Good for all ages
Average experience duration: up to 45 min
4 thematic zones
Indoor Greenhouse Experience
Co-organized with：Kyoto Prefecture/Kyoto Botanical Gardens Art Night Walk Executive Committee/Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd.
With the support of：Kyoto Kitayama Street/Kitaohji Shopping Street
With the cooperation of：Délégation générale du Québec à Tokyo
Honoring a century of nature’s beauty
through light and music
Discover the hidden life of plants as they illuminate the Kyoto night. At the Kyoto Botanical Gardens, Japan's oldest public plant sanctuary which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2024, cutting-edge light, sound, and projections reveal nature's secrets. Step into the Conservatory, a lush sanctuary where melodies float through the air and vibrant plant life glows with energy. Four unique installations invite you to connect with plants in ways you never imagined. Tune your senses to the subtle rhythms and whispers of botanical life, experiencing their unseen communications. This is an invitation to activate your senses and discover the universal voice of nature like never before. Get ready to see, hear, and explore the botanical diversity on display.
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Saturday, May 24, 2025 -
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Closed on Mondays
May–August:
19:00-21:00 (Last admission 20:30)
September–March 2026:
18:00-21:00 (Last admission 20:30)
The above times are subject to change.
Shimogamo-Hangicho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City
By Train or Bus
For Kitayama Gate: Take Kyoto City Subway to "Kitayama Station", Exit 3 (right outside) For Main Gate: From "Kitaoji Station", Exit 3, walk east for about 10 minutes From Keihan "Demachiyanagi Station": Take City Bus Route 1 or Kyoto Bus bound for "Shizuhara" or "Ichihara". Get off at "Shokubutsuen-mae" stop, then walk about 5 minutes
By Bicycle or Motorcycle
Parking available at Main Gate, Kitayama Gate, and Kamogawa Gate No motorcycle parking at Hokusen Gate. As parking is very limited, we strongly recommend using public transportation. Parking fees are 1,000 yen for standard-sized cars and 3,000 yen for tourist buses. We cannot be held responsible for any accidents, theft, or other incidents that may occur in the parking area.
- ※Average experience duration: up to 45 min (There may be a waiting line for the experience during peak hours.)
- ※Event runs rain or shine. The main venue (greenhouse) is indoors - comfortable in any weather.
- ※- Walking time to Conservatory (main venue): 10 min from Kitayama Gate, 3 min from Main Gate. Outdoor waiting may be required during peak hours. Dress for weather and allow extra time.
Student discount: on weekdays after 20:00, ¥1,800 admission with student ID.
Children: Elementary and junior high school
※Free for preschool children
Discount available for disability certificate holders and one companion. Each person needs their own ticket. Certificates will be checked at entry, so companions must enter together. Children's tickets have no additional disability discount, but one companion of a child with a disability certificate qualifies for the discount.
Other discounted tickets also available! Please check the ticket page for details.
Important Information
- - Tickets are date and time-specific. Same-day tickets may not be available depending on advance ticket sales.
- - Advance tickets purchased through our official ticket site (Webket) can be rescheduled up to 3 times, subject to availability on the desired date/time. Same-day rescheduling is not permitted. Rescheduling is not possible after the original entry time has passed.
- - Tickets are non-refundable and cannot be canceled. Check with your ticket provider for details.
- - Reselling tickets for profit is prohibited.
- - You may need to wait until your designated entry time to enter.
- - Entry may be refused outside of your scheduled time slot.
- - The experience typically lasts up to 45 minutes. It is designed for unhurried enjoyment. Take your time to absorb the sights and sounds. The longer you linger, the more details you'll discover. No strict time limit applies.
- - Walking time to Conservatory (main venue): 10 min from Kitayama Gate, 3 min from Main Gate. Outdoor waiting may be required during peak hours. Dress for weather and allow extra time.
- - Do not enter restricted areas.
- - Re-entry is not permitted. No refunds after entry.
- - The experience features flashing lights and loud sound effects.
- - Please refrain from wearing items that may disturb other visitors' experience.
- - Event may be canceled or suspended due to weather warnings (typhoon, strong winds, heavy rain, thunder) or earthquake evacuation orders. Updates will be posted on our X (Twitter) account. No refunds for weather-related cancellations, but tickets can be used on another date.
- - Media coverage and filming may occur on-site. Please notify staff if you don't wish to be photographed.
- - Regular Botanical Gardens tickets are not valid for this event. Garden closes at 17:00, all visitors must exit the premises (including parking lot).
- We cannot be held responsible for any accidents, theft, or other incidents that may occur in the parking area.
BUY TICKETS
Light Cycles Kyoto is a tribute to nature and an exploration of our relationship with it.
This immersive entertainment experience, created by the acclaimed multimedia studio Moment Factory, reveals the hidden world of plants and showcases their charm in entirely new ways. Set in Kyoto Botanical Gardens, which celebrate their 100th anniversary, the event brings plant voices to life through light and sound. It offers a unique chance to nurture a deeper connection with nature for generations to come.
Established in 1924 as Japan's oldest public botanical garden, the Kyoto Botanical Gardens celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2024. Located in the heart of Kyoto, a world-renowned tourist destination, it is one of Japan's leading botanical gardens, cultivating 12,000 species and approximately 120,000 plants. As it looks towards its next century, the garden aims to contribute to global biodiversity conservation from Kyoto. It offers a peaceful retreat for the locals while also working to enhance its research and museum capabilities.
Moment Factory is a multimedia studio with a full range of production expertise. Our team combines specializations in video, lighting, architecture, sound and special effects to create remarkable experiences. Headquartered in Montreal, the studio has other addresses in Tokyo, Paris, New York City and Singapore. Since its inception in 2001, Moment Factory has created more than 550 unique projects worldwide, including the Lumina Night Walk series. Productions span the globe and include such clients as Changi Airport, Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal, Disney, Arcade Fire, Microsoft, Sony, Boston Museum of Science, Madonna, Cipriani, Universal Studios, the Toronto Zoo and the Reims Cathedral.
Welcome to Light Cycles Kyoto. Your journey will take you through four multimedia installations. Designed to connect you with nature, we invite you to take your time and enjoy a series of sensory moments.
Visit our exclusive shop featuring original merchandise inspired by the Kyoto Botanical Gardens' history and plant life.
Store Details Name: Kyoto Botanical Gardens Store Location: Near the Conservatory at Kyoto Botanical Gardens Hours: Same as Light Cycles Kyoto event hours Payment: Cash, credit cards, and QR payments accepted Note: Some items may sell out quickly
We will update this page as participating vendors are confirmed. Thank you for your patience.
For inquiries about this event, please first check the FAQ on this page.
If your question is not resolved, please contact us using the information below.
For inquiries about Light Cycles Kyoto, please contact the Operations Office, not the Botanical Garden's main number.
