Factory nightscape; a new form of tourism

Every year February 23rd is Factory Nightscape Day 工場夜景の日, a commemoration created by the organization Zenkoku Kōjō Yakei Toshi in 2016. They are a network of cities promoting factory nightscapes as a new form of tourism.

The date marks the first Factory Nightscape Summit, held in Kawasaki on February 23, 2011, where cities came together to recognize the beauty and tourism potential of illuminated industrial zones. The goal of the day is simple but striking: to promote the unique charm of factory nightscapes and support the growth of nightscape tourism across Japan.

The movement began with four pioneering cities—Muroran, Kawasaki, Yokkaichi, and Kitakyushu—which declared themselves the “Four Great Factory Nightscapes of Japan.” Over time, the network expanded to include eight, then eleven, and now there are thirteen on the official list. Factory nightscape viewing has become a popular form of “new‑style tourism,” attracting visitors of all ages.