Opening on March 28, 2026, at TAKANAWA GATEWAY CITY, MoN Takanawa: The Museum of Narratives (operated by JR East Cultural Foundation) has unveiled the latest details of its opening commemorative programs ahead of ticket sales.
The opening season theme is "Life as Culture." The museum will feature a diverse range of programs crossing from contemporary culture to traditional Japanese performing arts, including the opening exhibition "Spiral—The Evolving Story of Humanity" exploring the driving forces that create the future from daily life, the immersive manga experience "MANGALOGUE: Hi no Tori," special sessions by Jeff Mills and others, the "Kaimon Music Festival" featuring artists like Hitsujibungaku, UA, STUTS, and ROTH BART BARON, a legendary Chagall × Ballet stage revived after 83 years, a Kabuki dance performance starring Onoe Kikugoro VIII, a one-day-only yose featuring four Living National Treasures, and programs to enjoy Japanese spring on tatami mats.
Additionally, numerous events celebrating the opening are planned throughout approximately one month. Details will be announced from early March onwards.
Tickets for each program will be available starting February 21, 2026, through the official ticket site and other channels.
*For ticket details, please check each program page on the MoN Takanawa official website (https://montakanawa.jp/).
MoN Takanawa Program Concept
As an "Experimental Museum of Culture," MoN Takanawa uses universal "questions" that remain unwavering despite changing times as starting points, transcending conventional cultural genres and categories to spotlight diverse creators' challenges, generating new expressions and emotions through various programs. The museum will also develop programs connecting culture with innovations that expand human possibilities, such as AI, robotics, space, and biotechnology, aiming to create culture that will continue for 100 years.
Season Theme: "Life as Culture"
Under the museum-wide "season theme," programs crossing fields including tradition, art, technology, natural science, and entertainment pose "questions" for creating the future. The opening commemorative theme is "Life as Culture." The programs offer experiences of various "living" stories and moments that "connect culture," linking humanity's creative endeavors to the future.
Latest Program Information Released
Latest information about each program, including performers, visuals, and ticket sale dates, has been released.
*Program information is current as of February 10, 2026. Additional information will be announced through the official website, press releases, SNS, and other channels.
*For "Future of Life 2026" and "The Story of Takanawa Tsutsumi (tentative)," which do not have ticket sale dates announced at this time, information will be shared as soon as it becomes available.
Opening Commemorative Twin Programs
Two different experiences vividly depict MoN Takanawa's worldview. The museum's largest space "Box1500" features the opening commemorative special exhibition "Spiral," while the cutting-edge theater space "Box1000" presents the opening commemorative special performance "MANGALOGUE: Hi no Tori."
Spiral—The Evolving Story of Humanity
March 28 (Sat) – September 23 (Wed/Holiday)
Venue: Box1500
MoN Takanawa opening commemorative special exhibition. From the cosmos to Jomon pottery, conveyor belt sushi, fingerprints and hair whorls, to the circulation of thoughts—dialogue with "spirals" from ancient and modern times, East and West. An intellectual entertainment that explores the power dwelling in the universal form of "spiral" across art, society, technology, science, and traditional culture, encountering one's own "inner spiral."
*For exhibition details, please see the attached materials.
MANGALOGUE: Hi no Tori
April 22 (Wed) – May 16 (Sat) Multiple performances daily
Performance Venue: Box1000
MoN Takanawa opening commemorative special performance. A new manga experience fusing sound × light × technology production × live narration. The first installment features Osamu Tezuka's "Hi no Tori: Future." This masterpiece depicting contemporary themes like AI, robots, and cloning is displayed on a giant LED, with the entire venue experiencing the story together. The stellar cast will be announced soon.
*In the name Osamu Tezuka/Tezuka Productions, the correct character for "Tsuka" uses the old character form. For online and electronic media, the new character form is used to prevent garbled text due to display environments.
