Uploaded October 2016 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago

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Many people look forward to light-ups held at Kyoto's gorgeous shrines and temples that allow visitors to visit after dark, but recently Shimogamo Shrine blew the rest away as the host of an incredibly anticipated art installation! Held from August 17th - 31st, 2016, "Light Festival in Tadasu no Mori at the World Heritage of Shimogamo Shrine, Kyoto" was created by the illustrious teamLab, who are known for their interactive and immersive art projects using digital technology. Made up of two parts, the "Restonating Forest" in the Tadasu no Mori outside the shrine buildings (free) and the "Resonating Spheres" just within the Rōmon Gate (500 yen), this light festival was a big hit with Kyoto locals and tourists both. Soft lights and sound illuminated the path between the torii and the shrine's iconic two-storied gate, and passing through showed visitors a whole new world populated with glowing spheres that reacted to the music and the touch of a hand. Resonating spheres floated just above head-height all about the shrine's courtyard and hovered in two of the open-wallwed halls, bathing visitors in the mystic glow designed to bring them awareness of other living creatures with which they share their space. If we are lucky, teamLab will bring another of their gorgeous art installations to Kyoto again soon!