Cocoon City Illumination 2022 ~ 2023 – The annual illumination at Cocoon City will be switched on at 5 pm on Saturday November 12th 2022. After three years of a “star” theme, this year the illumination is called “Sparkling Milky Way”.
Cocoon City Illumination
The Cocoon City illumination display just keeps on growing. From about 310,000 lights in 2020/21 to 370,000 lights in 2022/23 to 400,000 in 2022 / 23. Their largest yet. They’ve a few extra surprises this year too. The illumination starts on Saturday November 12th and runs until Tuesday February 14th. Their light up display always ends on Valentine’s Day annually. However, the Christmas elements, such as the ten meter tree, are always only available until Christmas day.
To date, there was seven areas with night illumination in Cocoon City. However, one of the additional surprises of the 2022/23 is an eight light up spot. This year the displays are at Cocoon Hiroba, Keyaki Walk, Hanamizuki Walk, Cocoon plaza, Kotsu Hiroba, the station east deck, Market Mall and Cocoon 1 Plaza entrance. Furthermore, there is even more illumination just a short walk away at Saitama Shintoshin aka Tamaari Town.
Christmas Tree
In addition, the Cocoon City illumination has a ten meter Christmas tree completely adorned with lights. It changes color to the music at intervals during the day. And they use projection mapping to light stars on the courtyard around the tree. However, the Christmas tree is taken down at the end of Christmas day.
Christmas Events
During the Christmas period they also have other events on, such as the very popular candle night. There is also a Christmas market. The Christmas events and illumination are seperate really, as the main illumination (excluding the Christmas tree) runs right until Valentine’s day. While the Christmas tree and Cocoon City Christmas events, such as the candle nights and workshops end on Christmas day.
Illumination “Switch on” Event
Weather permitting, they will have an opening ceremony for the illumination event on Saturday November 12th. It will not go ahead if it is raining. For the special event, artificial snow will be blown from a snow machine to give the impression of the Christmas tree in a snow dome. The event starts at 5 pm, but the event space will be open from 4 pm. First come, first served. There is no charge for this or any of the illumination events at Cocoon City.
Cocoon City Illumination Details
Date: Saturday November 12th to Tuesday February 14th (the Christmas trees to December 25th only)
Time: 5 pm to 11 pm
Price: Free
Venue: Cocoon City, 4-263-1 Kishikicho, Omiya Ward, Saitama City. Phone: 048-601-5050. View on Google Maps.
Access
About a one minute walk from JR Saitama shintoshin Station, about an 8 minute walk from JR Kitayono Station.
Parking: Cocoon City is open from 10 am to 9 pm, but the parking is open from 9.00 am to 1.00 am. It costs 200 yen for 30 minutes, but if you have a Cocoon card or if you spend more than a 1000 yen in one shop you get one hour free parking. If you use the cinema you get 3 hours free parking.
Please note that the Cocoon City Illumination is subject to last minute changes depending on the situation with the Coronavirus. The 2020 ~ 2021 event was suspended in January 2021 due to a State of Emergency.
First published November 2013. Updated annually. Republished on November 6th 2021.