"Ayabe Dream Light: Ayabe Summer Lights," an illumination event brightening up the summer nights, is currently underway at Ayabe Gunze Square in Aono-cho, Ayabe City, Kyoto Prefecture. A variety of light displays—including colorful illuminated umbrellas and trees—are shining brightly, delighting visitors.
This community-participation event has been held annually since 2015 by an executive committee comprising the City of Ayabe, the Ayabe City Tourism Association, and others. For this 12th edition, seven individuals and eleven groups have contributed exhibits.
The venue features 22 displays, including "Light Umbrellas" that create silhouette-like effects, a roughly four-meter-tall tree titled "Light of Peace," a "Tunnel of Light" spanning about seven meters, works utilizing solar lights, and bamboo lanterns.
Masaaki Hirano (78 years old), head of the executive committee's illumination division, says, "It has truly established itself as a summer event. All the exhibits are handmade and full of unique character."
The lights are illuminated from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. On the final day, August 15, a Bon dance festival will also be held.
