Activity "Sakura Lumina" Opens Enjoy cutting-edge digital art at Osaka Castle Park at night
Arcanight, a joint venture between Yoshimoto Kogyo and Dentsu Group, and Osaka Castle Park Management opened the experiential night walk activity "SAKUYA LUMINA" at Osaka Castle Park (Chuo Ward, Osaka City) on December 15.
(Image ⓒMoment Factory)
This activity is a certified cultural program under the Cabinet Secretariat's "beyond2020 Program" and is planned as a permanent fixture for three years.
The organizers aim to use this project to showcase the new appeal of Osaka's nighttime scene and further invigorate the city as a globally recognized entertainment destination.
Sakuyalumina is an activity where visitors experience fantastical digital art while walking through the park at night. It was created by Moment Factory, a cutting-edge digital art collective based in Montreal, Canada.
The collective has been rolling out its "Lumina Night Walk" project worldwide, blending each location's unique culture and nature with visuals, sound, and light to deliver emotion transcending language. Sakura Lumina is the latest installment, the ninth work in the series.
An exclusive preview event was held the day before the opening, where Takuya Hirai, Minister of State for Special Missions, Hiroshi Yoshimura, Mayor of Osaka City, and approximately 200 Yoshimoto comedians enjoyed the new spot ahead of time.
Sakura Lumina unfolds along the story of Akiyo, a girl who time-slips from future Osaka to present-day Osaka Castle Park. She encounters various characters along the way as she searches for her path back to the future.
The catchphrase is "Walk, laugh, and adventure."
Participants walk from the Kyobashi Gate to the goal at Osaka Castle.
Guided by fantastical music, they encounter projection mapping utilizing the castle's stone walls, images projected onto fox statues, and illuminations where trees glow, offering a charm distinct from the park during the day.
The voices of the characters are provided by comedians familiar to the Kansai region, such as Naomi Watanabe, Yuichi Kimura, and Yase Yuki, as well as actress Chizuru Ikeuchi. Another highlight is the production, which incorporates anecdotes passed down about Osaka Castle and the essence of Yoshimoto Shinkigeki's comedy culture. While individual experiences may vary, the tour takes approximately 60 minutes. At the final destination, a special feature awaits where your smile transforms into a "flower" and is projected onto the stone walls.
Comedian Honkon, who participated in the preview experience, smiled and said, "It was fun. Osaka people have to come. The final surprise really took me by surprise." Yoshimoto Shin Gekijo's leader, Yasushi Kawabata, also shared his thoughts: "It's enjoyable for both adults and children. It's not just about watching the visuals; it also fosters parent-child communication."
■ "SAKUYA LUMINA" Overview
Event Period: Scheduled from December 15, 2018, to November 2021
Venue: Osaka Park Northwest Zone, Osaka City
Hours: 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM (Last admission at 8:40 PM)
Tickets:
Day-of Tickets: Adults 3,200 yen, Teens (Junior/High School Students) 2,200 yen, Children (ages 4-12) 1,200 yen
Advance Tickets: Adults ¥2,700 / Middle School Students ¥1,800 / Children (ages 4-12) ¥1,000
*Children 3 years old and under are free. Discounts available for Osaka residents.
Official Website:
https://www.sakuyalumina.jp
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