Kobe Luminarie

Following the Hanshin Earthquake in 1995, Italy donated beautiful lights to Kobe to commemorate the tragedy. Now an annual event, the Kobe Luminarie attracts three to five million people a year. Before our visit home in December, we bustled through the crowded streets of Sannomiya with a couple of friends to see the illumination. (It was definitely on a different scale than Nabana no Sato!)

The first display was a tunnel of lights.

After walking through and seeing all of the lights, there were the usual yatai, or food stalls. Among yakitori and takoyaki stands was a stand with candied apples and mandarin oranges. I've never tried the candied fruits, but I've always thought they looked pretty!



Below is an okonomiyaki stand. It might be difficult to see, but I really like the smile on the man's face.


Going to see the Luminarie was a nice time, but unless you have friends to keep you company and patience for long lines, you might not be interested if you're in Kobe December next year.