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KYOTO NIPPON FESTIVAL 2026
-Beyond time, the garden blooms-
Kitano Tenmangu Shrine
Set against the historic backdrop of Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, it has shared Japan's “beauty” and “culture” with the world.
For its anniversary year in 2026, the festival welcomes EiM, a creative team uniting specialists across various fields, including artists Mika Ninagawa and Hiroaki Miyata.
Furthermore, partnering with dance company DAZZLE, EiM will take on the challenge of creating an immersive theater experience at Kitano Tenmangū for the first time.
The fusion of Mika Ninagawa's vibrantly colorful world and DAZZLE's physical expression will create a unique experience where history, tradition, and art intersect, set against the backdrop of Kitano Tenmangu in spring. We will deliver an unforgettable experience, one that can only be savored here, to all our guests.
Since ancient times, it has been affectionately known as “Kitano Tenjin-sama” and is widely revered as a shrine for prayers for success in entrance examinations, academic achievement, cultural and artistic pursuits, and protection from disasters and misfortune.
Artists
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Photographer, film director, contemporary artistMika NINAGAWA works predominantly in photography, but is also involved in movies, videos and spatial installations. She is also a part of the creative team “EiM”.
Winner of numerous awards including the Kimura Ihei Photography Award, she published a book of her photographs with Rizzoli N.Y. in 2010. She has directed five feature films, including Helter Skelter (2012) and Diner (2019), and the Netflix original drama FOLLOWERS (2020).
She has published more than 120 books of photographs, held more than 150 solo exhibitions, and participated in more than 130 group exhibitions. She continuously presents her work in Japan and abroad.
Her solo exhibition Mika Ninagawa: Eternity in a Moment (TOKYO NODE, December 2023-February 2024) attracted 250,000 visitors.
Her latest book of photographs is titled “Eternity in a Moment vol.1‒3” (Akio Nagasawa Publishing & Case Publishing, 2024).
https://mikaninagawa.comNotable exhibitions-
2024Group Exhibition I'M SO HAPPY YOU ARE HERE, Palais de l'Archevêché
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2021-2022Group Exhibition Tokyo: Art & Photography, Musée d'Ashemolean
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2022MIKA NINAGAWA INTO FICTION / REALITY, Beijing Museum of Contemporary Art
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2016Mika NINAGAWA Exhibition, MOCA Taipei
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Scientist and Executive DirectorProfessor at Keio University School of Medicine. As a scientist envisioning the future of humanity and society, he works across diverse fields including healthcare, policy, and social design, grounded in data science. Through practices that bridge the expression of scientific intellect and sensibility, he collaborates with diverse domains.
He serves as Executive Director of the creative team Eternity in a Moment (EiM).
He served as Theme Project Producer at Expo 2025, constructing the better co-being Pavilion. As an artist, he exhibited the work “Sky of Resonance” and, as Hiroaki Miyata with EiM, the work “Maximum Happiness for Maximum Diversity.”
As president of the planned Co-innovation University (tentative name), opening in 2026, he oversees the overall concept and supervises campus design alongside architect Sou Fujimoto. Underpinning all these activities is the consistent vision of Better Co-being—the philosophy that “diverse beings resonate together to co-create the future.” -
EiM: Eternity in a MomentCreative teamPhotographer, film director, and contemporary artist Mika NINAGAWA, and scientist and executive director Hiroaki MIYATA, production designer ENZO, creative director Isao KUWANA, lighting director Koshiro UENO, Music Producer Manato KEMMOCHI, Technical Art Director Shinya UEDA, Director Masayuki SAWADA, Video Director ZUMI, and Communication Designer Saori KIRYU, Video Director Hiro NAGOYA. They work by forming diverse teams for each project.Notable exhibitions-
2022"The Butterfly Journey Embracing Lights" Appi Art Project
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2023Mika NINAGAWA "After glow / Eternity in a Moment" Tomio Koyama Gallery Maebashi
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2023‒2024“Mika NINAGAWA Exhibition: Eternity in a Moment” TOKYO NODE
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2024“Mika NINAGAWA Exhibition with EiM: Where Humanity Meets Nature” Hirosaki Museum of Contemporary Art
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2024“Dreams of the Beyond in the Abyss” Forest Art Festival Sunny Country Okayama, Manki Cave
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2024“Mika NINAGAWA Exhibition with EiM: Dancing with Shadows in the Light” Nanjo Art Museum
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2025“Mika NINAGAWA Exhibition with EiM:Lights of the beyond, Shadows of this world” Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art
Production Designer ENZO,Creative Director Isao KUWANA,Director Masayuki SAWADA,Lighting Director Koshiro UENO
Technical Art Director Shinya UEDA,Video Director Hiro NAGOYA,Music Producer Manato KEMMOCHI,Communication Designer Saori KIRYU -
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dance companyFormed in 1996.
