teamLab: Digitized Fukuoka Castle Ruins Opens October 30: No Reservations Needed on Weekdays, Timed Entry on Weekends and Holidays

The nighttime outdoor exhibition “teamLab: Digitized Fukuoka Castle Ruins 2026-2027” (Japanese title: “teamLab Fukuoka Castle Ruins Light Festival”), held at the Fukuoka Castle Ruins in Maizuru Park, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka, opened on Friday, October 30. It runs until Monday, January 11, 2027 (national holiday). According to teamLab, this is the third edition at the Fukuoka Castle Ruins and the first in seven years, with eight works, including pieces whose light and sound change with people’s behavior and with wind and rain, placed in the heart of the castle ruins, where the stone walls remain. Tickets went on sale on Thursday, October 1; no reservations are needed on weekdays, while on weekends, holidays and December 29 to 31, visitors reserve a specific date and time.

Prices and reservations: weekdays versus weekends, holidays and the year-end

Prices fall into two tiers depending on the day. Adults pay 2,300 yen on weekdays and 2,500 yen on weekends and holidays, junior high and high school students 1,300 yen and 1,500 yen, and elementary school students 700 yen and 900 yen; preschool children are free. From Tuesday, December 29 to Thursday, December 31, both prices and reservations are handled the same as on weekends and holidays. On other weekdays, visitors can enter without reserving a date and time in advance.

Same-day tickets bought on site cost 200 yen more for adults and 100 yen more for junior high, high school and elementary school students, and payment is by credit card only. On-site sales cover only that day’s tickets and may sell out. Tickets can be bought on ARTNE TICKET ONLINE and through Ticket Pia and Seven-Eleven.

A weekday-only pair ticket for two adults costs 4,000 yen and is sold in limited numbers until 23:59 on Thursday, October 29 (while supplies last). It can be used until November 30. Junior high school students and younger must be accompanied by a guardian aged 18 or over, with one guardian required for every three children (including children admitted free).

Opening at 18:15 or 18:30 depending on the period; last entry 21:30

Closing is at 22:00 every day, while the opening time varies by period.

• Friday, October 30 – Friday, November 6: 18:30–22:00

• Saturday, November 7 – Thursday, December 31: 18:15–22:00

• Friday, January 1 – Monday, January 11, 2027 (national holiday): 18:30–22:00

Last entry is at 21:30. According to the official website, the opening time may be moved earlier or later to prioritize how the works are seen, and some works may not be viewable depending on the weather. When storm warnings, heavy rain warnings or thunderstorm advisories are in effect, opening may be delayed, or the event may be canceled or suspended.

Eight works on the official website, three of them made in 2026

As of October 23, the list of works on the official website consists of the following eight. Years of production follow the September 14 press release and the work pages on the official website.

• “Pillars of Constant Flux,” made in 2026. A pillar-like work whose movement and height change greatly, strongly influenced by wind, rain and humidity.

• “Autonomous Resonating Life,” ongoing since 2017. When the egg-shaped “ovoids” are pushed or knocked over, they right themselves and emit light and sound, and the change spreads to those around them.

• “Continuous Life and Death at the Now of an Ancient Tree,” made in 2026. Flowers bloom and scatter on a giant tree, with a year’s worth of flowers changing over the course of an hour.

• “Walk, Walk, Walk - Fukuoka Castle Ruins,” ongoing since 2021. A crowd of diverse, anonymous figures walks endlessly along the stone walls.

• “Enso on Ancient Stone Wall,” made in 2023. The black of calligraphy drawn in light becomes indistinguishable from the shadows formed on the stone wall by long years of weathering.

• “Stone Steps of Oblivion - Fukuoka Castle Ruins,” made in 2017. The light on each stone step slowly flickers, glowing brightly and sounding a tone when people approach.

• “The Materialization of Time,” made in 2026. Using Umenoki-goke lichen, some of which glows yellow or blue under ultraviolet light, it brings out in the darkness the traces of life that have spread over an old plum tree for more than half a century.

• “Resonating Trees,” ongoing since 2014. The trees respond to the light and sound of “Autonomous Resonating Life,” and the response is passed on in a chain to nearby trees. When light approaches from deep among the trees, it shows that someone is there.

“Ever Blossoming Life Tree” (2021), which appeared in the September 14 press release, is not in the official website’s list; instead, “Continuous Life and Death at the Now of an Ancient Tree” (2026, sound by Hideaki Takahashi), in which flowers likewise bloom and scatter on a giant tree, is listed.

