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ZEN NIGHT TOKYO
A special night immersed in Zen amid the autumn leaves of the Tokyo National Museum garden.
Walk in meditation along the pond of a traditional Japanese garden ablaze with autumn colour, enveloped in neuro music that calms the brain. Alongside the beautifully illuminated foliage, a vast sea of cloud rises over the pond, "Brainwave Zazen" — a meditation session performed while measuring brainwaves — and a sound corridor, "Hyakki Yado," ablaze with 3,000 blooming red spider lilies, unfold — a sound art night in which you can experience the world of Zen through sound and silence, light and shadow.
Held concurrently with the Special Exhibition Celebrating the 700th Anniversary of the Temple's Founding, "Daitokuji: A Zen Temple Beyond Compare," showing at Heiseikan, Tokyo National Museum, this event opens the Museum Garden — normally closed at 17:00 — for a special night viewing.
Celebrating the 700th Anniversary of the Temple's Founding
Special Exhibition: "Daitokuji: A Zen Temple Beyond Compare" — Held Concurrently
The Zen treasures of Daitokuji, Kyoto, gather at Heiseikan, Tokyo National Museum, from October 14 to December 6 — the first Daitokuji Exhibition in Tokyo, and the first in 41 years. Alongside numerous treasures such as Mokkei's National Treasure "Kannon, Monkeys and Cranes" (Daitokuji collection; on view Oct 14 – Nov 8) and the National Treasure "Yohen Tenmoku" tea bowl (Ryoko-in collection; on view Oct 14 – Nov 8), the exhibition recreates the normally non-public interior of the Sanmon gate — its ceiling still vividly painted by Hasegawa Tohaku — and unveils its principal image and a statue of Sen no Rikyu for the first time.
* The ZEN NIGHT TOKYO ticket price includes admission to the special exhibition "Daitokuji: A Zen Temple Beyond Compare."Please note that the Daitokuji Exhibition and ZEN NIGHT TOKYO have different opening hours. Daitokuji Exhibition: 9:30–17:00 * Open until 20:00 on Fridays, Saturdays, and on November 1, 2 and 22. ZEN NIGHT TOKYO: 17:30–19:30 * Open until 21:00 on Fridays, Saturdays, and on November 1, 2 and 22; until 21:30 on November 13.
"Daitokuji: A Zen Temple Beyond Compare" Official Website (external site)
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A water mirror for the autumn moon and foliage
Suigetsu-ike Pond
This Japanese garden, once part of the former Kan'ei-ji Temple, reflects the autumn moon and foliage on its water surface. Gazing into the mirror-like pond, it feels as if your own inner landscape is reflected back at you.
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A cup of tea beside the autumn-coloured pond
Momiji Chaya
An open-air teahouse beside the pond, aglow with autumn colour, offering warm matcha and matcha lattes. Menu details coming soon.
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A Milky Way in stone, glowing in the dark
Tenmoku Garden
In front of "Kujokan," a teahouse relocated from Duke Kujo's residence, appears "Tenmoku Garden" — a dry landscape garden depicting a Milky Way glowing in the darkness.
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Spider lilies bloom where spirits linger
Hyakki Yado
The path behind the pond, where teahouses such as "Tengoan," associated with the great tea master Kobori Enshu, stand quietly, is set aglow on autumn nights with 3,000 red spider lilies, evoking the presence of yokai from Japanese folklore.
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Mindful Sound Scape that soothes your brain
Neuro Music
Neuromusic, scientifically proven music that soothes the brain, developed by Neuro tech startup VIE, is placed throughout the venue. Walking through the garden and admiring the art installations while listening to music will lead you to a mindful state.
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A meditative space of sound and light woven by brainwaves
Brainwave Zazen
At "Kujokan," once belonging to Duke Kujo, wear a brainwave sensor and experience an immersive meditation space where your mental state is visualized in real time through sound and imagery. The digital patterns and brainwave sounds create a tranquil environment for deep relaxation and self-reflection. * This experience requires a "Brainwave Zazen Ticket," available from the official ticket site (date/time-designated / duration: approx. 30 min / capacity: 20 per session).
* Some exhibits in this event may include flashing lights. If you have photosensitivity, a history of seizures, loss of consciousness, or epilepsy, please consult a physician before participating.
Special Programs
Important Cultural Property: "Night Parade of One Hundred Demons (Hyakki Yagyo)" (detail), attributed to Tosa Mitsunobu; Muromachi period, 15th century; Shinju-an, Kyoto (displayed scenes change mid-exhibition)
A Special Autumn Event Inspired by the "Hyakki Yagyo" Handscroll
Yokai and the Garden at Night.
Ueno Park / Museum Garden, Tokyo National Museum
Date: Oct 31 (Sat), from around 18:00
Inspired by the Important Cultural Property "Night Parade of One Hundred Demons (Hyakki Yagyo)" handscroll (Shinju-an collection), featured in the Daitokuji Exhibition, yokai make their appearance in Ueno. In collaboration with "Shitamachi Halloween 2026," performers dressed as yokai will present a special stage show and a Hyakki Yagyo parade. In the night garden, wrapped in fantastical light and sound, you can also enjoy taking photos with the yokai.
