Because of previous colonial rule and occupation by Spain, USA, and Japan, many different cultures are accepted in the Philippines. As with architecture or cuisine, the uniquely arranged culture is also visible in the lighting environment. But behind the bright lights and in the shadows, we also saw a gap in the standard of living. For many people the church is a stronghold in their lives. The walls of this church were brightly lit with fluorescent lights and for relief from the heat several fans are also mounted on the walls, a nightscape very familiar in Asia. The floodlights bath the facade in featureless, flat light. In the area of town where Spanish architecture is still preserved hang sodium lamps, giving everything, walls, ground, and buildings an orangish glow. The dark green vegetation by the day is lost, but the historical atmosphere of the street seems like a scene out of a period movie. In the poorer areas of the city burned out streetlights are everywhere, but in the wealthier areas high-rise apartments and office buildings stand tall and just like in any other big city, there is a lack of individualism in this nightscape. Compared to the intensity of light in adjacent neighborhoods, the economical gap is prominent.

2024.05.16 – 05.19 Mari Kubota+ Noriko Higashi Busan, South Korea’s second-largest city, is one of the world’s major port cities. In recent years, it has also gained fame as a hub for tourism and film. We surveyed the lighting in Busan, which is also a member of LUCI (Lighting Urban Community International). South Korea is a close neighbor, just 1.5 hours from Tokyo by plane, making it a popular destination for quick and affordable trips. Busan, the second-largest city in South Korea, is not only a tourist destination but also a major port and an entertainment center, hosting film festivals. As a member of LUCI, Busan has been focusing on urban lighting as part of its urban planning. In 2015, the city developed an extensive overview of its nightscapes, resulting in the Busan Urban Light Policy for 2030. This policy has been updated several times, reflecting the city’s ongoing efforts in implementation and improvement. The guidelines divide Busan into several zones, each with lighting tailored to its specific characteristics.We traveled to Busan to assess whether the city’s lighting contributes to safety, beauty, attractiveness, and the local economy at night. ■Jagalchi Market Jagalchi Market is South Korea’s largest seafood market, selling both fresh and dried fish. After purchasing seafood on the first floor, visitors can have it cooked and served on the second floor. The market attracts many tourists. White lights are used to illuminate the seafood, making it look as…

In front of the main gate to Senso-ji Shrine lies the neighborhood of Asakusa. One of Tokyo’s most popular entertainment districts, Asakusa flourished with kabuki, opera, and comic storytelling from the Meiji Era to the end of WWII. The Lighting Detectives discovered a variety of decorative streetlights and a lighting atmosphere fitting for this lively cultural destination. Upon entering the famous Kaminarimon, the Nakamise approach proceeds towards the shrine with bright-white, fluorescent-tube illuminated signage lining both sides. After navigating this corridor, walls of softly glowing lanterns come into view. The lanterns once lit with fire were replaced with incandescent bulbs and now fluorescent lamps. In popular neighborhoods like Shibuya or Roppongi, architectural facade lighting or neon signage fills the vertical space and “street lighting” is virtually non-existent. However, a variety of decorative streetlights festively illuminate the streets of Asakusa for a very fitting lighting environment. Pub signage and lanterns dispersed along the dark streets of Asakusa create an uncanny charm in this neighborhood. Roadway lux levels are a fairly dim 10-16 lx, but the red lanterns hanging from the eaves of establishments dig up affection for this old town.

2023.01.26-01.29　Masafumi Yamamoto + Yuki Ito　 Okinawa is a place where diverse cultures and histories are intertwined. In Okinawa, each region has its own unique streetscape, and this is due to the fact that each region has a completely different historical background. The following is a simplified explanation of the historical background of each area. The Naha area was severely damaged in the war and was rebuilt; the Koza area was influenced by the U.S. military base and retains a strong American culture; and the Bise and Imadomari areas retain the traditional streets of the Ryukyu Islands. By comparing the light environment of each area, this survey sought to determine what kind of lifestyle culture and light features each area has, and what kind of light is unique to Okinawa. ■Sakae-machi MarketSakae-machi Market, located in Naha City, is a shopping street that was established during the postwar reconstruction period and has remained almost unchanged since then. Today, the market is a lively place where locals gather during the daytime, but at night it transforms into a more local haunt, drinking district that is quite different from the impression it gives during the daytime. The only light at night is from the taverns and the faint fluorescent lights in the upper part of the shopping street. (Floor illumination: approx. 20 lx) The illuminance alone gives the impression of dimness, but the actual atmosphere was not as dark as the impression given by…

It was 8:15 on the morning of August 6, 1945 when the first of two bombs dropped on Hiroshima then Nagasaki. Sixty-one years have passed since this memorable day and every year victims are remembered in a peace memorial ceremony attended by 50,000 people. On this night thousands of lanterns are placed in the Motoyasu River near the Hiroshima Peace Memorial as part of the remembrance and prayer for peace. As the main part of our lighting survey we wanted to see how these lanterns changed the face of city on this one night. We also visited Itsukushima Shinto Shrine and downtown Hiroshima. One of the World Cultural Heritage sites, Itsukushima Shinto Shrine. Unfortunately, the lighting is not the most faltering and lacks punch that could emphasis great architectural detail. However, looking from the bow of a boat past the large shrine gate, the main hall floats elusively in the surrounding darkness. This is the angle for a truly spiritual approach. Hiroshima Peace Memorial, a World Cultural Heritage site and the remains of a symbol of sacrifice and crime committed against humanity. Nearly buried by the surrounding city lights, but this dim gloom cast over the rubble suits its history and expresses it in the present day for all to remember. Full of prayers for peace and a symbol of remembrance, softly lit lanterns were set afloat, creating a new river of light. The lightscape created by the lanterns floating…