Tunnel of Light

In 2000, Fram Kitagawa founded the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale with the intention of using art and culture to reinvigorate the Echigo-Tsumari area of Japan, whose population was aging. As part of the 2018 program, the Kiyotsu Gorge Tunnel was selected as a site for creation.

The 750-meter (2,460-foot) passageway originally built in 1996 provides the only opportunity to enjoy panoramic views over one of Japan’s three great canyons. However, over time it had gotten run down and it wasn’t functioning to its maximum potential.

Tunnel of Light restored the lookout platforms in uniquely artful ways. Each installation draws on the five elements of nature, reconnecting locals and visitors alike with the majestic beauty of the land.

Periscope, Expression of Color, Invisible Bubble, The Drop, and Light Cave chart a journey through the tunnel. They seek to bring new perspectives to the space and provide a spiritual sense of reflection, relaxation, contemplation, and introspection. Tunnel of Light allows visitors to transcend the role of observer, becoming active participants.

In 2018 alone, the Tunnel of Light attracted more than 180,000 visitors, triple the number seen in 2017. In 2019, the Japan Arts Council selected it as one of five works it believes exemplifies the rich scope of the country’s arts and culture on a global level.