Kobe Luminarie is an annual winter light-up held in memory of the victims of the Great Hanshin Earthquake of 1995. Now running for over 20 years, the event takes place in the vicinity of Motomachi Station on the JR Kobe Line starting at the Former Foreign Settlement and extending to Higashi Yuenchi Park.
The event has gone through some financial straits since the pandemic and is asking for donations so that they can continue the illuminations in the future.
Schedule 2022
While 2022 won’t be the jaw-dropping show it once was, there will still be some illuminations!
This year, event organizers present Cassa Armonica (meaning “house of music” in Italian), an event stage sprinkled with lights in Kobe East Park (Higashi Yuenchi Park).
A rose window-like illumination will also be displayed at four places around Kobe: Kobe East Park, the plaza in front of the SMBC Kobe Headquarters Building, Kobe Asahi Building, and Kobe China Town (Nankinmachi).
There will be music and shows in all locations.
Access
Motomachi Station is a very quick train journey on the Kobe or Gakkentoshi lines and costs ¥120 – 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.
