The "Ayabe Summer Lights" event, which brightens up the summer nights of Ayabe City, Kyoto Prefecture, is being held at Ayabe Gunze Square in Aono-cho, Ayabe City. A variety of creative illuminations, including colorful light umbrellas, bamboo lanterns, and trees, sparkle, attracting many visitors. The event will run until August 15, 2025.
The venue features 18 works, including the shadow puppet-like "Light Umbrella," "Bamboo Lanterns" created by Suigen no Sato Kanbara (Uehara-cho, Ayabe City) and Kyoto Institute of Technology, "Peace Lights" by the Ayabe Junior Chamber of Commerce, and "Tunnel of Light," decorated with trees.
The event is organized by an executive committee made up of Ayabe City, the Ayabe City Tourism Association, and others. This year marks the 11th time the event has been held. Masaaki Hirano (77 years old), chairman of the illuminations division of the executive committee, says, "It's getting better every year, becoming more unique and spectacular."
The lights are on from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. On August 15th, there will be a Bon Dance competition and colorful lanterns will be given away to the first 200 people.
