[Interview] Exploring UZUMASA KYOTO VILLAGE Through a MICE Lens Following Its March 2026 Renewal: Exclusive Buyouts for Up to 1,000 Guests and VIP Cultural Experiences Redefine Kyoto’s Evening MICE Offerings
Following a major first-phase renewal, Toei Kyoto Studio Park has been renamed “UZUMASA KYOTO VILLAGE.” The facility has also introduced extended operating hours until 9:00 p.m. daily, evolving into an entertainment destination that can be enjoyed both during the day and in the evening. The renewal project also takes into consideration business events, group use, and MICE-related opportunities.
The editorial team of MICE TIMES ONLINE attended a preview tour prior to the reopening. Subsequently, we spoke with Mr. Ashida, who oversees the project, about the objectives behind the renewal.
Supporting Kyoto’s Night-Time Economy
Kyoto’s tourism sector is sometimes discussed in the context of overtourism. In response, increasing attention has been placed on expanding tourism opportunities during the morning and evening hours. Under “Kyoto Tourism Vision 2025: Creating Kyoto Tourism Together,” developed by the Kyoto City Government and the Kyoto City Tourism Association, the dispersion of visitors across three dimensions—time, season, and location—has been identified as a key strategy.
With regard to time-based dispersion, the aim is to enhance morning and evening tourism experiences in order to alleviate congestion, improve visitor satisfaction, encourage overnight stays, and increase tourism spending. As part of these efforts, Kyoto City and the Kyoto City Tourism Association have promoted initiatives such as “Kyoto Morning Tourism REI-MEI” and “Kyoto Night Tourism YOI-YOI.” The development of the night-time economy has become an important theme within Kyoto’s broader tourism strategy.
Following its major first-phase renewal, UZUMASA KYOTO VILLAGE, one of Kyoto’s leading entertainment attractions, has introduced daily evening operations until 9:00 p.m. As a result, the facility is attracting increased attention as a night-time tourism destination within the city.
Kyoto Morning and Evening Tourism Website：https://ja.kyoto.travel/times
UZUMASA KYOTO VILLAGE Website：https://eigamura.com/
Closing the Chapter on the Original Period Drama Set: Building a New UZUMASA KYOTO VILLAGE on Decades of Expertise
Established as Japan’s First Theme Park Where Visitors Could Observe Live Period Drama Filming
UZUMASA KYOTO VILLAGE originated from an active film production environment. Its history dates back to 1951 with the establishment of the Toei Kyoto Studio. Equipped with 13 of Japan’s largest indoor sound stages, the studio has produced more than 2,000 films and over 9,000 television drama episodes.
In 1975, the studio opened its doors to the public for a one-day event called “One-Day Movie Village,” attracting approximately 20,000 visitors. Later that year, on November 1, Toei Kyoto Studio Park was officially launched as Japan’s first theme park where visitors could watch live period drama productions and filming activities.
Since then, the park has continued to evolve by incorporating entertainment experiences that reflect changing times, including haunted attractions, the large indoor facility Padios, and the Evangelion Kyoto Base, while maintaining its connection to Japan’s film and television production heritage.
Phase 1 of Major Redevelopment Opens; Phase 2 Scheduled for Spring 2027 and Phase 3 for Spring 2028
To mark its 50th anniversary, UZUMASA KYOTO VILLAGE has opened the first phase of a large-scale redevelopment project. The second phase is scheduled to open in spring 2027, followed by the third phase in spring 2028.
As part of the redevelopment, the long-standing period drama sets that had been a familiar feature of the facility were officially “wrapped,” making way for a comprehensive renewal of the entire site. Using its 50th anniversary as a milestone, UZUMASA KYOTO VILLAGE is embarking on a new chapter with an eye toward the next 50 years.
Stepping Into Edo-Period Kyoto: Exploring the MICE Potential of UZUMASA KYOTO VILLAGE
With its redevelopment, UZUMASA KYOTO VILLAGE has adopted the new concept, “Lose Yourself in Kyoto of the Edo Period,” transforming itself into an immersive experience park designed not only for families but also for adult visitors, particularly those in their 20s and 30s.
