Kyoto Moonlit Projection NAKED meets Nijo Castle 2025

Creative studio NAKED returns to World Heritage Site Nijo Castle with an immersive autumn night art experience. NAKED meets Nijo Castle 2025, KANGETSU (Moon Viewing) runs from October 31 to December 7, 2025.

Event concept and venue

The exhibition blends traditional Kyoto aesthetics with digital art to create nighttime installations across Nijo Castle’s grounds and buildings. The 2025 program centers on the classical practice of moon appreciation (kangetsu), translated into large-scale projection mapping, interactive installations, and multi-sensory works that use light, sound and scent to transform the castle’s architecture and gardens.

Key highlights

Grand projection mapping across historic structures

Major projection pieces will illuminate the Kara-mon gate and the sliding-panel paintings (shōheki-ga) of the Ninomaru Palace, offering large-scale visual reinterpretations of the castle’s important heritage areas.

Honmaru-area program and garden illumination

A separate Honmaru-area ticket grants access to illuminated Honmaru gardens and projection mapping on the Honmaru Palace; the Honmaru entrance is a short walk from the main exhibition entrance and has a last admission time ( 21:15).

Uchibori projection mapping

New projection mapping along the inner moat (uchibori) will transform the water and surrounding walls into dynamic moving imagery, extending the exhibition’s visuals across the castle’s landscape.

Kitchen Front Garden interactive Japanese musical instruments

An interactive installation in the kitchen front garden lets visitors trigger traditional Japanese instrument sounds through motion or touch, blending live-feel performance with visual effects.

Noh performance reimagined with projection mapping

A pre-recorded Noh performance of Tooru (performed by Haruhisa Kawamura of the Kanze school) will be recomposed with projection mapping to present a yugen (mysterious, profound) moon-themed stage. Viewing requires purchase of the Honmaru-area ticket.

Interactive installations and sensory programming

The exhibition features installations that respond to visitor movement, soundscapes and scent-based effects to create an immersive, multi-sensory experience.

Ikebana collaboration

The Ikenobo school of ikebana provides floral art installations in the gardens, integrating traditional flower arrangement with light and moon motifs.

Ticketing and access

Tickets went on sale October 31 and remain available through December 7, or until sold out.

Ticket options include general admission and a Honmaru-area set, which adds access to the Honmaru garden illumination and the Honmaru Palace projection mapping. Prices vary by date (weekday vs. weekend/holiday), age group (elementary, junior high and older), and disability discount eligibility. Preschool children enter for free.

NAKED meets Nijo Castle 2025 Moon-Viewing

Dates: October 31–December 7, 2025. Open daily; held in rain, cancellations possible in severe weather.
Hours: 18:00–22:00 (last general admission 21:00; final Honmaru-area admission 21:15).
Location: Kyoto, Nakagyo Ward, Nijoj-cho, Nijo Castle (Former Imperial Villa)

Tickets are valid for one entry during the event period; though purchasers select a date, admission on other dates within the run is permitted. Event inquiries can be directed to the NAKED meets Nijo Castle administrative office (tel. 06-7732-8890) during scheduled support hours.

Please note, some interior areas of the Ninomaru and Honmaru palaces remain off-limits to visitors; tripod/monopod use is prohibited; pets are not allowed.
Nijo Castle annual passes and similar admission privileges are not valid for this event. Program details and schedules may change without notice; cancellations or operational changes will be announced on the official event channels.

Information and picture source: PR TIMES