HIBIYA CINEMA FESTIVAL 2026

Enjoy movies across the entire town!

HIBIYA CINEMA FESTIVAL 2026, a cinema festival in the “Town of Cinema,” Hibiya, will be held from October 9 (Fri) to October 25 (Sun), 2026. True to its name, the festival extends across the district rather than confining itself to a single theater, with screens appearing in three public spaces of distinctly different character. Visitors can come and go freely throughout the period — admission is free — and move between open-air screenings under a large LED vision, a lawn in the park, and an atmospheric indoor space beneath the elevated tracks.

Key Highlights of HIBIYA CINEMA FESTIVAL 2026

• Screens will appear in three public spaces: Tokyo Midtown Hibiya / Hibiya Park / Hibiya OKUROJI
• The theme is “Immerse Yourself” Cinema — select movies based on emotions and share impressions on SNS
• Photo spots to enjoy the world of cinema are also available

Enjoy the different faces of Hibiya! Screens will appear in three public spaces

Tokyo Midtown Hibiya, Hibiya Step Plaza (Main Venue)

At the main venue, movies are screened on a large LED vision at Hibiya Step Plaza. In addition to the screenings, talk sessions featuring directors and cast members will be held, offering visitors a chance to experience the world of cinema more deeply.

• Period: October 9 (Fri) – October 25 (Sun)

Hibiya Park (Satellite Venue)

Held jointly with the Hibiya Park-hosted event “HIBIYA PARK TERRACE,” the satellite venue in Hibiya Park screens movies in the lush green Shibaniwa Plaza. The lineup focuses on works that children can also enjoy, making it a relaxed open-air experience on the lawn.

• Dates: October 10 (Sat) – October 12 (Mon/Holiday)

Hibiya OKUROJI (Satellite Venue)

Set in Hibiya OKUROJI, which spreads beneath the elevated tracks, this satellite venue offers an atmospheric and calm indoor space with a mature atmosphere. It invites visitors to settle in and immerse themselves leisurely in the world of cinema.

• Dates: October 10 (Sat), 11 (Sun), October 15 (Thu) – 17 (Sat) from 19:00 (Scheduled)

The theme is “Immerse Yourself” Cinema

The festival’s organizing concept is “Immerse Yourself” Cinema, built around the idea of matching a film to the mood of the moment. Visitors can choose from themed selections depending on whether they feel like immersing themselves in tears, in a romantic mood, or in something else entirely. To this end, “〇〇 Movie Days” — themed around emotions such as “Smile,” “Tears,” and “Romance” — are deployed on a daily basis. The festival proposes a new way of enjoying movies: selecting a film by emotion and sharing impressions afterward on SNS.

To bring the world of cinema even closer, a giant “clapperboard” object will appear on-site as a photo spot. Designed to make visitors want to take a picture, it enriches the time before and after watching a film.

With screenings and photo experiences combined, the festival offers a movie experience unique to Tokyo Midtown Hibiya — one where visitors can immerse themselves in the works and preserve memories in photos. Why not visit to find a movie that perfectly matches your mood for the day?

Screening Schedule

Hibiya Step Plaza — 12 “Immerse Yourself” selections based on the mood of the day (Day Screen)

At the Hibiya Step Plaza Day Screen, screenings are held daily, built around 12 emotional themes such as “Excitement,” “Fluttering and Sadness,” and “Exaltation.”

Excitement Day — Let’s immerse ourselves in a world beyond imagination — October 11 (Sun)

• “Jurassic World: Rebirth” 13:00–
• “Big Fish” 15:30–

Love Day — Let’s immerse ourselves in fluttering and sadness — October 18 (Sun)

• “Notting Hill” 13:00–
• “We Made a Beautiful Bouquet” 15:30–

Thrill Day — Let’s immerse ourselves in an unpredictable day — October 19 (Mon)

• “Happy Death Day 2U” 15:00–

Soul-Stirring Day — Let’s immerse ourselves in an overwhelming singing voice — October 22 (Thu)

• “Les Misérables” 15:00–

Hibiya Park

Held jointly with the Hibiya Park-hosted event “HIBIYA PARK TERRACE,” the screenings here feature works that can be enjoyed together by everyone, from children to adults, in the lush green Shibaniwa Plaza.

• October 10 (Sat) 13:00– “Paddington”
• October 12 (Mon/Holiday) 13:00– “E.T.”

