Christmas is about to fall upon VenusFort in Odaiba, Tokyo, with a snow-pile of Christmas content set to take place at the mall from November 30 onward. This will include the exhibiting of teamLab’s hugely popular “The Trees of Resonating Colors of Life” installation.
Located in the Olive Plaza, this interactive art piece is a three-dimensional tree made up of many light spheres which change colour as people touch them.
The popular annual “SNOW WISH” event will also take place again this year, where delicate snow falls gracefully from the ceiling. This year the event is collaborating with “VenusFort Illumination 2019-2020 -Grateful Harmony-” to create a heart-warming and enchanting Christmas display that’s sure to put you in the Christmas mood.
There will also be a Christmas raffle where you can win prizes, a special VenusFort Christmas party menu, as well as a Black Friday Market where you can grab some serious bargains.
Be sure to add Odaiba on your list of places to visit if you’re celebrating Christmas and the holiday season in Tokyo this year.
Early November marks the opening of the autumn cherry blossoms in Obaracho, Toyota. By the time mid-November rolls around, close to 10,000 shikizakura cherry blossoms bloom a pale pink until the end of the month.
The Yoshino cherry bears its pink petals in springtime, but the shikizakura blossoms twice a year: first in spring, then in autumn. They are considered one of the most beautiful flowers of autumn, especially when they bloom against the gorgeous and vibrant red maple leaves. The Obara Shikizakura Matsuri began on November 1, and right now, you can witness this spectacle for yourself.
The shikizakura trees planted in Obara have been there since Kansei era (1789-1801). With the helping hand of locals, the trees have become one of Japan's most famous shikizakura spots. They were designated as Chiku (District) Trees in 1978 and can be seen throughout the entire district. Some of the trees are over 100 years old and as such registered as Natural Monuments of Aichi prefecture.
This is a spot we highly recommend visiting when travelling to Aichi.
▼Obara Shikizakura Cherry Blossoms
Peak Blossom Time: From Mid-November
Locations:
441-1 Johei, Obaracho, Toyota, Aichi (Obara Fureai Park)
Senmichi, Toyota, Aichi (Senmi Shikizakura no Sato)
Access: Take the Toyota Oiden Bus bound for Kaminigi (上仁木行き) and get off at Obaraokusa (小原大草) or Kaminigi (上仁木)
Details: http://www.kankou-obara.toyota.aichi.jp/▼Obara Shikizakura Matsuri
Running: November 1, 2019 - November 30, 2019
Locations: Senmi Shikizakura no Sato, Obara Fureai Park, and elsewhere in the region
Notes: The Kururin Bus can be boarded for free on weekends and public holidays while the festival is on
Official Website: https://www.aichi-now.jp/spots/detail/132/
The Korankei Maple Festival is also taking place this month where you can witness around 40,000 maple trees bearing their gorgeous autumn foliage.
The trees are being lit up every night for the month of November. Watch the sun set before the illuminations are turned on, creating an enchanting atmosphere with the warm, radiating lights against the night sky.
▼Maple Trees
Peak Blossom Time: From Mid-November
Location: Iimori Asukecho, Toyota, Aichi
Access: Ride the Meitetsu Mikawa Line to Toyotashi Station, change onto Meitetsu Bus, and alight at Korankei (香嵐渓)
Official Website: http://asuke.info/korankei/▼64th Korankei Maple Festival
Running: November 1, 2019 - November 30, 2019
Location: Around Iimori Asukecho, Toyota, Aichi
Light-Up: Sunset to 21:00
Access: 20 minutes from Sarugata Green Road Interchange / 20 minutes from Toyota-Kanpachi Interchange
Official Website: http://asuke.info/event/nov/entry-705.html
Witness two of Japan's most celebrates treesーthe cherry blossom and the mapleーflower together in one place in Aichi.
See the Breathtaking Autumn Foliage of the Former Shizutani School in Okayama
The Former Shizutani School, recognised as the oldest school existing for commoners in Japan, has reached its peak season for autumn foliage. Speficially, for the Chinese pistache tree, which is a symbol of the school.
