{"id":94111,"date":"2022-06-24T21:01:59","date_gmt":"2022-06-24T12:01:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?p=94111"},"modified":"2022-07-20T11:27:38","modified_gmt":"2022-07-20T02:27:38","slug":"kobe-luminarie-festival-of-lights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/kobe-luminarie-festival-of-lights\/","title":{"rendered":"Kobe Luminarie: Discover Kobe by Night during the Festival of Lights"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>One of <strong>Japan\u2019s most impressive night illumination festivals<\/strong> is held in the Kansai region: <strong>Kobe Luminarie<\/strong> (\u795e\u6238\u30eb\u30df\u30ca\u30ea\u30a8). Although the event takes place in December, it\u2019s not to <a href=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/christmas-how-japan-celebrate\/\" class=\"ek-link\">celebrate Christmas<\/a> but rather to <strong>commemorate the <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Great_Hanshin_earthquake\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"ek-link\">Great Hanshin Earthquake<\/a><\/strong> that devastated the region in 1995.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image caption-align-center\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163440\/kobe-luminarie_01-1024x681.jpg\" alt=\"Kobe Luminarie light installations in 2019\" class=\"wp-image-94084\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163440\/kobe-luminarie_01-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163440\/kobe-luminarie_01-500x332.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163440\/kobe-luminarie_01-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163440\/kobe-luminarie_01-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163440\/kobe-luminarie_01-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163440\/kobe-luminarie_01.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>Kobe Luminarie, one of Japan\u2019s greatest winter illuminations<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"toc wp-block-list\"><li><a href=\"#Kobe-Luminarie-Winter-Illuminations-Commemorate-Great-Earthquake-1995\" class=\"ek-link\">Kobe Luminarie: Winter Illuminations Commemorate the Great Earthquake of 1995<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#immerse-in-illumination\" class=\"ek-link\">Immerse Yourself in the Illumination of Kobe Luminarie<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#walk-through-a-city-of-lights\" class=\"ek-link\">Walking Through a City of Lights<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#How-to-Access-the-Kobe-Luminarie-Illuminations\" class=\"ek-link\">How to Access the Kobe Luminarie Illuminations<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#What-Else-to-See-Around-Kobe-by-Night\" class=\"ek-link\">What Else to See Around Kobe by Night<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#Exploring-Nankinmachi-Kobe-Chinatown\" class=\"ek-link\">Exploring Nankinmachi, Kobe\u2019s Chinatown<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Kobe-Harbor\" class=\"ek-link\">Strolling a Romantic Promenade by Kobe Harbor<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#Access-and-Practical-Information\" class=\"ek-link\">Access and Practical Information<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Kobe-Luminarie-Winter-Illuminations-Commemorate-Great-Earthquake-1995\">Kobe Luminarie: Winter Illuminations Commemorate the Great Earthquake of 1995<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong>first Kobe Luminarie was held in December 1995<\/strong> as a message of hope for the people, a little <strong>less than a year after a particularly devasting <a href=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/earthquakes-japan\/\" class=\"ek-link\">earthquake<\/a><\/strong> hit the city and the region on January 17, 1995.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Luminarie was such a success that this festival of lights, originally planned as a one-time event, now still takes place every year for about 10 days in early December, where each edition attracts<strong> over 3 million visitors<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image caption-align-center\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163635\/kobe-luminarie_16-681x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Kobe Luminarie 2019 multicolored dome\" class=\"wp-image-94099\" width=\"511\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163635\/kobe-luminarie_16-681x1024.jpg 681w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163635\/kobe-luminarie_16-332x500.jpg 332w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163635\/kobe-luminarie_16-150x226.jpg 150w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163635\/kobe-luminarie_16.jpg 851w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 511px) 100vw, 511px\" \/><figcaption>Kobe Luminarie illuminations in 2019<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Today, Kobe Luminarie is a <strong>monumental light installation<\/strong> in the streets of central Kobe, initially designed by the Italian artist <a aria-label=\"Valerio Festi (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.festigroup.org\/en\/valerio-festi\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" class=\"ek-link\">Valerio Festi<\/a> and by Hirokazu Imaoka. Each year, a team from Italy comes to Kobe to create new decorations faithful to the original vision. Parisians might see something familiar, as Valerio Festi also architectured the famous illuminations of Les Galeries Lafayette department stores in Paris during the holiday season from 2002 to 2012.