Box1000 Stage Programs
"Box1000" is a cutting-edge theater with a full LED stage. From lives and performances utilizing digital production to installations and remote expressions using permanent broadcast facilities, diverse expressions are possible. Programs crossing genres include music programs starting with the "MANGALOGUE: Hi no Tori" closing event (Jeff Mills, Kaimon Music Festival, MoN Yose), plus ballet and Kabuki.
Jeff Mills presents Hi no Tori - Electronic Symphonica - Special Guests Hiromi Uehara and LEO
May 17 (Sun)
A one-night-only music live by Jeff Mills inspired by Osamu Tezuka's "Hi no Tori: Future." Performing with pianist Hiromi Uehara and koto player LEO, weaving the grand story of Hi no Tori through music.
Kaimon Music Festival
Performers: Hitsujibungaku, UA, STUTS, ROTH BART BARON × Taro Ishida
May 19 (Tue) – May 22 (Fri)
All days 7:00 PM start
Contemporary music and traditional Japanese expressions intersect on the same stage, opening a new "gate of sound." A special live experience woven for this place and this time.
MoN Yose National Treasures - Storytelling Arts and Narratives
Performers: Gokaitei Unsuke, Kanda Shoryo, Kyoyama Yukiwaka, Tsurusawa Tsugaju
May 23 (Sat) 1:30 PM start
Four Living National Treasures in rakugo, kodan, rokyoku, and gidayu perform together. Delivering supreme artistry. A special performance where legends from each field of storytelling arts and narratives gather, found nowhere else.
Ballet "Aleko"
Performers: Koya Okawa, Alexandre Trusch, Ayano Teshigawara, Kaho Yamada
May 29 (Fri) – June 7 (Sun) 1-2 performances daily
The legendary stage revives after 83 years. The stage backdrops Chagall painted for the ballet "Aleko," currently displayed at the Aomori Museum of Art, are revived on giant LED screens, intersecting with the physical expressions of talented dancers. A fantastical collaboration of Chagall's paintings and ballet meeting again across time.
MoN Kabuki Dance Performance - Kyoganoko Musume Dojoji - and Others
Performer: Onoe Kikugoro VIII
July 2 (Thu) – July 5 (Sun) 1-2 performances daily
Onoe Kikugoro VIII performs the grand Kabuki dance piece "Kyoganoko Musume Dojoji." Advanced techniques breathing in traditional Japanese performing arts polished over long periods. Through superb skills passed down to the present combined with cutting-edge video production, delivering a completely new Kabuki experience that brings actors' performances close.
Box300 Programs
"Box300" is a flexible experimental space that can integrate with the foyer by opening and closing walls. Programs developed through co-creation with companies, research institutions, and creators.
Open MoN! Exhibition - The Beginning of the Beginning
March 28 (Sat) - June 6 (Sat)
Tracing MoN Takanawa's birth trajectory from concept to design to construction. Showcasing the philosophy and trial and error as MoN took shape from concept to form, including Kengo Kuma who designed the exterior, and Pentagram who created the brand and visuals.
Tatami Programs
"Tatami" is approximately 100 tatami mats of space where you can remove shoes and relax. Enjoy unique experiences combining Japanese culture and technology.
Tatami Opening - Spring Blossom Tea Gathering
Guest: Saaya Ichikawa (*March 28 only)
March 28 (Sat), 29 (Sun) 2-3 sessions daily
Two days celebrating Tatami's debut. Enveloped in cherry blossom videos and live traditional instrument performances, a universal tea gathering not requiring seiza, featuring fragrant matcha through collaboration with Ito En and limited sweets created for this event. Talent Saaya Ichikawa participates as a guest on the first day.
