One of the most awaited events in Japan during the winter season is the sparkling winter illumination festivity. Among all the other places that hold winter illuminations in Japan, many people wait eagerly for the Osaka Hikari Renaissance. This year, Osaka celebrates the 15th year of the annual Osaka Hikari Renaissance illumination festival.
Osaka Hikari Renaissance was first celebrated in 2003. Since then, the event never fails to amaze people, locals and foreigners alike. The creative team behind this light festival surely put a lot of hard work and time into making the event possible. Hence, the thousands of light bulbs that adorn the area continues to gather more tourists year after year. Also, the organizers always think of new ways to attract tourists each year. Because of this, the Osaka Hikari Renaissance festival remains to be successful until now.
The Event
This year’s Osaka Hikari Renaissance event is held at the Nakanoshima Island. Now, the area from Osaka City Hall to Nakanoshima Park is adorned with colorful lights, making it enchanting at night. As a result, tourists flock to the area to experience the annual Osaka Hikari Renaissance light festival firsthand.
The Theme
The theme for this year’s Osaka Hikari Renaissance is 5 Tokens of Gratitude. Since the first year of the festival, the event has been gaining a lot of support and recognition from the public. Therefore, the people behind the festival wanted to show their gratitude for the visitors who supported them through the years.
For the 15th anniversary of Osaka Hikari Renaissance, the organizers prepared five programs as a part of the 5 Tokens of Gratitude.
Nakanoshima Illumination Street Special Preview
Nakanoshima Illumination Street Special Preview is the first program of this year’s Osaka Hikari Renaissance festival. This program is held at Miotsukushi Promenade from December 1, 2017 to December 13, 2017. In the event area, the tourists can enjoy a synchronized light show in a tunnel of lights.
Source: http://www.hikari-kyoen.com/renaissance_en/program01_en/
Wall Tapestry Lighting Show Special Performance
The Wall Tapestry Lighting Show is the second program of the Osaka Hikari Renaissance festival. The venue for this year’s wall tapestry lighting show is Osaka City Central Public Hall. Because of this, more people are given the chance to witness the beauty of the magical wall tapestry light show. You can watch the Wall Tapestry Lighting Show was available to the public from December 14 to December 25, 2017, 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
Source: https://osaka-yanen.com/en/2017/10/24/festival-of-the-lights-in-osaka-2017/
Light Exchanging Program
The Light Exchanging Program is the first collaboration program to happen in Osaka Hikari Renaissance festival. This program is the collaboration of the Osaka Hikari Renaissance and the Lantern Festival. In the event, approximately 1,000 lanterns, personally made by the people of Tainan, adorns the Riverside Park. You can walk around the park with your loved ones, or you can spend a fun time alone, too. Also, it’s a great time to appreciate the beauty of the lanterns that brings Osaka and Tainan together through the Light Exchanging program.
Source: http://www.hikari-kyoen.com/renaissance_en/program03_en/
Osaka Marche of Light
A festival isn’t complete without food. This is what Osaka Marche of Light, the fourth program of the Osaka Hikari Renaissance, is all about. From December 14 to December 25, at 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM, food trucks are available to the public. You can find the food trucks at the Riverside Park and the Osaka City Central Public Hall. You can grab some Japanese delicacies to fill your tummies in these food trucks.
15th Anniversary Special Sales
The 15th Anniversary Special Sales is the last program for this year’s Osaka Hikari Renaissance festival. This is the first time in 15 years that you can buy original Osaka Hikari Renaissance merchandise. From December 14, 2017 to December 25, 2017, you can buy the official festival merchandise in the Central Venue. The goods include post cards, calendars, and tumblers, all sold at a very reasonable price!
The Osaka Hikari Renaissance festival lives up to its expectations as one of the must-see winter illumination festivals in Japan. Moreover, this year’s 5 tokens of gratitude theme will surely warm your heart despite the cold weather. As the Osaka Hikari Renaissance festival marks its 15th year, the amazing lightworks in the venues continues to amaze everyone. Because of this, more people visit Osaka to witness the festival. So why don’t you take a break from the stress brought by work and school, and enjoy the Osaka Hikari Renaissance winter illumination festival? Also, it is a good time to spend time with your family and friends.