MoON MONTH - The Moon Waiting for the Moon -
MoN Takanawa will be hosting a limited-time program, "MoON MONTH - The Moon Waiting for the Moon," for 28 days from MON., September 7th to SUN. October 4th, 2026.
During the Edo period, Takanawa was known as a famous spot for viewing the moon, and on the night of the 26th day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar, many people gathered to enjoy "Nijurokuya-machi," a ritual of waiting for the thin crescent moon to rise from the sea.
We will reinterpret the "moon-waiting" culture that once thrived in Takanawa, where people would converse, share food and drink while waiting for the moon. Throughout the period, art, food, music, and experiential programs themed around the moon will be presented at various locations in MoN Takanawa. In a changing city, we wait for the unchanging moon. While inheriting the culture that was once cherished in this place, we will add new Narratives and connect the culture to the next 100 years.
Walk through the starry sky of Edo: "Moon-Waiting Evening" - an immersive planetarium experience.
This immersive planetarium recreates the night sky of the Edo period, projecting images onto the floor. Enjoy a moment as if you were walking through the Edo-era night sky. While learning about the history of "Nijuroku-yamachi" (the 26th night moon-watching ritual) in Takanawa, which was depicted in the ukiyo-e prints of Utagawa Hiroshige I, you can experience the richness of the "time spent waiting for the moon" that people in the Edo period cherished. For shows after 17:00, set tickets including one drink are available. The program is produced by planetarium Creator Takayuki Ohira, and the narration is provided by Kenjiro Tsuda, who is active as a voice actor and actor.
Details of "Tsukimachi no Yoi" (Evening of Waiting for the Moon), an immersive planetarium experience where you can walk through the starry skies of Edo.
Event Period: September 9th WED.- September 26th SAT., 2026 *Closed on September 12th SAT.
Event time:
Afternoon session | 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM (30 minutes per session / 20 minutes of screening time)
Evening session | 17:00 - 20:00 (20-minute screening / free to leave after the screening ends)
17:00 (starting at 17:15), 18:00 (starting at 18:15), 19:00 (starting at 19:15)
*Strollers are permitted only for the daytime session.
*One drink is included only for the evening show (the screening content remains unchanged).
*Drinks will be distributed before the start of the evening screening. Please note that we may not be able to distribute drinks after the screening has started.
Venue: MoN Takanawa 2F Box300
Produced by: Takayuki Ohira (Ohira Lab)
Narration: Kenjiro Tsuda
Planning and Production: Kundo Koyama
Participation fee: (Free for preschool children / Tickets available on the day)
[Daytime session] 500 yen (tax included)
[Evening session] 1,500 yen (tax included), includes one drink (alcohol or soft drink)
Program details:https://montakanawa.jp/programs/tsukimachinoyoi/
Ticket sales period: August 24th MON.- September 26th SAT.
*Tickets are available for purchase at MoN Takanawa Ticket and MoN Takanawa's official ticket agency, Fever.
*On-the-day tickets will be sold at the venue only if there are seats available.
[Special Event]
For those who purchase tickets for the evening sessions WED. September 9th and SUN., September 13th, we will offer a complimentary drink, plus a special "Moon-Waiting Drink" to enrich your waiting time.
• September 9th WED.: Takahashi Sake Brewery "Matsuyoi"
• September 13th SUN.: Tsuno Wine "Prestige Chardonnay Tsuno"
Narration: Kenjiro Tsuda. He is active in a wide range of fields, including voice acting for anime and foreign film dubbing, narration, stage and film acting, as well as directing films and producing projects.
Produced by: Takayuki Ohira (Ohira Lab), a planetarium creator. He developed the "MEGASTAR" series, which boasts world-class projection technology, and has set multiple Guinness World Records. In addition to installations both domestically and internationally, he is pioneering new possibilities for planetariums through collaborations with music and art.
Planning and Production: Kundo Koyama
Time Travel: Edo Takanawa Twenty-Sixth Night Festival Special Event - People from Edo are coming.
During the event, a photo spot inspired by "Nijurokuya-machi" (waiting for the 26th night) will be displayed in the 2nd-floor entrance to welcome all visitors. The vibrant atmosphere of Edo Takanawa, a famous spot for moon viewing, will be revived across time and space. On September 13th SUN. only, actors dressed in authentic period costumes, as if you've traveled back in time to the Edo period, will parade through the building in a lively manner. Enjoy a moment where Edo and the present intersect, while imagining the bustling Takanawa of yesteryear filled with moon viewers.
Event Period: September 9th WED.- September 27th SUN., 2026
*September 13th SUN. 13:00-19:00 Special Event - People from Edo are coming.