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>More than modern Christmas illuminations, Kobe Luminarie seems to be <strong>inspired by Italian light festivals, strongly rooted in Christian traditions that flourished during the Renaissance period<\/strong>. It brings to mind the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.summerinitaly.com\/guide\/festival-of-lights-scorrano\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Santa Domenica Festival in Scorrano (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" class=\"ek-link\">Santa Domenica Festival in Scorrano<\/a>, a small town in southern Italy, where every summer, ornate illuminations commemorate the miraculous recovery of its residents from a historical plague epidemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"immerse-in-illumination\">Immerse Yourself in the Illumination of Kobe Luminarie<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To be honest, I am not particularly fascinated by <a href=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/nabana-no-sato-winter-illuminations-nagoya\/\" class=\"ek-link\">winter illuminations <\/a>or by events that attract crowds of visitors. But as I live in Kyoto, a city quite close to Kobe, I thought it was worth going out to see the Luminarie at least once. As it turned out, the illuminations were far more spectacular than I could have imagined.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Luminarie occupies the big avenues of downtown Kobe, usually frequented by the customers and rushing employees of the many (luxury) shops in the neighborhood. The monumental installations embody an architecture of lights that <strong>transforms the city by nightfall, immersing it in a colorful, fairy-tale world tinted with European and Catholic influences<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This impression is further reinforced by Western religious music, which complements this surprising yet quite moving atmosphere in Japan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"walk-through-a-city-of-lights\">Walking Through a City of Lights<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>While the illuminations are renewed each year, the path is always the same. Visitors begin by walking down a <strong>wide straight avenue lined with colorful towering arches<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image caption-align-center\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163449\/kobe-luminarie_02-1024x681.jpg\" alt=\"main artery of Kobe Luminarie\" class=\"wp-image-94085\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163449\/kobe-luminarie_02-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163449\/kobe-luminarie_02-500x332.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163449\/kobe-luminarie_02-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163449\/kobe-luminarie_02-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163449\/kobe-luminarie_02-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163449\/kobe-luminarie_02.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>Visitors\u2019 first sight of the Luminarie illuminations<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-2 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"851\" data-id=\"94087\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163506\/kobe-luminarie_04.jpg\" alt=\"moving crowd at Kobe Luminarie\" class=\"wp-image-94087\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163506\/kobe-luminarie_04.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163506\/kobe-luminarie_04-500x332.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163506\/kobe-luminarie_04-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163506\/kobe-luminarie_04-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163506\/kobe-luminarie_04-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"851\" data-id=\"94086\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163457\/kobe-luminarie_03.jpg\" alt=\"Kobe Luminarie arch, seen from below\" class=\"wp-image-94086\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163457\/kobe-luminarie_03.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163457\/kobe-luminarie_03-500x332.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163457\/kobe-luminarie_03-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163457\/kobe-luminarie_03-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163457\/kobe-luminarie_03-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"851\" data-id=\"94088\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163513\/kobe-luminarie_05.jpg\" alt=\"hands photographing Kobe Luminarie with a smartphone\" class=\"wp-image-94088\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163513\/kobe-luminarie_05.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163513\/kobe-luminarie_05-500x332.