From around 18:00: Special stage show (Benten Gate Plaza Stage)
From around 18:30: Hyakki Yagyo Parade (in Ueno Park, from the Benten Gate Plaza Stage to the Main Gate of the Tokyo National Museum)
From around 19:00: Yokai appear in the garden (Museum Garden, Tokyo National Museum)
* The stage show and parade are free to watch and join; no reservation required. A ZEN NIGHT TOKYO ticket is required to enter the garden (free for junior high school students and younger, and for one caregiver accompanying a person with a disability).
* Visitors in costume may not enter the museum buildings. You may enter ZEN NIGHT TOKYO, held in the garden, in costume.
* The event may be canceled in case of rain. The latest information will be announced on this website.
Sold Out
Special Zazen Session Led by Daitokuji Monks
Kujokan
Date: Nov 5 (Thu) 17:45–18:45
Known for its renowned karesansui (dry landscape) garden and its deep ties to Sen no Rikyū, this zazen session is guided by Rev. Ryosho Yamato, Head Priest of Daisen-in, a sub-temple of Daitokuji.
* This experience requires a "Special Zazen Session Led by Daitokuji Monks Ticket," available from the official ticket site (Capacity: 20 per session).
Sold Out
Special Zazen Session Led by Daitokuji Monks - with Shojin Ryori -
Kujokan
Date: Nov 13 (Fri) 17:45–20:15 / 19:00–21:30
Founded by Ikkyū Sōjun, known as "Ikkyū-san," this zazen session is guided by Rev. Soshō Yamada, Head Priest of Shinju-an, a sub-temple of Daitokuji. After about an hour of zazen practice, enjoy a Shojin Ryori (Buddhist vegetarian cuisine) meal at "TOHAKU CHAKAN," the restaurant inside "Okyokan" in the garden.
This vegetarian course leaves you feeling light, even after the meal.
Open the two-tiered box to find the colors of the season, finished with matcha and a nerikiri sweet.
*Image is for illustrative purposes only
* This experience requires a "Special Zazen Session Led by Daitokuji Monks + Shojin Ryori (Buddhist Vegetarian Cuisine) Ticket," available from the official ticket site (Capacity: 20 per session).
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.
FAQ
Price
All tickets include a ZEN NIGHT TOKYO admission ticket and an admission ticket to the Special Exhibition Celebrating the 700th Anniversary of the Temple's Founding, "Daitokuji: A Zen Temple Beyond Compare."
| Ticket Type | High School Student | University Student | Adult | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Ticket | Advance | ¥2,200 | ¥2,600 | ¥3,600 |
| Regular | ¥2,800 | ¥3,200 | ¥4,200 | |
| Brainwave Zazen Ticket [Date/time-designated] | ¥5,600 | |||
| Special Zazen Session Led by Daitokuji Monks Ticket [Nov 5 (Thu), from 17:45] | ¥17,300 | |||
| Special Zazen Session Led by Daitokuji Monks + Shojin Ryori (Buddhist Vegetarian Cuisine) Ticket [Nov 13 (Fri), from 17:45 / 19:00] | ¥32,300 | |||
Sales period Advance tickets: Aug 7 (Fri) – Oct 13 (Tue) Regular tickets: Oct 14 (Wed) – Dec 6 (Sun)
* All prices include tax.
* Admission is free for junior high school students and younger, and for one caregiver accompanying a person with a disability.
* Zazen program pricing is uniform for all ages (a fee applies even for junior high school students and younger, and for one caregiver accompanying a person with a disability).
* Preschool-age children may not participate in the zazen programs.
* Access to the zazen program venue, Kujokan, is by a steep staircase without handrails. Wheelchairs cannot be brought inside Kujokan.
If you already hold a ticket to the Daitokuji Exhibition, from Oct 14 (Wed) you can purchase a ZEN NIGHT TOKYO admission-only ticket (¥1,900). You will need to present your Daitokuji Exhibition ticket (a used stub is acceptable) upon entry to ZEN NIGHT TOKYO.
ZEN NIGHT TOKYO
Overview
Name
ZEN NIGHT TOKYO
Dates
Wednesday, October 14 – Sunday, December 6, 2026 * Closed: Mondays (open on November 2, 23 and 30) and November 24
Venue
Museum Garden, Tokyo National Museum
Hours
17:30–19:30 Open until 21:00 on Fridays, Saturdays, and on November 1, 2 and 22; until 21:30 on November 13. Last admission is 30 minutes before closing. * The Daitokuji Exhibition is open 9:30–17:00 (until 20:00 on Fridays, Saturdays, and on November 1, 2 and 22).
Organizer
Tokyo National Museum, Nikkei Inc., VIE
Contact
Email: zen-night@vie.style
Phone (Hello Dial): 050-5541-8600 (9:00–20:00 JST)
Please contact us by email except in urgent cases.
If you have not received your ticket confirmation email, we are unable to assist by phone, as your purchase information must be verified.
Please be sure to contact us by email, including the name and email address used at the time of purchase and your order number (if known).
Access
The former Kan'ei-ji Temple's Japanese garden is dotted with five historic teahouses around its central pond. To commemorate the concurrent Special Exhibition Celebrating the 700th Anniversary of the Temple's Founding, "Daitokuji: A Zen Temple Beyond Compare," the Museum Garden — normally closed at 17:00 — opens for a special night viewing.
Tokyo National Museum 13-9 Uenokoen, Taito-ku, Tokyo 110-8712
Tokyo National Museum Official Website (external site)
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