With the business cooperation of AIRDO, the town of Ohzora in Hokkaido is holding “Konkon Rokon Winter Ohzora Illumination” at “Michi no Eki Melchen no Oka Memanbetsu” (Roadside Station). The period is about one month from February 4 to March 5.
Konkonrokon Winter Ozora Illumination
Dates: February 4 – March 5, 2023 (*Subject to shortening due to weather and other factors)
Venue: Roadside Station, Meruhen no Oka Memanbetsu, Oozu-cho, Abashiri-gun, Hokkaido
Hours: 16:00-21:00 daily
This event was made possible through a comprehensive cooperation agreement between Hokkaido, AIRDO, and Pokemon Co. The purpose of this event is to attract winter visitors to the Okhotsk region and to promote the region.
Under the comprehensive cooperation agreement between Pokémon Inc. and Hokkaido signed in October 2018, the fox Pokémon Alola Rokon and Rokon have been appointed as “Recommended Pokémon” for Hokkaido, and AIRDO has been operating a specially painted aircraft, Rokon Jet Hokkaido, since December 2021.
The main illumination this time features Alola Rokon and Rokon. In addition, 12 other types of Pokémon can be seen, including the ice-type Pokémon that have appeared in “Poke-lids (Pokémon manholes)” in various parts of Hokkaido. Under the supervision of illumination designer Hirotaka Ashiki, approximately 30,000 LED bulbs are used to create approximately 10 different colors.
In fact, local residents also participated in the production of this illumination in the form of workshops. During the daytime on February 4, the first day of the event, local residents could be seen actually creating the illumination at the indoor multipurpose plaza.
The work was quite serious, with tube lights fastened at regular intervals with ties and black vinyl tape used to shade the parts that were not to be illuminated. The workshop was selected by lottery due to the large number of applicants, and one elementary school boy who participated said with a smile, “I am happy to be able to make my own illumination of my favorite Pokemon.
The illumination ceremony was held after sunset at 5:00 p.m. and featured a surprise appearance by Alola Rocon and Roccon, and although it was the “hottest” season of the year, it was impressive to see so many local families in attendance. The children were all dressed in ski wear, which was quite cute.
To get to the illumination site, “Michi no Eki Melchen no Oka Memanbetsu” (Roadside Station), you can take the Memanbetsu Airport Route operated by Abashiri Bus. Departure from Memanbetsu Airport is connected to the arrival of airplanes, so there is no need to worry. The nearest bus stop is “Memanbetsu High School”, which takes about 7 minutes from Memanbetsu Airport. It is a 5-minute walk from the bus stop for Abashiri, and a 1-minute walk from the bus stop for the airport.
The last flight from Memanbetsu Airport to Haneda Airport is at 19:05, so you may stop by before your flight. Why don’t you enjoy the most shiver-inducing illumination this winter in Ohzora-cho?
© Source travel watch