LETTER FROM NAGASAKI
The observatory perched on Mount Inasa offers a unique view of Nagasaki Bay in southwestern Japan. From this height arranged as a terrace which is accessed by a road winding through thick woods, the landscape over the maritime city known for its Chinatown, its Oura cathedral and its Dejima islet, the Archipelago’s only open door to the world in the time of Edo (1603-1868), seems even more beautiful at night, “Thanks to an embellishment with LEDs”, assures the mayor, Tomihisa Taue. In the constellation of lights of the city, the municipal services have slipped lighting effects forming the signs of the zodiac, just to give a playful aspect to the discovery of the landscape.
The view is one of the most famous yakei – literally “night landscape” – of Japan. These points of view are so popular in the country, to the point that Nagasaki hosted the first international summit dedicated to them on November 19, with the ambition of sharing this passion with the world. Organized on the initiative of Marumaru Motoo, pseudonym of the very energetic founder of the Bureau des admirateurs et de la convention des yakei, however, the meeting only attracted ten countries, including Spain, Monaco and China.
It was nevertheless held in collaboration with the Japanese Tourism Organization and in the presence of several Japanese municipalities, already very involved in the promotion of night landscapes. “Sapporo has set up a council to promote yakei. We have edited a guide and created a website », explained Toshio Ishikawa, deputy mayor of the big city in the north. “Night landscapes have real tourist potential. Japan will pass on its know-how abroad “, added Kyoji Kuramochi, vice president of the government body.
In Wajima, 1,004 small rice terraces
The attraction for these points of view “Dates from the period of rapid growth, in the 1960s”, explains Motoo. Economic development has encouraged mass tourism. For the Japanese traveler, visiting a place inevitably passes – in addition to the essential tasting of local specialties – by a moment to admire the yakei local.
The widespread use of LEDs and their potential has made it possible to enrich them or create new ones, such as that of the 1,004 small rice terraces of Wajima, on the coast of the Sea of Japan. The changing color lighting follows the contour of the rice fields. In Tokyo, each end of the year gives rise to various illuminations, which are as many shows bursting with color and having their audience.
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