Connecting People and the City at Nihonbashi's Spring Festival

Connecting the City Through Installation Art

SAKURA FES NIHONBASHI is a signature spring event that brings vibrancy and unity to the city. For the event's 10th anniversary in 2023, Konel led the creative direction, producing the "Sakura Noren" installation—a space designed to reflect Nihonbashi’s presence and encourage relaxed social interaction. More than just an artwork, it served as a bridge between people and the city, demonstrating new possibilities for urban engagement.

Issue

Creating a Citywide Event to Experience Nihonbashi’s Evolution

Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Nihonbashi continued to evolve, driven by long-standing local businesses and new innovators. SAKURA FES NIHONBASHI 2023 was designed to showcase and celebrate this progress, inviting people to experience the city’s transformation. The main tagline, "Familiar Spring, New Spring," captured the theme of renewal and revival.

Creation

The “Sakura Noren” Installation as a Gathering Space

A 13m-wide, 4m-high installation was set up at COREDO Muromachi Terrace, featuring 16 noren (large fabric panels). Each noren was inspired by various cherry blossoms found in Nihonbashi, such as Somei Yoshino, Okame, and Kawazu varieties, with designs mimicking petals fluttering in the wind. A donut-shaped counter in the center and circular seating areas below allowed visitors to interact freely within the space.

#A Symbolic Icon for Nihonbashi

The sakura-colored noren became a recurring motif across all festival materials, symbolizing heritage, connection, and new beginnings—values deeply rooted in Nihonbashi’s history. The design embodied a light and optimistic vision for the future, capturing the essence of spring.

#Holding Events with local people

Designed as a space for casual social interaction, the Sakura Noren installation also served as an event venue. A total of 11 local groups collaborated to host workshops, art events, and live performances. The "Tea Stand Nihonbashi" offered visitors a chance to connect with locals over a single cup of tea, fostering spontaneous conversations.

Technology

Remote-Controlled Lighting for Long-Term Illumination

The Sakura Noren lighting scheme reflected Nihonbashi’s identity through four key themes: elegance (雅), vibrancy (賑), unity (結), and innovation (発). A remote-controlled system adjusted the lighting dynamically, ensuring flexibility. Additionally, a state-of-the-art game engine was used for lighting simulations, minimizing discrepancies between previews and actual execution—a crucial advantage for large-scale installations where on-site testing is limited.

Future

Future: Rethinking Festivals Through the Lens of Nihonbashi

Nihonbashi is more than just a location for Konel—it’s our home. Since 2019, Konel has also been responsible for editing and curating "Bridgine," a web magazine about the district. SAKURA FES NIHONBASHI serves as a platform to showcase the city’s present and envision its future. By blending tradition and innovation, the festival explores new forms of urban celebrations, aiming to grow into a leading city festival not just for Tokyo but for all of Japan.