TeamLab: Hidden Traces of Rice Terraces

A new night forest museum where visitors can experience art in nature, teamLab: Hidden Traces of Rice Terraces, opened in Izura, Kitaibaraki City, Ibaraki Prefecture, at the end of September 2024. This museum, nestled deep in the forest, transforms the remnants of terraced rice fields and the surrounding woods into art created through digital technology as the evening approaches.

Izura in Kitaibaraki City is known as the place where Okakura Tenshin, a prominent modern Japanese artist, spent his later years. The area uniquely blends mountains, forests, and the sea. In this setting, teamLab has created a new art installation that fuses the natural beauty Okakura cherished with its digital technologies, resulting in a one-of-a-kind artwork. This blending of digital technologies with nature captures teamLab's vision of creating immersive art experiences that bring people closer to the natural world.

Unlike other teamLab artworks, where the artwork is entirely created by the artist, the natural landscape becomes the artwork. The outdoor museum allows visitors to feel the chirping of crickets as background music and even the spider's nest forming between the trees becomes part of the art experience.

As the exhibition is displayed outdoors all year round, visitors can enjoy different facets of the same artwork as the seasons change - from vibrant autumn leaves to lush summer greenery, to serene winter snow. The exhibition continues on rainy days, making the whole forest feel like a living art installation.

Kitaibaraki City, Ibaraki Prefecture, is located about a three-hour drive from central Tokyo. Since the museum opens after sunset, visitors are encouraged to stay at one of the nearby accommodations. Adjacent to the facility, there are glamping and cottage accommodations where guests can immerse themselves in the art and nature throughout the night.

The second floor of the cottages is designed like a kaleidoscope, covered with glass and mirrors, allowing visitors to continue experiencing teamLab's arts.

Additionally, there is an onsen (hot spring) facility near the terraced rice fields where guests can enjoy an open-air bath while admiring the artwork, providing an even more extraordinary and otherworldly experience.

The experience offered here captivates visitors by seamlessly merging art with the beauty of nature. Guests can immerse themselves in a unique outdoor art installation that evolves with the seasons and incorporates the sounds and sights of the surrounding forest. With nearby accommodations for an overnight stay and an onsen to enhance the experience, this destination is perfect for those seeking a magical escape.

For ticket information and access details, please refer to the official website. (English and other languages are available)

Don't miss the chance to explore this innovative fusion of art and nature!