Symbiosis of beautiful starry sky and light environment
2024.03.10 Noriko Higashi
The Yaeyama Islands became the first island in Japan to be certified as a starry sky protected area. However it’s still only tentatively certified because about 2% of the outdoor lighting still needs to be improved. How should we think about the nighttime scenery in order to protect the starry sky and to make the night comfortable for local residents? We had a discussion with the citizens along with the Mayor of Ishigaki.
Thank you for joining us, Ishigaki!
The Yaeyama Islands, including Ishigaki Island, are the first area in Japan to be certified by the International Dark Sky Association (IDA, Arizona) as a starry sky protection area. The Yaeyama Islands are provisionally certified because there are still some outdoor lights that need to be renovated. Through the symposium and walking around the town with local people, we explored what kind of nighttime scenery is needed in Ishigaki, where the night sky remains precious dark and tourism is a major industry.
■Symposium
“Symbiosis of beautiful starry sky and light environment” was the theme of the lecture by Mr. Mende and tripartite discussion with Mr. Yoshitaka Nakayama, Mayor of Ishigaki City and Ms. Yoko Akagi, General Manager of Ishigaki Island Beach Hotel Sunshine, who is practicing hotel construction in consideration of light pollution. Looking back on the past light pollution countermeasures in the Yaeyama Islands, they exchanged opinions on how to create a light environment while protecting the starry sky in Ishigaki City, where tourism plays a major role in economic activities in the future.
Some stores emit excessive lightThe mayor also took the initiative to express his opinion■Night Walk at Misaki-cho
We walked around Misaki-cho, downtown of Ishigaki Island, with locals to search for the heroes and criminals of light in Misaki Town. Participants were given audio receivers to listen to the discussion of Mr. Ochi of the Dark Sky Association and Mr. Mende as they walked the streets. Mayor Nakayama also participated in this town walk, leading the way in pointing out the characteristics of the light of Ishigaki, things to cherish, and things that can be improved. The most conspicuous feature of Misaki Town is the signboard lighting with a long arm attached. Most of the stores use this method to illuminate their signboards, creating a scene unique to Misaki Town.
The use of a light source with a warm color temperature seemed to contribute to the overall sense of unity. Participants raised many questions and opinions as they walked, to which Mr. Mende and Mr. Ochi responded.
The arm is extended to illuminate the sign. We can see many this type of lighting in Ishigaki
■Night Walk Review
After walking around the city, the participants were divided into groups to discuss heroes and criminals of light, and then shared their findings with the entire group. Common comments included the following: illuminations with unclear targets are might be unnecessary, lights should be directed to the targets, lights in unused facilities and streets should be turned off, and lights that are too strong or too many should be reduced. The most highly rated were signboards that emerged with indirect light and light leaking from inside buildings. The lack of glare from the light sources was a nice touch.
We were able to learn the opinions of many people through the town walk and reviews. We hope that these activities will continue in the future to realize a better nighttime landscape in Yaeyama. (Noriko Higashi)
Night Walk Review: Heroes and Villains Shared by All
2012.11.23-24 “Light Up Autumn Foliage in Edo Tokyo Open-Air Architectural Museum” At the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum, “Light up Architecture and Autumn Foliage” was held during a three day holiday in November. The first two days included a children’s lantern making workshop and walks through the trees to experience darkness in the woods. With children, we had a wonderful time enjoying old houses, irori fire place and a night without light. Contents we had were as below ・Lantern making workshop ・Lantern Parade ・Experience the dark ・Experience old time fire place, Irori.
A Free and Open Public Participation event! Date and Time:Nov 2012 (Sat), 6:30 – 8:30 pm Venue: Merlion Park, One Fullerton@ Marina Bay Organizer: The Lighting Detectives Singapore In collaboration with: The Fullerton Heritage Supported by: Japan Creative Centre Venue: Marina Bay Turn off the lights and take it slow. Candle Night @ Marina Bay, Singapore 2012 This year, we marked the 3rd Candle Night Event in Singapore. The Lighting Detectives and students from local schools created large-scale candle light installations around the Merlion Park and One Fullerton, while members of the public were invited to decorate lanterns to celebrate the Merlion`s 40th birthday. As Candle Night coincided with the Mid-Autumn Festival, visitors also paraded through the Merlion Park with their own lanterns and enjoyed candles in a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere.
Interviewer: Shunichi Ikeda Theme：Lighting for Lighting Design Office Ikeda Today I`d like to discuss the lighting in a lighting design office. I have always wondered about architects and interior designers who design their own offices based on their own style preferences. I find it kind of interesting. So, I was also wondering about a lighting designer`s office? Is it a place to test elaborate lighting design methods? If you don`t mind, I`d like to pick apart the LPA office. When I first came to LPA I noticed that all of the lighting is a warm color temperature. If it was a restaurant or place of leisure I would understand, but as an office not many places are equipped with all warm color temperature lighting. Also, the ceiling indirect lighting, non-glare desk lights, 2F studio lighting controls were all impressive and dramatic. When you are designing office lighting, what things do you care about most? Stuio at party Working Space Task & ambient lighting with incandescent lamp color Mende It is all a presentation for guests. I want them to think, “Hey, I really liked that lighting style at LPA, so I`ll try to copy it.” I want to design lighting that makes guests think this. This is the place to display our theories and logic. What is good and what is bad. And it is absolutely unacceptable if the light sources are directly visible. Ikeda The 2F studio is used for visitor reception and…
Date of Issue: April 30,2025・Activity 1/ City Night Survey: Yokkaichi（2024.11.21-11.22）・Activity 2/ City Night Survey: Kitakyushu（2025.01.08-01.11） City Night Survey: Yokkaichi, Mie2024.11.21-11.22 Shunichi Ikeda + Yuta Shibata Yokkaichi has developed as an industrial city. The striking contrast between its dazzling factory nightscape and the increasingly organized city center stands out. We conducted a survey of the urban lighting where industry and daily life coexist. ■About Yokkaichi Yokkaichi has a long history, having developed as a port town facing Ise Bay. During the Edo period, it prospered as a post station along the Tokaido route. The city’s name originates from the markets that were held on days ending in “4.”After World War II, Yokkaichi grew as an industrial city with the construction of a petrochemical complex during Japan’s period of rapid economic growth. However, air pollutants emitted from the complex caused a serious pollution-related illness known as Yokkaichi asthma.Today, the city has regained a comfortable living environment. Residential areas, shopping streets, and everyday life now extend right alongside the industrial zones. ■3D Factory Nightscape Yokkaichi, with its history of industrial development, began drawing attention during the early 2000s factory nightscape boom. The expansive factory nightscape of the Yokkaichi petrochemical complex, which stretches about 10 kilometers north to south, is counted among Japan’s five greatest factory nightscapes. What makes it especially unique is that the nightscape can be viewed from the sky, land, and sea—earning it the nickname “3D Nightscape.” Particularly photogenic views of the…
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
