ColorKinetics Showcase: Kanazawa, Japan Drives Commerce with End-to-End Lighting System Blending Tradition and Advanced Technology

May 18, 2023

To coincide with its 50th anniversary, Kanazawa Port was illuminated with dynamic, multicolor LED lighting. The light displays set to music include Kanazawa’s traditional ‘Kaga Gosai’ five colors used in ‘Kaga Yuzen’ dyeing – indigo, dark crimson, yellow ocher, grass green, and ancient purple – to reflect realistic, natural beauty, a feature that is appreciated by residents and tourists alike. The magnificent, illuminated scenery has become a new attraction in Kanazawa.

The lighting installation spans 3 km (2 mi), from Fisherman’s Wharf to the cruise terminal, Tomizu Wharf, gantry cranes, Minato-Ohashi Bridge, and Gorojima Island on the opposite shore.

Each of the two massive gantries are illuminated with Color Kinetics ColorReach Powercore gen2, RGBW luminaires (now specified with ReachElite High Output Powercore, RGBW or ReachElite High Punch Powercore gen2, RGBW). Color Kinetics Light System Manager gen6 enables site users to author, configure, and control the gantries’ light shows. Power and data are supplied by Color Kinetics Data Enabler Pro.

Kanazawa Minato Ohashi Bridge and revetments feature a direct-view Color Kinetics lighting system, using Color Kinetics iColor Accent Compact RGB, 619.5 mm (24.4 in) fixtures (now specified with iColor Accent Compact, RGBW), on each of the revetments. Light System Manager gen6 controls the bridge’s light shows, powered by Color Kinetics CM-400 48V EO.

Color Kinetics ColorReach Powercore gen2, RGBW (now specified with ReachElite High Output Powercore, RGBW), Color Kinetics ColorReach Compact Powercore, RGBW (now specified with ReachElite High Output Powercore, RGBW), and Color Kinetics Reach Elite High Punch Powercore, gen2, RGBW 300 luminaires illuminate the port’s cement silo. The silo’s lighting solution is powered by Data Enabler Pro.

The “Brains” Behind the Kanazawa Wharf

The wharf structure is lit with ColorReach Powercore gen2, RGBW (now specified with ReachElite High Output Powercore, RGBW), Reach Elite High Punch Powercore, gen2, RGBW 300, and Color Kinetics ColorGraze MX4 Powercore, RGBW, 1219 mm (4 ft) fixtures. Data Enabler Pro provides power and data to the wharf’s lighting solution.

The lighting for all of these locations is connected as one harmonious light show using Signify’s cloud-based Interact Landmark system. Interact Landmark enables a wide range of locations to be easily managed from a single dashboard – even remotely.

The renovation was completed in 2021, and the project has been well received. Residents and visitors are drawn to the port and enjoy the stunning light display, which has revitalized Kanazawa.

Project Credits

Lighting Designer: Reiko Chikada, Lighting Design, Inc.

Signify Team: Color Kinetics Japan

More information available here

Related Articles


Changing Scene

  • March 19, 2026 - Wow Lighting and Controls Proudly Celebrates 70 Years in the Lighting Industry

    Wow Lighting and Controls Proudly Celebrates 70 Years in the Lighting Industry

    This year, Wow Lighting and Controls proudly celebrates 70 years in the lighting industry! During that time, Wow Lighting and Controls has been a trusted expert in Alberta’s lighting industry. Their independence and entrepreneurial spirit have been key to their success, allowing them to cultivate strong relationships with clients, customers, and manufacturing partners while delivering innovative lighting solutions. Read More…

  • March 18, 2026 - Liteline Presents ATTRACKT - New Product Webinar - March 31, 2026

    Liteline Presents: ATTRACKT – New Product Webinar – March 31, 2026

    Join Liteline for the launch of ATTRAKT, a low-voltage magnetic lighting system designed for modern spaces. ATTRACKT’s compact, refined form factor delivers exceptional flexibility, with fixtures that can be easily positioned and reconfigured to suit evolving lighting needs. With versatile modules and connectors to create customized layouts, ATTRACKT provides a clean, modular solution that elevates… Read More…


Design

  • Prolux Lighting & Controls: Lighting Project Highlight – The Westin Pool, Calgary

    Prolux Lighting & Controls: Lighting Project Highlight – The Westin Pool, Calgary

    Lighting natatorium environments requires fixtures that can withstand humidity, chemicals, and demanding conditions, without compromising the architectural design of the space. For this project, the team specified the LumenWerx VIA2 Seal above the pool with a natatorium finish, designed specifically for high-moisture environments. Traditional natatorium fixtures are often large and bulky to ensure durability, but… Read More…

  • CSC LED: Why Blue Light at Night Is a Problem & How Amber Optics Solve It

    CSC LED: Why Blue Light at Night Is a Problem & How Amber Optics Solve It

    Outdoor lighting plays a critical role in safety, visibility, and security—but not all light is created equal. In recent years, increased awareness around blue-rich white light has raised important questions about its impact on human health, wildlife, and the night sky. As municipalities, designers, and property owners look for better solutions, Amber Optics are becoming… Read More…


New Products

  • Cooper Lighting: PrentaLux ARO Series Decorative Pendants

    Cooper Lighting: PrentaLux ARO Series Decorative Pendants

    The PrentaLux ARO Series is a celebration of form, translucency, and texture. Designed in collaboration with award-winning Architecture Research Office (ARO), these three high-performance decorative luminaires, each with a unique shape, were inspired by natural metamorphic forms. Additive-manufactured with a sustainable use of resources in mind, these striking pendants are available in three sizes and… Read More…

  • Leviton|Viscor: Certolux MSUo-Green LED Recessed Surgical Luminaire w/Overlapping Door Frame

    Leviton|Viscor: Certolux MSUo-Green LED Recessed Surgical Luminaire w/Overlapping Door Frame

    The MSUo-Green LED Recessed Surgical Luminaire is engineered to deliver exceptional performance in demanding healthcare environments, making it an ideal choice for surgical suites requiring precise illumination and rigorous infection control. Designed for supplemental lighting above the operating table perimeter, this fixture combines advanced cleanroom construction with energy-efficient technology. Featuring green and white LED arrays, the MSUo-Green… Read More…