Gotemba Kogen Hotel B,U

After having a lovely time in Gotemba Premium Outlets, I took several shuttle buses to Gotemba Kogen “Toki no Sumika”.
Toki-no-Sumika is a complex facility with hotels, cottages, onsen hot spas, tennis courts, soccer grounds, a skating rink, a church, and shops and restaurants. But there is something more in this season ! Yes, illuminations of the largest in Shizuoka Prefectrue ! !

Gotemba Kogen Beer

Telling the truth, it was my third visit there. The first time, I remember I had lunch in “Gotemba Kogen Beer” with their home-brew beer. The second was when flowers were in full bloom around. And this time, Illuminations I had been waiting for.
I got off the bus in the evening, in front of Gotemba Kogen Hotel B,U and strolled around to wait for the illuminations lit up. Along the main street was decorated “Tunnel of Lights” just as one covered with snow. I wondered how it would be lit up. I was getting more and more excited.
On the small hill is “Bell of Love”. I walked toward it to see the sunset and Mt. Fuji from there, and found it the very place for the Illumination Show. “The image of The Palace of Versailles” it said. I couldn’t miss it !

I passed through the gate and found The Bell of Love of my memories and Mt, Fuji in evening lights. The sunset told me how fast the time goes by. In a few moments, “The Little Prince” was lit, followed by outburst of spontaneous exclamation in the silent evening.
At 17:00, with the signal of lights-out, it started with a brisk music. First came on the laser technology on the water screen, and the fountain show illuminated in a variety of colors, followed by projected images on the water screen. You can see these pictures from here. I don’t know what the show in the Palace of Versailles is like but it absolutely enchanted us into a dreamy world.

The Little Prince was lit again after 20 minute entertainment to tell us the end of the show but we stayed there in the afterglow of the illuminations.
Now, finally, I was on my way to the archway ! Trees along the pathway had already been decorated with thousands of illuminations. I found some cute snowmen and reindeers on its way.＾＾
And here I was ! The breathtakingly illuminated archway ! I strolled through the 370m long tunnel just as slowly as possible not wanting to reach the end of it. Many couples and families seemed the same just as I felt. They stopped in the middle of the tunnel to have a talk or to take a look around.

Passing through the tunnel, I found many people flocking around “Gotemba Kogen Beer”. Some stepped in it to have their maybe gorgeous dinner and others went in food-products shop for their souvenirs. I liked people just lingering on the bench because I could tell how much they had loved it.＾＾
I stood in front of the Hotel B,U to take a shuttle bus. Available for Gotemba Sta. and Mishima Sta. I would strongly recommend you to use these shuttle buses because cars will be stuck in a bad traffic jam during this season.

Thank you and have a good day !

Gotemba Kogen “Toki no Sumika”
Access ： 20 minutes by free shuttle bus from Gotemba Sta., or 50 minutes from Mishima Sta.
Admission ： Free
Illumination ： Nov 12 – Jan 5 (16:30 – 22:00)／Jan 6 – Mar 6 (17:00 – 21:30)
“Illumination of Versailles” Show
Admission ： ¥1,000 for adults／¥200 for children ※Free for the hotel guests
Show time ： every 30 minutes from 17:00

“Shizuoka Guide” is our official English blog website for events & sightseeing. Always with you ! ＾＾