Evening Magic: See The Stunning And Beautiful Nijo-jo’s Unique Experience

A different way to see favorite locations at night

The Naked Garden Summer Illumination at Nijo Castle is a magical blend of Kyoto’s history and illumination. I believe each summer, the castle grounds are transformed into a dreamlike landscape, with projection mapping and artistic lighting to enhance the natural beauty of the gardens. Created by NAKED Inc., the event offers an immersive nighttime experience where ancient architecture meets modern creativity. As you wander through illuminated pathways and witness the castle walls come alive with light, it’s a perfect way to see Nijo Castle in a new light!

Autumn 2023 Experience:

This illumination is the second time I have visited the Naked Garden illumination event at Nijo-jo. The first was in the Autumn of 2023. It was a clear, chilled day with a full moon out. The leaves were starting to change color, and it was perfect weather. I had attended the event with several classmates. That, at the time, was my first time setting foot inside Nijo-jo; it was like seeing a piece of history in a “different” light. The projection mapping was unique, something I had not seen before, and it cast on the castle’s outer wall over the pond. Cool autumn colors with the moon being the central theme.

Summer 2024 Experience:

Fast forward to the Summer Event, and Naked Garden did it again. I was curious to see what they added and what the event organizers did for the summer event. Like the Fall event, Nijo-jo lit at the front of the gate. I don’t remember if this was always like this during the regular nights. The lanterns were displayed side by side on the walkway.

As you go in, signs guide you, and in the inner gate, you can see the event name illuminated on the ground.

The first place in the route was wind chimes with little cards you can hang up. People typically write messages or express their wishes to them. The chimes provide a calming and peaceful atmosphere, provide good fortune, and symbolize peace and, most of all, the desire for a refreshing breeze during the summer.

Next, we went to the garden area where the projection mapping and some buildings lit up. The garden, too, glowed, but not with different colors. The display on the building gave you a stunning view of the colors.

As we approached the projection mapping area, I couldn’t help but notice how closely the display resembled the one from the Autumn event, though the theme was distinctly different. In both seasons, lights and motion were masterfully projected, wrapping the historic walls of Nijo Castle in a mesmerizing digital narrative. However, the summer version had a brighter, more vibrant palette, evoking the warmth and energy of the season with fireworks shot in the video, giving you that summer-like vibe that you see during the matsuri events around Japan. At the same time, the autumn event leaned into more profound, earthy tones that captured the serene beauty of fall. Despite the thematic shift, both events effectively fused the castle’s ancient architecture with modern digital artistry, making each season’s illumination feel like a unique experience.

After the projection mapping viewing, we continued down the path where Naked Garden staff illuminated the other parts of the castle, giving a relaxed feeling with blue on the trees. The path eventually went to the merchant area, where you could buy refreshments, and the gift shop area was open to buy things related to Nijo-jo and the event. Inside the gift shop was a Nijo-jo cafe where you can purchase gold-flaked ice cream, although I did not try it.

Conclusion

The whole event is another way to see ancient Kyoto structures differently than just visiting them during the day. As we get closer and closer to the end of Summer, Autumn will soon be upon us, during the Autumn season. Illumination events light up many temples throughout Kyoto, allowing you to view them beyond the typical 5 PM closing time and see the temples in a different light. You can view the latest events from Naked Garden One Kyoto by visiting their website. To get to Nijo-jo if you're a tourist. Check out the maps below.

More information:

Nijo-jo

Address: 541 Nijojocho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8301

Website: Naked Garden One