Images are for illustrative purposes only
Event Status & Announcements
※Latest information regarding the event will be announced on the official website and X.
VIE presents
ZEN NIGHT
Sound Art Night at Kenchoji Temple - Feel the Autumn Breeze Amidst Kamakura's Autumn Colors
Premium night viewing at Kenchoji Temple, ranked first among Kamakura's Five Great Zen Temples. While feeling the "autumn breeze," experience walking meditation through the temple grounds colored with autumn leaves, enveloped in neuro music that harmonizes the brain. A giant sea of clouds appears in the Hojo Garden. A sound art night event that celebrates sound and silence, light and shadow.
Images are for illustrative purposes only
Mindful Sound Scape that soothes your brain
Sound Corridor “Neuro Music”
Neuromusic, scientifically proven music that soothes the brain, developed by Neuro tech startup VIE, is placed throughout the venue. Walking through the corridors and admiring the art installations while listening to music will lead you to a mindful state.
Images are for illustrative purposes only
Enchanting garden of autumn leaves and a sea of clouds
Hojo Garden: Sea of Clouds and Dance of the Wind Dragon
Surrounded by illuminated autumn leaves, the Hojo Garden features a vast sea of clouds that beautifully expresses the movement of the wind. The ensemble of cricket sounds and Neuro Music creates a special experience that harmonizes the tranquility of autumn through sight and sound.
Images are for illustrative purposes only
Serene experience of Kamakura's breeze with wind chimes and light
Path of Pure Wind
The path leading to the Sanmon Gate is adorned with swaying wind chimes, while Neuro Music soothes the mind. Light visualizes the movement of the wind, and as you feel Kamakura's "pure wind" through sight and sound, your mind naturally drifts into a deeper state.
Images are for illustrative purposes only
The Cloud Dragon watching over one of the largest Dharma Halls in the Kanto region
Hatto: Cloud Dragon
Junsaku Koizumi's ceiling painting "Cloud Dragon" watches over the Thousand-Armed Kannon and the statue of the Fasting Buddha. Immerse yourself in sound and light within the solemn space of Kenchoji Temple. *On October 30, October 31, and November 1 only, the Hatto can be viewed from 18:30 onwards.
Images are for illustrative purposes only
Golden Karamon Gate and an enchanting garden on an autumn night
Karamon Gate: Yugen Garden
On an autumn night, the golden Karamon Gate shines brightly, and faint light patterns emerge in the garden. Enjoy the serene and enchanting space created by the interplay of light and shadow.
Images are for illustrative purposes only
Meditative space of sound and light woven by brainwaves
Mushizuka: EEG Zazen
In this immersive meditation space, a brainwave sensor visualizes your mental state in real-time through sound and imagery. At Mushizuka, a memorial monument to nature conceived by Takeshi Yoro and designed by Kengo Kuma, surrounded by autumn leaves, the digital patterns and brainwave sounds create a tranquil environment for deep relaxation and self-reflection. *A Ticket with EEG Zazen is required for this experience (advance tickets only, reservation required, 12 people per session) ① 17:30-18:00 ② 18:00-18:30 ③ 18:30-19:00 ④ 19:00-19:30 ⑤ 19:30-20:00
Images are for illustrative purposes only
EX Special Reserved Seats
A special viewing area opened along the corridor in front of Oshinkaku and at Ogudo Hall. From the second-floor viewing seats, you can leisurely overlook the magnificent view of the Hojo Garden enveloped in the sea of clouds. (Entry requires purchase of an EX Special Reserved Seat ticket.)
Past Sound Art Nights
ZEN NIGHT TOFUKUJI
Tofukuji Temple
Held at Tofukuji amid fresh summer greenery. A sound art night of sound, silence, light and shadow, featuring "Neuro Music Zazen" — a sound zazen experience in Japan's oldest and largest Zen meditation hall.
ZEN NIGHT WALK KAMAKURA
Kenchoji Temple
Held at Kenchoji, the top-ranked temple of Kamakura's Five Mountains. Walk through autumn foliage accompanied by neuro music — a sound art night of sound, silence, light and shadow.
ZEN NIGHT WALK KYOTO
Kenninji Temple
Held at Kenninji, Kyoto's oldest Zen temple. An immersive art experience of light and sound, touching the essence of Zen.
2026 Kenchoji Sound Art Night Event
Overview
Name
VIE presents ZEN NIGHT KAMAKURA
Period
October 29 (Thu) - December 6 (Sun), 2026 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM (Final reception at 7:30 PM) ※Latest information regarding the event will be announced on the official website and X
Venue
Rinzai Zen Kenchoji School Head Temple Kenchoji
8 Yamanouchi, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture
View on Google Maps
Price
Advance tickets
Same-day tickets
Counter sales available (cash not accepted, digital payment only)
EX Special Reserved Seats
Ticket with EEG Zazen
Advance tickets only, reservation required (12 people per session) ① 17:30-18:00 ② 18:00-18:30 ③ 18:30-19:00 ④ 19:00-19:30 ⑤ 19:30-20:00
※All prices include tax.
Organizer
Special Cooperation
Rinzai Zen Kenchoji School Head Temple Kenchoji, 750th Anniversary Commemoration Committee for the Founding Patriarch Daikaku Zenji
Cooperation
JTB, Central Japan Railway Company, East Japan Railway Company
Other
Agency for Cultural Affairs NEXT Japan Expo Subsidized Project
Contact
Email: zen-night@vie.style
Phone: 050-1782-1793 (Weekdays 9:00-17:00)
※We may not be able to answer the phone, so please use email for non-urgent inquiries.
①
Sound Corridor "Neuro Music"
VIE's scientifically proven brain-balancing music "Neuro Music" is placed throughout the temple. Listen to the music while walking through the corridors and viewing art installations to achieve a mindful state.
