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August 9, 2024
ZEN NIGHT WALK KYOTO Gains Attention at Kennin-ji Temple, Kyoto's Oldest Zen Temple and an Iconic Landmark｜EVENT
EVENT｜ZEN NIGHT WALK KYOTO
Experience a moment of perfect calm amidst Kennin-ji Temple, illuminated by sound and light.
Kyoto is known for its intense heat, partly due to its basin geography. On muggy nights, even after sunset, an event called ZEN NIGHT WALK KYOTO offers a refreshing and supremely relaxing experience. What happens when technology meets Zen philosophy? Engage your senses and find out.
Visit Kennin-ji, Kyoto's Oldest Zen Temple, Deeply Connected to Art
Among Kyoto's shrines and temples, which attract over 50 million visitors annually, "Kennin-ji" stands out for its exceptional popularity. Perfectly located for a tour that includes Shijo Gion and Yasaka Shrine, it is also renowned for its precious cultural assets, such as the "Wind God and Thunder God Screens." Furthermore, the distinct gardens within its grounds are known for displaying various expressions depending on the season.
A Startup Developing Neurotechnology Participates
Kennin-ji, which embraces new initiatives while respecting tradition, has hosted numerous art events. Among them, ZEN NIGHT WALK KYOTO, produced by the prominent tech company VIE, holds the potential to become a benchmark for future events.
What is Neuro-Music with Scientifically Proven Effects?
Night events combining projection mapping with historic architecture are no longer uncommon, but the key difference in this event lies in the "neuro-music" developed by VIE. This specially designed music, intended to enhance or dampen specific brainwave frequencies, is said to improve concentration and induce relaxation. Sample tracks are available on the company's official website.
Immerse Yourself in a Fantastical Space, Different from its Daytime Appearance
Stepping into the temple grounds and passing through the entrance leads to the "Maru Sankaku Shikaku Garden." Here, ambient music with a gentle beat, incorporating theta waves by Licaxxx, blends into a space illuminated in a cool blue. The adjacent "Chōon-tei" garden is lit in green, offering a sense of profound tranquility from any vantage point, creating an illusion of cool breezes emanating from the garden's trees.
Experience a Cool Sensation with an Installation Simulating a Sea of Clouds
The event's climax is the immense sea of clouds experienced in "Daiyu-en," one of Japan's premier dry landscape gardens. This artificially created spectacle feels like stepping into an animated world. We recommend sitting on the veranda and savoring the experience, enhanced by the floating sensation induced by the neuro-music.
Concluding with Sound x Art Powered by Cutting-Edge Technology
After an experience that washes over body and soul, the final offering in the corridor is the collaboration between Rei Wakita's digital artwork "Ryūu Zu" and VIE's neuro-music. The undulating energy, rendered through fluid simulations, seems to symbolize life in Zen, awakening the mind cooled by the sea of clouds. Through the synergy of sound, visuals, and the special space of Kennin-ji, a moment of perfect mental alignment is achieved.
Why not start by visiting the event's official website below and listening to VIE's neuro-music? ZEN NIGHT WALK KYOTO runs until Sunday, September 22nd. A special limited plan from JR Central's "How About Kyoto" campaign is also available. Nights closed for viewing: August 14 (Wed), 23 (Fri), 31 (Sat), September 6 (Fri), 7 (Sat), 14 (Sat), 17 (Tue), 18 (Wed).
ZEN NIGHT WALK KYOTO
Period｜Until Sunday, September 22, 2024
Time｜7:00 PM - 9:30 PM (Last entry 9:00 PM)
※Nights closed for viewing: August 14 (Wed), 23 (Fri), 31 (Sat), September 6 (Fri), 7 (Sat), 14 (Sat), 17 (Tue), 18 (Wed)
Location｜Daihonzan Kennin-ji Temple
584 Komatsu-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City
Price｜Adults ¥2,200, Children (12 and under) ¥1,100 (tax included). Free for children 6 and under.
※Tickets available at the venue on the day (cash not accepted, digital payments only)
