Kobe Luminarie
Glowing arches of hundreds of thousands of lights fill Kobe each winter, a moving memorial turned beloved festival.
When · Where
- When
- 2026/01/23 09:00 – 2026/02/01
- Where
- Central Kobe (Sannomiya/Motomachi)（Chuo Ward, Kobe, Hyogo）
- City
- Across Japan
- Getting there
- Walk from Sannomiya or Motomachi Stn
- Price
- Free
Good to know for visitors
- Getting there
- Walk from Sannomiya or Motomachi Stn Open directions in Google Maps ↗
- Booking & entry
- Free to attend — details on the official page (button above).
- Language
- Mostly in Japanese — a translation app on your phone helps.
- Good for
- date night, families, culture seekers
Highlights
- Hundreds of thousands of hand-built light bulbs
- Cathedral-like illuminated arches
- A poignant memorial atmosphere
Background & story
Begun in 1995 to mourn the victims of the Great Hanshin Earthquake and to bring hope to Kobe, Luminarie continues as a winter tradition.
Good to know
Dates and the venue layout have changed in recent years — check the official site, as the event now runs in late January.