An art exhibition of self-illuminating plants by Osaka University startup LEP Inc. — “The Light of the Future: Luminescence Plants Exhibition” — is confirmed to open at ROKU KYOTO in Kyoto ✨
From Saturday, September 19 through Tuesday, September 22, 2026, you can experience these mysterious plants that glow entirely on their own, with no electricity needed! Admission is free 🎉
📖 What’s In This Article 📖
☝️The Luminescence Plants Exhibition runs Saturday, September 19 through Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at ROKU KYOTO — free admission
✌️Featuring “Luminescence Plants,” self-glowing plants developed using bioluminescent protein technology from Osaka University, needing no electricity at all
🤟Experience dreamlike spaces including a “Glowing Tea Room” and a “Glowing Water Garden” (with a glowing full moon and lotus garden)
[September 19–22, 2026] Luminescence Plants Exhibition Confirmed for ROKU KYOTO ✨
The exhibition is planned and produced by LEP Inc., based in Osaka. It’s being held at ROKU KYOTO in Kyoto’s Kita Ward — part of Hilton’s luxury “LXR Hotels & Resorts” brand — set in the birthplace of the Rinpa school of Japanese art, giving it an especially fitting atmosphere!
It runs from Saturday, September 19 through Tuesday, September 22, 2026, and admission is free 🎉
The “Glowing Tea Room” is open from 12:00–4:00 PM and 4:30–6:00 PM, while the “Glowing Water Garden” runs from around 7:00 PM (after sunset) to 11:00 PM — so you’ll see a different dreamlike scene depending on the time you visit!
Planned and Produced by LEP Inc. — Event Details at ROKU KYOTO, Free Admission
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Planning & Production | LEP Inc. |
| Venue | ROKU KYOTO, LXR Hotels & Resorts |
| Dates | Saturday, September 19 – Tuesday, September 22, 2026 |
| Location | ROKU KYOTO (44-1 Kinukasa Kagamiishi-cho, Kita-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture) |
| Hours | Glowing Tea Room: 12:00–4:00 PM, 4:30–6:00 PM / Glowing Water Garden: approx. 7:00 PM (after sunset) – 11:00 PM |
| Admission | Free |
Plants That Glow With No Electricity! Highlights of the Luminescent Tea Room & Water Garden 🍵
The centerpiece of the exhibition is “Luminescence Plants” (Light Emitting Plants), self-illuminating plants developed at Osaka University’s Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research.
By introducing bioluminescence (the mechanism some living things use to produce their own light) from glowing mushrooms into plants, the team achieved plants that glow entirely on their own, with zero electricity required 😳
Unlike the uniform brightness of an LED, the biggest draw is its soft, flickering, organic glow!
In the arrival area, the “Luminescent Tea Room” blends traditional Japanese beauty with cutting-edge biotechnology — it’s actually a reimagined version of an installation that caused a stir at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai.
Don’t miss the two installations in the water garden area either: “Luminescent Full Moon,” which uses glowing plants to depict a full moon, and “Luminescent Lotus Garden,” where glowing water lilies spread across the water’s surface!
Art direction comes from Mikiko Kamada, an artist who also created work for Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai ✨
It’s also worth noting that this is reportedly Japan’s first hotel exhibition to include an outdoor area (according to the company).
If this caught your interest, consider booking a stay at ROKU KYOTO while you’re at it ✨
Just the phrase “soft, flickering glow” makes me want to go see it in person! ✨
🌈 In Summary 🌈
✅ The Luminescence Plants Exhibition runs Saturday, September 19 through Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at ROKU KYOTO — free admission
✅ Featuring “Luminescence Plants,” self-glowing plants developed using bioluminescent protein technology from Osaka University, needing no electricity at all
✅ Experience dreamlike spaces including a “Glowing Tea Room” and a “Glowing Water Garden” (with a glowing full moon and lotus garden)
🔗 Source: LEP Inc. press release (PR TIMES)
© Kenji Agata © LEP, Inc.
Plants that glow on their own?! That sounds straight out of a sci-fi movie! And getting to see it in a hotel tea room and water garden makes it feel even more magical!