By Dori Modney (@Dori_Modney on Twitter)

Nikka Yuko adds new attraction with Winter Light Festival

Nov 30, 2016 | 11:59 AM

LETHBRIDGE – Many cultures around the world have a ‘season of light’ celebration during the winter months as a means of dispelling the darker days, and the Japanese culture is no exception.

The local Nikka Yuko gardens is incorporating that observance into a Winter Lights Festival and creating a new attraction to draw-in visitors.

More than 96,000 lights have been placed on trees and other features in the garden to create an illuminated wonderland.  The media was granted a sneak peak on Wednesday night – we can confirm the beautiful display is not only worth a visit but, residents will want to visit more than once, and bring visitors.

Nikka Yuko Executive Director, Michelle Day, is honoured to be able to have the platform to show the Lethbridge community how beautiful the garden is, even in the winter months.

“We will be able to showcase the different culture and traditions that the Japanese follow around the winter months.”

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Day explained that a large number of people have commented that they would like to see lights in the garden.

“So, when we did our research on the cultural significance of winter lights in Japan and what that meant, we thought it would be perfect to have a unique winter light display with the cultural explanation of why the Japanese lights in the winter time.”

Day noted that in the Japanese culture, light is used in celebrations, remembrance of loss and to bring good energy. She noted the local Japanese community and its history, and the fact that the festival gives recognition to what that culture has added to the Southern Alberta landscape. 

“It again reminds people of the importance of Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden – we (the garden) are turning 50 years old next year and there will be a 50th anniversary, and what a way to start it, to be able to enhance that cultural piece in the winter time.”

Planning for the Nikka Yuko garden began several years before  Canada’s Centennial in 1967,  to recognize contributions made by those of Japanese ancestry to Southern Alberta, and Lethbridge in particular. It was opened in July of 1967 as a symbol of international friendship. The name was created from the Japanese words Ni (from Nihon meaning Japan), ka from Kanada or Canada, and Yuko, which means “friendship” to formulate “Japan-Canada friendship”.

According to Day, Nikka Yuko hired additional staff to set up the massive light display, which had to be accomplished with great care to the horticultural elements in the garden and ensuring there was no damage to shrubs an other features.  As of Wednesday night, about 600 man-hours of work had gone into the display, which was four to six staff working full-time over four weeks.

The plan is to have the Nikka Yuko Winter Lights Festival annually for the next five years with a specific focus on the garden’s 50th anniversary in 2017.  Day says the plan is to continually build on the festival, as long as the community embraces the new feature.

This year’s Festival Light opens on Friday, December 2nd and will fun until February 2nd. It will be open at 7:00-pm Thursday through Saturday for most weeks. However, residents are encouraged to check the Nikka Yuko website for notification of specific blackout nights or potential rescheduling. Additional information can be obtained by calling the visitor centre at 403-328-3511.

The Garden has kept the admission low to accommodate families. 

Admission is $5 per person or $15 for a family of four, and those aged 5-years and under are free. Enmax Concession will be on sight to offer warm drinks and other treats.

Residents are encouraged to bring family and friends who may be visiting from out of town over the Christmas holiday.