A former writer, actor and film director, Japanese national Ryotaro Muramatsu has, in recent years, expanded into the field of spatial design and event production. Using video projections, some of which wrap around buildings and objects (a technique called 3D mapping), and interactive installations, he creates fairy tale universes that evoke the storybooks of our childhood. He was behind the Kids Earth Fund project, a projection of digital fireworks in Muji’s Fifth Avenue store in New York. In Japan, he’s put together projects inspired by Hansel and Gretel, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and multi-sensory experiences using real and fake flowers giving off various aromas.

Ryotaro is now headed to VenusFort, a theme-park-style indoor mall styled after 17th to 18th century townscapes in southern France and northern Italy. Located near Haneda Airport, some 20 minutes from Tokyo’s city center and accessible via train or bus, the mall will undergo a winter wonderland transformation under the theme “Frozen.”

By playing with scale, Ryotaro reconnects viewers with their inner child: scenes bursting from gigantic candlelit story books, classic fairytales hanging above you and ice-clad villages mapped over the VenusForts’ expansive vaulted ceilings. A grand staircase which appears carpeted in red and complete with flickering candles will likely be the most popular selfie-opportunity.

Through mid-March, 2017. Find out more at www.venusfort.co.jp

About VenusFort and Palette Town

Popular for its myriad photo ops, the adorable VenusFort mall is also a superlative shopping destination with some 170 shops. Located in Palette Town (Odaiba district), it’s a complete lifestyle destination. The nearby ferris wheel offers sweeping views of Tokyo’s majors landmarks like the Tokyo Tower, Skytree, Tokyo Gate Bridge, Rainbow Bridge, and more. Petrolheads can also check out a collection of classic Toyota cars from the 1950s to the 1970s. And, of course, VenusFort offers endless shopping opportunities at unbeatable prices, from the 100-yen shop to outlet shops from popular brands. Do note that English-speaking guides and maps are readily available, making VenusFort a foreigner-friendly destination. 

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