From Wednesday, December 9, 2026, the illumination event "AMA ILLUMI 2026" (尼崎市市制110周年記念 アマイルミ2026), commemorating the 110th anniversary of Amagasaki's city status, will be held at Chuo Park (中央公園, 1-4 Kandanaka-dori, Amagasaki, Hyogo) in front of Hanshin Amagasaki Station.
About 2,500 Shining Smile Fruit (ひかりの実), a participatory art work by artist Kyota Takahashi, will be installed on Chuo Park's symbol tree, the "Big Camphor Tree" (おおきなくすのき), and on the trees around the lawn plaza. The Shining Smile Fruit on display are made by elementary school students in the city as well as by visitors to Amagasaki Castle and the Amagasaki Tourist Information Center (あまがさき観光案内所). The "smile" fruits drawn by residents and visitors come together to create a single night scene in Chuo Park in winter.
On Wednesday, December 9, the "AMA ILLUMI 2026 Opening Event" will be held together with the night market "Night Urban Terrace by amagasaki picnic" (ナイトアーバンテラス). With food and retail shops, sponsor booths, and a Shining Smile Fruit making workshop, visitors can spend an evening in the park alongside the light art.
Shining Smile Fruit (ひかりの実)
Shining Smile Fruit is a light work made by participants. Each participant draws the "smile" of someone important to them on a fruit bag, then puts a small LED light inside and inflates the bag. Each Shining Smile Fruit is then attached to a tree as decoration. The night scene is created through the participation of each person, making it a work formed from everyone's smiles.
Shining Smile Fruit official website: https://hikarino-mi.jp/
About the Artist, Kyota Takahashi
Kyota Takahashi (高橋匡太) is an artist who works in Japan and abroad on public projections using light and video, installations, and live performances. His lighting projects on buildings, such as the Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art and the lighting for the 100th anniversary of Tokyo Station, create dynamic, sculptural works of light. He has also produced many large-scale participatory art projects made together with many people, including Yume no Tane (夢のたね), Shining Smile Fruit, and Hikari no Hanabatake (ひかりの花畑).
Event Overview
AMA ILLUMI 2026 (尼崎市市制110周年記念 アマイルミ2026)
- Dates: Wednesday, December 9, 2026 to Monday, January 11, 2027 (national holiday)
- Location: Chuo Park, 1st floor: the "Big Camphor Tree" and the plantings around the lawn plaza
- Details:
- Display of about 2,500 Shining Smile Fruit
- Pre-event workshops
Pre-Event Workshops
Workshops to make Shining Smile Fruit will be held for elementary school students in the city and for visitors to Amagasaki Castle and the Amagasaki Tourist Information Center. Details such as the schedule are listed on the official website.
Workshop image
Opening Event: Night Urban Terrace by amagasaki picnic
- Date and time: Wednesday, December 9, 2026, 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM
- Location: Chuo Park, 1st floor
- Details:
- Night market (12 shops in total: 9 food and 3 retail)
- Sponsor booths (3 in total)
- Shining Smile Fruit making workshop (artist Kyota Takahashi will attend; participation is free)
- Introduction of the "smile" illustrations on Shining Smile Fruit on digital signage
Night Urban Terrace image
Official website: https://amagasaki-area.jp/event/ama-illumi2026/