A castle ruin built entirely of stone walls, with its walls and steps used in the works

According to teamLab’s press release, Fukuoka Castle was built over seven years from 1601 and is said to be the largest castle in Kyushu in scale. Its central areas, including the Honmaru, Ninomaru and Sannomaru, were built entirely with stone walls, and it is also known by the nickname “Sekijo” (Stone Castle). The stone walls still remain in four tiers, forming a vast historic site.

Of the eight works, “Walk, Walk, Walk - Fukuoka Castle Ruins” and “Enso on Ancient Stone Wall” use the stone walls as their stage, and “Stone Steps of Oblivion - Fukuoka Castle Ruins” uses the stone steps. The background to the rise of events that illuminate castles, temples, shrines and other cultural properties at night is covered in our article on nighttime light staging at cultural properties, and the points considered when staging at historic sites in our article on light staging at cultural properties. teamLab venues and events across Japan are summarized in our venue guide.

What to check before you go

The venue is dark and much of it is unpaved, so the official website recommends coming in sneakers or other comfortable shoes. Strollers and wheelchairs can enter, but some works cannot be passed through, and the Matsunokizaka slope at the entrance and exit is steep. Visitors with large luggage such as suitcases cannot enter.

Pets other than assistance dogs are not allowed. Bringing in and using monopods, tripods, selfie sticks and the like, flash photography and the use of drones on site are prohibited. There is no limit on how long visitors can stay after entering, but re-entry is not permitted. The nearest stations are Akasaka Station and Ohorikoen Station on the subway, both an 8-minute walk away. By bus, it is a 5- to 8-minute walk from the “Fukuokajo/Korokan-mae,” “Fukuoka-shi Bijutsukan Higashiguchi” and “Otemon/Heiwadai Rikujo Kyogijo Iriguchi” stops, and a 10-minute walk from the “Akasaka 3-chome” stop.

Overview

Name: teamLab: Digitized Fukuoka Castle Ruins 2026-2027
Dates: Friday, October 30, 2026 – Monday, January 11, 2027 (national holiday)
Hours: Friday, October 30 – Friday, November 6, 2026, 18:30–22:00 / Saturday, November 7 – Thursday, December 31, 18:15–22:00 / Friday, January 1 – Monday, January 11, 2027 (national holiday), 18:30–22:00 (last entry 21:30 in all periods)
Venue: Fukuoka Castle Ruins, Maizuru Park
Address: Jonai, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture
Admission: Weekdays (excluding December 29–31): adults 2,300 yen, junior high and high school students 1,300 yen, elementary school students 700 yen / Weekends, holidays and December 29–31 (advance timed reservations required): adults 2,500 yen, junior high and high school students 1,500 yen, elementary school students 900 yen / Preschool children free / Same-day tickets at the venue cost 200 yen more for adults and 100 yen more for junior high, high school and elementary school students (credit card payment only)
Tickets: ARTNE TICKET ONLINE, Ticket Pia and Seven-Eleven, on site (same-day tickets only)
Works: Pillars of Constant Flux / Autonomous Resonating Life / Continuous Life and Death at the Now of an Ancient Tree / Walk, Walk, Walk - Fukuoka Castle Ruins / Enso on Ancient Stone Wall / Stone Steps of Oblivion - Fukuoka Castle Ruins / The Materialization of Time / Resonating Trees
Organizer: teamLab: Digitized Fukuoka Castle Ruins 2026-2027 Production Committee
Sponsor: Seven-Eleven Japan Co., Ltd.
Support: Nishi-Nippon Railroad Co., Ltd., Kyushu Railway Company, Kyushu Tourism Organization, Fukuoka International Airport Co., Ltd., Fukuoka Now
Cooperation: Fukuoka City
Secretariat: Nishinippon Shimbun Event Service
Official website: https://www.teamlab.art/jp/e/fukuoka-castle/

Nighttime events at castles across Japan are summarized in our roundup of castle projection mapping and night events, and winter light events in Kyushu and Okinawa in our Kyushu and Okinawa roundup.

*Information as of October 23, 2026. Please check the official website for the latest information.

*Top image: teamLab, Resonating Trees, 2014- © teamLab (view of a past exhibition) (from a press release by teamLab Inc.)

*This article was compiled by the TOKYO ART SPHERE editorial team based on materials released by teamLab Inc. (September 14, 2026) and information on the official website (as of October 23, 2026).

Text: TOKYO ART SPHERE Editorial Team