"Soubun Bamboo Lanterns 2024" was so wonderful! Here are the dates, highlights, and access to the event where you can enjoy a fantastical autumn space.

Article production / Mie Travel Ambassador Sanpei
Model cooperation / Mie Travel Ambassador Caster Mami

▼Table of contents

• What is “Sobun no Bamboo Light”?
• This year's theme is "Flowers" - 30th Anniversary Special
• What is the date and time for “Sobun no Takeakari”?
• Where can I see the location?
• What does "Soubun" mean? What is Mie Prefectural Cultural Center?
• What is the recommended way to look at it?
• Entrance front
• Main
• From the 2nd floor corridor deck
• Artist profile
• Bamboo lanterns that Kohei Kawabuchi has worked on in the prefecture in the past
• Related events
• Sobun Purple Light Up 2024
• Live music weekend Takeakari Cafe
• Art Shop Mikke “Outing Cafe Mikke”
• Access and parking
• When using public transportation
• If you go by car
• Request when visiting

What is “Sobun no Bamboo Light”?

``Sobun no Bamboo Lighting'' is a charming autumn event held at the Mie Prefectural Cultural Center in TsuCity, Mie Prefecture, where you can enjoy the magical bamboo lights. Bamboo lights create a dream-like beauty that illuminates autumn nights, and in recent years, many people have become attracted to this event.

This year's theme is "Flowers" - 30th Anniversary special -

This event will be held for the 8th time in 2024. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the opening of the Mie Prefectural Cultural Center, so it will be held in a 30th anniversary version.

This time, the main motif was "flowers," and Sobun was filled with a festive mood. A beautiful world full of joy, where everyone can be themselves. This world is expressed through bamboo lanterns.

canaarea is a company that operates under the philosophy of ``Cutting bamboo from dilapidated bamboo forests and breathing life into them again as bamboo lights. Creating a prosperous society through bamboo lights, which have the power to connect people and places.'' (Kanaeria) is producing and directing.

Please enjoy the world view of Kohei Kawabuchi, a bamboo light artist and director who is active at canaarea.

What is the date and time for “Sobun no Takeakari”?

The Soubun Bamboo Lantern Festival in 2024 will be held on the following dates. This year, the period has been extended by one week.

Saturday, November 9th to Sunday, November 10th, 2024

Tuesday, November 12th to Sunday, November 17th, 2024

Tuesday, November 19th to Sunday, November 24th, 2024

Tuesday, November 26, 2024 to Sunday, December 1, 2024

The illumination will be held from 5pm to 9pm, and viewing is free. Events will be held even in rainy weather. Please note that the museum is closed on Mondays (11/11, 11/18, 11/25).

Where can I see the location?

The exhibition venue will be the ``Festival Plaza,'' which is the same as in previous years, and will be the central plaza of Soubun (Mie Prefectural Cultural Center). You can enjoy the bamboo lights from various perspectives, including not only from the front but also from the second floor corridor.

What does "Soubun" mean? What is Mie Prefectural Cultural Center?

Some people may wonder where "Soubun" is. Some people may also call it "Kenbun." "Soubun" is an abbreviation for Mie Prefectural Cultural Center, and is a place where various facilities are gathered. The building is roughly divided into three parts. The Cultural Hall Building (indicated in blue) contains the large hall, the Lifelong Learning Center Building (indicated in yellow-green) contains the Prefectural Library, and the Gender Equality Center "Frente Mie" Building (indicated in orange).

The central plaza surrounded by the buildings is divided into two parts: ``Festival Square'' and ``Knowledge Square.''

The main venue for Bamboo Akari will be the festival plaza. This is a large square next to the Cultural Center.

In addition, the Knowledge Plaza is located in the courtyard on the side of the Lifelong Learning Center at Frente Mie. During this event, the Sobun Purple Light Up 2024 will be held as a related event. Also, across the road is the Mie Prefectural Museum (MieMu).

What is the recommended way to look at it?

