Kobe Luminarie 2027
Kobe Luminarie returns Jan 29-Feb 7, 2027: cathedral-like arches of light across Meriken Park, Higashi Yuenchi and the old foreign settlement, free to view.
When · Where
- When
- 2027/01/29 09:00 – 2027/02/07
- Where
- Meriken Park, Higashi Yuenchi & the Former Foreign Settlement（Chuo Ward, Kobe, Hyogo (Meriken Park waterfront through the Motomachi/Sannomiya district)）
- City
- Across Japan
- Getting there
- Walk from Sannomiya Station (JR/Hankyu/Hanshin/Kobe Municipal Subway) or Motomachi Station, one stop west - all three venues are within walking distance.
- Price
- Free
- Organizer
- Kobe Luminarie Organizing Committee (神戸ルミナリエ組織委員会)
Good to know for visitors
- Getting there
- Walk from Sannomiya Station (JR/Hankyu/Hanshin/Kobe Municipal Subway) or Motomachi Station, one stop west - all three venues are within walking distance. 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
- culture seekers, families, date night
Highlights
- Hundreds of thousands of hand-strung light bulbs form cathedral-like arches spanning three linked venues
- The 32nd edition runs 10 nights, Jan 29-Feb 7, 2027, officially confirmed by the organizing committee
- A poignant memorial for the 1995 Great Hanshin earthquake, using the Italian luminarie technique gifted by Italy since 1995
Background & story
Kobe Luminarie began in December 1995 to mourn victims of the Great Hanshin earthquake and light a path of hope for the city's recovery; the illuminated arches use the Italian luminarie technique and materials donated by the Italian government, and the tradition continues every winter more than three decades later.
Good to know
Exact nightly lighting hours and the paid-ticket sale schedule are confirmed closer to the date (expected autumn 2026) - check kobe-luminarie.jp before you go, dress warmly for late-January Kobe, and expect the streets around Sannomiya to be crowded and partly pedestrianised on weekend evenings.