By now anyone with an interest in Japan is familiar with the country’s gorgeous temples and shrines, the quaint traditional alleys of Kyoto, even the striking sight of thousands of people crossing the Shibuya Scramble crossing together in Tokyo. The Japanese port city of Kawasaki, on the other hand, has its own peculiar boasting point: the brilliantly lit industrial nightscapes of Kawasaki Port.
Sandwiched between the major cities of Tokyo and Yokohama, the Kanagawa Prefecture city of Kawasaki is famous for its industrial port. It’s still an active site for business, and the factories and warehouses are no relics, which is perhaps why they are so beautiful. The lights that contribute so vitally to the magical, sci-fi futuristic view each night are there to keep the activity in the area going long after the sun goes down.
Of course, the port has become a destination for photographers and adventurous tourists. To cater to that demand, there are now night cruises out onto the waters of Tokyo Bay, which take customers on a tour of the industrial district, pointing out some of the best angles and the more impressive views.
The intensely functional architecture found in the district is, no-doubt, part of what makes it so popular. The structural form and detailed architecture of each facility is different, with the alignment of the pipes and silos creating vast, graceful shapes, all lit with bright lights of different colors.
The Kawasaki Port night cruises operate mainly on Saturdays, and the gathering point is in front of the Nikko Hotel, just outside of Kawasaki Station’s east exit. A bus takes you from the gathering point to the cruise’s boarding dock.
Hours:
March to September — Meet at 18:20, bus at 18:30.
October to February — Meet at 17:20, bus at 17:30.
Thinking about visiting Kawasaki? The port’s nightscapes are uniquely photogenic, but there are some other intriguing destinations in the area as well. For one, Tokyo’s biggest amusement park, Yomiuriland, is pretty near by. There are also some interesting museums, like the one all about the creators of Doraemon, and the Nihon Minka-en (an open-air museum of traditional Japanese architecture). Kawasaki is even home to the famous Kawasaki Daishi Heikenji Temple! So head on over, and let us know about your experience on twitter, instagram, and facebook! And check us out at www.japankuru.com for more all about Japan.