Opening hours: 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM (subject to Opening Hours
Venue: Near the entrance on the 2nd floor of MoN Takanawa (Free admission)
Planning, production, makeup, and wigs: NHK Art
Costumes: Toho Costume
Props and decorations: Telefit
Stage props: Tokyo staff
Landscaping: Greenwise
Cast: Kuroki Pro
Participation fee: Free (no prior reservation required)
Program details:https://montakanawa.jp/programs/jikuoorai/
Narratives of Edo's Moonlit Nights: Kitagawa Utamaro's "Moon over Shinagawa" and the Twenty-Sixth Night Waiting at Takanawa
This exhibition presents an immersive, life-sized experience of Kitagawa Utamaro's masterpiece, "Moon over Shinagawa," a hand-painted work by the world-renowned ukiyo-e artist who flourished in the mid-Edo period and is considered a leading figure in the art of depicting beautiful women. On a giant screen viewed from approximately 100 tatami mats, Narratives of one night in Edo, woven together by 20 vividly depicted women, is projected. The program traces the transformation of Edo's moon-viewing traditions, from quiet moon-gazing from a private room to the enthusiastic moon-viewing events that took place amidst the lights of food stalls on the coast and pleasure boats floating on the sea.
In the "Sun Lab (Sun Lab" space on the 3rd floor, works by Hiroshige Utagawa are introduced along with the customs of waiting for the moon at that time. In the "Land Lab (Land Lab" space on the same floor, panels featuring "20 Narratives (Narratives)" featuring each of the 20 people appearing in Utamaro Kitagawa's "Shinagawa no Tsuki" will be displayed on windows and other surfaces. Additionally, panels will be displayed on the production process of the social contribution activity "Tsuzuri Project," jointly conducted by Canon, a major precision equipment manufacturer cooperating with the planning cooperation, and the Kyoto Cultural Association, a specified nonprofit organization, as well as the historical background of the USA Freer Museum, which houses "Shinagawa Moon."
Event Period: September 9th WED.- October 4th SUN., 2026
Event hours: 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
* Opening Hours are subject to change, and the museum may be closed during other events.
Venue: MoN Takanawa 4F Tatami, 3F Sun Lab, 3F Land Lab
Organized by: MoN Takanawa: The Museum of Narratives
Planning:Canon Marketing Japan Inc. Content Promotion Center
Art Direction:Canon Inc., Integrated Design Center
Supervised by:Smithsonian National Art Museum of Asian Art
Cooperation:Tsuzuri Project (Canon Inc., Kyoto Cultural Association, a specified non-profit organization)
Participation fee: Free (no prior reservation required)
Program details:https://montakanawa.jp/programs/moonatshinagawa/
"The moonlit scenery is revived in Takanawa. — Moon-viewing tatami mat public art creation —"
As an opening event for the Moon-Waiting Month, a new moon-themed tatami mat will be unveiled at "Tatami," an exhibition space based on the concept of traditional Japanese culture. The moon-viewing tatami mat depicts the traditional Seigaiha pattern, representing ocean waves, and the "moon of the 26th night."At Venue, the production process by tatami craftsman Kenji Yamada, who creates highly designed tatami mats aiming to fuse traditional culture with new technology, will be made public, and some participatory content is also planned. Enjoy the moment when the moonlit scenery of Takanawa in the past is revived on the new tatami mat.
Event Date: September 6, 2026 SUN.
Event time: 13:30-14:30
Venue: MoN Takanawa 4F Tatami
Organized by: MoN Takanawa: The Museum of Narratives
Design Production: Kenji Yamada (Japanese Floor)
Program details:https://montakanawa.jp/programs/tsukimidatami/
J-WAVE special program "BEYOND THE MOON" public recording
On the night of September 12th SAT., coinciding with Japan's national holiday "Space Day" and the new moon, J-WAVE will record a special program at MoN Takanawa. The talk event will explore the long-held feelings people have towards the moon, focusing on the moon-viewing culture that was popular in Takanawa during the Edo period, introducing topics such as moon viewing, waiting for the 26th night, the appearance of the moon, and its relationship to the calendar. The program will be recorded live at MoN Takanawa, weaving together history, astronomy, and culture, connecting Takanawa's historical landscape with the modern moon-viewing experience. In addition to invitations for J-WAVE listener members, general admission tickets will be distributed from 10:00 AM on the day of the event at the 2nd floor entrance.
Event period: SAT. September 12, 2026
Event time: 19:00 - 20:00
Venue: MoN Takanawa 6F Tsukimi Terrace *In case of rain, the event will be moved to the restaurant "Laube".
Partner: J-WAVE
Navigator:Yukino Nagai
Guests:Nobuo Oki (Vocals and guitar of the band ACIDMAN), Masumi Horiguchi (Edo-era idol, historical writer, period drama actress, researcher of Edo customs)
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How to participate:
1. Invitation slots for J-WAVE listener members [Application deadline: August 30th]
https://www.j-wave.co.jp/jlc/jme/entry/enquete/beyondthemoon2026
2. General Category
Tickets will be distributed in limited quantities at the 2nd-floor entrance starting at 10:00 AM on the day of the event (planned).
*Distribution will end once the planned number of items has been reached.
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"Space Brothers" x Moon-Viewing Sake "Moon-Viewing Talk Live"
Chūya Koyama, author of the popular space-themed manga "Space Brothers," along with renowned sake brewers Yūsuke Satō (Aramasa Sake Brewery) and Hidehiko Matsumoto (Hibi Brewing), and Yohei Sadoshima, editor of Space Brothers, will gather at MoN Takanawa for a talk show event. It will be a night of discussion on the full moon of the Mid-Autumn Festival, where they will talk about manga, sake brewing, the moon and space, and craftsmanship. On the day of the event, you can enjoy a sip of the collaborative sake.
