By AKIHITO OGAWA/ Staff Writer
January 19, 2024 at 16:44 JST
People with disabilities enjoy a special preview of the Kobe Luminarie on Jan. 18 in Kobe’s Chuo Ward. (Mari Endo)
KOBE--After a four-year hiatus, this city’s iconic illumination event, the Kobe Luminarie, is back--kicking off on Jan. 18 with a special preview for spectators with disabilities to enjoy the dazzling sights.
The annual festival of light, commemorating victims of the Great Hanshin Earthquake in 1995, transforms areas of the city into glittering wonders.
In Higashi Yuenchi park, visitors marveled when “Spalliera,” a colorful 39-meter-long and 19-meter-tall light installation, suddenly was turned on.
The Kobe Luminarie will officially open to the public on Jan. 19 for the first time in four years following the COVID-19 pandemic.
The event will be held until Jan. 28 at three venues in downtown Kobe: Higashi Yuenchi, the Former Foreign Settlement Area and Meriken Park.
The lights will be turned on from sunset until 9:30 p.m. every night.
Admission is free, except for an area at Meriken Park, which features the iconic 70-meter-long illuminated corridor “Galleria.”
Tickets for that specific venue are available online or at convenience stores for 500 yen ($3.37).
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