🎎 Kobe Luminarie (2025)

The "Kobe Luminarie," which began in 1995, is an event held to convey the memory of the "Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake" and symbolizes hope for Kobe. The "30th Kobe Luminarie," opening on January 24, 2025, will have the theme "30 Years of Light, Eternally Shining Hope," showcasing various charming light installations at three venues: Higashi Yuenchi Park, the Old Foreign Settlement, and America Park. In the southwest area of the lawn square at Higashi Yuenchi Park, a light installation called "Spalliera" will be set up. In the southern area, a piece approximately 7.7 meters tall and 21 meters wide will be displayed. At the Old Foreign Settlement, in addition to a light panel installation in front of the Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation Kobe Head Office, various light installations ranging from 3 to 8 meters high will be showcased throughout the area. To avoid overcrowding, the flow of people will be improved through the layout of the installations at each venue. Starting in 2024, America Park will be newly added as a venue, and in 2025, a light corridor measuring 79 meters in length will be set up along the southeastern greenway, with an entrance installation called "Frontone" measuring 51 meters wide. This area will be a paid zone with a limit on the number of visitors at different times, allowing for a leisurely viewing experience. The exhibition area sponsored by corporate naming will be free to visit, and there will also be plans for food trucks and other amenities.

The lantern festival event symbolizing hope in Kobe is held at three venues: "Higashiyuenchi," "Old Foreign Settlement," and "America Park." To avoid overcrowding, the flow of people within each venue is improved through the layout of the exhibits. The America Park venue is a paid area, with a limit on the number of visitors for each time slot.