JPN: Kobe Luminarie 2019

Chuo, Kobe, Japan

It's been 25 years since the Great Hanshin Earthquake that happened on 17 January 1995, which was one of the worst earthquakes of the 20th century in Japan. Kobe Luminarie is an annual winter light-up held in memory of the earthquake victims, taking place in the vicinity of Motomachi train station for two weeks from early to mid-December.


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Every year, the light-up typically starts at either 6.00pm on weekdays or 5.00pm on weekends.


An occupational hazard, I suppose, but seeing this always makes me think of recursion.



Many of the lights for the annual event were initially donated by the Italian government,
and the installation was done as a collaborative effort between countries.
It's said that the event draws more than three million visitors every year, making December the busiest month for Kobe.



Kobe Luminarie was intended to be a one-off event, but has proven itself to be so popular that we still see it today.

The church-like structure should be the biggest installation during the event.


Many of the survivors of the earthquake were left in darkness without electricity, gas and water.
The light festival, which was held to raise money for the survivors, served as a beacon of hope.


From the very first installment, the event has always featured more than 200,000 hand-painted tiny bulbs every year.



As with the rest of the visitors, I was enjoying the singing.
"Come on, it’s lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you~"


I managed to record an illumination show for a minute and 20 seconds that had Beethoven's 5 Secrets as the background music.


I recall there were quite a number of food stalls set up at that area, including the legendary Roushouki from Nankinmachi that has been selling mini pork buns for more than a hundred years.


Did you know that, as a follow up to the earthquake, the Japanese government declared 17 January to be a national Disaster Prevention and Volunteerism Day?

¥100 (~S$1.30) may not mean much for some of us, but when multiplied,
the sum would definitely be significant to those in need.


Ringing the bell of hope~

We saw more food stalls along a road just outside the main area of the event.


I still saw castella even after leaving Nagasaki.


I really couldn't resist the aroma of grilled squid.
Take a look at some of the snacks that I tried.

Tamago senbei: rice cracker topped with an egg and mayonnaise, anyone?


Given the current COVID-19, I wonder if there'll be Kobe Luminarie 2020.

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