Featured Events in Kyoto in December, 2024 (May Updated)

Plants light up Kyoto's night sky and explore the hidden lives of plants. Kyoto Botanical Gardens is Japan's oldest public plant sanctuary with a century-old history. State-of-the-art lighting, sound and projections reveal nature's secrets. Step into the greenhouses, a lush sanctuary where melodies float through the air and vibrant plants exude energy. Four unique installations invite you to connect with plants in ways you never imagined. Attune your senses to the subtle rhythms and whispers of plant life and experience their invisible communication. It's an invitation to activate your senses and discover the universal sounds of nature like never before. Get ready to see, hear and explore the diversity of plants on display.

It’s almost the 2024 Maple Festival! The famous NAKED team will launch the "NAKED GARDEN ONE KYOTO 2024" event in Kyoto from September 14 (Sat) to December 8 (Sun) 2024. At that time, 8 popular attractions such as Nijo Castle and Kitano Tenmangu Shrine will be transformed into a romantic kingdom of red maple leaves. The large-scale autumn event "NAKED GARDEN ONE KYOTO 2024" jointly led by Kyoto Prefecture and the NAKED team will officially start on September 14, 2024 (Sat)! Kyoto, which is always full of historical and cultural atmosphere on weekdays, will be transformed into a huge fantasy maple leaf kingdom under the skillful hands of NAKED. Kyoto's representative tourist attractions such as the World Heritage Nijo Castle and Ninnaji Temple will each present light and shadow performances with different themes, allowing travelers to experience the romantic Japanese atmosphere and brilliant scenery even if they come to Kyoto in advance before the maple leaves turn red! In addition to NAKED light sculpture technology, various activity attractions in 2024 have also prepared diversified themes, such as Nijo Castle for "Japanese food", Nishi Honganji for "Gagaku", Higashi Honganji for "Noh, flower arrangement and Kyoto cuisine", and Enryakuji Temple on Mount Hiei for "Japanese candles". NIDEC Kyoto Tower will light up with maple red lights to match the theme color during the event. In addition, Kyoto maple leaf holy places such as Kinkai Komyoji Temple, Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, and World Heritage Ninnaji Temple will also participate in this event.

The gallery "Art Space Fukujuen", which focuses on tea culture and includes works ranging from traditional crafts to modern art, will host an exhibition by bamboo craftsman Tanabe Chikuunsai titled "Tradition and Challenge - The World of the First and Fourth Takeunsai -". Intellectuals known as literati interacted with each other in the "world of tea", and bamboo crafts have a deep connection with this. The first generation of Chikuunsai (1877-1937) was not only proficient in bamboo craftsmanship, but also devoted himself to flower arrangement and sencha. He once received the complete biography of Kagetsu-an-ryu sencha from Tominaga Junsen. Since then, the fourth generation of Chikuunsai has always respected the thought and philosophical history of sencha and continued to create works in line with the times. This exhibition will show the wonderful works of Chikuunsai of all generations while protecting traditions and constantly challenging themselves.

The first large-scale exhibition outside China since the site was designated a World Heritage Site 44 first-class cultural relics and approximately 200 other pieces from 27 museums in China will be on display The Silk Road, which connects the East and the West, is an important trade route that crosses the Eurasian continent. Since ancient times, many people and goods have traveled along it, and diverse cultures have flourished at its key points. This exhibition will introduce Silk Road treasures discovered in Luoyang, Xi'an, Lanzhou, Dunhuang, and Xinjiang regions of China. Enjoy its eternal history through approximately 200 pieces, some of which will be on display in Japan for the first time.

The first large-scale exhibition outside China since the country was designated a World Heritage Site Including 44 first-class cultural relics, approximately 200 pieces from 27 museums in China will be on display. The Silk Road, which connects the East and the West, is an important trade route that crosses the Eurasian continent. Since ancient times, many people and goods have traveled along it, and diverse cultures have flourished at its key points. This exhibition will introduce Silk Road treasures discovered in Luoyang, Xi'an, Lanzhou, Dunhuang, and Xinjiang regions of China. Enjoy its eternal history through approximately 200 pieces, some of which will be on display in Japan for the first time.

After two years of amazing travels, the [Odyssey ~ Journey] tour is ready to conquer more cities after Indonesia! We are excited to announce Eric Chou [Odyssey ~ Journey] new tour dates in Europe, as well as the highly anticipated tours in Australia and Malaysia. Stay tuned for details on specific cities and dates. We can't wait to continue this adventure with you! It will be an unforgettable experience, and we can't wait to hit the road to share it with everyone.

Kuroda Tatsuaki, who was active in Kyoto, is one of Japan's leading wood lacquer craftsmen, and in 1970 he was the first person in the field of woodworking to be designated a holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property (Living National Treasure). Questioning the division of labor that was common at the time, Kuroda created his works in a consistent manner, from designing and creating the base to decorating them, and opened up a unique creative world by integrating practicality, decorativeness, and the characteristics of the materials. This exhibition is being held to commemorate the 120th anniversary of Kuroda's birth, and will introduce the life of this artist who left a clear mark on the history of Japanese crafts through his representative works from his early period to his later years.

This exhibition traces the history of the sect from its founding as Horen sect to the creation of various sects and doctrines by its disciples, as well as the great development of the Tokugawa shogunate family, and features valuable treasures including national treasures and important cultural properties.

A special exhibition of temple treasures that you can't usually see.

Noh is a classical Japanese performing art that was developed by the playwrights /actors Kanami and Zeami around the 14th century. It has been a highly influential art form throughout the history of Japanese art since then and has also gained global attention. We will be holding performances this fall (Monday, 21 October 2024) and winter (Friday, 27 December 2024) with explanations entirely in English. In addition to regular viewing, we also offer a special program with limited availability.