Shizutani School first opened in 1670 during the Kambun era. In 2015, it was registered as an Educational Heritage Site from Early-Modern Japan. The majority of the site is listed as an Important Cultural Property, including the temple, Shizutani Shrine, as well as the auditorium which is considered a national treasure.
The school's surrounding natural landscape enjoys the blooming of many different flowers throughout the entire year which people flock to see. It's especially famous for autumn, a season during which the enchanting red and yellow hues boas their beautiful blossom.
The three colours reflect from the lacquered flooring of the auditorium, rippling like ocean waves.
The beautiful contrast between the reds and yellows of the pistaches can be enjoyed during autumn-time only. The best time to see them is from now until November 20, so if you're travelling to Okayama, be sure to pay the Former Shizutani School a visit.
Christmastime has fallen on Roppongi Hills as it kicked off Roppongi Hills Christmas 2019 on Monday. The event sees the return of the gorgeous Keyakizaka illuminations from last year.Keyakizaka-dori Street runs almost 400 meters, along which "Snow & Blue" LED lights glow and glisten like frost-covered trees, turning the street into a winter wonderland. For 2019, a very special photo spot has been designed by Japanese illustrator Yu Nagaba as pictured above amongst the ocean of illuminations. Over on the West Walk, passersby will spot a draped Christmas tree.Starting this Friday (November 15), more illuminations will light up over at Mori Garden, which will reflect enchantingly from the garden lake, and 66 Plaza will be lit up too. All of these illuminations will glow until late in the night, making them a perfect spot for a little evening date.A Christmas market will take place starting on November 30 which will feature German food and drinks, a shop where you can buy a real fir Christmas tree, and more. And on November 15, restaurants and cafes at Roppongi Hills will adorn their menus with Christmas cakes, sweets, and dinner plans.
Christmas Market 2019
2019 marks the 13th year of the Roppongi Hills Christmas Market, and this year, many of Japan's leading shops are taking part. The market will recreate the atmosphere and decor of a German Christmas market, with gorgeous decorations lining the roof, as well as the 11 stalls which will sell German-made Christmas sundries, German mulled wine, frankfurter sausages, and more. There will be over 2,000 individual items to find.
Christmas Cakes & Merry Desserts
Top: Christmas Show Girl ¥3,672 / Bottom: Christmas Tree ¥10,800 @ LOLA'S Cupcakes Tokyo
Cafes and restaurants have cooked up various treats for the Christmas season which will be sold between November 15 to December 25, including Christmas cakes to complete your Christmas dinner, desserts so cute they almost seem a waste to eat, and little items perfect to give as gifts. There's plenty on the menu to be enjoyed with friends, family and loved ones.Have a very special and merry little Christmas this year at Roppongi Hills.
Information
Roppongi Hills Christmas 2019
Running: November 11, 2019 – December 25, 2019 Locations: Roppongi Hills (Roppongi Keyakizaka-dori, 66 Plaza, West Walk, Roppongi Hills Arena, Rooftop Plaza, and elsewhere)
Starting March 4, the permanent museum teamLab Forest Fukuoka will transform its artwork into a stunning spring theme. Guests will be able to enjoy gorgeous cherry blossoms for a limited time, and starting March 24, the Catching and Collecting Forest will also be transformed in the same way.
TeamLab’s works are created in real time by procedural generation, meaning that they are always changing and evolving. Each work changes depending on the season.
▼Starting March 4
Both Shifting Valley, Living Creatures of Flowers, Symbiotic Lives – A Whole Year per Year and Animals of Flowers, Symbiotic Lives II – A Whole Year per Year are only available to see during spring. Come and see animals made entirely of cherry blossoms as they roam through the museum!
The work titled Soft Terrain in Granular Topography shows multicolored grains of light pouring from the sky, while Flutter of Butterflies, Ephemeral Life surrounds visitors with brightly colored butterflies
▼Starting March 24
In the Catching and Collecting Forest, visitors can explore with their smartphones and catch various animals made entirely of cherry blossoms.