On Saturdays, there will also be a Bamboo Light Cafe (16th and 30th) and a live performance (16th). It is expected to be crowded on weekends, so if you want to take your time looking around, we recommend visiting on a weekday. For those who like to take photos, there will be moments when you can take photos without any reflections of the surroundings. Tripods are allowed, but you must be considerate of those around you and refrain from occupying the space for long periods of time. Also, taking photos using bright lights is prohibited.

Entrance front

First, we started from the front staircase at the main entrance. The bamboo lanterns in front were the main monument last year. The three main bamboo lanterns are said to represent the three ancestor gods, including Amaterasu Omikami. I was overwhelmed by the large object.

Main

If you go up the stairs in front, you will reach the festival square. You will be overwhelmed by the magnificent bamboo lanterns. This year's theme is "flowers."

From the 2nd floor corridor deck

The most recommended point is the view from the second-floor corridor, which is located at the top of the spiral staircase between Festival Plaza and Knowledge Plaza. The view from the front is especially beautiful with the front staircase objects included.

Reflections from puddles, glass surfaces, and objects are also great spots to shoot at.

Artist profile

(On the right is the artist, Kohei Kawabuchi, and on the left is his wife, who works with him on the piece.)

About canaarea representative Kohei Kawabuchi:

Born in Nara Prefecture in 1985. Lives in IgaCity Prefecture.

It decorated the venue at the "IseShimaSummit" held in May 2016.

In December 2017, he was selected for the "Japan-Taiwan Artist Exchange Project" sponsored by the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Taitung County Government, which aims to stay in Taitung Prefecture, Taiwan and engage in artistic exchange. conduct.

``Kashihara Jingu Jinbu Festival'' ``Takada Honzan National Treasure Memorial'' `` Geku San Yukata 1,000-nin pilgrimage'' `` Geku Dedication Stage'' ``Arimatsu Michi Akari'' ``Chubu Centrair International Airport'' ``Shirahama Adventure World'' and other locations inside and outside the prefecture with bamboo light displays I do.

Received the 2020 Mie Prefecture Cultural Newcomer Award. Won the grand prize at the ``1st Bamboo Light Aesthetics Association,'' where bamboo light artists from Japan and abroad compete in their production.

On the other hand, in order to convey the charm of bamboo light, we also hold workshops in various places where you can experience bamboo light making. (Quoted from the 2022 Tourism Mie article)

Mr. Kawabuchi, who has a connection to Mie Prefecture, will be gently and beautifully decorating the Sobun Bamboo Lanterns again this year!

Bamboo lighting in the prefecture recently created by Kohei Kawabuchi

Bamboo light in Asahi Town, AsahiTown District

Bamboo light for the 2020 Takada Honzan Seven Night Hoonko Festival

Related events

Along with Sobun's bamboo light, related events are also held.

Sobun Purple Light Up 2024

November 9th (Saturday) to December 1st (Sunday)

Cabinet Office “Movement to Eliminate Violence Against Women”

Sobun Purple Light Up 2024

The period from November 12th to 25th every year is the ``Movement to Eliminate Violence Against Women''. In honor of the purple ribbon that is the symbol of this movement, we will be lighting it up in purple in collaboration with Sobun no Takeakari.

Venue: Knowledge Plaza

Link to Mie Prefecture Gender Equality Center “Frente Mie” website

MUKUNOKAMI live performance

November 9 (Saturday) and November 16 (Saturday)

Live music by MUKUNOKAMI, a married couple music unit based in IseCity, will decorate the bamboo lights! Why not spend a relaxing moment while listening to MUKUNOKAMI's live performance, which is perfect for this year's Takeakari atmosphere.

Time: 17:30~/18:30~

Price: Free

Location: Festival Square

weekend bamboo light cafe

Scheduled to start at around 5pm on November 9th (Saturday), November 16th (Saturday), and November 30th (Saturday)

This year, the Takeakari Cafe will be open at the festival square. Why not enjoy the bamboo lights along with some hot drinks and food?

●Saturday, November 9th from around 5pm to around 9pm
・Shikayama Kitchen Car (Deer curry, venison cutlet sandwiches, drinks, etc.)
・Nano. Kitchen car (fried chicken, TsuGyoza, hot drinks, etc.)
・Lansen kitchen car (pancake stew, deep-fried bread, drinks, etc.)

