Many popular illumination events are held in the Kansai Area, not just in the Kanto Area. In this article, I will introduce to you some popular illumination events held in the Kansai Area.
Kyoto-illumiere Otogi no Mori ～Saigo no Okurimono～
This is the largest illumination event held in the Kansai area. One million electric bulbs are used creating a unique and colorful world. It seems as though a forest made of lights floats in the sky. You can enjoy a fantastic world consisting of the sparkling main tree and illuminations representing a grasslands made of lights. The aurora show where you can enjoy the combination of 3D projection mapping and aurora lights will be held four times per day (17:30、18:20、19:20、20:30).
■Information
Venue: Kokoro to Karada no Iyashi no Mori Rurikei Onsen Pote Pote Park
Address: 1-14, Hirotani, Okawauchi, Sonobecho, Nantanshi, Kyoto
Date: 2017,10,28 (Sat.) to 2018,01,08 (Mon.)
Time: 17:00 to 21:00 / last entrance 20:30
The number of electric blubs: about one million
TEL: Kyoto illumiere bureau / 050-3786-3863
Nanba Parks
Nanba Parks will hold many illumination events with “rainbow flowers” as their theme. Colored flowers (7 colors) will be set up inside the park and the renewed version of the super flower will be set up in the arena theater (8F). Let’s visit this beautiful shining woods located in the center of Osaka.
■Information
Venue: 2F Canyon Street (and other places), Nanba Parks Garden
Address: 2-10-70, Nanbanaka, Naniwaku, Osakashi, Osaka
Date: 2017,11,10 (Fri.) to 2018,2,25 (Sun.)
Time: 17:00 to 24:00
The number of electric bulbs: 70 thousand
Note: the date and time differs depending on the facility
TEL: 06-6644-7100
Osaka Castle Illuminage
In memory of the 150th year since the Boshin War (a war which triggered the end of the Edo Period and the start of the Meiji Period), they will hold a Japanese-style illumination. In addition to exhibiting a gourd-shaped Christal illumination, the members of Shinsengumi (special police forces which was formed near the end of the Edo Period) and ninjas will preform theatrical combat using illuminated Japanese swords. At the illumination experience area, an installation called “LED STEP” where the lights will change according to the move of the user will be installed. Also, in commemoration of the fact that Osaka Castle became affiliated with Château des Ducs de Bretagne (a name of the castle in France), various “Bretagne Area” symbols such as the motifs of a champagne glass and photogenic heart-shaped monuments will be set up.
■Information
Venue: Special venue, Nishinomaru Garden, Osaka Castle Park
Address: Osaka Castle 2, Chuoku, Osakashi, Osaka
Date: 2017,11,22 (Wed.) to 2018,02,25 (Sun.)
The event will not be canceled even if it rains, but it might be canceled if weather conditions become severe.
Time: 17:30 to 21:30 / the business hours of the venue – 17:00 to 22:00
TEL: Illuminage bureau – 06-6452-6452
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NESTA RESORT KOBE NESTA ILLUMINA ～Hikari no Sanpomichi～
This event will be renewed, and many new events will be held this year. Each area is created based on a different story and the light tunnel “Wonder Tunnel” will be renewed using one million LED light bulbs. A wall colored in rainbow colors called “DANCING WALL” will be set up at the entrance of the resort from the 20th of December (Wed.), “MAPPING THEATRE” which projects the adventure tale of penguins and the first complex rendition spectacle show in Japan called “Iguazu no Densetsu” using mega vision and water screen projection will be added.
■Information
Venue: NESTA RESORT KOBE
Address: 894-60, Taruho, Hosokawacho, Mikishi, Hyogo Prefecture
Time: 2017,11,20 (Mon.) to 2018,1,31 (Wed.) ※The final day is not decided yet.
Time: 17:00 to 22:00 / last entrance 21:00
The number of electric bullbs: about 3 million
Contact: 0794-83-5000
Michinoeki Kobe Fruits Flower Park Osawa
An illuminated giant maze will be opened this year too. The event has lots of fun shows such as a gimmick show of the sound and illumination, light monkey show and street performance show. It will be fun to take some photos with your pet since the food court offering hot foods and drinks allows visitors to bring their pets.
■Information
Address: 2150, Kamiosawa, Osawacho, Kitaku, Kobeshi, Hyogo Prefecture
Date: 2017,11,11 (Sat.) to 2018,02,12 (Mon.)
Time: 17:00 to 22:00 / light-up time – 17:30 to 21:30
The number of electric bulbs: 5 million
Note: you can take a free bus from JR Mita Station on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays between 2017,11,25 (Sat.) to 2018,01,08 (holiday).
TEL: Illuminage bureau – 06-6452-6452
Shinumeda City Wonder Square – Germany Christmas Market Osaka 2017
A German Christmas market will be held in Osaka. Delicious food and ornaments from Germany will be sold inside the booths set up around the huge 27m high Christmas tree. An antique merry-go-round will also be installed and about 350 thousand light bulbs will be used in the event.
■Information
Venue: Shinumeda City Wonder Square
Address: 1-1, Ookitenaka, Kitaku, Osakashi, Osaka
Date: 2017,11,17 (Fri.) to 12.25 (Mon.)
Time: Monday to Thursday – 12:00 to 21:00 / Friday – 12:00 to 22:00 / Saturday, Sunday and holidays – 11:00 to 22:00
Illumination time: 17:00 to 22:30 ※until 24:00 – 12,22 (Fri.) to 25 (Mon.)
The number of electric bulbs: 350 thousand
TEL: Germany Christmas Market Osaka Planning Committee Bureau 06-6440-3872
Wakayama Marina City – Festa Luce
This is a winter-limited Christmas event which will be held inside the beautiful PORTO EUROPE which was created under the motif of a middle-age port city near the intercontinental sea. The venue is lit up under the theme of “a place where you can experience real Christmas” and you can enjoy a magical night amusement park. Also, photo spots such as “Illumination Bridge” where a bridge inside the venue will be lit up will be set up. A Christmas market will be open until the 25th of December (Mon.) and Christmas-related sundries and food will be sold.
■Information
Venue: Wakayama Marina City (PORTO EUROPE)
Address: 1527, Kemi, Wakayamashi, Wakayama
Date: 2017,11,3 (Fri.) to 2018,1,28 (Sun.)
※The event will be held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday between 2018,01,09 (Tue.) to the 28 (Sun.)
Time: 17:00 to 21:00 / the attractions will be shut down at 20:30
The number of electric bulbs: not disclosed
TEL: Festa Luce Plannin Committee Bureau, 073-484-3618
How did you like our introduction to illumination event held in the Kansai area? Why not visit one of these events and get into the Christmas spirit.
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