During the winter season, Japan is awash with spectacular light shows called illuminations that transform the nation into a glorious celebration of light. The city of Kobe —home to one of the oldest and most beautiful light-up displays in the country—leads the pack in these festivals of luminosity.

The light show begins at Motomachi Station on the JR Kobe Line. It is one stop west of Sannomiya Station.

From the shinkansen hub of Shin-Kobe Station, take the subway to Kencho-mae Station. Motomachi Station is a three-minute walk away.

Known as Kobe Luminarie, this unique light show is an unforgettable event for those in the area from early to mid-December and draws millions of people each year.

Taking place across the city of Kobe , the event stretches from Motomachi Station, passes through the Former Foreign Settlement, and extends all the way to Higashi Yuenchi Park. Now over 20 years since its inception, Kobe Luminarie serves as an ongoing memorial to the victims of the Great Hanshin Earthquake of 1995.

Many of the lights for the event were initially donated by the Italian government, and the installation was created as a collaboration between the countries. The European influence is apparent within the display which features over 200,000 individually hand-painted lights.