A dance company that has established its own unique dance style under
the banner of “a dazzling brilliance that belongs to all categories and
yet belongs to none.”
Known for its story-driven works that fuse street and contemporary dance
with Japanese culture.
Since 2017, the company has been a pioneer in Japan in the
production of immersive theater.
It continues to challenge itself with new forms of expression.
Contents
Installation
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Mika NINAGAWA with EiM
As nature, people, and the artwork resonate together, visitors sense the very essence of life within the plum garden itself.
Discovering quiet brilliance within fleeting moments opens the mind to the profound history of Kitano Tenmangū Shrine.
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VenueKitano Tenmangu Shrine, Three Gardens of Snow, Moon, and Flowers Plum blossom garden “Flower Garden”
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Exhibition PeriodFebruary 1, 2026 - May 24, 2026 Plum blossom garden “Flower Garden” will be Closed : April 15 (Wed), April 16 (Thu), 2026
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Hours9:00 AM to 8:30 PM (Last admission at 8:00 PM)
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Advance Ticket PriceAdults: ¥3,500 Children: ¥2,000 ※Admission to the Setsugekka Three Gardens and Umen Garden “Garden of Flowers” as well as the Odoi Baikōken is included with the same ticket. ※Re-entry permitted on the same day
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Mika NINAGAWA with EiM
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VenueKitano Tenmangu Shrine, Odoi Baikōken
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Exhibition PeriodFebruary 1, 2026 - May 24, 2026 Plum blossom garden “Flower Garden” will be Closed : April 15 (Wed), April 16 (Thu), 2026
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Hours9:00 AM to 8:30 PM (Last admission at 8:00 PM)
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Advance Ticket PriceAdults: ¥3,500 Children: ¥2,000 ※Admission to the Setsugekka Three Gardens and Umen Garden “Garden of Flowers” as well as the Odoi Baikōken is included with the same ticket. ※Re-entry permitted on the same day
Immersive Theater
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Concept, Direction, ScriptDAZZLE × Mika NINAGAWA with EiM
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Planning, PerformanceDAZZLE
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Art ProductionMika NINAGAWA with EiM
Creative team EiM not only handles the stage design, but Hiroaki Miyata also contributes to concept development, collaborating with Mika Ninagawa on script development alongside DAZZLE. Furthermore, by performing not on a stage built for theater, but within the unique space of Kitano Tenmangu Shrine—a place where history itself breathes—it guides audiences toward a new experience unlike conventional theater or exhibitions, one that can only be encountered here.
performs freely throughout various rooms symbolizing the characters, designed by Mika Ninagawa with EiM.
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VenueKitano Tenmangu Shrine, Fugetsuden Hall
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Exhibition DatesMarch 20 - May 24, 2026※Closed on certain days
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Performance durationApproximately 70 minutes
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Advance Ticket PricePremium: ¥22,500 General: ¥15,000
GOODS
Map
Ticket
Installation Ticket
※ This will take you to the 「e+」 details page.
- Admission is available to the Plum blossom garden “Flower Garden” (February 1 - May 24) and the Historic Site Odoi Maple Garden “Green Maple” (April 1 - May 24).
- ※Re-entry permitted on the same day
- Admission to the Fugetsuden “Immersive Theater” (March 20 - May 24) is not included.
- A separate “Immersive Theater Admission Ticket” is required.
- ※Admission tickets include tea and sweets. Please collect them at the tea shop within the plum garden on the day of your visit.
- *Tickets are non-transferable and cannot be resold.
- *Tickets are non-refundable for any reason after purchase.
