This translation was prepared with AI assistance and reviewed by the editorial team.
Traveling Light Cutout Art Exhibition: Imagination Is Magic opens at JR Kyushu Hall above Hakata Station from 28 November 2026 to 11 January 2027. Atsumi Sakai's paper-cut art is combined with light, projection, sound and stories to create a walk-through immersive exhibition.
The venue is on the ninth floor of JR Hakata City and is directly connected to the station, making this one of the easiest indoor cultural stops for travellers staying in Hakata or transferring by train.
Dates, opening hours and venue
| Exhibition period | 28 November 2026–11 January 2027 |
|---|---|
| Closed | 30 December 2026–1 January 2027 |
| Hours | 10:00–18:00; last admission 17:30 |
| Venue | JR Kyushu Hall, JR Hakata City 9F |
| Access | Directly connected to JR Hakata Station |
What you will see
The exhibition expands delicate cut-paper images through changing light and moving projections. Major works include Earth Sketch, where natural scenery changes across a large space, and Moving Picture Book, which combines animated paper-cut characters with music and narrative.
A new work inspired by Fukuoka's landscapes and living creatures is also announced for this venue. The experience is mainly visual and musical, so visitors who do not read Japanese can still enjoy much of it, although story text and staff explanations may be in Japanese.
Admission prices
Same-day tickets cost ¥1,600 for adults, ¥1,000 for junior-high and high-school students, and ¥500 for children aged three through elementary school. Advance prices are ¥1,400, ¥800 and ¥400 respectively. Children aged two and under enter free with a guardian.
The Kooten set ticket costs ¥2,400 on the day or ¥2,200 in advance and includes a ¥1,000 dining voucher. Compare the restaurants you actually plan to use before choosing it; it is not automatically the cheapest option for every visitor.
Rules that affect families and accessibility
Children of elementary-school age or younger cannot enter alone and must be accompanied by a guardian. A visitor with a disability certificate still needs an admission ticket, but one accompanying caregiver may enter free for each eligible ticket holder.
Re-entry is not allowed, and access to the merchandise area also requires an exhibition ticket. Crowded periods may have entry controls even for advance-ticket holders. Check photography rules inside each zone before taking images or video.
Best time to visit and station planning
Weekends, the opening weeks and the New Year holiday are likely to be busier. A weekday morning or late afternoon can be easier, but last admission is 17:30. Remember that the exhibition is closed from 30 December through 1 January.
JR Hakata City is large. Follow signs for the Amu Plaza lifts and JR Kyushu Hall on the ninth floor rather than exiting the station and searching outside. Store large luggage before going upstairs, especially if you are arriving directly from the airport or a Shinkansen train.
- Allow about 60–90 minutes depending on crowding and how long you view each installation.
- Keep your ticket until you finish the exhibition and merchandise area.
- Check the official page on the day for cancellations or changed hours.
Official information and tickets
Dates, closures, hours and prices were checked on the Fukuoka exhibition and JR Hakata City official pages on 27 August 2026.
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