The World Lighting Journey is a photo library of nightscapes and lighting environments from cities worldwide. Lighting Detectives hopes this database will be a catalyst for future discussion on urban lightscapes and local lighting culture. Lighting Detectives encourages all web viewers to send nightscape from your hometown to add to our ever-expanding photo library.

EUROPE

AFRICA

AMERICAS

OCEANIA

ASIA

Select CountrySelect Country

EUROPE

AFRICA

AMERICAS

OCEANIA

ASIA

China_Xia men_4

Category: Street
Photo by: SHOMEI TANTEIDAN
©All Rights Reserved
Other photos in - Street
Related photos
GLOBAL RESEARCH

City Night Survey: Kobe

More

2023.01.18-01.20　　Yumi Honda ＋ Misuzu Nakamura　 Kobe is famous for the night view from Mt. Rokko as the “10 Million Dollar Nightscape” and for its waterside nightscape as a port city. Nightscape guidelines have been established in 2012, and efforts are being actively made to improve the lighting in the city. We walked around the city, which continues to be updated, and explored the components of a nightscape that is uniquely Kobe. ■“Instagrammable” NightscapePort Tower, Maritime Museum, Oriental Hotel, Hotel Okura, Ferris wheel, sightseeing boats, and the “BE KOBE” monument…. When people think of the city of Kobe, they probably think of Meriken Park. Meriken Park is the face of Kobe, and even at night many people were visiting the park to take commemorative photos. Many of the park’s symbolic monuments were lit up and color lighting was used extensively, but the colors and color schemes were mainly neutral, not primary colors, so it was nice to enjoy the colorful light without getting an overpowering impression. To complement the color lighting, the ground lights of the pole lights, handrail lights, and bollard lights were uniformly lit with light bulbs, creating a subdued brightness. Both decorative lighting and functional lighting emitted little excessive glare, allowing us to concentrate on the illuminated objects. It seemed like seeing the nightscape and taking pictures of it could be the purpose of a visit to this place. In this age of breathlessly uploaded photos and videos…

City Night Survey：Xi’An China

More

Muslim District within New Development Context2025.11.06-11.09 Quratuaini Jamil + Xu Sunny The survey aims to examine the Muslim Quarter District with a focus on its religious, cultural, and urban context, while assessing how it integrates with the emerging modern development within Xi’an. ■ Brief Summary of Lighting SurveyWith a vast metropolitan population of 12.9 million—of which 4.45% reside in the urban center—Xi’an is a renowned historical and cultural hub in China that pursues an urban planning strategy blending tradition with modernity. The city integrates its rich heritage with the demands of contemporary development while carefully safeguarding key cultural areas. A prime example is the Muslim Quarter, which plays a crucial role in preserving living heritage, ethnic diversity, and the traditional urban fabric. Xi’an’s planning approach emphasizes “development within preservation and preservation within development,” reflected in the harmonious coexistence of new growth and historic architecture. Accordingly, this research focuses on how the old and new parts of the city—particularly distinct areas like the Muslim Quarter—are effectively integrated. ■Xi’An Muslim QuarterOn the first day, we observed the Friday congregational prayer at the Great Mosque of Xi’an. This visit provided a valuable opportunity to study the mosque’s internal spatial organization and architectural characteristics. The Great Mosque of Xi’an is distinctive for its unique synthesis of traditional Chinese architectural language and Islamic religious functions. It differs markedly from the Middle Eastern style—characterized by prominent domes and tall minarets—commonly seen in places like Singapore. Instead,…

ISTANBUL, Turkey

More

East meets west in the Islamic streets of Istanbul, as quite unique light are unleashed. Light from many different directions is churned together, as in the bright light particles of the bazaar and the interiors of the mosque. A testimony of the Islam Religion is in the minaret floating in the silent shadows and the blue moon reflected in the Bosporus. From a hill above the old town, the moon reflects in the Bosporus Strait. The faint residential lights and hushed silence create a spiritual-like setting. The tall minaret towers emphasize the silhouettee of Hagaia Sofia (also spelled Ayasofya). During the summer months sound and light interact on the grounds in a dramatic show for viewers. Sound and light mysteriously interact inside the Blue Mosque. Visitors are left wondering: Where is the light coming from? Where is the sound coming from?

TOKYO : SHINJUKU

More

Under a rush of redevelopment, this is a huge period of transition for the area surrounding Shinjuku. On this survey, we were met by soft light filtering out of tall skyscraper windows, brilliant signage on facades and rooftops, and crowds of people along the streets and alleyways. Shinjuku Station South Entrance is in the middle of a redevelopment project scheduled to be complete in 5 years. A multitude of fluorescent lights line the pedestrian walkways with such an intense brightness that the surrounding scene is almost invisible. Six o`clock in the morning and waiting for the sun to come up on Yasukuni Street. Calm is finally starting to settle over Kabukicho, but still brightly lit signage are but glaring reminders of the nightlife. Brilliant advertising and signage along Yasukuni Street acts as an entrance gate to Kabukicyou. The bight lights entice many, who are aimlessly swallowed up by Kabukicho.

DALLAS・FORT WORTH

More

Dallas, the stage for the assassination of President Kennedy and Fort Worth, a city of culture that attracts architects and designers from around the world. However, both cities have to compete under the hot Texas sun, with most buildings fitted with walls of heat reflective glass. This building style leaves only the edge of buildings for accent lighting, which often reflects onto nearby buildings. From Reunion Tower, looking towards the glass skyscrapers in the west end of downtown Dallas. Strong accent light for other buildings is seen reflected in the facade. The interior of Louise Kahn’s Kimbell Art Museum, where his words “Light is the Theme” still echo. Natural light filters in through a slit opened at the top of the vault and reflects off of reflectors fitted into the architecture. The reflected light turns the vaulted ceilings brilliant silver. The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth designed by Tadao Ando and completed in 2002. The main walls seen from the outside are lightly wall washed without intruding on the art pieces and exhibition space. The outer perimeter of the building reflects clear design intent in the careful composition of high-quality light. In the evening, reflections on the surface of the surrounding pond present another angle to this building.