As winter arrives, the slopes of Mt. Matsuda come alive with brilliant lights.<br /> <br /> The illumination along the hillside is so bright it can be seen from almost anywhere in the Ashigara Plain. For those of us living in Matsuda, Kaisei, Oi, and northern Odawara, this sight is a true sign that winter has come. This event, the "Matsuda Kirakira Festa," began its light display on November 29, 2024.<br /> You can drive directly up to the venue at Nishihirahata Park.<br /> <br /> When I visited on Friday, December 19, 2025, the parking lot was already 70–80% full even before 7:00 PM. It was a lively scene filled with families and couples, and with food trucks and local "gibier" (wild game) stalls, you could really feel the festive energy of the town. The lights are spectacular, but the night view of the Ashigara Plain below is also something special.<br /> Around this time of year, the sunset behind Mt. Daiyu paints the whole town in a beautiful red glow. Next time, I’d like to visit a bit earlier to catch that sunset.