Lighting up historical connections

Japan dropped China’s lunar calendar in 1873 in favor of welcoming in the New Year on Jan 1. Still, there are reminders of Japan’s Lunar New Year celebrations that delight locals and visitors alike.

• Tokyo Tower transformed Since 2019, the landmark is lit up in red to celebrate the Chinese New Year. This year, the tower displayed the Chinese characters for hope, in an effort to bring love, courage, warmth — and hope — to those battling COVID-19.

• Chukagai Yokohama

The largest Chinatown in Japan was founded when Yokohama’s sea port was opened to foreign trade in 1859. For Chinese New Year, the atmosphere is vibrant as the streets are decorated with red lanterns and paper-cuts, firecrackers are lit and lion and dragon dances are performed.

• Parades in Kobe

The parades that take place in the city during the Spring Festival have become a major tourist attraction.

• Nagasaki Lantern Festival

Every year some 15,000 lanterns of different colors, sizes and shapes illuminate Nagasaki to celebrate the Lunar New Year. The entire city is bathed in the warm glow of lanterns for 15 days to remind people that — for almost two centuries — China and the Netherlands had been the only countries allowed to conduct trade in Japan from Nagasaki Port.