2026 Kanto Gakuin University Kanazawa-Hakkei Campus Christmas Illumination: A Full-Day Course

Spend a day combining a stroll through Kanazawa-Hakkei, a town of sea and history, with the Christmas illumination at Kanto Gakuin University's Kanazawa-Hakkei Campus. The illumination is typically held from around December 1 to December 24 each year; last year it ran from December 1 to December 24, 2025 (the 2026 schedule has not yet been announced, so please check the official website). In the early afternoon, head to Umi no Koen (Sea Park). Take a walk along the roughly 1-kilometer beach and gaze out at the sea in the crisp winter air. Next, visit Seto Shrine near Kanazawa-Hakkei Station, an old shrine associated with Minamoto no Yoritomo; its two bugaku (court dance) masks, said to have been dedicated by Hojo Masako, are designated National Important Cultural Properties. In the evening, move on to the campus to admire the illuminated Christmas lights. The winter seaside and evenings get cold, so dress warmly.