The Lighting Detectives is a non-profit group dedicated to the study of lighting culture through practical methods, mainly by engaging in fieldwork. Cities throughout the world have their own indivisual night-time identity. The lighting detectives focuses on these urban lighting environments-physically going out with our own feet and eyes to observe lighting in actual use instead of relying on theories, ideologies and preconceptions.

We are a group of lighting enthusiasts who savor experiences with light, whether those created by the hand of a professional or the propitious accidents and adjacencies awaiting discovery by the keen observer.

Lighting Detectives was established in 1990 by Kaoru Mende, with individuals working in an architectural lighting design firm in Tokyo. Besides conducting extensive field study, the group conducted number of pubic events such as series of forum, exhibitions, nightscape watching tours and so on. After many years of success in Japan, Mr. Mende thought of sharing the lighting detectives with international friends and colleagues. Gradually, Mr.Mende met other like-minded lighting enthusiasts from Germany, Sweden, Denmark, America etc.