Hibiya OKUROJI

At Hibiya OKUROJI, masterpieces supported across generations are screened in an atmospheric space unique to the area beneath the elevated tracks.

• October 10 (Sat) 19:00– “Léon: The Professional”
• October 16 (Fri) 19:00– “The Dark Knight”

For other details such as the full screening schedule, please check the official website.

Basic Info

• Location / Nearest Station: Tokyo Midtown Hibiya — Hibiya Station / Yurakucho Station
• Address: 〒100-0006, 1-1-2 Yurakucho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo — MAP
• Venue: Tokyo Midtown Hibiya Hibiya Step Plaza, Hibiya Park, Hibiya OKUROJI
• Period: 2026/10/09 (Fri) ～ 2026/10/25 (Sun)
• Application: Some areas of the Night Screen are by prior reservation. Please check the official website for details.
• Fee/Cost: Admission free, free entry and exit
• Official Website: https://www.hibiya.tokyo-midtown.com/hibiya-cinema-festival/
• Rainy Day Information: Cancelled in case of severe weather

The posted content may be subject to change. Please check the official website of the venue or organizer for the latest information.

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Hibiya

Hibiya is a district in central Tokyo, a short walk from the Imperial Palace and adjacent to Ginza and Yurakucho. It is part of Chiyoda Ward. For more than a century it has functioned as a civic and cultural area, with office buildings, government facilities, theaters, and public open space all within a compact radius.

The main draw is Hibiya Park, opened in 1903 as Tokyo’s first public park in the Western style. Its central fountain, rose garden, and lawns were designed for strolling rather than for formal garden viewing, which was common at the time. The park has since served a wide range of uses: lunch breaks, flower exhibitions, concerts, political rallies, and weekend events. It is not a large park, but it sits at the center of a dense office district, and the change in noise and temperature once you enter it is immediate.

The area around the park has changed in stages. For much of the twentieth century, it was mainly a business district. Tokyo Midtown Hibiya, completed in 2018, brought a mix of shops, restaurants, offices, and a cinema into one large complex. Its lower floors open onto plazas and planted terraces, so the building does not stand apart from the street. A short walk away, Hibiya OKUROJI occupies a row of brick arches under the elevated railway lines. The space is narrow, covered, and lined with specialty shops, cafés, and food stalls. It is the kind of place that works better as a detour than as a destination in itself.

The district has a long association with film and theater. Several of the theaters that opened here in the mid-twentieth century are still in use. The wide pavements around the park and the arrangement of open space make outdoor events easy to hold, and in summer they host open-air screenings and night markets. Because the Imperial Palace grounds sit to the north, they remove a large area of traffic from the district, and the public spaces feel less crowded than those in neighboring Ginza.

Hibiya is not a dramatic part of Tokyo, but it is a practical and social one. It has a rare mix of greenery, transit access, and generous paved public spaces. The combination works best at street level, where a park bench, a cinema queue, and a restaurant entrance are usually within sight of one another.

TBS Drama Experience Event: VIVANT IMMERSIVE MISSION — From Here, Your Adventure Begins —

For fans of the Sunday Theater “VIVANT,” the wait for the story’s continuation can be grueling—particularly following the temporary hiatus that began after the broadcast on Sunday, September 13. To bridge this gap, TBS Television is offering an unprecedented opportunity to step beyond the screen and enter the narrative directly. From Wednesday, September 16, 2026, to Friday, November 27, 2026, the “VIVANT IMMERSIVE MISSION” will take place at CREATIVE MUSEUM TOKYO in Kyobashi, Tokyo, allowing participants to engage with the series’ complex world through a series of high-stakes, top-secret missions.

Step Into the World of VIVANT

Unlike a standard exhibition, this event is designed as an immersive operation. Visitors do not simply observe; they assume roles—such as “Beppan,” “Public Security,” or “Tent”—and navigate the event using the dedicated “Auris” smartphone app. By choosing one of four distinct courses—”Beppan,” “Public Security,” “Tent,” or “Searching for Drum’s comrades”—participants engage with the plot from different operational perspectives.

