Could you tell us about what first inspired Laguna Ten Bosch to focus seriously on illuminations, and explain the brand's unique commitment to integrating "water" into its displays?

The turning point for Laguna Ten Bosch to fully commit to illumination was 2014, the year we joined the HIS Group.
Because Lagunasia is a seaside park, we used to face a significant drop in visitors during the winter due to the harsh, cold sea breezes. However, we realized that relying solely on the summer pool season would limit our future growth. That was the starting pointーwe decided to focus on the Christmas season and deliver the kind of moving experience that only a theme park can create during a winter night.
At the time, while we looked to the success of our then-group affiliate, Huis Ten Bosch, as a reference, we remained focused on pursuing a value unique to Lagunasia. Our greatest asset is the vast pool located at the heart of the park. Typically, a pool in winter becomes "dead space" that is difficult to utilize, but we saw it as a massive canvas. We realized that by reflecting light off the water's surface, we could amplify the brilliance many times over.
We stayed true to our identity as a "seaside theme park," aiming to create an overwhelming sense of immersion woven from water and light.
Two years ago, we introduced "Tree in the Sky," which uses sea of clouds and aurora effects to portray the "Light of Life in the Heavens." By incorporating mist during the day, we evolved it into an attraction that guests can enjoy regardless of the hour. Our commitment lies in more than just decorating; it is about maximizing the inherent value of the space itself.

After taking second place in last year's awards, how did the team vow to come back and claim the top spot this year?

I heard that introducing drone performances for the first time this year was a groundbreaking endeavor. What were some of the difficulties in getting it started?

We embarked on a challenge rarely seen in the entertainment industry: coordinating a total of 16 dronesーeight on the water and eight in the airーunder synchronized automated control to create a single, unified show. Unlike static light displays, these lights move freely in three dimensions, transforming the guest's entire field of vision into a performance space. However, behind the scenes, the process was nothing short of a "battle."
In the application to the aviation bureau, due to the unprecedented and complex nature of the production, we were repeatedly asked to change the direction of the stage and the customer viewing areas for safety reasons, forcing us to rewrite the production plan from scratch multiple times. Furthermore, system malfunctions frequently occurred during the development stage. Synchronizing multiple GPS-controlled drones underwater and in the air was extremely difficult, requiring a continuous, delicate adjustment where even a slight error in settings was unacceptable.

In fact, we were only able to confirm perfect synchronization in the early morning of the opening day. When we saw all the drones move exactly as planned in the bitter cold dawn, we forgot the cold and were deeply moved, realizing the worth of the continuous trial and error the team had put in. It was the accumulation of this gritty effort that was rewarded with first place in the technical award.

Could you also tell us more about the sense of immersion created by your meticulous productionーsuch as in "Marine Fantasia," which utilizes the latest Twinkly Pro technology?

"Twinkly Pro" is an Italian-born technology that uses a smartphone to scan the position of each LED and map it three-dimensionally. This allowed the lights of the illumination dome to project smooth visuals, like a giant screen, recreating an underwater world where fish and dolphins swim. A major strength is that once installed, the visuals can be freely interchanged, allowing for sustainable operation, such as changing the theme for the night pool in the summer.

In addition to lavish productions, we also value subtle beauty. A perfect example is the "Hikari no Hanachozu" (Floating Floral Light Basin) at the Gioiamare Beach. This installation fuses traditional Japanese aesthetics with modern illumination, creating a signature Lagunasia experience where guests can admire the flickering lights reflecting on the water's surface. By balancing the awe of cutting-edge technology with these emotionally resonant, atmospheric moments, we believe we can offer a truly multi-dimensional sense of wonder.

How do you view the pursuit of the corporate philosophy of "Delivering Inspiration" and the inheritance of long-loved symbols?

We believe that the corporate philosophy of "Delivering Inspiration" means creating deep-seated memories for our visitors. We believe that the accumulation of challengesーsuch as leveraging Lagunasia's potential to create unique surprise and immersive experiencesーultimately leads to customer inspiration.
For example, the "Light-Up Ceremony," where children light up the park's illumination with characters, is not just an event; it becomes an unforgettable page for that family. Furthermore, we have scattered mechanisms throughout the park, such as allowing guests to enjoy the illumination while riding attractions in the kids' area, ensuring all generations can be the main characters.

In addition to creating new things, we are also moving forward with a renewal plan to pass on existing illuminations, such as the "Rainbow Arch of Fortune," which has been loved for over 10 years, to the next decade, rather than ending them due to aging. Combining the charm of Lagunasia's symbolic buildings with the latest light technologyーwe believe this is the way to protect and further evolve the landscape unique to Laguna. We want to enhance the overall value of the park by cherishing the existing while constantly incorporating newness.

Now that you have secured the No.1 spot, what's your vision for the future of Laguna Ten Bosch?

We are very proud of this award, but we will certainly not stop here. Going forward, we will strengthen planning to appeal to adult audiences who enjoy "Oshikatsu" (activities supporting their favorite characters or artists), as well as to inbound customers, in addition to illumination. We plan to utilize the latest technology to explore new forms of production that meet diverse needs.
The 2025 season illumination may have closed, but our journey of innovation never stops.With the HIS Group value of "Adventure and Challenge" in mind, we have already begun planning new surprises for next season and beyond.

We want Laguna Ten Bosch to be a place where "new wonder" awaits every time you visit. How will our signature entertainmentーa fusion of light, water, and cutting-edge technologyーevolve next? We invite you to stay tuned and look forward to the future of Laguna Ten Bosch.