Event period: FRI. September 25, 2026
Event time: 18:30 - *Scheduled to end at 20:00 (Doors open at 18:00)
Venue: MoN Takanawa 4F Tatami
Organized by: Cork Inc.
Co-organised by: MoN Takanawa: The Museum of Narratives
Featuring: Chūya Koyama, author of "Space Brothers," and Yūsuke Sato, representative of Aramasa Sake Brewery.
Hidehiko Matsumoto, Representative of Hibi Jozo; Yohei Sadoshima, Representative of Cork Co., Ltd.
Participation fee: 3,850 yen (tax included) Ticket sales are scheduled to begin on Wednesday, September 9th at 8:00 PM (advance sales).
Ticket sales URL:https://2026-iwaisake.peatix.com
*Sales begin September 9th WED. at 8:00 PM.
Colors of the Moon | Moon Palette
Using natural colors derived from plants that have been cherished since ancient times, we will create artwork themed around the moon using various handmade inks derived from plants, inspired by the "26th Night Moon" tradition. Under the blue sky, spread out a white sheet of paper and draw with the colors of your choice.
Event Date: September 13, 2026 SUN.
Event time: 16:00 - 17:30
Venue: MoN Takanawa Rooftop MoN Farm *In case of rain, the event will be held at Land Lab
Planning cooperation: mitosaya Herb Garden Distillery, SynecO Co., Ltd.
Number of participants: Approximately 12 people (advance reservation required)
Participation fee: 2,000 yen (advance purchase and same-day tickets available) *Free for preschool children
Program details:https://montakanawa.jp/programs/moonpalette/
Seeing the Moon Connecting Edo and the Modern Era Through a Telescope: A Journey Through the Skies of Takanawa with a Stargazing Guide
Aiming to create an era and culture where "many people want to enjoy the starry sky," this astronomical observation program uses telescopes manufactured by Vixen, an optical equipment manufacturer celebrating its 77th anniversary, to enjoy the "moon."
Event period: September 23, 2026 (Wednesday, public holiday)
Event time:The event time is yet to be determined, so please check the website for details.
Organized by: MoN Takanawa: The Museum of Narratives
Planning, production, and operation: Vixen Co., Ltd.
Venue: MoN Takanawa Rooftop *Subject to change in case of rain.
Number of participants:The number of participants is yet to be determined, so please check the website for details.
Participation fee: Charged (advance reservation required, tickets also available on the day)
Program details:https://montakanawa.jp/programs/telescope2026/
"Edo Takanawa Moon-Waiting Mochi Making - Watch, Make, and Taste"
For two days only, on SAT. September 12th and SUN., September 13th, we will be hosting "Edo Takanawa Tsukimachi Mochitsuki," an event where you can experience making mochi using an authentic wooden mortar and pestle, featuring "Edo Mochitsukiya," a group that operates under the concept of "preserving good old traditional culture for future generations." Please come and enjoy a moment at MoN Takanawa, reflecting on the 26th night of the lunar month, while eating freshly made mochi. Distribution will be limited in quantity.
Event Period: September 12th SAT.- September 13th SUN., 2026
Event time: 16:30~
Venue: MoN Takanawa 2F Entrance Lobby
Cooperation: Edo Mochi-tsukiya
Participation fee: Free
"Takanawa Doburoku" (unrefined sake) tasting
During Period, on SAT., September 12th only, we will be offering a complimentary serving of "doburoku," a pure rice sake made using only Tokyo water, rice, and koji, in collaboration with Tokyo Minato Shuzo, a sake brewery located in Shiba, Minato Ward. This will add to the excitement of the Edo-Takanawa moon-viewing event. Quantities are limited.
Event period: SAT. September 12, 2026
Event time: 12:00 - 16:00 *Ends when supplies run out
Venue: MoN Takanawa 4F Tatami
Participation fee: Free
Takanawa Gateway City is hosting "Takanawa Tsukimachi".
From MON., September 7th to SUN. September 13th, 2026, Takanawa Gateway City will host "Takanawa Tsukimachi," a new style of moon-watching cultural experience event where gourmet food, traditional culture and experiences, and art meet, inspired by the "Nijurokuya-machi" (waiting for the 26th night) tradition, allowing people to wait for the moon that has remained unchanged for over 100 years and enjoy thinking about the next 100 years.
For more details, please visit:https://www.takanawagateway-city.com/tsukimachi/
<Event Overview>
■Venue: TAKANAWA GATEWAY CITY area
・Gateway Park, ・Gateway Studio, ・NEWoMan TAKANAWA,
・ MoN Takanawa: The Museum of Narratives (hereinafter referred to as MoN Takanawa),
JW Marriott Hotel Tokyo
■Date and time: September 7th MON. to September 13th SUN., 2026
■ Organizer: East Japan Railway Company
■ Co-sponsored by: JR East Cultural Creation Foundation
■ Cooperation: LUMINE Co., Ltd., Takanawa Gateway Area Management Association