Information
teamLab Forest Fukuoka – SBI SECURITIES Co., Ltd. Venue: BOSS E･ZO FUKUOKA 5F, Next to Fukuoka PayPal Dome
Address: 2-2-6 Jigyohama, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka
Official Site: http://forest.teamlab.art
Akiyoshido Cave in Yamaguchi to be Illuminated for Christmas & Valentine Theater Event
The Mine City Tourism Association has announced a Christmas & Valentine’s Day event at Akiyoshido Cave, one of the largest limestone caves in Japan. The event will see the natural wonder illuminated by a number of colorful lights. The Christmas event will run from December 21 to 25, 2022, while the Valentine’s Day event will run from February 10 to 14, 2023.Akiyoshido Cave is one of Yamaguchi Prefecture’s most popular tourist attractions. The interior will be decorated with colorful lights and unique soundscapes, creating a once-in-a-lifetime setting for visitors. These illuminations and sounds were directed by world-renowned lighting designer Motoko Ishii, known for her work on Tokyo Tower and the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge.
Information
Christmas & Valentine Theater ~ Akiyoshido Cave ‘Fantasy of Light and Echoes’ Dates: Christmas Theater: December 21 – December 25, 2022 Valentine Theater: February 10 – February 14, 2023 Times: (1) 10:00-11:00 (2) 12:00-13:00 (3) 14:00-15:00 3 events per day
Eve has announced a special YouTube LIVE scheduled to take place on December 24 at 19:00. The stream will take place on the artist’s official YouTube channel and those with YouTube Premium memberships will be able to take place in an Afterparty starting at 19:30. Starting at 19:00 on Christmas Eve, fans can enjoy a rare live studio performance complete with a full band. The Afterparty will include a special chat with Eve in which the artist reflects on the past year and gives hints on what’s to come. Fans won’t want to miss this exclusive opportunity!
Art collective teamLab has opened a new solo exhibition at the Kumu Art Museum in Tallinn, Estonia. One of the largest museums in all of Scandinavia, the exhibition will run through May 7, 2023, and guests can also enjoy a large amount of Estonian art from the 18th century onward. In 2008, the Kumu Art Museum won the European Museum Forum award for the Best Museum in Europe.
teamLab - Impermanent Flowers Floating in a Continuous Sea
teamLab: Impermanent Flowers Floating in a Continuous Sea depicts flowers that are continuously growing and dying, multiplying in an eternal sea in which everything is connected. Guests can feel as though they've become one with the art as they stroll through the exhibition. Black Waves: Immersive Mass is made up of interconnected waves. Without a beginning or an end, visitors progress through the workspace until they too are drawn into the water.Waves in classical East Asian art are often represented by sets of lines, but these detailed waves are unique.
In Black Waves: Immersive Mass, flowers can be seen blooming, blossoming, and seeing the end of their lives. When people touch the flowers, they wither and die.
The flicker of flame will welcome guests to this part of the museum. Visitors can even take the work home by approaching it with the Distributed Fire app on their smartphones. When held up to another person’s smartphone, the flames will connect and grow larger.teamLab continues to find ways to connect people through modern experimental artworks. What will they create next?
Kumu Art Museum - Photo: Tõnu Tunnel. (Courtesy of the Art Museum of Estonia.)
Come dive into the world of teamLab in the frosty north!
