20 January 2004 Tokyo Dome City’s new multi-functional complex, LaQua, was the first stop on our city walk list this year. The new complex, with spa facilities, restaurants, shops, and amusement attractions, opened in May of 2003. The theme was to build an oasis in the middle of Tokyo, somewhere to relax, refresh, and have fun. And the first impression of LaQua reflects just that, as the spectacular color from the amusement park catch your eye. Trees lining the paths are bathed in a gold light, show their bare winter limbs, and small shrubs and bushes are also covered in twinkle lights. It seems everywhere you look light is incorporated into something, creating a vibrant light environment. The lux level reading from our illuminance meter doesn’t even begin to reflect the effect the lighting has on the feeling of brightness in the park. Another feature of the park is the world’s first ever center-less ferris wheel, Big O. A roller coaster, also, jets through the middle, unceremoniously illuminated, it only adds to the powerful impression of the gigantic “ring.” The colorful and kinetic lighting on the outer portion of the ring consist of many LED units. Each unit is further broken down into 4 parts to be programmed for a more detailed assortment of lighting display. The ring, the coaster, and the Water Symphony, a water, light, and sound show, in the plaza, turns the nightscape into an, alive, 3-dimensional…

Saint Petersburg is a city of deep imperial and artistic culture. As the city was once the capital of the Russian Empire, many impressive palaces and cathedrals convey this great history. Although, there are not many newly constructed buildings in the city and it doesn’t seem that the economic growth of recent years has improved the lighting environment of the city. Once a secret hide-a-way of the empress this building is now the State Hermitage Museum. As a former private art museum to royalty and aristocracy, the luxuriousness of the interior is a little overwhelming, but the lighting environment is absolutely beautiful. Pleasure boats run tours on the Neva Heba River at night to view the river nightscape cutting though the middle of the city. The shimmer of lights on the water’s surface is awe-inspiring. The fancily decorated palaces and cathedrals are symbols of this once imperial culture. At night most are light up to emphasis their beauty. However, the city also has many waterways and the nightscape along these canals is a lonelier story.

(2020.11.18　　Noriko Higashi The lighting event Akiu Lumina was held in the Akiu Hot Spring area of Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture from November 14-23, 2020.  Lighting Detectives was invited to the event to conduct a light up workshop. Light up at Rairaikyo gorge.　The dark and gloomy canyon reveals itself by the light up. Rairaikyo gorge daytime.   Huge rocks are outstanding. During the day we inspected Rairaikyo gorge near Akiu Hot Springs.  Akiu used to be a quarry and the enormous rocks in the gorge are spectacular.   The leaves were also just starting to turn fall colors, creating the perfect location for a workshop at dusk. About 30 people, including local artists, hotel workers, and shopkeepers, gathered to start the workshop. After an introduction of the lighting detectives and a lecture on the importance of nightscape in the city, we headed into the canyon with flashlights and color filters. When we illuminated the rocks from the bridge called “Megane-bashi (glasses bridge),” the water and the canyon, which had been submerged in darkness, came to the surface. The participants were amazed at the way the water looked different depending on the angle of the flashlight. We went down to a spot near the water and used a color filter to illuminate the rocks. They were also surprised to find that some of the colors came out exactly as the filter indicated, while others did not. The rocks were illuminated with red, blue, and green…

June 21, 2008 Sumer Solstice This was the 5th Annual Candlenight along Omotesando since the event was moved from nearby Cat Street. “Turn off the lights and take it slow” is the catch phrase for this familiar candle event. Two Japanese environmental NGO first proposed Candlenight as an opportunity to take another look at our modern lifestyles. Every year on the summer solstice from 8pm to 10pm this event reminds us to turn off the lights and reflect on our lives by enjoying the night in candlelight. Nationwide there are 938 individual candle events as part of this promotion. The theme for this years Lighting Detectives Candlenight @ Omotesando-Eco Avenue was “Dialogue: Dialogue with the Shadows, Dialogue with the Light.” As every year, local art university students and others gratuitously volunteered to help with the event, including the Omotesando Candle Cafe Network, candle installations along Omotesando, and original lantern making. We started with a kick-off meeting in February and used the next five months to prepare for this one-night event in June. Producers for the Omotesando event included Lighting Detectives Chief, Kaoru Mende, cultural anthropologist, Shinichi Takemura, and, as a special guest, graphic designer, Taku Satoh, all of who participated in each meeting. Each team presented their candle installation ideas, receiving advice and critics from the gallery. As the event neared and projects took shape, the weather report was not as cooperative, forecasting rain. But, after so many hours of…

22 December 2005 It was a chilly winter night for the December 22, 2005 Candle Night event. Across the street from the new Otomesando Hills construction site in the final months of opening-day preparations, soft, warm light danced along the street at this festive, bi-annual event. Lantern Light This winter was the fifth time for the Lighting Detectives to be involved with Candle Night, a countrywide event. Since last summer, the local event has moved from Cat Street, a small side street connecting Harajuku and Shibuya, to the more visible stage of Omotesando. The catch-slogan for this event, “Turn off the lights and take it slow.” is a reflection of a movement to rethink our positions on the environment, energy conservation, and the modern lifestyle. The local Omotesando venue is a festive stage with individually designed lanterns taking center stage, as they are displayed and carried by volunteers up and down the street. Shopping-bag lanterns, zelkova tree motif lanterns, umbrella-shaped lanterns with reflecting light, and even necklace-inspired lanterns…all the hard work of local university students. At 8pm a special promotion video on the huge, Jingumae Intersection digital display board kicked off the evening and grabbed the attention of those unfamiliar with the event. Zelkova Tree Light In front of the Oriental Bazaar, glowing, zelkova tree motif lanterns were lined up at the entrance to represent the rows of flourishing trees along Omotesando. Votive candles were placed on the bars of…