②
Path of Pure Wind / Sanmon Gate
The path leading to the Sanmon Gate is adorned with swaying wind chimes, while Neuro Music soothes the mind. Light visualizes the movement of the wind, and as you feel Kamakura's "pure wind" through sight and sound, your mind naturally drifts into a deeper state.
③
Hatto: Cloud Dragon
Junsaku Koizumi's ceiling painting "Cloud Dragon" watches over the Thousand-Armed Kannon and the statue of the Fasting Buddha. Immerse yourself in sound and light within the solemn space of Kenchoji Temple.
④
Karamon: Yugen Garden
On autumn nights, the golden Karamon Gate shines brightly with delicate patterns of light. Enjoy the fantastical space created by the interplay of light and shadow in the silence.
⑤
Hojo Garden: Cloud Sea Wind Dragon Dance
A massive sea of clouds appears in the Hojo Garden surrounded by illuminated autumn leaves, beautifully expressing the movement of wind. The sound of crickets and Neuro Music create an ensemble, delivering a special experience where you can feel the autumn silence and harmony through sight and sound.
⑥
Mushizuka: EEG Zazen
An experiential meditation space where you wear an EEG device and your brain state is visualized in real-time as audio and video. At Mushizuka, a memorial monument to nature surrounded by autumn leaves, you can face yourself in the silence woven by digital patterns and brainwave sounds. (A Ticket with EEG Zazen is required for this experience; advance tickets only, reservation required)
⑦
EX Special Reserved Seats
A special viewing area opened along the corridor in front of Oshinkaku and at Ogudo Hall. From the second-floor viewing seats, you can leisurely overlook the magnificent view of the Hojo Garden enveloped in the sea of clouds. (Entry requires purchase of an EX Special Reserved Seat ticket.)
Access
Kenchoji Temple is a Zen Buddhist temple located in Yamanouchi, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture, and is the head temple of the Rinzai Zen Kenchoji School. Its formal name is Kofukusan Kencho Kokoku Zenji. Built in the 5th year of Kencho (1253) during the Kamakura period, its principal image is Jizo Bosatsu. The founder was Hojo Tokiyori, the 5th regent of the Kamakura shogunate, and the founding priest was Rankei Doryu, a Zen monk from Southern Song. The second priest was also from Southern Song, Gottan Funei. It ranks first among Kamakura's Five Great Zen Temples. The temple grounds are designated as a national historic site under the name "Kenchoji Temple Grounds." It is also designated as a Special Preservation District for Historical Landscape in Kanagawa Prefecture, along with Jochiji Temple and others.
Head Temple Kenchoji 5 minutes by bus or about 15 minutes on foot from JR Tokaido Line "Kita-Kamakura" Station 10 minutes by bus or about 30 minutes on foot from JR Tokaido Line "Kamakura" Station
Kenchoji Temple (External Site)Access Information
Kita-Kamakura Collaboration Shops
In the Kita-Kamakura area around Kenchoji Temple, we are partnering with local shops so you can enjoy a meal or some shopping before or after your visit.
30% bonus value!
Kita-Kamakura Premium Gift Certificate
Enjoy shopping and dining in Kita-Kamakura, surrounded by history and nature, at great value. A limited quantity of the "Kita-Kamakura Premium Gift Certificate" will be sold: purchase ¥10,000 worth of certificates and receive ¥13,000 in usable value.
- Sale dates
- Fri, Oct 23 & Sat, Oct 24, 2026, 10:00 AM–3:00 PM (each day ends when sold out)
- Sale locations
- In front of Kosaka Post Office, Yamanouchi Community Hall, Mikazukido Kasen
- Purchase limit
- Up to 5 sets per person (max ¥50,000) — cash only, Kanagawa Prefecture residents only
- Certificate valid period
- Sun, Nov 1, 2026 – Sun, Jan 31, 2027
- Advance reservation period
- Tue, Sep 1 – Fri, Oct 16, 2026 (first-come, first-served, while supplies last)
Organized by Kita-Kamakura Shoeikai. Cooperation: Association for Considering Kita-Kamakura Commerce and Tourism. *Purchase is limited to residents of Kanagawa Prefecture. Please check the official Kita-Kamakura Shoeikai website for details and the latest list of participating shops.
See details on the Kita-Kamakura Shoeikai website (external)Collaboration Shops Where You Can Eat
A sample of restaurants and cafés near Kenchoji Temple that accept the Kita-Kamakura Premium Gift Certificate. Please check the Kita-Kamakura Shoeikai official website for the latest list of participating shops.
- うなぎ 明月川
- 円
- お菓子と喫茶マルン
- 御菓子司 こまき
- 甘露や
- かふぇ きゃらめる
- 北鎌倉 茶寮 幻董庵
- 北鎌倉 紫 -ゆかり-
- 航 北鎌倉
- 古古
- 茶飯事
- 茶寮 風花
- ジャンヌダルク
- タケルクインディチ
- チポリーノ
- 中華料理 大陸
- 天七 北鎌倉
- 点心庵
- てんぷら てらおか
- 鉢の木 新館
- ビストロ ラ・ペクニコヴァ
- ブラッスリー 航
- マヤノカヌレ
- 心与
- ルマルカッサンドール
- Akizuki
- Chez Kentaro
- Inish
- Isayah TIME AND SPACE
- TeaRoom ZEN
With the mission of “Live Connected, Feel the life”, we use neurotechnology and music to update people’s sensibilities and contribute to their well-being. We create products that support people around the world to live a life full of sensibility, develop services that lead people to the optimal state, and also contribute to the development of future medical ICT and digital therapeutics.