The experience is anchored by the use of authentic sets from the drama, providing a level of detail that separates this event from typical promotional pop-ups. Visitors can explore the “Operations Room” of the 303rd room of the bouquiniste bookstore in Azerbaijan visited by Nogi in Episode 18, the “MPD Public Security Bureau Foreign Affairs Division 4” (the site of numerous pivotal investigation meetings), and the “Tent Underground Prison” where Nogi and Kurosu were held during the first season.

The mission is guided by the voices of a luxurious cast of 12 members. Familiar characters—including Yusuke Nogi (Masato Sakai), Mamoru Nozaki (Hiroshi Abe), Nokoru (Kazunari Ninomiya), Shun Kurosu (Tori Matsuzaka), Kotaro Shinjo (Ryosei Shiranai), Ari (Takashi Yamanaka), Drum (Drum Tomoe / CV: Megumi Hayashibara), Yutaro Sano (Yajuro Bando), Shota Tojo (Gaku Hamada), Satomi Sakurai (Midoriko Kimura), and Toshihiko Nagano (Fumiyo Kohinata)—will provide navigation via audio. Once all tests are completed, AI Hayato (CV: Minami Takayama) will calculate the participant’s aptitude value, concluding a tension-filled experience where the story advances based on the user’s specific choices.

The VIVANT EXTRA MISSION CAFE

To further immerse the senses, the venue hosts the “VIVANT EXTRA MISSION CAFE.” This collaboration cafe offers a menu supervised by the drama’s production team—who conducted repeated tastings to ensure authenticity—that recreates famous scenes and the grand atmosphere of the series.

One of the most anticipated items is the “Nozaki and Drum’s sincy Prison Meal Set,” which recreates the fried rice (the “Drum’s Fried Rice” that became a hot topic in Episode 17) and steamed meat buns consumed in the cell where Nozaki and Drum were captured. For dessert, the “Beginning Desert Tiramisu ~Feel the Wind of Balca~” evokes the vast, symbolic deserts that define the start of the journey. With meticulous attention to plating and naming, the cafe serves as a space to soak in the lingering emotions of the story after the mission concludes.

Event-Limited Merchandise

A wide array of original goods, available exclusively at the “VIVANT IMMERSIVE MISSION,” are available for purchase. These range from character-themed accessories to items incorporating the aesthetics of the opposing factions.

• Face Pouch (2 types: Vivant-chan / Drum): 1,650 yen (tax included)
• Diatomaceous Earth Coaster (3 types: Logo / Beppan / Tent): 1,870 yen (tax included)
• Banshu-ori Tenugui Hand Towel (2 types: Red-Black / Black): 3,300 yen (tax included)
• Kawara Senbei (printed with AI Hayato and the logo): 1,620 yen (tax included)

Visitor Information and Logistics

Basic Info

• Venue / Nearest Station: CREATIVE MUSEUM TOKYO / Kyobashi (Tokyo) Station
• Location: 〒104-0031 Tokyo-to Chuo-ku Kyobashi 1-7-1 TODA BUILDING 6F MAP
• Period: 2026/09/16 (Wed) ～ 2026/11/27 (Fri)
• Hours:
  • Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sun: 10:00–18:00 (Last entry 17:00)
  • Fri, Sat, Hol: 10:00–20:00 (Last entry 19:00)
  • Special Hours (11/27 only): 10:00–18:00 (Last entry 17:00)
• Fees/Costs:
  • Weekdays: General/University Students: 2,500 yen / High School Students: 1,700 yen / Middle/Elementary School Students: 900 yen
  • Sat, Sun, Hol: General/University Students: 2,800 yen / High School Students: 2,000 yen / Middle/Elementary School Students: 1,200 yen
• Inquiries: 050-5541-8600
• Official Website: https://www.tbs.co.jp/VIVANT-immersive-mission/
• Official SNS: X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/VIVANT_MISSION
• Ticketing: eplus | TBS Tickets

Important Notes for Visitors

The event operates by prior reservation for specified dates and times. While entry is free for those bringing a disability certificate (including one accompanying person), a prior reservation via the eplus ticket sales page is still required.

Because the experience relies on the free “Auris” app, visitors must install it prior to arrival. Please ensure your device is supported:

• iPhone: iOS 15.6 or later (models released from November 2017 onwards, including iPhone X and SE 2nd generation).
• Android: Android 12 or higher (ARCore compatible models).

Visitors are required to bring their own earphones or headphones. Please be aware that photography is prohibited within the venue, except in designated areas.

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What is VIVANT?

