The Sankei Shimbun 
The Kobe Luminarie festival at Meriken Park on January 24. (©Sankei by Takanobu Sawano)
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The annual light festival commemorating the victims of the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake, which claimed 6,434 lives, is running until February 2. Known as the Kobe Luminarie, the event is being held at three locations in Kobe's Chuo Ward including Higashi Yuenchi Park and Meriken Park.
Visitors have gathered to admire the mesmerizing illuminations, reflecting on the tragedy and honoring those who lost their lives 30 years ago.
The design and installation are primarily undertaken by Italian artisans. Since 2011, Daniel Monteverde, an Italian residing in Tokyo, has been creating the designs for the event each year.
Impact of the Great Hanshin Earthquake
The earthquake struck at 5:46 AM on January 17, 1995. As the largest urban earthquake of the postwar era, it exposed the vulnerabilities of modern cities to massive seismic events. Buildings collapsed, highways crumbled, and 249,180 homes were either completely or partially destroyed.
The disaster prompted improvements in building codes and disaster response systems. It also raised public awareness of disaster preparedness among communities.
Preserving the Memory
During the lighting ceremony, attendees observed a moment of silence for the victims, followed by an elementary school choir singing Kobe's city song, Shiawase wo Hakoberu You ni ("So Happiness Can Be Delivered"). At around 6 PM, the lights illuminated all at once, marked by the tolling of a bell.
A visitor from Amagasaki City in Hyogo Prefecture shared their thoughts: "[Kobe] Luminarie isn't just a beautiful display of lights. It plays a vital role in preserving the memory of the earthquake. I hope it will continue forever."
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Author: The Sankei Shimbun
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