Can the venue accommodate group programs? Does it have potential as a MICE destination? These were some of the questions we set out to explore during the preview tour.
This was my first visit to UZUMASA KYOTO VILLAGE since a school excursion many years ago. My previous impression was that it was primarily a movie set. After the redevelopment, however, the spacious streets and well-maintained townscape gave it a much stronger theme park atmosphere.
The open-set area still remains within the facility. However, it is not accessible during the evening operating hours for general visitors, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. For private MICE events, UZUMASA KYOTO VILLAGE stated that access may be considered upon request, subject to filming schedules and operational arrangements.
The areas shown under wraps are scheduled to open in future phases of the redevelopment. More details will be announced in due course.
Exclusive Evening Buyouts at UZUMASA KYOTO VILLAGE for Incentive Programs and VIP Experiences
As part of its evening operations, UZUMASA KYOTO VILLAGE has introduced a range of exclusive adult-oriented attractions, including a 360-degree immersive live show staged throughout the entire village, traditional gambling experiences restricted to guests aged 18 and over, and a horror-themed attraction inspired by historical torture houses. These new offerings represent a bold departure from the facility’s previous programming.
※The seasonal event “Hanayome Dochu: Sakura no Utage,” which was presented as part of the spring program, concluded on May 31.
For receptions, incentive programs, and experiences designed for international guests, the venue envisions two primary usage scenarios.
We also spoke with Mr. Ashida of UZUMASA KYOTO VILLAGE.
“We will operate until 9:00 p.m. on a regular basis. In addition to full-venue buyouts, partial buyouts are also available for private tours. For example, at Oike Machiya, our dedicated cultural experience area, guests can participate in authentic Japanese cultural programs such as tea ceremony, ikebana, Noh, Kyogen, Kyoto-style dance, shamisen, and traditional festival music. These experiences can be arranged even for small groups.”
For larger groups, the venue is also considering full-facility buyouts. The facility is generally closed every Tuesday, except during peak seasons, and such dates may be utilized for exclusive private use.
Tailor-Made Productions That Transform Edo-Era Streets Into a Client’s Own Branded World
To what extent can the venue be customized for evening buyouts or partial private events?
“Let me share an example from a corporate incentive program that was held here. The theme was ‘NINJA NIGHT.’ The story began on the bus ride from the hotel to UZUMASA KYOTO VILLAGE, building anticipation before guests even arrived at the venue.
The organizer requested that the villain character be modeled after a rival company. In the final battle scene, after the climactic showdown, the masked character removed their mask to reveal the company representative. The representative then led the toast, which marked the start of the party.
Depending on the budget, we can also create additional experiences that build excitement. For example, we can install a welcome gate and decorate the main entrance with large banners in the client’s corporate colors. We can extend the branding to catering tablecloths, tabletop decorations, and even menu designs. We always listen carefully to our clients’ requests and create a customized evening experience that can only be enjoyed at this place and at this time.
For international conferences in fields such as medicine and engineering, we have created premium event environments using traditional banners printed with conference logos and festival-style flags. Including guest-participation performances and interactive shows, these programs have been highly valued for incentive events. We hope to continue serving as a stage for international exchange and cross-cultural interaction.”
Strengthening International Guest Services Through Multilingual Support and Dietary Diversity
We also asked about the facility’s readiness to accommodate international visitors.
“We provide maps in four languages: English, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, and Korean. In addition, members of our sales team have overseas study experience and are able to communicate in English. We have also welcomed both mid-career hires and new graduates who can assist guests in English and Chinese. On the food and beverage side, we work closely with catering providers to accommodate vegan and vegetarian guests, including menu options and appropriate labeling.”
Otemon Plaza Remains Available for Events of Up to 1,000 Participants
Otemon Plaza remains the largest gathering space within UZUMASA KYOTO VILLAGE. A stage has been installed at the center of the plaza, creating potential opportunities for receptions, presentations, talk sessions, and other event programs.
