View plum blossoms at night with immersive illuminations in Gunma

Sunset Films, a company specializing in immersive, location-based entertainment, is holding the second installment of its “Ignition SERIES” events.

The latest event, titled “BLOOMING LIGHT”, is taking place at the Akima Plum Grove in Annaka City, Gunma Prefecture.

This nocturnal event began on February 21st and transforms the plum grove into an interactive, illuminated landscape.

“BLOOMING LIGHT” is a narrative-driven night walk, where participants embark on a journey through the plum grove, guided by specially designed lanterns equipped with monitors and GPS technology.

As visitors traverse the illuminated pathways, a story will unfold, linked to the surrounding environment and the lanterns each visitor will be carrying.

This experience offers a novel way to engage with the Akima Plum Grove, transforming the scenic location into a dynamic storytelling space.

The “Ignition SERIES” is a collection of night walk experiences produced by Sunset Films which are designed to create immersive entertainment in notable local environments.

The inaugural event “MELODIC LIGHT WALK” utilized the abandoned Shinetsu Main Line between Yokokawa and Karuizawa and was a nocturnal exploration of the historic railway line.

Its popularity was evident in visitor surveys, with over 90% expressing a desire to experience the event again.

“BLOOMING LIGHT” is the second installment and under the cloak of night, will transform the Akima Plum Grove into a realm of light, sound, and imagery.

Participants will be equipped with “Ignition Lanterns” and will visit seven distinct spots along a route, withbeach location triggering changes in the lantern’s display and illustrating the journey of plum blossoms from budding to fruition.

As participants move through the grove, projected scenes within the lanterns pull them into the narrative, creating an illusion of the plum grove itself communicating with them.

At the course’s culmination, placing the lantern on a designated pedestal initiates a unique finale of light and sound, offering a personalized conclusion to the experience.

The “Ignition Lantern” is a proprietary device developed by Sunset Films and is central to the “BLOOMING LIGHT” experience.

Each lantern features an integrated monitor and GPS sensor the enable the lantern to interact with the environment and the unfolding story in real-time.

Participants begin their walk from the Akima Plum Grove First Shop Rest Area and proceed towards the Akimata Plum Grove Tourist Information Center.

The lanterns are available in three distinct color patterns. Each different color pattern will result in a slightly different experience.

The finale performance offers a high degree of interactivity as three pedestals are located at the end of the course, and the placement of the lanterns on these pedestals determines the final lighting effect.

With 63 possible variations, the finale offers a unique experience with each visit.

The event will run until March 15th, 2025 but will only be operating on Fridays and Saturdays.

The Akima Plum Grove will be open from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with last entry at 7:45 PM.

A lantern rental fee of 500 yen (approx. $3.37 USD / £2.65 GBP) is required for participation, while entry without a lantern is free.

The event is organized by the Akima Plum Grove Tourism Association and planned and produced by Sunset Films Inc.

Event Details

Source: PR Times