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163513\/kobe-luminarie_05-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163513\/kobe-luminarie_05-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163513\/kobe-luminarie_05-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"851\" data-id=\"94089\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163520\/kobe-luminarie_06.jpg\" alt=\"Photographer looking for an original angle of the Luminarie\" class=\"wp-image-94089\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163520\/kobe-luminarie_06.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163520\/kobe-luminarie_06-500x332.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163520\/kobe-luminarie_06-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163520\/kobe-luminarie_06-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163520\/kobe-luminarie_06-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>This long street <strong>opens into the darkness of a large plaza<\/strong> centered around a monumental structure that I am tempted to call a \u201ccathedral.\u201d As the path becomes less restricted, young and old marvel at this edifice of light, discovering its true dimensions as they approach, enter, and are dazzled by <strong>thousands of multicolored lightbulbs<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image caption-align-center\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163528\/kobe-luminarie_07-1024x681.jpg\" alt=\"Kobe Luminarie \u201ccathedral\u201d 2019\" class=\"wp-image-94090\" width=\"840\" height=\"558\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163528\/kobe-luminarie_07-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163528\/kobe-luminarie_07-500x332.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163528\/kobe-luminarie_07-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163528\/kobe-luminarie_07-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163528\/kobe-luminarie_07.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 840px) 100vw, 840px\" \/><figcaption>Kobe Luminarie \u201ccathedral\u201d in 2019<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"851\" height=\"1280\" data-id=\"94091\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163536\/kobe-luminarie_08.jpg\" alt=\"close shot of Kobe Luminarie\u2019s colorful lightbulbs\" class=\"wp-image-94091\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163536\/kobe-luminarie_08.jpg 851w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163536\/kobe-luminarie_08-332x500.jpg 332w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163536\/kobe-luminarie_08-681x1024.jpg 681w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163536\/kobe-luminarie_08-150x226.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 851px) 100vw, 851px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"851\" height=\"1280\" data-id=\"94092\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163545\/kobe-luminarie_09.jpg\" alt=\"dome of blue and yellow lights\" class=\"wp-image-94092\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163545\/kobe-luminarie_09.jpg 851w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163545\/kobe-luminarie_09-332x500.jpg 332w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163545\/kobe-luminarie_09-681x1024.jpg 681w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163545\/kobe-luminarie_09-150x226.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 851px) 100vw, 851px\" \/><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption\">Details of the monumental light installation seen from the inside<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s easy to imagine how, just as in a fairy tale, this wonderful palace will fade in the first rays of sunlight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The rest of the path is more down-to-earth and typical of <em>matsuri<\/em>, where you will find the ubiquitous <strong>food stalls of Japanese street festivals<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"851\" height=\"1280\" data-id=\"94093\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163552\/kobe-luminarie_10.jpg\" alt=\"Yatai at Japanese festival\" class=\"wp-image-94093\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163552\/kobe-luminarie_10.jpg 851w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163552\/kobe-luminarie_10-332x500.jpg 332w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163552\/kobe-luminarie_10-681x1024.jpg 681w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163552\/kobe-luminarie_10-150x226.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 851px) 100vw, 851px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"851\" height=\"1280\" data-id=\"94094\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163559\/kobe-luminarie_11.jpg\" alt=\"candy apples in Japan\" class=\"wp-image-94094\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163559\/kobe-luminarie_11.jpg 851w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163559\/kobe-luminarie_11-332x500.jpg 332w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163559\/kobe-luminarie_11-681x1024.jpg 681w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163559\/kobe-luminarie_11-150x226.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 851px) 100vw, 851px\" \/><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption\">Try the local street food at Kobe Luminarie&#8217;s <em>yatai<\/em> food stalls!