Hello, everyone. This is Miyanaga from GP here.

Today, I’d like to introduce some special planetariums that will surely excite you.

What Konica Minolta Planetarium is offering this season for lovers is a playful gift to enjoy before the main show begins. Would you happen to know of the “Illumination Welcome Dome”?

Indoor activities to warm up on cold winter nights

When it comes to Konica Minolta, a group known for producing planetarium-related equipment and video software, their planetarium events are always highly entertaining. This year as well, photo-friendly illumination visuals are being screened during the waiting time before the main show at the five planetariums they operate!

Displayed on giant screens, these spectacular visuals feature enchanting Christmas sights of falling snow and lights underneath a starry sky. This incredibly immersive experience, which began on Friday, November 1st, runs through Wednesday, December 25th. It’s the perfect opportunity to create irreplaceable memories with someone special.

Photo-friendly illuminations to enjoy while waiting for the show

This event is called the “Illumination Welcome Dome,” and as the name suggests, it is an interlude visual displayed when guests enter the dome. Upon stepping inside, you’re greeted with a magical Christmas scene of snow falling underneath  a starry sky.

During the five-ten minutes before the main show begins, you can enjoy the luxurious moment, blending a warm, cozy indoor environment with stars and lights from the sky outside. You can even take photos and videos during the welcome visuals, making it an exceptionally social-media-worthy experience. The sensibility behind this is simply amazing!

Detailed info on the “Illumination Welcome Dome” and recommended features of each venue

What is the “Illumination Welcome Dome”?

The “Illumination Welcome Dome” is featured at the following five venues:

• Planetaria TOKYO (Yurakucho)
• Planetaria YOKOHAMA (Yokohama)
• Planetarium MANTEN (Ikebukuro)
• Planetarium Tenkū (Oshiage)
• Planetarium MANTEN NAGOYA (Nagoya)

The viewing time is approximately five-ten minutes between the dome’s opening and the start of the main show. To fully enjoy the illumination visuals, it’s recommended to enter the dome as soon as the venue opens.

Incidentally, Planetarium MANTEN (Ikebukuro) seems to have a unique schedule for each venue, so it’d be best to check their schedule pages for more specific information.

Recommended programs at each venue

Now, allow me to introduce the wonderful programs offered by each venue. Each of these works have their own unique charm, providing ideas and inspiration for all sorts of events!

Starry Chill Playlist (Planetaria YOKOHAMA/Yokohama & Planetarium MANTEN NAGOYA/Nagoya)

This program features star-themed songs by renowned artists such as Supercell, Masaki Suda, Ryokuōshokushakai, YOASOBI, aiko, Mone Kamishiraishi, and Official HIGE DANdism. The visuals showcase starry skies across the four seasons of spring, summer, autumn, winter—and even outer space, with breathtaking visuals made possible by Japan’s first LED dome system.

Arabian Nights Healing: A Night of Stars (Planetaria TOKYO/Yurakucho & Planetarium Tenkū/Oshiage)

Set in the exotic land of Arabia, this program takes you on a journey through beautifully mystical mosques where people come to pray, vast sand dunes stretching as far as the eye can see, and a starry night gently enveloping the entire landscape. In this crossover between exotic fantasy and reality, you can surrender yourself to the mystical starry sky, all while surrounded by aromatic scents.

Star Days – Walk Tall (Planetarium MANTEN/Ikebukuro)

Inspired by the timeless Japanese classic song “Walk Tall” (Ue o Muite Arukō), this program introduces seasonal constellations through a nostalgic lens. Whether you’re a stargazing enthusiast, someone who hasn’t looked up at the stars in a while, or someone feeling overwhelmed by busy days, this show offers stories of the stars that have always shone above us, accompanied by nostalgic scenery.

Conclusion

What do you think of Konica Minolta Planetarium’s Christmas planning skills? By adding special illuminations, they’ve created a brilliant situation that makes it easier to invite someone you’re interested in on a date.

To sum things up, this time, I’ve introduced Konica Minolta Planetarium’s Illumination Welcome Dome. Of course, the illuminations are stunning, but the main programs at each venue are also full of creative ideas and inspiration, making it a great source of ideas for event content. Be sure to check it out, if you can! Now then, until next time.