Moon Art Night Shimokitazawa 2025: Tokyo's Exciting Autumn Festival

Moon Art Night Shimokitazawa 2025

Picture courtesy of PR Times

The Moon has a very special place in Japanese culture, being at the center of annual traditions, especially in September, the month of the Harvest Moon.

Moon Art Night Shimokitazawa, at its fourth edition in 2025, joins the series of events inspired by the Moon and has become a highlight of early autumn in Tokyo.

Taking place September 19 - October 5 in 2025, the event will liven up the streets of Shimokitazawa, Tokyo's hip district known for individual fashions, live music venues, and fresh artistic vibe.

Moon Art Night Shimokitazawa 2025
Official website: https://moonartnightfes.com/

Highlights of Moon Art Night Shimokitazawa 2025

Museum of the Moon by Luke Jerram. Picture courtesy of PR Times

For the fourth consecutive year, the exhibition features Luke Jerram’s “Museum of the Moon,” a 7-meter-diameter installation displayed at the Shimokitazawa Rail Yard Open Space.

Even from a distance, its overwhelming presence captivates viewers, and as you approach, you become captivated by its intricate beauty, with detailed representations of lunar craters that evoke the sensation of almost reaching out and touching the moon.

The BONUS TRACK parking lot will host “Schrödinger’s Cats,” a work by Nelly Ben Hayoun-Stépanian (UK), making its first-ever exhibition in Japan.

Inspired by the thought experiment “Schrödinger’s Cat” in quantum mechanics, the piece explores themes related to astronomy, space environmental issues, and our connection with the universe.

Furthermore, on the rooftop of Higashi-Kitazawa Station (outside the ticket gates), which is normally off-limits to visitors, you can enjoy “Uranometria” by Takayuki Mori (*requires admission fee).

The celestial dome, illuminated with constellation motifs rendered in fluorescent thread, offers a fantastical and beautiful world to experience.

Immersive Theater on the Shimokitazawa Streets

Nekomachi: Cat Town poster. Picture courtesy of PR Times

A new project this year is the inaugural immersive entertainment “Nekomachi: Cat Town” (admission charged, available only on weekends and public holidays).

Participants actively move around the city and the venue, observing performances by actors while engaging as part of the narrative.

Based on the poetry of Sakutaro Hagiwara, who made Shimokitazawa his home, the work takes visitors from the station square to Setagaya-Daita Station, blending real and fantastical elements through voice narration via headphones, complemented by performer performances. This creates a fresh, immersive experience walking through the city while delving into a layered story.

Music Events

As a part of Shimokitazawa’s culture—specifically its music scene—artist Manatsu Nagahara, active around Shimokitazawa, has composed a theme song titled “Moonlight” specifically for Moon Art Night Shimokitazawa.

The song, depicting moonlight as a symbol of memory and wishes, encapsulates the changing scenery and emotions that Shimokitazawa creates.

The song will be broadcast across local shopping streets during the event and will feature a live performance on September 26 (Friday) at the Shimokitazawa Rail Yard Open Space.

Furthermore, the local live music venues that have long supported Shimokitazawa’s music culture, such as SHELTER and BASEMENT BAR, will host “moon”-themed concerts and events.

FUN FAN NFT App

In addition, as part of the content connecting exhibition artworks and local stores, a “walk-around” content using the web app “FUN FAN NFT” will be available (admission charged).

Visitors can enjoy audio-guided explanations of the artworks while exploring local spots, engaging with music, theater, vintage clothing, and more, deeply immersing themselves in Shimokitazawa’s culture.

More than 100 participating establishments and shops will offer limited edition menus, events, and exhibitions. There will also be a moon-viewing stamp rally where participants can collect NFT digital art.

Moon Art Night Shimokitazawa 2025 is a great opportunity to get to know the vibrant cultures flourishing in Shimokitazawa. The artistic vibe of the local shops is even more intense during this event when they collaborate to promote the charm of their district!

Moon Art Night Shimokitazawa 2025: Information

Venues

- Shimokita Senrogai Open Space
- the rooftop of Higashi-Kitazawa Station
- BONUS TRACK
- the underground area of Setagaya-Daita Station
- various facilities and shops in the Shimokitazawa area

Schedule

Dates: September 19 (Friday) - October 5 (Sunday), 2025
Hours: 15:00 - 21:00

Ticket types

Four types of tickets are on sale that offer exclusive experiences, limited-edition goods, and access to Moon Art Night Shimokitazawa:

- The “Moon Art Night Ticket” grants entry to paid venues and discounts at participating stores.

- The “Moon Art Night Special ‘Nekomachi: Cat Town’ Ticket” includes access to the immersive theater performance “Nekomachi: Cat Town” and experiences at Moon Art Night Shimokitazawa, bundled with an original tote bag.

- A special ticket with limited-edition goods, unique to Shimokitazawa’s vintage clothing scene, includes original-printed vintage T-shirts and tote bags, in addition to the standard Moon Art Night Ticket.

Tickets are available for purchase during the event period at three locations: the ticket gate front of Shimokitazawa Station East Exit, the Shimokitazawa Rail Yard Open Space, and the entrance to the rooftop of Higashi-Kitazawa Station (outside the ticket gates).

Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moonartnight_shimokitazawa/

Official website: https://moonartnightfes.com/

Information and photo source: PR Times