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

  • CSC LED Announces the Appointment of Greg Cober as National Sales Manager

    CSC LED Announces the Appointment of Greg Cober as National Sales Manager

    CSC LED is excited to announce that Greg Cober has joined their growing team as National Sales Manager. “Greg brings a deep understanding of the Canadian electrical / lighting channel and a proven record of helping distributors grow” said Mark McNally, President of CSC LED. “His 26 years of experience at a worthy competitor, strong… Read More…

  • Nov 18, 2025 - Contact Delage & 3G Lighting An Exceptional Partnership in Architectural Lighting

    Contact Delage & 3G Lighting: An Exceptional Partnership in Architectural Lighting

    Contact Delage is proud to announce a new strategic partnership with 3G Lighting, a renowned Canadian company in the design and manufacturing of high-end architectural lighting solutions. This collaboration marks an important milestone in the expansion of Contact Delage’s product offering for architects, designers, and construction professionals. Founded in 1991 in Toronto, 3G Lighting has… Read More…


Design

  • The Science of Light: How Human-Centric Lighting (HCL) Boosts Productivity & Wellbeing

    The Science of Light: How Human-Centric Lighting (HCL) Boosts Productivity & Wellbeing

    Lighting has always been a technical necessity, but today it is evolving into something far more powerful. Human-Centric Lighting (HCL) is shifting the conversation from simple illumination to environments that actively support wellbeing, productivity, and sustainability. By aligning artificial light with natural circadian rhythms, industry leaders are redefining how workplaces, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and even hospitality… Read More…

  • Peerless Electric: Intelligent Lighting Benefits

    Peerless Electric: Intelligent Lighting Benefits

    Peerless Electric offers custom design and intelligent lighting benefits, along with sensor placement recommendations based on your requirements. Sensors can be added to almost any of their luminaires and operate standalone or control multiple interconnected luminaires. Sensors may be programmed and operated via Bluetooth or other wireless technologies. Line voltage or DC control input, the… Read More…


New Products

  • RAB Design: New CYLUX-LED Series – Wall, Ceiling & Pendant Mount Cylinders

    RAB Design: New CYLUX-LED Series – Wall, Ceiling & Pendant Mount Cylinders

    RAB Design’s CYLUX-LED cylinder light family provides versatile lighting solutions with a range of sizes and mounting options, including wall, ceiling, and suspended mounts. It offers easy field selection for uplight and downlight configurations, along with adjustable color temperatures. Each fixture includes various beam options, making it perfect for architectural applications. Designed for both indoor… Read More…

  • Eralux: Pago Series – High Output Wedge Cut-Off Wall Pack

    Eralux: Pago Series – High Output Wedge Cut-Off Wall Pack

    The Pago series comes in a smooth matte design offering a high power and lumens to any dark outdoor spaces. Its IP65 offers great protection to outdoor environments, making it suitable to be wall mounted above garages, warehouse facades and more. The Pago series offers a type 3 or type 4 light distribution to brighten… Read More…