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The votes are in! Approximately 4,500 night-view enthusiasts submitted their votes for what they think are the best areas to take in Japan’s sprawling, twinkling cityscapes after dark, and the results were revealed at the Night View Summit 2015, held on October 9 in Kobe.

Which cities do you think made it to the top three? Click to find out, and enjoy some of the stunning photographs that prove each city’s worthiness of the honor!

3. Kobe 

This port town where the summit was held is also the capital city of Hyogo Prefecture, located in Japan’s Kansai region on Osaka Bay. To many foreigners and foodies, the city’s name is synonymous with world-famous Kobe beef, but the city has a rich history as one of Japan’s busiest ports.

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Some of the best spots to view the city at night are from Rokkousan and Mayasan, two nearby mountains. The spectacle visible from these points is often called the “million-dollar view”, as it’s said that that is the approximate cost of electricity consumed by the city each day. A pricey view indeed!

2. Sapporo

The capital city of Japan’s northernmost island of Hokkaido, Sapporo is home to Sapporo Brewery and host to the annual Yuki Matsuri snow festival, held each February and attracting more than two million visitors.

 

 

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Being Japan’s fourth largest city, Sapporo’s night view is brilliant for its sheer vastness. For a breathtaking 360-degree view, you can’t beat the top of Mount Moiwa.

1. Nagasaki

The city of Nagasaki has come a long way since the nuclear attack that ended the war in the Pacific theatre, and ultimately World War II, on August 9, 1945. The city is now a prominent port town, with a strong industry in ship building.

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To get the best views of the city, head to he viewing platform at either Nabekanmuriyama Park or Inasayama Park.

The next Night View Summit won’t be held for another three years, so there’s plenty of time to see these amazing sights before the next big three are announced. Which spots would you nominate for the next time around?

Source: grape
Top image: Instagram/momitan_katokichi, nyccrew (edited by RocketNews24)