VIVANT is a Japanese television drama series that started on TBS in July 2023. It follows a Japanese business executive whose ordinary work assignment in another country turns into a larger confrontation involving espionage, local politics, and personal survival. The story moves between Tokyo boardrooms, the Mongolian desert, and the fictional nation of Barka, and its principal characters are repeatedly forced to choose between duty, self-interest, and outside loyalties.

The series was widely discussed in Japan for its production values, its layered plot, and its ensemble cast, led by Masato Sakai. The title is the Esperanto word for “alive,” a reference to the show’s interest in how people respond when their usual social rules disappear. TBS revealed little about the plot in advance, so audience discussion during the original broadcast became part of the series’s reception. That combination of large-scale location work, long-form storytelling, and information control is the basis for VIVANT Immersive Mission 2026, a Tokyo event designed around the show’s settings and narrative world.

ZEN NIGHT TOKYO

Experience a profound convergence of traditional spirituality and modern technology at ZEN NIGHT TOKYO, a curated evening event set within the gardens of the Tokyo National Museum. This immersive experience is held concurrently with the 700th Anniversary Special Exhibition, “Daitoku-ji: The Peerless Zen Gardens of Japan,” allowing visitors to explore the philosophy of Zen through both art and atmosphere amidst the vibrant colors of autumn foliage.

While the gardens of the Tokyo National Museum typically close at 17:00, they will be specially open at night for this event. ZEN NIGHT TOKYO represents the fourth installment of the ZEN NIGHT series—which previously visited Kennin-ji (Kyoto), Kencho-ji (Kamakura), and Tofuku-ji (Kyoto)—marking the first time this specific sound art experience has been brought to Tokyo.

This is not a traditional garden stroll, but an immersive sound art night where tradition fuses with the latest technology. Visitors can participate in “Walking Zen,” a journey through a curated environment of autumn foliage illuminations, large-scale sea of clouds effects, and “Neuromusic™.” The latter utilizes VIE’s unique patented technology to tune the brain, creating a sensory experience designed to lead the participant toward a state of mindfulness.

The 700th Anniversary Special Exhibition: Daitoku-ji

The event serves as a celebratory companion to the “Daitoku-ji: The Peerless Zen Gardens of Japan” exhibition held at the Heiseikan of the Tokyo National Museum from October 14 to December 6, 2026. Organized by the Tokyo National Museum, Daitoku-ji Head Temple, NHK, NHK Promotions, and Nikkei Inc., this is the first Daitoku-ji exhibition in 41 years and the inaugural exhibition of its kind in Tokyo.

The exhibition brings together legendary Zen treasures, including the National Treasure “Kannon, Monkey and Crane” by Muqi and the National Treasure “Yohen Tenmoku” (both on display October 14 – November 8). In a rare display, the exhibition features a reproduced interior of the Sanmon gate—an area usually closed to the public—showcasing the vivid ceiling and pillar paintings by Hasegawa Tohaku, alongside the first-ever public revealing of the principal image and the statue of Sen no Rikyu.

Event Highlights

The evening is structured around several key installations designed to evoke stillness and reflection:

1. Suigetsu Pond: Located in the garden of the former Kan’ei-ji Temple, this area allows visitors to observe the autumn moon and foliage reflected on the water’s surface. This “water mirror” is intended to envelop the guest in a stillness that reflects one’s own mental landscape.
2. Momiji Tea House: To complement the cool autumn air, an outdoor tea house will be established by the pond, serving warm matcha and matcha lattes.
3. Tenmoku Garden: Situated in front of the “Kujokan” tea room (which was relocated from the Duke Kujo residence), this dry landscape garden is designed to represent the Milky Way floating in the darkness.
4. Hyakki Yagyo (Night Parade of One Hundred Demons): Along the path behind the pond near the “Tengou-an” tea room—associated with Kobori Enshu—3,000 spider lilies will bloom, evoking the presence of ancient Japanese spirits (mononoke) during the long autumn nights.