Information
teamLab: Impermanent Flowers Floating in a Continuous Sea
#teamLabKumu Running: November 11, 2022 – May 7, 2023 Address: Kumu Art Museum (Weizenbergi 34 / Valge 1 10127 Tallinn) Details: https://www.teamlab.art/jp/e/kumuartmuseum/
teamLab Fukuyama Castle Light Festival Opens to Celebrate the Hiroshima Castle’s 400th Anniversary
The art collective TeamLab will hold the TeamLab Fukuyama Castle Festival of Light event at Fukuyama Castle in Hiroshima Prefecture from December 2, 2022 to January 29, 2023. The exhibition will transform the stone walls, the tower, and the outside of the iconic castle, which is currently celebrating its 400th anniversary. Light art will transform the space in different ways depending on the number of guests and the weather. In August 2022, Fukuyama Castle recieved a major restoration with iron paneling installed on the north side, the only such restorative technique used on a Japanese castle to date. As guests walk around the keep, the included musical experience will change according to your walking speed and pace.
teamLab <Castle Tower>
The stone walls of Fukuyama Castle will depict animals shaped by flowers as they continuously die and are reborn. When guests touch the flowers, they disperse; if they continue to touch and the flowers disperse too much, the animal dies and disappears.Built during the Edo period, the castle survived the Meiji Restoration but was damaged heavily in WWII.
teamLab <Animals of Flowers, Symbiotic Lives in the Stone Wall>
Ovoids made of light sit at the bottom of the castle. When pushed by a person or blown by the wind, these unique creations will change color and interact with the nearly ovoids, which will change to the same color and make a similar tone.
teamLab <Resisting and Resonating Ovoids on the Stones of Oblivion>
In the Sketch Generals section, visitors can draw historical warlords associated with Fukuyama Castle, including Katsunari Mineno, the first lord of the Fukuyama domain and builder of Fukuyama Castle, Nobunaga Oda, Hideyoshi Toyotomi, Nagamasa Kuroda, Ieyasu Tokugawa, and Masahiro Abe. When the generals are touched, famous quotes appear in speech bubbles!In addition, visitors can turn their own drawings of generals into pins that they can take home as souvenirs!
teamLab <Sketch Generals>
teamLab <Sketch Factory>
Several other works will be exhibited around the castle during the event as well. The castle tower was designated a National Treasure in the early Showa era but was destroyed by fire in an air raid during World War II. It was rebuilt in 1966. teamLab's Digitized City project has become popular across the world, allowing the art collective to utilize real-world locales to display artworks without damaging or altering the location chosen.
With its lengthy history, Fukuyama Castle is a magnificent canvas, transforming as both visitors and nature interact with the lights. People, animals, nature, and art can live side by side, without boundaries. Wouldn't you like to come to visit this winter?
Art collective TeamLab has redesigned two exhibitions at Marina Bay Sands Singapore. The world’s first permanent exhibition from the creators, Future World: Where Art Meets Science, was opened in 2016 at the Museum of Art and Science. Guests can now enjoy three new works along with the Digital Light Canvas, a huge, interactive space inviting guests to share their own pieces of art.
Drawing Flight
Visitors can immerse themselves in these impressive new works while experiencing a complex, three-dimensional world. They can also create new worlds with others!
Future World
The Drawing Flight, part of the Amusement Park of the Future series, is based on the concept of co-creation, allowing visitors to not only draw an airplane that will fly but also allowing them to operate it from a pilot's point of view using a tablet. Whether visitors draw a butterfly or a hawk, they’ll see the world from the perspective of each creature and enter a world constructed by the creature's unique perceptions.
Aerial Climbing through a Flock of Colored Birds
In Aerial Climbing through a Flock of Colored Birds, guests are asked to perceive the world with their entire bodies. Visitors cross a space with sticks floating three-dimensionally in the air.
Autonomous Abstraction, Continuous Phenomena from the Universe to the Self
Autonomous Abstraction, Continuous Phenomena from the Universe to the Self offers a new and abstract concept. As people touch the dots, the rhythm of the dots flickers and their hue changes and disintegrates. The picture will then change dramatically, and despite these changes, the beauty remains.
Digital Light Canvas
Graffiti Nature - Red List Digital Light Canvas
Digital Light Canvas is a space consisting of a 15-meter-diameter circular link of light and a 20-meter-high cylinder of light made up of a collection of light dots. Team Lab's interactive artwork, which changes depending on how many people are around, is on permanent display.