●Saturday, November 16th from around 5pm to around 9pm
・ahiru kitchen (candy apples, long fries, baby castella cakes, drinks, etc.)
・Kitchen Crafe (drink, dashi-maki burger)
・MOCOMO coffee (home-roasted coffee, juice, etc.)

●Saturday, November 30th from around 5pm to around 9pm
・HOA BINH TABLE (drinks, sandwiches, hot dogs)
・Taiyaki Warashibe Tsu No. 1 Car (Taiyaki)
・THREE O'CLOCK DONUT'S (donuts, drinks)

Each store will close as soon as they run out.
Exhibit contents and times are subject to change.
For the latest information, please visit the Mie Prefectural Cultural Center Instagram.

Art Shop Mikke “Outing Cafe Mikke”

Art shop Mikke collaborates with Takeakari again this year! "Cafe Mikke" will be open in a tea room with beautiful autumn leaves.

*Details on Odekake Mikke will be announced on Soubun's website and Mikke's Instagram.

Link to art shop Mikke Instagram (external link)

Access and parking

Mie Prefectural Cultural Center Address: 1234 isshinden, TsuCity, Mie Prefecture, 514-0061

The nearest station is Tsu Station, which can be accessed by the Kintetsu Nagoya Line, JR Kisei Main Line, and Ise Railway.

Below you will find information on when to use public transportation and when to go by car.

When using public transportation

・From Tokyo: Transfer on Tokaido from Tokyo Station to Nagoya Station in about 110 minutes, then transfer from Nagoya to the Kintetsu Line or JR Conventional Line, and take the limited express to arrive at Tsu Station West Exit in about 60 minutes.

・From Nagoya: Take the Kintetsu Nagoya Line or JR conventional line and take the limited express train to the west exit of Tsu Station in about 60 minutes.

・From Osaka (Namba): From Osaka Namba Station, take the Kintetsu Nagoya Line express train to the west exit of Tsu Station in approximately 110 minutes.

From Tsu Station, take the Mie Kotsu bus bound for Sogo Bunka Center/Yumegaoka Danchi (route number 89) and get off at the bus stop "Sogo Bunka Center Mae/Sogo Bunka Center."

It is a 1.8 km walk from Tsu Station to the Mie Prefectural Cultural Center, and the journey time is approximately 24 minutes.

If you go by car

It is approximately 2.8 km from the ``Kencho-mae'' traffic light on National Route 23 and takes approximately 10 minutes. It is convenient to enter the main phone number (059-233-1111) into the navigation system.

It is about 15 minutes from the Geino IC on the Ise Expressway and about 10 minutes from the Tsu IC.

Parking can be crowded on busy days, so we recommend checking parking availability in advance when planning a visit by car.

Click here for parking information (external link)

Request when visiting

・During this period, the elevator at the main entrance will be out of service due to construction. Guests with wheelchairs or strollers should use the multi-storey car park.

・When viewing, please observe good manners.

・Please refrain from taking photos using bright lights as this may disturb other customers.

・Please be considerate of those around you when using a tripod and refrain from occupying it for long periods of time.

・You are not allowed to touch the works or enter the exhibition space.

・If you are coming by car, please check the "Parking lot congestion forecast information" on the website in advance. When events coincide, the parking lot can become extremely crowded, so you may be asked to park in a parking lot further away.

・If you are not feeling well, please refrain from visiting.

summary

In this article, we introduced ``Sobun no Bamboo Light'', an autumn tradition at the Mie Prefectural Cultural Center. Enjoy the fantastic scenery created by bamboo lights.

Many events are planned for this year, so we encourage you to enjoy the Sobun Bamboo Lantern Festival even more by participating in these events. Why not enjoy the autumn evenings with the beautiful bamboo lanterns?

Detailed information on ``Sobun no Bamboo Light'' can be found on the Mie Prefectural Cultural Center website.

Contact information regarding events

Name: Mie Prefectural Cultural Center General Affairs Department Planning and Public Relations Section

Phone number: 059-233-1105

Sobun Bamboo Lanterns 2024 Brochure