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>For an audio-visual glimpse of the Kobe Luminarie atmosphere, you can watch this video by Sankei News, shot in 2015:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"\u30104K\u3011\u795e\u6238\u30eb\u30df\u30ca\u30ea\u30a8\u958b\u5e55\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/u_FJ5-ynb-U?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"How-to-Access-the-Kobe-Luminarie-Illuminations\">How to Access the Kobe Luminarie Illuminations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There is no doubt that the Kobe Luminarie illuminations are dazzling. But practically speaking, I must admit that before going, I was a bit <strong>worried about the crowd<\/strong> \u2014 more than 3 million visitors each year over 10 days means more than 300,000 people each night. Even on a weekday, I knew I wouldn\u2019t be alone in appreciating the magical Luminarie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image caption-align-center\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163607\/kobe-luminarie_12-1024x681.jpg\" alt=\"Barriers and agents monitoring public access to Kobe Luminarie\" class=\"wp-image-94095\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163607\/kobe-luminarie_12-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163607\/kobe-luminarie_12-500x332.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163607\/kobe-luminarie_12-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163607\/kobe-luminarie_12-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163607\/kobe-luminarie_12-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163607\/kobe-luminarie_12.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>Access to Kobe Luminarie is well designated and strictly monitored.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>It was indeed crowded, but Japan\u2019s famously orderly event management was meticulously at work to ensure that nothing went awry, let alone become chaotic or oppressive. The itinerary path through the installations is <strong>so well defined that there is only one possible way forward<\/strong> \u2014 and no going back. Photographers take note: Don\u2019t expect to have enough time to shoot beautiful images with a monopod; you will have at most a few moments to stop and snap a quick photo, and this is non-negotiable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-4 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"851\" height=\"1280\" data-id=\"94096\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163614\/kobe-luminarie_13.jpg\" alt=\"Japanese agent using megaphone\" class=\"wp-image-94096\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163614\/kobe-luminarie_13.jpg 851w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163614\/kobe-luminarie_13-332x500.jpg 332w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163614\/kobe-luminarie_13-681x1024.jpg 681w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163614\/kobe-luminarie_13-150x226.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 851px) 100vw, 851px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"851\" height=\"1280\" data-id=\"94097\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163621\/kobe-luminarie_14.jpg\" alt=\"young Japanese person holding a sign: \u201cNo stopping for photos\u201d\" class=\"wp-image-94097\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163621\/kobe-luminarie_14.jpg 851w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163621\/kobe-luminarie_14-332x500.jpg 332w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163621\/kobe-luminarie_14-681x1024.jpg 681w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163621\/kobe-luminarie_14-150x226.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 851px) 100vw, 851px\" \/><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption\">Japan\u2019s famously orderly event management was meticulously at work, with agents ensuring that people keep moving through the festival infrastructure.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Thanks to these strict rules, which are enforced by numerous agents on-site, visitors can move along at a slow but steady pace. It took me about <strong>30 to 40 minutes to get to the Luminarie<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large caption-align-center\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163628\/kobe-luminarie_15-1024x681.jpg\" alt=\"young Japanese people holding a donation box\" class=\"wp-image-94098\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163628\/kobe-luminarie_15-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163628\/kobe-luminarie_15-500x332.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163628\/kobe-luminarie_15-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163628\/kobe-luminarie_15-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163628\/kobe-luminarie_15-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163628\/kobe-luminarie_15.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>Young volunteers collect donations for Kobe Luminarie.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Another thing to note: <strong>access to Kobe Luminarie is free<\/strong>, but you will run into many young volunteers holding donation boxes inviting people to <strong>drop in 100 yen<\/strong>. I can only encourage you to do so, as this money directly supports the festival and is well worth the spectacle!