Winter Light Festival With Toyota
Celebrate the Winter Light Festival at Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden with Us!
As the season of snow and lights approaches, our team is thrilled to announce that we’ll once again be partnering with the Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden for their Winter Light Festival. This special event, running from November 29 through February 28, transforms the serene beauty of the garden into a dazzling winter wonderland, illuminated with thousands of twinkling lights that highlight the peaceful landscapes and artistic symbolism embedded in the garden’s design.
About Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden
Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden is not only a stunning retreat within Lethbridge, but also a living symbol of cultural harmony and friendship between Japan and Canada. Established in 1967 during Canada’s Centennial, the garden was created to honor the Japanese-Canadian community’s contributions to southern Alberta. The name “Nikka Yuko” combines the words “Ni” from Nihon (Japan), “ka” from Kanada, and “Yuko,” meaning “friendship” — capturing the essence of Japan-Canada friendship.
The vision for Nikka Yuko started in the early 1960s, thanks to the shared dreams of Reverend Yutetsu Kawamura, his wife Yoneko, and Cleo Mowers, publisher of the Lethbridge Herald. Together, they envisioned a Japanese-style garden that would blend the unique beauty of Alberta’s mountains and prairies with the artistry of traditional Japanese garden design. Dr. Tadashi Kubo, a renowned landscape designer from Osaka Prefecture University, crafted the design with lakes, mountains, and prairies as his inspirations. Skilled artisans from Japan, including architect Masami Sugimoto, carefully constructed the garden structures using the Sukiya architectural style — without screws or nails, showcasing a beautiful union of strength and simplicity.
A Magical Winter Experience
The Winter Light Festival is an event that truly brings the garden to life in a new way. Last year, we hosted a Customer Appreciation Night at Nikka Yuko’s Winter Light Festival, and it was a magical evening filled with holiday cheer, mesmerizing lights, and shared joy. The response was so incredible that the event sold out! We’re excited to bring this experience back this year, and we’re especially honored to bring a special feature to the event — the Toyota Tunnel! As a proud sponsor of the gardens, we wanted to make this year’s festival extra special for our guests, so we’ve collaborated with the garden to create a unique light display that symbolizes our partnership.
Join Us This Year
Join us in celebrating the Winter Light Festival at Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden, and step into a world of radiant lights and serene beauty. This is an opportunity to experience the garden in a unique way, wrapped in the warmth of community, friendship, and festive lights. Our Customer Appreciation Night will be hosted soon, so keep an eye out for details on ticketing and how to reserve your spot. This is a night to remember, and we look forward to sharing it with all of you!
With each visit, you’ll witness the remarkable blend of Japanese cultural elements and Alberta’s natural landscape, a timeless representation of unity and respect between two distinct yet harmoniously intertwined cultures. We hope to see you there as we celebrate the season, friendship, and our shared love for this incredible community treasure.