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A display of Japanese lights
Meguro Gajoen is Tokyo’s longest-running wedding venue, and one of the most gorgeous, too. Its resemblance to the bathhouse of Ghibli Studio’s “Spirited Away” has often been pointed out, and we can understand as this Japanese-Western fusion style architecture with exquisite interior feels magical to say the least. With a summer illumination event being held at the venue’s historic building called Hyakudankaidan, it’s time to get spirited away!
Hyakudankaidan consists of a 99 steps staircase of zelkova tree and 7 Japanese style rooms that formerly functioned as wedding banquets. The walls and ceilings are decorated by a total of 126 traditional Japanese paintings by well-known artists at the time the venue was built in 1935.
During illumination event “Wa no Akari” from July 1 to August 28, the Hyakudankaidan complex will be illuminated by 12 different types of lights made of traditional Japanese paper such as ukiyo-e (Japanese woodblock prints) lanterns, furin (summer wind-bells) shaped lanterns and warrior floats in the fashion of Aomori Prefecture’s famous Nebuta Matsuri.
A summer illumination event alone is innovative enough, but making it indoor and Japanese style is what really catches our attention. We have to give Meguro Gajoen credit for using their historical assets this creatively!
Meguro Gajoen “Wa no Akari”
Location: Shimo-meguro 1-8-1 Meguro, Tokyo
Access: A 3-min walk from Meguro Station (JR Yamanote Line West Exit, Tokyu Meguro Line, Nanboku Line, Mita Line)
Dates: July 1 – August 28, 2016
Entrance Fee: Adults 1,200 yen, Students 600 yen
Hours: 10am – 6pm (Sunday – Thursday) 10am – 7pm (Fridays, Saturdays)
*Last entry 30 minutes before closing.