- *Please arrive during operating hours (until last admission).
- *Child rates apply to ages 6–12. Entrance for children under 6 years old (pre-school age) is free. Those aged 13 and older are charged the adult rate.
- *Same-day tickets are available for purchase at the venue (Kitano Tenmangu Shrine).
- ※If the plum garden is crowded, entry may be restricted. In such cases, you may be asked to wait at the entrance.
- ※The park remains open even in rainy weather. However, it will close if the organizers deem conditions dangerous due to snowfall or other reasons. Additionally, the park may close irregularly for maintenance. Closure dates will be announced on the official website, so please check there.
Installation Ticket +
Immersive Theater Experience Ticket
※ This will take you to the 「e+」 details page.
- ※For details regarding the Immersive Theater Experience Ticket, please refer to the official website for “Grand Tea Gathering of the Flowered Night”.
FAQ
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Q.What types of tickets are available?
【Installation Ticket】
Advance Ticket: Adults ¥3,500 / Children ¥2,000
Same-Day Ticket: Adults ¥3,000 / Children ¥1,500
Discount Ticket: Adults ¥2,500 / Children ¥1,200
*Children 5 and under free
【Installation Ticket + Immersive Theater Admission Ticket】
▼Weekday Ticket
Advance Ticket: Premium ¥22,500 / General ¥15,000
Same-Day Ticket: Premium ¥16,000 / General ¥11,000
▼Weekends & Holidays
Advance Tickets: Premium ¥24,000 / General ¥16,500
Same-Day Tickets: Premium ¥17,000 / General ¥12,000
*No admission for those under 16 years old
*No discount tickets available.
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Q.Can overseas visitors purchase same-day tickets?
Same-day ticket purchases are available.
The difference between same-day tickets and advance tickets is that the prices for advance tickets may
vary due to exchange rates, and the amounts shown on the website reflect the current rate.
Thank you for your understanding. -
Q.Important Notes Regarding Tickets
Ticket Information <Discount for Persons with Disabilities>
・Only for same-day ticket sales at the venue, please present your disability certificate (Physical Disability Certificate
“Mental Disability Insurance and Welfare Handbook,” or “Rehabilitation Handbook”) at the ticket window, you can purchase same-day tickets at the window for 【Adults: ¥2,500 / Children: ¥1,200】. Those requiring assistance may also purchase tickets at the same price for up to one accompanying person.
※Please note that no discount tickets are available for the Immersive Theater.
We appreciate your understanding.
・Tickets cannot be changed or canceled once purchased.
・Under no circumstances will tickets be refunded or changed.
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Q.Please tell how to purchase tickets and the payment methods.
All advance tickets can be purchased through e-plus.
Same-day tickets can be purchased through e-plus or at the KNF same-day ticket counter located at the Ema Hall within Kitano Tenmangū Shrine.
The following payment methods are accepted at the venue:
Cash (Japanese yen only)
Credit cards: VISA / Mastercard / JCB / American Express / UnionPay / Diners Club / Discover
Transportation IC cards: Kitaca / Suica / PASMO / TOICA / manaca / ICOCA / SUGOCA / nimoca / Hayakaken
Electronic money: iD / QUICPay / nanaco / Rakuten Edy / WAON
QR payments: PayPay / Rakuten Pay / d Barai / au PAY / Merpay / Smart Code / Yucho Pay / Alipay / WeChat Pay
Please note that electronic money cannot be recharged at the venue.
Depending on network conditions on the day, payment processing may take additional time. In some cases, certain payment methods may become unavailable without prior notice. -
Q.What time do you sell tickets at the ticket counter on the day?
Tickets will be sold at the venue until the end of the reception period.
Same-day ticket sales hours: 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Outline
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Event nameKYOTO NIPPON FESTIVAL 2026 -Beyond time, the garden blooms-
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Date and timeFebruary 1, 2026 to May 24, 2026
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Venue
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Organizer
- KYOTO NIPPON FESTIVAL Executive Committee
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Sponsorship
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Cooperation
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Equipment Support
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Matcha Sponsorship
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Contact
Please note that responses to inquiries may take approximately five business days, depending on the nature of the inquiry.
Thank you for your understanding in advance.
media representatives, and corporate customers