Shibahamatei - Into the World of Storytelling Arts - to WA gate
Shibahamatei April Rakugo & Daikagura
Performers: Kokontei Kikunojo, Kagamimi Senjiro & Sennari
April 4 (Sat) 2:00 PM / 5:00 PM start
"Shibahamatei" is a monthly performance series where diverse performances including authentic rakugo compete across genres. April delivers authentic rakugo by Kokontei Kikunojo and gorgeous daikagura by Kagamimi Senjiro and Kagamimi Sennari. A cultural experience space unique to MoN Takanawa where even first-timers can immerse themselves in the world of rakugo.
Kurashi no Manimani - Twelve Months on Tatami - April: Hundred Mat Cherry Blossoms
April 11 (Sat), 12 (Sun)
"Kurashi no Manimani" is an event series savoring Japan's annual events monthly.
April's theme is "cherry blossoms." Enjoy sakura mochi while viewing Edo woodblock prints and cherry blossom videos, with a cherry blossom MoN (crest) cutting experience workshop. During the period, flower arranging demonstrations by ikebana artist Yuki Tsuji will also be held.
*In the name Yuki Tsuji, the correct character for "Tsuji" uses a different character form (one-dot shinnyō). For online and electronic media, the new character form is used to prevent garbled text due to display environments.
Ticket Sales Schedule
*For details including performance times and ticket prices for each day, please check the website.
| Venue | Program / Period | Ticket Sale Start Date / Sale Period |
|---|---|---|
| Box1500 | Spiral—The Evolving Story of Humanity March 28 (Sat) - September 23 (Wed/Holiday) |
•[Official] MoN Takanawa Tickets (members only): February 21 (Sat) 10:00 AM - March 27 (Fri) 11:59 PM •MoN Takanawa Official Ticket Outlet Guest Sales (Fever): March 3 (Tue) 10:00 AM - March 27 (Fri) 11:59 PM •[Official] MoN Takanawa Tickets (members only): From March 28 (Sat) 12:00 AM •MoN Takanawa Official Ticket Outlet Guest Sales (Fever): From March 28 (Sat) 12:00 AM Details: https://montakanawa.jp/programs/spiral/ |
| Box1000 | MANGALOGUE: Hi no Tori April 22 (Wed) - May 16 (Sat) |
•[Official] MoN Takanawa Tickets (members only): February 28 (Sat) 10:00 AM •MoN Takanawa Official Ticket Outlet Guest Sales (Fever): February 28 (Sat) 10:00 AM •TBS Ticket: February 28 (Sat) 10:00 AM *Advance sales and regular sales will be announced when determined. Details: https://montakanawa.jp/programs/mangalogue_hinotori/ |
| Jeff Mills presents Hi no Tori - Electronic Symphonica - Special Guests Hiromi Uehara and LEO May 17 (Sun) |
*Ticket sale start date and time will be announced when determined. Details: https://montakanawa.jp/programs/jeff_mills/ |
|
| Kaimon Music Festival May 19 (Tue) – May 22 (Fri) |
●Each Artist Official Website: February 18 (Wed) 6:00 PM - February 22 (Sun) 11:59 PM ●Ticket Pia: February 25 (Wed) 6:00 PM - March 1 (Sun) 11:59 PM *●Ticket Pia: March 4 (Wed) 6:00 PM - March 8 (Sun) 11:59 PM ●MoN Takanawa Official Ticket Outlet Guest Sales (Fever): March 14 (Sat) 10:00 AM Details: https://montakanawa.jp/programs/kaimon_music/ |
|
| MoN Yose National Treasures - Storytelling Arts and Narratives May 23 (Sat) |
●[Official] MoN Takanawa Tickets (members only): February 28 (Sat) 10:00 AM ●Ticket Web Shochiku: March 10 (Tue) 10:00 AM ●MoN Takanawa Official Ticket Outlet Guest Sales (Fever): March 21 (Sat) 10:00 AM Details: https://montakanawa.jp/programs/national-treasure/ |
|
| Ballet "Aleko" May 29 (Fri) - June 7 (Sun) |
●[Official] MoN Takanawa Tickets (members only): February 28 (Sat) 10:00 AM ●MoN Takanawa Official Ticket Outlet Guest Sales (Fever): February 28 (Sat) 10:00 AM Details: https://montakanawa.jp/programs/aleko/ |