“The redevelopment was designed primarily with regular visitors in mind. While most of the buildings, pathways, and overall infrastructure have been renewed, the central plaza—capable of accommodating more than 1,000 guests at one time—has been retained. A new stage has also been installed in the center, allowing performances to be viewed comfortably from all directions.”
The attraction plaza also appeared capable of accommodating approximately 100 guests.
A theater is located within “100 Years of Period Drama at Uzumasa: The Story Behind the Productions,” an exhibition housed inside Uzumasa Castle. The facility is designed around the concept of allowing visitors to see, touch, and experience the 100-year history of period drama filmmaking in Uzumasa.
As an indoor facility, the space can be used regardless of weather conditions, including rain or snow. It is capable of accommodating approximately 300 guests. As someone who studied film at university, I found it particularly exciting to see authentic props and costumes up close. The space also has the potential to incorporate programs that introduce participants to the culture and craft of filmmaking.
Visitors can view props and costumes from numerous iconic productions up close.
“Because Kyoto is home to an international convention center, there is a tendency for organizers to seek venues capable of accommodating larger-scale events ranging from 200 to 1,000 participants. Going forward, with further enhancements to the facility, we believe UZUMASA KYOTO VILLAGE will be able to make even greater use of its unique strengths.”
Finally, we asked about the unique strengths that distinguish UZUMASA KYOTO VILLAGE.
“The greatest strength of UZUMASA KYOTO VILLAGE is its close collaboration with Toei Kyoto Studio. By drawing on decades of expertise developed through period dramas, we are able to create highly entertaining experiences that incorporate actors, art direction, set decoration, and storytelling.”
Looking ahead, the facility also sees opportunities to strengthen its connection with content tourism as more productions created at Toei Kyoto Studio are screened and distributed internationally.
“By leveraging the strengths of globally recognized content originating from Kyoto, we hope to offer unique and memorable experiences that can only be found here. These may include excursions to filming locations featured in well-known productions, as well as receptions and parties enhanced by set designs and creative direction inspired by the worlds of those works. Through collaboration across Kyoto, we aim to deliver experiences that leave a lasting impression on visitors.”
The Redevelopment of UZUMASA KYOTO VILLAGE Brings Storytelling to Kyoto’s MICE Evenings
There are only a limited number of venues in Kyoto where several hundred to 1,000 participants can gather and enjoy a memorable evening while experiencing the city’s unique character. The strength of UZUMASA KYOTO VILLAGE lies not only in its evening operations or its ability to accommodate large-scale private events. Rather, it is the combination of live performances by actors and the production, set design, and decorative expertise developed through its connection with a working film studio that enables the creation of immersive experiences in which participants become part of the story.
For post-conference receptions, corporate incentive programs, cultural experiences for overseas VIP guests, and post-convention tours or excursions, the time spent outside the conference venue often plays a decisive role in shaping visitors’ impressions of a destination. The private buyout options and immersive programs offered by UZUMASA KYOTO VILLAGE have the potential to create an evening experience that could only take place in Kyoto, leaving a lasting impression on participants from Japan and abroad.
What Kyoto’s MICE industry increasingly requires are venues capable of designing memorable experiences that align with the objectives of each organization and event. As a new option that connects the nighttime economy, cultural experiences, and content tourism, UZUMASA KYOTO VILLAGE may become an important addition to Kyoto’s evolving MICE landscape.
Access to UZUMASA KYOTO VILLAGE
Main Entrance
- 5-minute walk from Randen Uzumasa-Koryuji Station
- 13-minute walk from JR Hanazono Station
- 14-minute walk from Uzumasa Tenjingawa Station (Kyoto Municipal Subway)
Studio Entrance
- 2-minute walk from Randen Satsueisho-mae Station
- 5-minute walk from JR Uzumasa Station
- Entry is available until 5:00 p.m., and exit is available until 6:00 p.m.
Official Website: UZUMASA KYOTO VILLAGE Access Information
