[Kyoto] A special collaboration between the illuminated Ninna-ji Temple, a ballet dancer, and a jazz pianist! Details of the special viewing and one-night-only concert, and how to book the experience

What are the three special experience programs that will add color to the Japan International Art Festival?

The Japan International Art Festival is a new international art festival that will be held in conjunction with the 2025 World Expo (Osaka/Kansai Expo). The main events planned for this year's Japan International Art Festival are three special experience programs held at temples and shrines in Kyoto City.

This year, special experience programs will be available at three temples: Mitarasennuji, Ninnaji, and Kodaiji.

In this program, areas that are normally closed to the public are specially opened to the public at night. A producer was assigned to each of the three temples and shrines to create a unique experience for inbound tourists that combines the past and the future.

Among the limited special programs that can only be experienced at this year's International Art Festival in Japan, we would like to introduce the "Special Jazz Piano Concert at the World Heritage Site, Ninna-ji Temple."

What kind of program is it?

Ninna-ji Temple will host a special evening program starting at 5pm, after general admission has ended.

The program is supervised by Sachiko Nakajima, the theme project producer for the Osaka-Kansai Expo. With the theme of "Enhancing Life," Nakajima, who also holds the title of jazz pianist, will hold a concert in collaboration with Goeika and Noh.

Sachiko Nakajima, Theme Project Producer for the Osaka-Kansai Expo

The set list and production of the concert were carefully thought out for the 50 guests. The collaboration of first-class music and the world heritage site of Ninna-ji Temple is sure to be a highlight of any Kyoto trip.

After enjoying the music and the meal, you will be treated to a special viewing of the exterior of the temple. You can enjoy the illuminated Ninna-ji Temple surrounded by a fantastical sea of clouds.

You can spend your time freely, taking pictures of the beautiful scenery or strolling wherever you like.

The program will take place from 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm, making it the perfect way to end your trip to Kyoto. It will be held on Friday, November 8th, and is limited to 50 participants.

Reservations for the "Special Jazz Piano Concert at the World Heritage Site, Ninna-ji Temple" can be made via the link below.

Click here to book or find out more about the program

What kind of temple is Ninna-ji Temple?

The venue for the concert is Ninna-ji Temple in Ukyo Ward, Kyoto City, which can be reached in about 40 minutes by city bus from Kyoto Station, or in about 5 minutes by taxi from the nearest station, Hanazono Station on the Sagano Line.

Ninna-ji Temple was built in 886 by the 58th Emperor Koko, who wished to build a temple called "Nishiyama Goganji Temple." However, the following year Emperor Koko passed away before his goal could be completed, so the 59th Emperor Uda carried out his wishes and completed the temple in 887. The temple was named after the era name "Ninna."

During the Showa era, Ninna-ji Temple became the head temple of the Omuro school of Shingon Buddhism, and was registered as a World Heritage Site in 1994.

Since its founding, Ninna-ji Temple has housed many treasures, including the Amida Triad, the temple's principal image, Buddhist paintings, and crafts.

The venue for this concert will be one of the most important buildings in Ninna-ji Temple, the Shinden Hall. Originally, the Shinden Hall served as the residence of the emperor and a place for ceremonies.

The 16 tatami mat upper room, the 24 tatami mat middle room, and the lower room are all connected in a straight line. Because the venue has flat tatami mats, the stage and the audience seats are very close, making for a very immersive concert experience.

Here are the highlights of this experience program!

The highlights of the experience at Ninna-ji Temple are a piano concert by Nakajima and a ballet performance set in a sea of clouds.

Nakajima's piano concert will last a full hour in the Shinden Hall. The concert program will include a first-time collaboration between Nakajima and a song called "Goeika," which has been handed down since the Heian period.

Goeika is a form of Buddhist teaching chanted in the style of waka poetry in the 5-7-5-7-7 syllable format, with beautiful melodies. This concert with Nakajima was made possible with the desire to spread Goeika, one of the traditional religious performing arts, as an art form to the world.

The stage at the Shinden Hall will be adorned with members of the international band "KURAGE BAND" led by Nakajima. Korean drummer Choi Jae Cheol, saxophonist Suzuki Hiroshi, Senegalese drummer Abraham Njai Rose, and Tibetan musician Tenzin Kunsang will perform beautiful melodies.

Ballet dancer Aimi Hariyama

Korean drummer Choi Jae Cheol

The program will be opened by a special collaboration between ballet dancer Hariyama Manami, music, and Ninna-ji Temple.

Hariyama has previously performed in concert with the Yamamoto Noh Theatre at Ninna-ji Temple, making this his second time performing there.

The ballet and music performance at Ninna-ji Temple, which is illuminated by a fantastic sea of clouds as the sun sets, is a truly special experience that can only be had here. A luxurious program has been put together that could only be possible through a collaboration between producer Nakajima and Ninna-ji Temple.

After the concert, there will be a special tour of the exterior and interior of the temple, as well as dinner at a restaurant that has a long-standing relationship with Ninna-ji Temple, making for a luxurious and special experience.

Ninnaji Temple program time schedule

The "Special Jazz Piano Concert at the World Heritage Site, Ninna-ji Temple" will be held on Friday, November 8, 2024.

This unique collaboration between a world heritage site and a jazz piano concert is the perfect way to end your trip to Kyoto. The program fee per person is 70,000 yen (excluding tax), and the capacity is 50 people.

The experience schedule for the day is as follows:

17:00-17:45 Ballet and music (mainly drums) in the sea of clouds

17:45～18:00 Travel

18:00-19:00 Goeika and jazz piano concert at Shinden

19:00～20:00 Meals

20:00~ Nighttime viewing available for those who wish

*Please note that the order and content of the program may change without notice.

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Ninna-ji Temple will be lit up and enveloped in a fantastical sea of clouds, and ballet, taiko drumming and other performances will be held against the beautiful backdrop of the illuminated temple.

・Yamamoto Noh Theatre

・Aimi Hariyama Ballet Lecture

・Korean drum (Changgo) performance

Jazz Piano Concert

・Special Jazz Concert by Professor Sachiko Nakajima

・Ninnaji Temple Hymn

Cast:

・Sachiko Nakajima (piano)

・Choi Jae Cheol (Korean drum, Changgo)

・Hiroshi Suzuki (saxophone)

・Abrainja Rose

(Senegalese drums, Djembe/Talking Drums)

・Tenzin Kunsang (Tibetan musician)

・Yamamoto Noh Theatre

・Aimi Hariyama (ballet)

▼You can check availability and make reservations for special programs below.

Click here to book or check the details of the program

summary

The special program will be held on Friday, November 8th, when Ninna-ji Temple will be at its best when the leaves turn a deep red every year. In addition to the nighttime illuminations, there will be a variety of programs to enjoy, including a contemporary music performance by a Japanese jazz pianist.

Why not check out this special experience that combines the history of Ninna-ji Temple, Kyoto's food culture, and contemporary music?