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Urban nights turn into a spectacle of light during this period.
The illumination from one million light bulbs strewn on rows
of zelkova trees creates an arch that transports visitors to
a dream world. As visitors walk under the lights, their faces
are lit with gentle shining smiles. This magical event is surely
an appropriate ending to the year.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Pageant of Starlight.
It has become one of the most popular winter events of the Tohoku
region. The lights attached to the zelkova trees use LED (Light
Emitting Diode) and this invention was first conceived in Sendai,
making this event one that truly represents the greatness of
Sendai.
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Pageant of Starlight along Jozenjidori Avenue
Loople
Sendai Bus that runs through the city during the Pageant of
Starlight
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Jozenjidori
Avenue in early spring when the new leaves appear |
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Well-known as the City of Trees, Sendai boasts major thoroughfares
lined with verdant greenery. The zelkova trees along Jozenjidori
and Aobadori Avenues are especially beautiful and are a fitting
symbol of the city. Four rows of zelkova trees line the pedestrian
walkway along Jozenjidori Avenue for a total of 166 trees. These
trees were planted 60 years ago immediately after the Second
World War when Sendai was in a state of devastation from bombings
and today they continue to display an elegant landscape throughout
the seasons.
In addition to lights along Jozenjidori Avenue, 132 zelkova
trees are illuminated along a 1.2 kilometer stretch of Aobadori
Avenue.
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From Monday, Dec. 12 to Saturday, Dec. 31, 2005, the beautiful
lights will shine across the Sendai night sky. On New Year's
Eve, the lights will be lit until midnight. During this period,
the "Starlight Wink" will be held three times each
night where all the lights are turned off and then relit. The
moment when the lights are relit is simply breathtaking. Passersby
unconsciously stop to shout with glee at the heart-stirring
beauty of the occasion.
On the corner of Jozenjidori and Higashi Nibanchodori Avenues,
a 30-meter-high Himalayan cypress, the largest in Japan, is
illuminated with 85,000 lights. This tree is lit on December
11 at 5:30 p.m.
On December 23, the "Starlight Fantasy" [Story of
Santa's Woods] is held where about 300 people dressed as Santa
join performers in a parade along Jozenjidori Avenue.
Although the winter air is icy, strollers who walk under the
illumination will find their hearts warmed from the radiance
of the lights. Everyone should experience the pleasure of this
fairy-tale illumination at least once.
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Snow-covered
Sendai Castle and turret |
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Sendai
"dagashi" confectionery shop |
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Visitors to Sendai should enjoy the many interesting features
of this castle town. We recommend visiting the site of Sendai
Castle and Sendai "dagashi" (confectionery) shops
to get a flavor of old Sendai. Ichibancho, which links Jozenjidori
Avenue to Aobadori Avenue, is the largest shopping area in the
Tohoku region. Visitors can enjoy the cold Sendai winter by
window shopping at shops that sell world-famous name brand items,
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