Kobe Luminarie is an annual light festival held in Kobe, Hyōgo Prefecture, every December since 1995. It commemorates the Great Hanshin earthquake of that year.
This stunning, multicoloured display attracts millions of visitors to Kobe in December every year. It's a must see in winter time in Japan.
My Personal Connection
The festival runs for around two weeks every evening. It is viewed by as many as 3-5 million people each year.
It has a personal connection for me as my wife's family live near Kobe. My (then future) wife was living there at the time of the earthquake.
I vividly remember seeing the news reports on TV. Worried about them, I telephoned to see if she and her family were OK. Thankfully, apart from some minor structural damage to their home, they were all fine.
Over 6,400 Died From The 1995 Earthquake
Many, many others were less fortunate. More than 6,400 people were killed as a result of the 1995 earthquake. The Kobe Luminarie festival ensures they are not forgotten, helps raise money for charity, whilst providing an amazing spectacle that changes every year.
Major streets in the area are closed to traffic during allowing pedestrians to fill the streets and enjoy the lights.
The route to the lights begins around the entrance to Motomachi shotengai (shopping arcade). The best station to get off at is Motomachi (JR and Hanshin lines). It's just a couple of minutes walk south from the station to the start of the route.
You'll then weave your way back and forth for a couple of blocks.
Trees and Streets Adorned With Lights
The streets approaching the display are lined with trees adorned with white lights. Public address systems play choral music along the way. All adding to the sense of anticipation and seasonal atmosphere.
The walk will take you towards Kobe's iconic Daimaru department store. At which point you turn left. Not far now.
The Kobe Luminarie festival ensures those killed in the Great Hanshin earthquake of 1995 are not forgotten, helps raise money for charity, whilst providing an amazing spectacle that changes every year.
Signs along the way provide an indication of how long you can expect to take before you get to the Luminarie.
Best Days To Go
It's best to go on a weekday as the weekends can get really busy. I've always gone on a week day and the entire pre-display walk has never taken more than 15 minutes. But they are fifteen minutes of pleasure anyhow.
With Daimaru behind you, you'll then turn left, heading east, and you'll see the start of the Kobe Luminarie. There's always an impressive entrance.
See this post for more ideas of things to do and places to see in Kobe.
Gradually, as you shuffle your way forward along with the thousands of other visitors to the spectacle, the dark night skies are replaced by the bright lights of the festival.
The lights are fixed onto intricate wire frameworks that line the streets. It creates the feeling that you're entering a magical new and exotic world.
A Sign of Hope
The 1995 earthquake destroyed Kobe's electricity supply, plunging the city into darkness. The first Luminarie was designed to literally light up the city once again, giving hope to the people of Kobe that their city would be restored.
The sides of the light framework rise several storeys high, making it an all-enveloping experience.
With the music playing along the way, the chill of the frosty night air, and street stalls selling commemorative stamps and food, it's an unforgettable way to experience this extravaganza alongside the locals.
Planning a trip to Kobe? Here's some of my other recommendations of things to do and see.
Your now in the thick of it. The walking pace slows as thousands of others pause and snap a shot of the dazzling displays on their phones and cameras.
Higashi Yuenchi Park
It's at this point you'll see the iconic tunnel of lights, running for several blocks up towards Higashi Yuenchi Park - where the festival culminates.
This year coincided with the commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of the opening of the port of Kobe.
So, there was a special display incorporating Kobe's icons like the Port Tower and the huge anchor illumination found on the side of the mountains overlooking the city.
Turn right into Higashi Yuenchi Park - where everyone gathers for the huge finale. Like all the displays, it varies each year, but is always a fitting showstopper.
Take your time to soak up the festivities. Young couples taking selfies on their smartphones. Families posing for offical commemorative photos. Children barely able to contain their excitement.
And, of course, that final, vast and intricate creation.
Soaking Up The Atmosphere
It's always designed so that everyone can walk inside to take it in, in all its glory.
Whether you simply bathe in the light, or marvel in the fact that all the hundreds of thousands of lights are handpainted each year, you'll have memories to cherish.
Although Kobe is blessed with loads of wonderful cafes, there are plenty of stalls selling food and drinks in the park. So it's easy to hang out, wander around and generally saunter with everyone else enjoying the celebrations.
You might also like: Exploring Akashi Kaikyo – The World’s Longest Suspension Bridge.
Habatan - Official Mascot of Hyogo Prefecture
It's also a lot quieter as soon as you're out of the main arena. So it's nice just to relax for a short while, grab a seat on a bench and do some people watching.
Look out, too, for Habatan - the offical mascot of Hyōgo Prefecture - a beakless, bright yellow phoenix, with odd-coloured shoes and red and blue tail feathers.
He makes for a great photo opportunity for children.
Or adults who refuse to grow up too much. 😉
Spectacular Views from 24th Floor of Kobe City Hall
Finally, one pro-tip for you to finish on...
Once you've finish viewing the Kobe Luminarie, turn to head north out of the park, up Flower Road towards Sannomiya Station.
Your destination? The landmark, 443 foot Kobe City Hall.
Look out for Yuki Shintani's golden-coloured statue 'Marina' - the titular female sitting on the back of a fish - at the northern edge fo the park. Directly behind her is Kobe City Hall.
On the 24th floor is a free-to-access observation deck. It's from up here that you get the true finalé to the Kobe Luminarie every year - by taking in the views of the route and Higashi Yuenchi Park far below.
Beyond the park, and overlooking its famous harbour, laid out in sparkling and moving lights is Kobe city.
No longer in darkness. Celebrating the light.
Might you add the Kobe Luminarie to your itinerary? Perhaps you've also been? Let me know by leaving a comment below.
Higashi Yuenchi Park Location Map
About the Author
A writer and publisher from England, Rob has been exploring Japan’s islands since 2000. He specialises in travelling off the beaten track, whether on remote atolls or in the hidden streets of major cities. He’s the founder of TheRealJapan.com.
Resources
Kobe Itinerary Ideas:
From How to Spend A Week in Kansai (and Not Visit Kyoto)
Official Kobe Luminarie website:
http://kobe-luminarie.jp/ (Japanese only)
Here's the Google English translated version of the Official site (but it isn't great unfortunately):
https://translate.google.co.jp/translate?hl=en&sl=ja&u=http://kobe-luminarie.jp/
Kobe Luminarie page on Trip Advisor:
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g298562-d10019356-Reviews-Kobe_Luminarie-Kobe_Hyogo_Prefecture_Kinki.html
Kobe City Hall 24th Floor Observation Deck (Feel Kobe website):
https://www.feel-kobe.jp/kobe-yakei/_en/area/town/02/
Hi Rob,
Wow. 3-5 million people? That’s astounding. I had no idea this is where that massive earthquake occurred. Thanks for the informative share and appreciate the tweet too.
Ryan
Thanks Ryan – yeah it’s a HUGE event – the biggest of its kind in Japan.
That area of Kobe always has a great vibe about it during the festival. Well worth a visit if you get the chance.