Special Programming (Reservation Only)

Beyond the general walk, several high-engagement sessions are available via reservation:

• Brainwave Zazen: A fusion of science and spirituality where participants wear VIE’s earphone-type brainwave meter. The “tuning” of the brain state is visualized in real-time through sound and imagery, allowing participants to face their own hearts in a digital silence. Sessions take approximately 30 minutes and are scheduled 2–4 times per day.
• Special Zazen Session by Daitoku-ji Monk: Led by Reverend Yoshiaki Yamato, the chief priest of Daisen-in (a sub-temple of Daitoku-ji famous for its dry landscape garden and ties to Sen no Rikyu). This session takes place on Thursday, November 5, 2026, from 17:45 to 18:45.
• Special Zazen Session with Shojin Ryori: Led by Reverend So-sho Yamada, chief priest of Shinju-an (founded by Ikkyu Sojun). Following an hour of Zazen, guests may enjoy traditional Buddhist vegetarian cuisine (Shojin Ryori) at the “TOHAKU Tea House” restaurant in the “Okyo-kan.” This occurs on Friday, November 13, 2026, with two slots: ①17:45–20:15 and ②19:00–21:30.
• “Hyakki Yagyo” Halloween Event: A special event planned for October, inspired by the Important Cultural Property “Hyakki Yagyo Emaki” (Night Parade of One Hundred Demons Scroll) featured in the Daitoku-ji exhibition. Details will be released on the official website.

Basic Information

Location / Nearest Station
Tokyo National Museum

• Ueno Station (10 min walk)
• Uguisudani Station (10 min walk)
• Nezu Station (15 min walk)
• Keisei-Ueno Station (15 min walk)

Address
〒110-8712
13-9 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo
MAP

Period
Wednesday, 2026/10/14 ～ Sunday, 2026/12/06
Closed every Monday (except Nov 2, 23, and 30) and Nov 24.

Time

• Standard: 17:30 – 19:30
• Extended (until 21:00): Every Friday and Saturday, as well as Nov 1, Nov 2, and Nov 22.
• Extended (until 21:30): Nov 13.
• Admission is permitted until 30 minutes before closing.

Fees/Costs

• Advance Tickets: General 3,600 yen / University Students 2,600 yen / High School Students 2,200 yen
• Same-day Tickets: General 4,200 yen / University Students 3,200 yen / High School Students 2,800 yen
• Note: Ticket prices include admission to the special exhibition “Daitoku-ji: The Peerless Zen Gardens of Japan.”

Official Website
https://zen.vie.style/tokyo2026

The posted content may have changed. Please check the official website of the venue or organizer for the latest information.

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What is the Tokyo National Museum?

The Tokyo National Museum is Japan’s oldest and largest museum, located in Ueno Park, Tokyo. It was founded in 1872. Its holdings span Japanese and other Asian art, including ancient ceramics, samurai armor, ukiyo-e woodblock prints, Buddhist sculpture, and cultural artifacts. A number of these items are designated National Treasures or Important Cultural Properties.

The museum is made up of several buildings. The Honkan houses the Japanese Gallery, the Toyokan the Asian Gallery, the Hyokeikan is used for special exhibitions, the Horyuji Homotsukan displays treasures from Horyuji Temple, and the Kuroda Memorial Hall shows works by Kuroda Seiki. The grounds include gardens, ponds, and mature trees.

These surroundings are well suited to an outdoor sound art event such as ZEN NIGHT TOKYO 2026. The combination of open space and relative quiet makes it possible to present work that depends on careful listening, without competing with the noise of the surrounding city. The museum’s collection and architecture also give visitors reason to arrive early and spend time there before the program begins.

Don Ito’s! 4th Hanshin Donburi Fest

Donburi is one of Japan’s quickest meals: a single bowl of rice, a topping, no need for multiple dishes. But the 4th Hanshin Donburi Fest is built around the idea that the right toppings can turn that simple bowl into something closer to an elegant feast. It takes place at Shokusai Terrace on the first floor of Hanshin Umeda Main Store from 2026/10/14 (Wed) through 10/19 (Mon).

The menu spans meat and seafood with a strong tilt toward indulgence. Highlights include A5-rank Japanese Black Wagyu and Yonezawa beef steak & sukiyaki bowls, fragrant thick-cut skirt steak bowls, and Nagoya Cochin chicken and egg bowls. For seafood lovers, there are white shrimp tempura bowls and seafood bowls piled high with a variety of fish and shellfish. It is a lineup that makes a convincing case for eating lunch out of a single bowl.

The festival also puts a special focus on “donburi no atama”—the toppings themselves. In Japanese, “atama” means “head,” and in donburi it refers to the topping placed on top of the rice. These toppings are often the most flavorful part of the dish, and they also happen to pair exceptionally well with alcohol. Refreshing drinks such as homemade lemonade will be available to cleanse the palate between rich bites.

