Kobe Luminarie is an annual winter light-up held in memory of the victims of the Great Hanshin Earthquake of 1995.
What happens?
Now running for 30 years, illuminations take over the vicinity of Motomachi Station on the JR Kobe Line starting at the Former Foreign Settlement and extending to Higashi Yuenchi Park and Meriken Park.
This year, you must pay from ¥500 to see the illuminations Galleria & Frontone at Meriken Park.
Lineup and Schedule 2025
The most impressive illuminations are also the ones you need to pay to see. The Galleria lights are a 70-meter-long shimmering corridor and the Frontone is the decadent entrance. They can both be found at Meriken Park from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. along with goods and stalls.
All other illuminations will light up from dusk till 9:30 p.m.
Tickets
Most of the illuminations are free to view but those at Meriken Park are ¥500 on weekdays and ¥750 on weekends to see. On the day, they will be ¥1,000 on weekdays and ¥1,500 on weekends, so it is worth booking in advance. On-the-day tickets start selling from 3 p.m.
Access
Motomachi Station is a very quick train journey on the Kobe or Gakkentoshi lines — it’s also a 20-minute walk. The Station is also within walking distance of Kobe-Sannomiya station as well as the Kyukyoryuchi-Daimarumae subway station.
Accommodation
Guesthouse Kobe Nadeshikoya is located close to Motomachi Station and has dorms, private family and group rooms. The hostel dorms are capsule-style allowing a decent amount of privacy with wifi and lockers included. The Hotel Trusty Kyoryuchi is located between Motomachi Station and Higashi Yuenchi Park, with smart, compact rooms available at decent rates. If you’re looking to treat yourself, the Oriental Hotel is very nice, with pricier rates but added luxury in return.
Organizers may cancel events, alter schedules, or change admission requirements without notice. Always check official sites before heading to an event.
