Lights of the Beyond, Shadows of This World by Mika Ninagawa

Light, shadow, and scrolls — renowned Japanese photographer and director Mika Ninagawa’s newest exhibition offers a moment of introspection in Kyoto.

What to expect

Renowned photographer and filmmaker Mika Ninagawa is teaming up with her creative crew EiM for an exhibition that takes a fresh look at Japanese scroll painting. With ten installations blending video art and three-dimensional displays, the works explore the in-between spaces of light and shadow, reality and fiction.

The setting, Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art, adds another layer to the experience. Kyoto’s cultural backdrop has inspired Ninagawa to dig deeper into the themes of existence and identity, encouraging visitors to reflect on their own stories.

About Mika Ninagawa

Mika Ninagawa is a celebrated photographer and filmmaker whose works often feature vivid colors, striking imagery, and a sense of emotional depth. She has directed five feature films and one TV series, including Helter Skelter (2012) and Netflix’s Followers (2020), and has published several photography books. With more than 150 solo exhibitions and 130 group exhibitions under her belt, her art has been showcased across Japan and internationally.

Her most recent solo exhibition, Eternity in a Moment (Tokyo NODE, December 2023 to February 2024), attracted 250,000 visitors. Ninagawa also serves as the “Visit Kyoto Ambassador,” drawing inspiration from the city’s rich traditions to create works that blend cultural heritage with contemporary artistry.

Schedule

The exhibition runs from January 11 to March 30, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (last admission 5:30 p.m.) Closed on Mondays, except public holidays.

Tickets

• Adults: ¥2,100 (¥2,300 on the day)
• University students: ¥1,400 (¥1,600 on the day)
• High school students: ¥900 (¥1,100 on the day)
• Elementary and junior high school students: ¥600 (¥800 on the day)

Advance tickets also come with optional exclusive merchandise.

Preschool children can enter for free if accompanied by a guardian (junior high school age or older). Visitors with a disability certificate and one attendant are also eligible for free admission.

How to get there

The exhibition is held at the Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art, located in Higashiyama.

• By train: From Kyoto Station, take the JR Nara Line to Tofukuji Station and transfer to the Keihan Main Line. Get off at Sanjo Station and walk 15 minutes to the museum.
• By bus: From the Karasuma Exit at Kyoto Station, take Kyoto City Bus 5 or 100. Get off at Okazaki Koen Bijutsukan/Heian Jingu-mae stop. The museum is a short walk from there.
• By taxi: The museum is approximately 15 minutes by taxi from Kyoto Station.