The 32nd Kobe Luminarie Opens January 29, 2027: Theme “Un porto. Mille luci. Mille armonie.,” Paid-Area Prices and Its Path Since the Earthquake

The 32nd Kobe Luminarie will be held for 10 days, from Friday, January 29 to Sunday, February 7, 2027, at Meriken Park, Higashi Yuenchi and the former Foreign Settlement in Kobe. It is organized by the Kobe Luminarie Organizing Committee, made up of Hyogo Prefecture, Kobe City and others. Part of the Meriken Park venue will be a paid area, with special viewing tickets priced at 500 yen on weekdays and 750 yen on weekends in advance. On October 30, the theme of the works was announced as “Un porto. Mille luci. Mille armonie.” (港に灯る、千のしらべ). The lights are on from dusk until 21:30.

What is Kobe Luminarie? A festival of light that began in the year of the earthquake

Kobe Luminarie was first held in December 1995, about 11 months after the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake of January 17, 1995. Hyogo Prefecture explains that it began as an event expressing “consolation and repose” for the victims of the earthquake and entrusting “dreams and hopes for recovery and regeneration” to the city.

According to the official website, 2.54 million people visited during the 11 days of the first edition. Many calls to continue it came in after the event, and in 1996 a second edition was decided. Since then, it has continued with the support of sponsoring companies and citizens and has become a pillar of Kobe’s winter tourism.

“Luminarie” derives from the Italian word for illuminations. Originating in the festive decorations of medieval Italy, it creates three-dimensional spaces of light by arranging colorful light bulbs on wooden structures. In Kobe, a theme is chosen each year and the works designed accordingly; the components are procured in Italy and shipped to Kobe, where Italian craftsmen and Japanese staff assemble them. The theme of the first edition was “Dreams and Light,” and about 150,000 light bulbs were used.

Venues and content of the 32nd edition: what is known so far

According to Kobe City’s announcement (May 29, 2026), in the former Foreign Settlement the works will be centered on the plaza in front of the Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation Kobe Head Office Building. Part of the Meriken Park venue will be a paid area. In the former Foreign Settlement area, Shinkocho and elsewhere, light-ups linked with the Luminarie will be held to encourage visitors to move around the venues.

As purposes of the event, the city cites consoling the victims of the earthquake and passing on its lessons, as well as promoting the city’s appeal and attracting visitors to the Kobe area. According to the event overview announced by Kobe City on October 30, the theme is “Un porto. Mille luci. Mille armonie.” (港に灯る、千のしらべ), expressing memories of and prayers for the earthquake and hope for the future through works of light. The lights are on from dusk until 21:30 (subject to change). Meriken Park will feature “Eternal Sunshine,” including the entrance work “Frontone,” about 17 m high and 53 m wide, and the “Galleria” light corridor, about 81 m long; Higashi Yuenchi, “The Tower of Peace,” with the “Scultura,” about 23 m high; and the former Foreign Settlement, “Music Box,” with the “Doppio Gazebo,” about 8 m high and 16 m wide. Tickets for the paid area went on sale on November 1; advance and group tickets require booking a time slot (three slots Monday to Thursday, four Friday to Sunday).

Recent themes listed in the official website’s chronology are as follows; since the 29th edition, all have opened in January.

• 29th (fiscal 2023): “Kobe, Light Shining into the Future”

• 30th (fiscal 2024): “30 Years of Light, Light Shining Forever”

• 31st (fiscal 2025): “Kobe’s Heartbeat, a Story of Light”

As a symbol of passing on memories of the earthquake to the next generation, three new “Bells of Hope” were also made in collaboration with the Kobe Machinery and Metal Industry Association, and a presentation ceremony was held on May 29, 2026. They are to be used at the venue together with the original bell.

Tickets and prices: special viewing tickets for the paid area

Entry to the paid area of the Meriken Park venue requires a special viewing ticket. Prices differ between weekdays and weekends.

• Advance tickets: 500 yen on weekdays, 750 yen on weekends

• Same-day tickets: 1,000 yen on weekdays, 1,500 yen on weekends

• Group tickets: 400 yen on weekdays, 600 yen on weekends

Details such as how tickets will be sold are to be published on the official website “around autumn.” Notices on the official website have announced the selection of the companies handling sales of group tickets (September 8) and of advance and same-day tickets (October 7).

According to Hyogo Prefecture, the event is supported by corporate sponsorship and donations, individual donations and the “100 yen per person” donations from visitors. The official website also accepts donations by bank transfer throughout the year.

Editor’s perspective

According to Hyogo Prefecture, the 31st edition, held from January 30 to February 8, 2026, drew about 2.33 million visitors, expanding the area where works were installed and holding a digital stamp rally, among other initiatives. At the same time, the prefecture says that with 31 years having passed since the earthquake, the number of residents who did not experience it is growing, and how to pass on experiences and lessons to the next generation is a major challenge.

The 32nd edition will be tested on how it responds to that challenge with works of light. The making of new “Bells of Hope” is also an initiative mindful of passing on memories. The work theme yet to be announced and the content of the linked light-ups connecting the venues will help decide whether to go. Winter light events in Kansai are also introduced in our article on the Osaka Festival of the Lights 2026 and our roundup of projection mapping and light events across Japan.

Frequently asked questions

When is the 32nd Kobe Luminarie, and what are the lighting hours?

It runs for 10 days, from Friday, January 29 to Sunday, February 7, 2027, lit from dusk until 21:30 (subject to change), at Meriken Park, Higashi Yuenchi and the former Foreign Settlement.

How much is the paid area?

Part of the Meriken Park venue is a paid area. Advance tickets cost 500 yen on weekdays and 750 yen on weekends and holidays, and same-day tickets 1,000 yen and 1,500 yen. Group tickets for 16 or more people cost 400 yen on weekdays and 600 yen on weekends and holidays; preschool children are free. Advance and group tickets require booking a time slot and went on sale on November 1.

What is the 2027 theme?

The theme of the works is “Un porto. Mille luci. Mille armonie.” (港に灯る、千のしらべ), expressing memories of and prayers for the earthquake and hope for the future through works of light.

Overview

Name: The 32nd Kobe Luminarie
Dates: Friday, January 29 – Sunday, February 7, 2027 (10 days)
Theme: Un porto. Mille luci. Mille armonie. (港に灯る、千のしらべ)
Hours: Dusk to 21:30 (subject to change)
Venues: Meriken Park, Higashi Yuenchi, former Foreign Settlement (Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture)
Admission: Special viewing tickets for the paid area (part of the Meriken Park venue): advance tickets (500 yen on weekdays, 750 yen on weekends), same-day tickets (1,000 yen on weekdays, 1,500 yen on weekends), group tickets (400 yen on weekdays, 600 yen on weekends)
Organizer: Kobe Luminarie Organizing Committee (members: Hyogo Prefecture, Kobe City, Kobe Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Hyogo Tourism Bureau, Kobe Tourism Bureau)
Official website: https://kobe-luminarie.jp/
*Information as of November 9, 2026. Please check the official website for the latest information.

*Top image: The 31st Kobe Luminarie (from a press release by the Kobe Tourism Bureau)

*This article was compiled by the TOKYO ART SPHERE editorial team based on materials released by the Kobe Luminarie Organizing Committee (Kobe City) (May 29, 2026), the official website and information from Hyogo Prefecture.

Text: TOKYO ART SPHERE Editorial Team