Tunnel of Light and Art Landscapes from Nagano and Nozawa

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

• 1
  The Last Class

  The first stop is that of a revitalized rural elementary school, home to one of the most emotionally resonant permanent installations in the region, "The Last Classroom," which aims to bring some life back to this countryside area: The Canvas: This immersive artwork takes place inside the former Higashikawa Elementary School, a space left empty due to the region's extreme depopulation. The Experience: Created by French artists Christian Boltanski and Jean Kalman, the entirely blacked-out space guides you through the old gymnasium and classrooms using only the dim glow of bare incandescent bulbs. The Sensory Impact: The crunch of hay underfoot, the scent of the earth, and the rhythmic sound of human heartbeats echoing through the halls create a deeply moving meditation on the memories of the people who once brought the space to life.

  45 minutes • Admission ticket included
• 2

  A short drive brings us to Matsudai Nohbutai, a stunning architectural hub suspended on pillars to withstand heavy winter snows, acting as a bridge between high-end modern art and traditional farming life. The Art: Before lunch, you will have time to freely walk the surrounding grounds to discover various outdoor field exhibits. A vibrant standout is Yayoi Kusama’s giant, polka-dotted floral sculpture, "Tsumari in Bloom," which bursts with color against the rural landscape. You will also view Ilya and Emilia Kabakov’s "The Rice Field," a striking sculptural installation of farmers that aligns perfectly with the actual working agricultural terraces on the hillside opposite the viewing deck. There are many other installations that have quirky art throughout the area, so feel free to take a walk around! We will also spend time for lunch at a unique restaurant in this area. Lunch is not included in the tour price.

  1 hour 25 minutes • Admission ticket included
• 3

  Following lunch, we head into Tokamachi City to explore MonET (the Museum on Echigo-Tsumari). Housed in a massive, striking square structure designed by architect Hiroshi Hara, you will discover major permanent works like Leandro Erlich’s optical illusion "Palimpsest: Pond of Sky." The facility also hosts rotating, cutting-edge contemporary exhibits that bring a refined, modern gallery contrast to the rural art experienced earlier in the day that can truly leave you in contemplation and in awe of its ingenuity.

  1 hour • Admission ticket included
• 4
  Kiyotsu Gorge

  For our final destination, we drive to one of Japan's three great gorges, Kiyotsu Gorge, known for the "Tunnel of Light". Here, the sheer, hexagonal columnar basalt cliffs are safely viewed via a 750-meter pedestrian tunnel bored directly through the mountain. This is one of the most sought-after picture destinations in Japan! In 2018, MAD Architects transformed this dark corridor into the "Tunnel of Light." As you walk the 750-meter passage, you will experience a journey through elemental installations of wood, earth, metal, and fire. At the end of the tunnel, the cavern opens to the gorge's "Panorama Station." Here, a shallow pool of mountain spring water creates a flawless, mirror-like reflection of the canyon and sky.

  1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket included

Additional info

• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
• Due to the extreme popularity of the "Tunnel of Light" at Kiyotsu Gorge, visitors may experience significant wait times to take photographs at the final Panorama Station (Water Mirror), particularly during weekends or peak seasons. We ask for your patience and cooperation in managing your free time to ensure the group departs on schedule.
• This tour involves a moderate amount of walking. The Kiyotsu Gorge Tunnel of Light is a flat but lengthy 1.5-kilometer round-trip walk. Additionally, exploring the outdoor installations at Matsudai Nohbutai involves walking on unpaved or grassy surfaces. Please ensure you wear comfortable, sturdy walking shoes.

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