On 10/17 (Sat), there will also be a talk show by Don Ito, director of the National Donburi Federation. The federation was established to revitalize local regions through donburi and to promote “DONBURI” culture to the world. Ito’s talk show will be held twice, at ①13:00 and ②15:00, with each session lasting approximately 30 minutes. No reservation is required, and admission to the talk show is free of charge.

Event details

• Period: 2026/10/14 (Wed) – 10/19 (Mon)
• Time: 10:00 – 20:00
• Location: Hanshin Umeda Main Store, 1st Floor, Shokusai Terrace (1-13-13 Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka City)
• Fee: Free admission
• Website: Hanshin Umeda Main Store event page

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What is a donburi?

A donburi is a Japanese rice bowl meal. The word means “bowl,” and in a restaurant context it refers to a complete dish served in one: steamed rice, a topping of meat, seafood, or vegetables, and often a sauce or broth that seasons the rice as it mixes with the other ingredients.

The format has many versions. Gyudon consists of beef and onion simmered in a sweetened soy-based sauce. Tendon is battered and fried seafood or vegetables placed over rice, with a dipping sauce poured on top. Kaisendon is a bowl of sashimi or other raw seafood. The toppings differ, but the structure is consistent: the topping is cooked or prepared separately, the rice is steamed, and the two are combined at serving time.

At the Hanshin Donburi Fest, this basic structure is used as the framework for a range of dishes. The event includes wagyu beef, seafood, and other preparations arranged over warm rice. The focus is on how each component is seasoned and how it interacts with the rice. Because donburi is not a single recipe but a category, it accommodates both everyday cooking and higher-end ingredients without changing the essential format.

ENLIGHTENMENT JAPAN

An immersive sound and light spectacle based on Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons” is coming to Osaka. The production has already been performed in over 100 historical buildings across more than 90 cities worldwide, and its Japanese edition will take over the 1st floor central hall of the Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts—a venue designated as a national Registered Tangible Cultural Property.

A 360-Degree Experience in a Historic Hall

The show transforms the entire architectural space into a canvas. A 360-degree projection mapping display unfolds across all walls, ceilings, and pillars of the central hall, a solemn marble-clad room with a ceiling height of 13 metres. The visuals are specially created to match the venue’s dimensions and character, while Vivaldi’s most famous work provides the score. Composed around 1720 and published in 1725, “The Four Seasons” remains one of the most recognisable pieces of Baroque music; here, its four concertos—each evoking a different season—anchor a programme that runs for approximately 30 minutes across six parts.

The organisers provide not only chairs but also bead cushions, so visitors can lounge comfortably while taking in the projections. Photography and video recording are permitted throughout the performance, allowing guests to document the experience. Early bird tickets go on sale from Wednesday, July 1, 2026, through Friday, July 31.

Ticket Fees

Early Bird Tickets (July 1–31)
Note: Special tickets with programs are not available for early bird tickets.

	Weekdays	Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays
Adults	2,600 yen	2,900 yen
Junior high school students and younger	1,400 yen	1,600 yen

Regular Tickets (from August 1)

	Weekdays	Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays
Adults	2,900 yen	3,200 yen
Adults with program	3,400 yen	3,700 yen
Junior high school students and younger	1,700 yen	1,900 yen

Special tickets with programs are sold for adult prices only.

Event Schedule

The event runs from Saturday, October 10, 2026 to Sunday, November 29, 2026.
Excluded dates: 10/13 (Tue), 10/19 (Mon), 10/26 (Mon), 11/2 (Mon), 11/9 (Mon), 11/16 (Mon), 11/24 (Tue).

Five performances are held daily:

Performance	Show Time	Entry Starts
1st	17:45–18:15	17:30
2nd	18:30–19:00	18:15
3rd	19:15–19:45	19:00
4th	20:00–20:30	19:45
5th	20:45–21:15	20:30

Location: Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts, 1st Floor Central Hall (1-82 Chausuyama-cho, Tennoji-ku, Osaka City)

Practical Information

• All seats are unreserved; entry is in order of arrival.
• A wheelchair viewing area is available.
• Preschool children may enter for free only if accompanied by a guardian and sitting on their lap. Due to the nature of the production, strong lights and loud sounds will occur in the dark space within the venue.
• There are no ticket sales at the window. Tickets can be purchased through various ticket sites up to 15 minutes before the performance.
• Date and time specified; complete replacement system. Electronic tickets only. Purchase here.
• Inquiries: None
• Website: https://enlightenment-immersive.jp/

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What is the Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts?

The Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts sits inside Tennoji Park, in the southern part of the city. It opened in 1936 and is one of the older public art museums in Osaka. The permanent collection is centered on Japanese and other East Asian art: Buddhist sculptures, painted screens, calligraphy, and ceramics form the core, with modern and contemporary works shown in separate galleries. The building’s pre-war facade remains, while the interior has been renovated in stages to meet current display standards.

The park location is practical as well as pleasant. The museum is within walking distance of several transit stops and can be reached easily from central Osaka, but the surrounding grounds keep it noticeably quieter than the streets outside. The galleries themselves have high ceilings and flexible layouts, which allow the museum to present large-scale temporary installations in addition to its permanent collection. One such presentation is Enlightenment Japan 2026 in Osaka, an exhibition that uses 360-degree projection mapping to stage Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. The same spaces are also suited to the museum’s older works, which require careful lighting and climate control.

For a visitor, the museum offers a single location to see historical Asian art and contemporary exhibition design without the need to choose between the two.

NHK VR “A Samurai’s Dream: The Phantom Toyotomi Osaka Castle” Osaka Venue

Historical entertainment where you walk and float through a famous castle built by the ruler of the realm! The phantom Toyotomi Osaka Castle, which currently hides its form deep underground, is revived after 400 years.

When you put on the VR goggles, the Osaka Castle built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi—praised as “unrivaled among the three kingdoms”—appears before your eyes. The experience moves from the view from the keep as seen by the ruler himself to encounters with exotic animals from foreign lands that terrified the samurai, and then to the “Siege of Osaka,” one of the largest battles of the Warring States period.

At the Osaka venue, additional content appears: the Golden Tea Room, where Hideyoshi himself prepared tea to entertain guests, and the offensive and defensive battles at “Sanada-maru” during the Siege of Osaka. You experience the ruler’s omotenashi (hospitality) in one scene and the battle in the next. The result is an immersive 40-minute experience of the phantom Toyotomi Osaka Castle from a realistic perspective unique to VR.

Event information

Event Period: 2026/10/9 (Fri) – 2027/3/14 (Sun)
Closed: Tuesdays (the following day if Tuesday is a public holiday), year-end and New Year holidays (12/28 – 1/4)
Hours: 9:30 – 17:00 (Admission until 16:00)
Duration: Approx. 50 minutes (Experience: approx. 40 minutes + 10 minutes for explanations and fitting, etc.)
Location: Osaka Museum of History, 6th Floor Special Exhibition Room (4-1-32 Otemae, Chuo-ku, Osaka City)
Fees: Advance reservation and date-and-time specified tickets are required

• Weekdays: Adults 3,500 yen, Elementary/Junior High/High School students 1,500 yen
• Weekends/Holidays: Adults 4,000 yen, Elementary/Junior High/High School students 2,000 yen

Please note that children under 7 years old and individuals who fall under the descriptions in the NHK VR Terms of Use cannot experience the VR content.

Inquiries: 050-5541-8600 (Hello Dial, open daily 9:00 – 20:00)
Website: https://nhk-vr-samurais-dream.jp/

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Who was Toyotomi Hideyoshi?

Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537–1598) ended a long period of civil war in Japan by completing the country’s reunification. He was born in Owari Province to a peasant family, and his rise from that background to the highest levels of power is often treated as remarkable. It owed much to the opportunities created by the wars of the 16th century, as well as to his own abilities.

He first served Oda Nobunaga, the warlord who began the campaign to unify Japan, as a low-ranking soldier. Over time he rose to become one of Nobunaga’s senior generals, primarily through a combination of tactical skill and an understanding of how to manage men and alliances. After Nobunaga was killed in 1582, Hideyoshi moved quickly against his rivals and won a series of engagements that left him as the most powerful figure in the country.

By 1590 he had defeated or neutralised the remaining independent warlords and brought Japan under a single authority for the first time since the early 16th century. His birth prevented him from taking the traditional title of shōgun, which was reserved for families of recognised samurai lineage. The imperial court instead gave him the title of kanpaku, or regent, and later taikō, a term for a retired regent. These titles gave him formal legitimacy without requiring a noble ancestry.