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"What-Else-to-See-Around-Kobe-by-Night\">What Else to See Around Kobe by Night<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>As visiting the Luminarie doesn\u2019t take long, you might as well <\/strong>extend your visit to the surrounding sights of Kobe by night. Kobe\u2019s Chinatown and the city\u2019s famous harbor are both within easy walking distance of the illuminations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Exploring-Nankinmachi-Kobe-Chinatown\">Exploring Nankinmachi, Kobe\u2019s Chinatown<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>After traveling through the wonderland of the Luminarie, immerse yourself in the Chinese atmosphere of <strong>Nankinmachi<\/strong> (\u5357\u4eac\u753a).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-5 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1021\" height=\"1536\" data-id=\"94109\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163750\/voyapon_kobe_luminarie_nankinmachi_2-1021x1536-1.jpg\" alt=\"gateway to Nankinmachi, Kobe Chinatown\" class=\"wp-image-94109\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163750\/voyapon_kobe_luminarie_nankinmachi_2-1021x1536-1.jpg 1021w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163750\/voyapon_kobe_luminarie_nankinmachi_2-1021x1536-1-332x500.jpg 332w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163750\/voyapon_kobe_luminarie_nankinmachi_2-1021x1536-1-681x1024.jpg 681w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163750\/voyapon_kobe_luminarie_nankinmachi_2-1021x1536-1-150x226.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1021px) 100vw, 1021px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1021\" height=\"1536\" data-id=\"94110\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163758\/voyapon_kobe_luminarie_nankinmachi_3-1021x1536-1.jpg\" alt=\"Chinese snacks at food stall in Nankinmachi in Kobe\" class=\"wp-image-94110\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163758\/voyapon_kobe_luminarie_nankinmachi_3-1021x1536-1.jpg 1021w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163758\/voyapon_kobe_luminarie_nankinmachi_3-1021x1536-1-332x500.jpg 332w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163758\/voyapon_kobe_luminarie_nankinmachi_3-1021x1536-1-681x1024.jpg 681w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163758\/voyapon_kobe_luminarie_nankinmachi_3-1021x1536-1-150x226.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1021px) 100vw, 1021px\" \/><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption\">Go exploring  Kobe&#8217;s Chinatown at Nankinmachi Street after Luminarie for a midnight snack.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Nankinmachi is <strong>one of Japan\u2019s three largest Chinatowns<\/strong>, along with Yokohama\u2019s and Nagasaki\u2019s. Passing under one of the distinctive red gates is like walking right out of Japan and into a realm of Chinese lanterns and countless restaurants selling food to take away right on the street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163741\/voyapon_kobe_luminarie_nankinmachi_1-1021x1536-1-681x1024.jpg\" alt=\"red lanterns illuminate the central plaza of Nankinmachi, Kobe\u2019s Chinatown\" class=\"wp-image-94108\" width=\"511\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163741\/voyapon_kobe_luminarie_nankinmachi_1-1021x1536-1-681x1024.jpg 681w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163741\/voyapon_kobe_luminarie_nankinmachi_1-1021x1536-1-332x500.jpg 332w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163741\/voyapon_kobe_luminarie_nankinmachi_1-1021x1536-1-150x226.jpg 150w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163741\/voyapon_kobe_luminarie_nankinmachi_1-1021x1536-1.jpg 1021w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 511px) 100vw, 511px\" \/><figcaption>Nankinmachi\u2019s central Azumaya plaza is decorated with Chinese lanterns.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Kobe-Harbor\">Strolling a Romantic Promenade by Kobe Harbor<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Another unmissable neighborhood of Kobe is its harbor, famous for the landmark <strong>Kobe Port Tower<\/strong> (\u795e\u6238\u30dd\u30fc\u30c8\u30bf\u30ef\u30fc).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large caption-align-center\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163643\/kobe-luminarie_harbourland_1-1024x681.jpg\" alt=\"night view of Meriken Park, with Kobe Port Tower and Kobe Maritime Museum\" class=\"wp-image-94100\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163643\/kobe-luminarie_harbourland_1-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163643\/kobe-luminarie_harbourland_1-500x332.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163643\/kobe-luminarie_harbourland_1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163643\/kobe-luminarie_harbourland_1-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163643\/kobe-luminarie_harbourland_1-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163643\/kobe-luminarie_harbourland_1.