Tokyo German Christmas Village

After an early Christmas dinner we hopped in the car and headed to the Tokyo German Christmas Village.  It was recomended online for being a great Christmas illumination.  Here in Japan people don't decorate their houses with lights for Christmas.  Instead they places all around town will do big light displays.  We got there about 30 minutes before dark which was perfect because we were able to get a parking spot.  It was crowded but not unbearably so.

They had music that the lights flashed to and these dancing balloon bears.  I have no idea what they were about but the kids thought they might be a good halloween costume for next year.

It was cold.

Next to the bikes it said "Human Power Generation."  When the kids peddled huge bubbles came out.  These bubbles were white and held really well.  When they popped a mist sort of came out.

The there were a few shops and restaurants in the village area.  We got a couple things from the bakery.

The Japanese people are very polite and organized so instead of people randomly taking pictures they nicely formed lines and it seemed to be the custom for the person behind you in line to take your picture.  We got in line for this next picture and waited for us to get to the front for about 20 minutes.  It was a decent sized line.  The funny part was that no one got in  line behind us.  A few people looked like they were going to but they never did.  We think no one wanted to take our picture.  When we got to the front there was no one there for us.  We had to find someone.  I noticed after we left a line had once again formed.

This little house was so cute.  I went in it and there was a tiny model skating rink.

After walking through the whole thing for about an hour we saw people were walking up the hill across the street.  I figured they were getting a view of it from above so we followed suit.

I was amazed at how great it looked from afar.  So many of the pictures I didn't realize were picture when I was right next to them.  It was pretty cool.

I miss looking at lights on houses but I have to say this kind of blew any zoo lights I've been to out of the water.