In its 36th year, the event’s official Japanese title is “Sendai Hikari no Pajento” which doesn’t mention anything about starlight.
If it’s not obvious from the photo, this event is Sendai’s main winter illumination event.
The venue for the light-up is the Zelkova lined boulevards of Aoba Dori and Jouzenji Dori right in the center of Sendai. A good starting point is Kotodai Station at the eastern end of Jouzenji Dori, although the area is within easy walking distance of Sendai Station.
You can’t have a winter illumination event in Japan without giving it a theme. The theme for this year’s Pageant is “Step for New Hope”
The light-up runs daily from 7pm until 10pm on weekdays, and from 6pm to 10pm on weekends. On New Year’s Eve, the lights will stay on until midnight.
To prevent the spread of COVID-19, many events have been canceled. Always check official sites before heading to an event.