Hideyoshi made Osaka Castle the centre of his administration. He ordered its construction in the 1580s, and it functioned both as a fortress and as a residence that displayed his authority. The castle remained politically significant after his death and was fought over repeatedly in later conflicts.

His domestic policies were extensive. The “sword hunt” of 1588 required farmers to surrender weapons, and it was followed by regulations that defined the social boundary between samurai and commoners. These measures helped consolidate control over the countryside and shaped the status system of the Edo period. In his final years, however, Hideyoshi overreached. He launched two invasions of Korea, in 1592 and 1597, which failed after heavy losses and put severe strain on his regime. He died in 1598, leaving a young heir. The resulting power struggle culminated in the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600, which brought Tokugawa Ieyasu to power.

The NHK VR experience, A Samurai’s Dream: The Phantom Toyotomi Osaka Castle, presents a reconstruction of Hideyoshi’s castle and the world around it. It offers a way to examine the built environment of the period rather than a biographical portrait of the man himself.

Gashōen × Fujita Museum of Art: “Noh ~ Teach Us, Noh Performers!”

The Shukugawa Noh Stage “Gashōen” and the Fujita Museum—a museum of Japanese and Oriental antiquities in Miyakojima-ku, Osaka City—have teamed up for a special exhibition titled “Tell Me, Noh Performer!” The collaboration is a series of projects designed to untangle the complexities of Noh in an easy-to-understand way. It focuses on how Noh plays have spread far beyond the stage, becoming subjects in paintings and giving their names to tea utensils. Visitors can see the living Noh tradition through the Ueda family, Kanze-school shite-kata performers who carry Noh into the present day, alongside the artworks inherited by the Fujita Museum.

Across precious art crafts, Noh costumes, masks, and other items—including Hishikawa Moronobu’s Scroll of the Sake-Swallowing Child of Mt. Oe—the exhibition builds an elegant world in which art and Noh music resonate with each other. This is a rare opportunity to encounter Noh not as a remote classical form, but as a cultural language shared by painters, performers, tea masters, and collectors. During the exhibition period, visitors can also join daily gallery talks by curators, special commentaries by Noh performers, and numerous commemorative events.

Exhibition details

• Period: 2026/10/1 (Thu) – 12/28 (Mon)
• Hours: 10:00 – 18:00 (*Opens at 12:00 on 10/1 only)
• Location: Fujita Museum (10-32 Amishima-cho, Miyakojima-ku, Osaka City)
• Fee: 1,000 yen (*Free for those 19 and under)
• Inquiries: 06-6351-0582
• Website: https://fujita-museum.or.jp/

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What is Noh?

Noh is a form of Japanese theatre that took its present shape in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. It combines dance, chant, and instrumental music on a nearly bare wooden stage. Unlike realistic Western drama, it does not aim to reproduce everyday life. The main actor often wears a carved wooden mask; because the mask does not move, expression is communicated through posture, the angle of the head, and the pacing of gestures.

A typical Noh play is short and follows a formal structure. The cast is small: the principal actor (shite), a companion (tsure), and a secondary actor (waki), with a chorus and a small ensemble of flute and drums. The stage is plain, with a single painted pine tree on the back panel and no other scenery. Actors enter along a bridgeway at the side. Movement and speech are highly codified; a fan, a fold of a sleeve, or a few steps can stand for a journey, a confrontation, or a change of mind.

Many plays are drawn from classical Japanese literature and legend. A common pattern is for a traveler to encounter a stranger who gradually proves to be the ghost of a historical figure or a local deity. The stories are not presented as realistic narratives but as material for carefully shaped performance. The term yūgen, often used in writing about Noh, refers to the effect of depth and quietness that emerges from this restraint: nothing is shown fully, and the audience is left to complete the meaning.

For centuries Noh was supported by the warrior class and performed at temples, shrines, and court events. Training remained hereditary, and several schools still preserve the original texts and stage techniques. After the Meiji Restoration it lost its official patronage but continued as a private art. Today it is listed by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage, and performances are held regularly in Tokyo and other cities. Noh asks for close attention, but it does not try to make that attention easy; the rewards are in the precision of the form and the economy of means.