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>Night view of Meriken Park, with Kobe Port Tower and the historical Kobe Maritime Museum<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>There is plenty to do by day at <strong>Meriken Park<\/strong> (\u30e1\u30ea\u30b1\u30f3\u30d1\u30fc\u30af): tower, maritime museum, caf\u00e9s and restaurants, street art and contemporary artworks, and even short tourist cruises. This is also where you\u2019ll find the Great Hanshin Earthquake memorial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By night, it\u2019s the perfect setting for a pleasant, if not <strong>romantic promenade by the water<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large caption-align-center\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163710\/kobe-luminarie_meriken-1024x681.jpg\" alt=\"futuristic-looking night view of urban Meriken Park\" class=\"wp-image-94104\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163710\/kobe-luminarie_meriken-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163710\/kobe-luminarie_meriken-500x332.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163710\/kobe-luminarie_meriken-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163710\/kobe-luminarie_meriken-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163710\/kobe-luminarie_meriken-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163710\/kobe-luminarie_meriken.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>Meriken Park is also a vast urban space for a peaceful evening promenade.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Just across from Meriken Park is <strong>Kobe Harborland<\/strong> (\u795e\u6238\u30cf\u30fc\u30d0\u30fc\u30e9\u30f3\u30c9), a <strong>commercial and recreation area<\/strong> where you\u2019ll find shopping malls, restaurants and caf\u00e9s, an <a href=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/kobe-anpanman-museum\/\" class=\"ek-link\">Anpanman museum<\/a>, a Ferris wheel, and a few historical sites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-6 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"851\" height=\"1280\" data-id=\"94101\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163650\/kobe-luminarie_harbourland_2.jpg\" alt=\"Kobe Harborland at night\" class=\"wp-image-94101\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163650\/kobe-luminarie_harbourland_2.jpg 851w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163650\/kobe-luminarie_harbourland_2-332x500.jpg 332w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163650\/kobe-luminarie_harbourland_2-681x1024.jpg 681w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163650\/kobe-luminarie_harbourland_2-150x226.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 851px) 100vw, 851px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"851\" height=\"1280\" data-id=\"94102\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163657\/kobe-luminarie_harbourland_3.jpg\" alt=\"ice skating rink at Kobe Harborland\" class=\"wp-image-94102\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163657\/kobe-luminarie_harbourland_3.jpg 851w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163657\/kobe-luminarie_harbourland_3-332x500.jpg 332w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163657\/kobe-luminarie_harbourland_3-681x1024.jpg 681w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163657\/kobe-luminarie_harbourland_3-150x226.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 851px) 100vw, 851px\" \/><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption\">Enjoy the nighttime views of Kobe Harborland from Meriken Park or go skating in the temporary ice skating rink.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In winter, a temporary <strong>ice skating rink<\/strong> is set up at Kobe Harborland with a perfect view of Kobe Port Tower.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image caption-align-center\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163703\/kobe-luminarie_harbourland_4-1024x681.jpg\" alt=\"Japanese women taking a photo in front of a Christmas tree\" class=\"wp-image-94103\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163703\/kobe-luminarie_harbourland_4-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163703\/kobe-luminarie_harbourland_4-500x332.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163703\/kobe-luminarie_harbourland_4-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163703\/kobe-luminarie_harbourland_4-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163703\/kobe-luminarie_harbourland_4-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163703\/kobe-luminarie_harbourland_4.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>Kobe Harborland shopping malls are also adorned with Christmas decorations during the Luminarie.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The street that connects Kobe station to Kobe Harborland is called <strong>Gaslight Street<\/strong> (\u795e\u6238\u30ac\u30b9\u71c8\u901a\u308a), <strong>illuminated by old-fashioned gaslights<\/strong> during the holiday season. It\u2019s an ideal pathway to conclude (or begin) your night escapade in Kobe during the Luminarie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-7 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1021\" height=\"1536\" data-id=\"94107\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163733\/voyapon_kobe_luminarie_gaslightstreet_3-1021x1536-1.jpg\" alt=\"gaslight and illuminations on Gaslight Street in Kobe\" class=\"wp-image-94107\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163733\/voyapon_kobe_luminarie_gaslightstreet_3-1021x1536-1.jpg 1021w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163733\/voyapon_kobe_luminarie_gaslightstreet_3-1021x1536-1-332x500.jpg 332w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163733\/voyapon_kobe_luminarie_gaslightstreet_3-1021x1536-1-681x1024.jpg 681w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163733\/voyapon_kobe_luminarie_gaslightstreet_3-1021x1536-1-150x226.