2025.01.08-01.11 Misuzu Nakamura + Sachiko Segawa Kitakyushu City was finally ranked No.1 in the latest “New Three Great Nightscapes of Japan” by the Night View Tourism Convention Bureau. The city has actively utilized its local assets—such as the industrial landscapes developed from the Yahata Steel Works, historic streetscapes, and a terrain of hills and bays—to enhance its nightscape. Surprisingly, this city had not yet been surveyed by the Lighting Detectives, so we set out to rediscover its unique allure. ■Learning What Makes a Compelling Nightscape Before beginning our survey, we visited Ms. Miki Matsushita, a lighting designer who has long been involved in Kitakyushu city’s nightscape—from formulating the nightscape guidelines for the Kokura city center to planning lighting for various facilities both in and outside the city. We visited her lighting design office in Fukuoka City, which felt as comfortable and refined as an art museum. There, we had the opportunity to hear a wide range of storie—from the time she spent developing the guidelines to her mindset as a lighting designer. One thing that left a lasting impression was her comment that guidelines shouldn’t become manuals, but rather serve as guidebooks. It became clear that her approach, rooted in deep empathy for the local community, allowed her to foster unique charm through the application of the guidelines in ways that reflect the distinct character of each area. (Misuzu Nakamura) ■Kokura Station Area: The Gateway to Kitakyushu and a Hub…

While the streetscape and lighting environment are very individualistic, an overall unity exists throughout Fukuoka. Throughout the city, a skilled balance between lighting for public and private areas is implemented. The lighting in the underground shopping center of Tenjin is composed of intense incandescent lamps, creating a unique atmosphere of warm light for shoppers. The neon lights of the Nakasu District reflect in the Naka River creating a dramatic perspective image of the streetscape. The street vendors are a place for people to relax and a trap for tourists, but they also create a unique nightscape in the city.