|
| MoN Kabuki Dance Performance - Kyoganoko Musume Dojoji - and Others July 2 (Thu) - July 5 (Sun) |
●[Official] MoN Takanawa Tickets (members only): March 14 (Sat) 10:00 AM ●Ticket Web Shochiku / Ticket Phone Shochiku: March 21 (Sat) 10:00 AM ●MoN Takanawa Official Ticket Outlet Guest Sales (Fever): March 22 (Sun) 10:00 AM Details: https://montakanawa.jp/programs/takanawa-kabuki/ |
|
| Box300 | Open MoN! Exhibition - The Beginning of the Beginning March 28 (Sat) - June 6 (Sat) |
Free admission on the day Details: https://montakanawa.jp/programs/making_of_mon/ |
| Tatami | Tatami Opening - Spring Blossom Tea Gathering March 28 (Sat), 29 (Sun) |
[Official] MoN Takanawa Tickets (members only) *Lottery Sales Application period February 28 (Sat) 10:00 AM - March 10 (Tue) 11:59 PM *Lottery results will be announced from March 13 (Fri) 10:00 AM onwards. *Same-day participation is possible only if seats are available. Details: https://montakanawa.jp/programs/opening-of-tatami/ |
| Shibahamatei - Into the World of Storytelling Arts to WA gate April Rakugo & Daikagura April 4 (Sat) |
●[Official] MoN Takanawa Tickets (members only): March 7 (Sat) 10:00 AM - 11:59 PM ●[Official] MoN Takanawa Tickets (members only): March 8 (Sun) 10:00 AM ●MoN Takanawa Official Ticket Outlet Guest Sales (Fever): March 8 (Sun) 10:00 AM Details: https://montakanawa.jp/programs/shibahama_april2026/ |
|
| Kurashi no Manimani - Twelve Months on Tatami - April: Hundred Mat Cherry Blossoms April 11 (Sat) - 12 (Sun) |
Cherry Blossom MoN (Crest) Cutting Experience Workshop ●[Official] MoN Takanawa Tickets (members only): March 7 (Sat) 10:00 AM Details: https://montakanawa.jp/programs/manimani_april2026/ |
About MoN Takanawa: The Museum of Narratives - From Tradition to Manga, Music, and Space
The acronym "MoN" in The Museum of Narratives holds two meanings: a "gate" to a new world for encountering a new self, and a "question" for thinking about and creating the future.
Facility Overview
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | MoN Takanawa: The Museum of Narratives |
| Operator | JR East Cultural Foundation |
| Site Area | 7,977.31 m² |
| Total Floor Area | 28,952.55 m² |
| Height | 44.98 m |
| Number of Floors | 6 floors above ground, 3 floors below ground |
| Main Use | Exhibition halls, halls, dining facilities, etc. |
| Designer Design Architect |
Shinagawa Development Project (Phase I) Design Joint Venture Exterior Design Architect / Kengo Kuma and Associates |
About JR East Cultural Foundation
The Foundation was established on April 1, 2022, as an organization to contribute to Japanese cultural creation through the planning and operation of "MoN Takanawa: The Museum of Narratives." With the mission "Connecting Culture for 100 Years," it fuses traditions and culture that have been nurtured with contemporary values and technology, conducting international co-creation, exchange, and communication with partners across a broader time axis, both domestic and international.
MoN Takanawa: The Museum of Narratives
Official Site: https://montakanawa.jp/
Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/montakanawa/ (@montakanawa)
Future detailed information will be disseminated through the official website and SNS.
*Images provided by JR East
*Created based on information from February 2026. Content is subject to future changes.
*"MoN," "MoN Takanawa," and "MoN Takanawa: The Museum of Narratives" are registered trademarks of JR East Cultural Foundation.