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1021px) 100vw, 1021px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1021\" height=\"1536\" data-id=\"94106\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163725\/voyapon_kobe_luminarie_gaslightstreet_2-1021x1536-1.jpg\" alt=\"gaslight on Gaslight Street in Kobe\" class=\"wp-image-94106\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163725\/voyapon_kobe_luminarie_gaslightstreet_2-1021x1536-1.jpg 1021w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163725\/voyapon_kobe_luminarie_gaslightstreet_2-1021x1536-1-332x500.jpg 332w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163725\/voyapon_kobe_luminarie_gaslightstreet_2-1021x1536-1-681x1024.jpg 681w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163725\/voyapon_kobe_luminarie_gaslightstreet_2-1021x1536-1-150x226.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1021px) 100vw, 1021px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1021\" height=\"1536\" data-id=\"94105\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163717\/voyapon_kobe_luminarie_gaslightstreet_1-1021x1536-1.jpg\" alt=\"Illuminations and ferris wheel on Gaslight Street in Kobe\" class=\"wp-image-94105\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163717\/voyapon_kobe_luminarie_gaslightstreet_1-1021x1536-1.jpg 1021w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163717\/voyapon_kobe_luminarie_gaslightstreet_1-1021x1536-1-332x500.jpg 332w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163717\/voyapon_kobe_luminarie_gaslightstreet_1-1021x1536-1-681x1024.jpg 681w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/03163717\/voyapon_kobe_luminarie_gaslightstreet_1-1021x1536-1-150x226.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1021px) 100vw, 1021px\" \/><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption\">Gaslight Street and holiday illuminations<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Access-and-Practical-Information\">Access and Practical Information<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To get to Kobe Luminarie by train, take the JR Tokaido-Sanyo line to <strong>Motomachi station<\/strong>. Access is quick and easy from the neighboring cities of <strong>Osaka (30 minutes) <\/strong>and<strong> Kyoto (1 hour)<\/strong>. This journey is also covered by the <a href=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/japan-rail-pass-guide-worth-tips\/\" class=\"ek-link\">Japan Rail Pass<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you prefer to begin or end your visit with Kobe Harborland, the nearest station is Kobe, just one stop after Motomachi on the same line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Of course, we recommend <strong>spending at least a full day in Kobe<\/strong>, where there is much more to discover than its famous Kobe beef (which you should definitely also try if you\u2019re a meat-eater).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>More information is on the <a aria-label=\"Kobe Luminarie official website (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"http:\/\/kobe-luminarie.jp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" class=\"ek-link\">Kobe Luminarie official website<\/a> (in Japanese).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/embed?mid=1GzSa_BGj88xBl_3Zmkm3Ye_yWs-DJSUF&amp;hl=fr&amp;ehbc=2E312F&amp;hl=en\" width=\"850\" height=\"480\"><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n<p>Kobe Luminarie, which has been held almost every year since 1995 to commemorate the Kobe earthquake, is one of the most impressive festival of lights in Japan. Its monumental installations create a magical city of light in the heart of Kobe, where you will soon forget the crowd.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\"><em>Translated by&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/author\/cherise\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"ek-link\">Cherise<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>One of Japan\u2019s most impressive night illumination festivals is held in the Kansai region: Kobe Luminarie (\u795e\u6238\u30eb\u30df\u30ca\u30ea\u30a8). Although the event&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":96,"featured_media":94084,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"pgc_meta":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2051,1412,23],"tags":[1286,1285,2093,2098,2079],"class_list":{"0":"post-94111","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-events","8":"category-kansai","9":"category-sightseeing","10":"tag-hyogo","11":"tag-kobe","12":"tag-near-kyoto-osaka","13":"tag-winter","14":"tag-winter-festival"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Kobe Luminarie: Discover Kobe during the Festival of Lights<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Kobe Luminarie is one of Japan\u2019s greatest night illumination festivals, commemorating the Great Hanshin Earthquake of 1995.\" 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