Street, is also beautiful!
• KIRIN Ichiban Shibori Kitchen & YEBISU BAR
  Kotodai Park, you can enjoy light meals in a standing bar setting.
  Enjoy hot food made with seasonal ingredients while sipping your favorite beer, whether it's Ichiban Shibori or YEBISU!
• the Machikuru Performers Sendai
  Pageant, street performers from all over Japan who have obtained Machikuru Performer licenses will showcase their street performances at Kotodai Park.
• A photo
  contest is held every year to capture beautiful photographs of the Sendai Pageant of Light.
  In conjunction with the event, an exhibition of the contest's winning entries is also held at the Jozenji Gallery on the 1st floor of the Sendai Jozenji Building, where you can see past winning photographs.
• SoftBank presents Santa's Forest Story: A parade
  of Santas and reindeer, played by citizens and marching band members, will take place along Jozenji Street.
  There will also be musical performances and dance acts, so be sure to check it out.
  The event will be held on December 23rd (Saturday, public holiday) from 17:30 to 19:45.
• Loople Sendai Light Pageant Bus:
  The Loople Sendai city bus, which circulates around Sendai, will be operating a special service during the Light Pageant period.
  Enjoying the light pageant while riding on this retro-style bus is sure to be a fun experience!
• 2017 SENDAI Pageant of Light in Izumi Park Town:
  On the main street of Izumi Park Town, located north of downtown Sendai, you can see a miniature pageant of light using 100,000 LEDs, the same ones used in the original SENDAI Pageant of Light.
  Just like the original, Starlight Wink will also be held, so why not check it out while you're out shopping!
• the Sendai Umino Mori Aquarium collaboration event
  , a light pageant scene will be projected onto a screen.
  Enjoy the LED tree inspired by the zelkova trees lining Jozenji Street, and the "Pageant Aquarium," which features trees adorned with lights placed inside the tank.

SENDAI Pageant of Starlight 2017 will be held from December 8th to 31st

The Sendai Pageant of Lights, a flood of lights that illuminates Sendai's winter,
will be held daily from December 8th to 31st in 2017.

Wrapping up 2017 surrounded by the beautifully lit light of the hearts of Sendai citizens will be a memorable experience!

INFORMATION

Chimon

A balding writer who loves travel and laughter.
A nice guy who hides his thinning hair by shaving his head!
He travels north and south to bring smiles to Tohoku through his writing!

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