MUUUSE’s Groundbreaking Immersive Exhibition in Toranomon Hills

Six Times the 3D Sound of a Movie Theater

MUUUSE is divided into three main exhibition areas, each representing the past, present, and future.

Upon entering, you’ll first step into the “Past” area. But we’re not talking about just a few years ago—this is a journey back to ancient memories of “natural sounds.” The sounds of ice particles, rustling leaves, and crackling fire, among others, unfold in a grand-scale movie. True to its theme as a museum of music, the immersive audio experience is incredible! This space is equipped with an immense 32.2 channel surround sound system. For comparison, a typical movie theater uses a 5.1 channel system, meaning this setup is more than six times the scale.

At the base of the planetarium-like celestial screen, bean bags are provided, allowing you to lie down and enjoy the experience in ultimate comfort. As the natural sounds rain down on you, it’s surprising how relaxed you feel—already, at the very beginning of the experience!

When you place your hand over the sphere in the center of the exhibition room, light gathers and different effects are triggered for each scene. For example, a fantastical flower may bloom, or dancing spirits may appear… Eventually, these effects are reflected on the large screen in the background, becoming part of the sound and visuals. Watching the things created from the palm of your hand spread throughout the space is oddly satisfying. You can’t help but feel like a god in the middle of creation.

Celebrating with Home Appliances!

Between Exhibition Rooms 1 and 2, there is a mysterious float resembling a contemporary art installation. This float itself functions as a generator, and its energy is used to play various unused electronic devices as instruments, part of the “Electrónicos Fantásticos!” project. Upon closer inspection, one can spot items like a fan, barcode scanner, and traffic light among the components.

If you’re curious about how these instruments actually sound when played, be sure to check out the screen visuals as well. Remarkably, it all comes together as real festival music, and from a distance, you might not even realize that the parade consists of household electronics. I had to laugh at the half-moon-shaped “Okesa hats,” like the ones you see in Awa Odori, which are made from solar panels.

They’re also accepting festival ideas that incorporate household electronics. You can write your idea on a designated “imagination sheet” and drop it in the box—it just might come to life and echo through the festival someday!

Experience the Depth of Music in 13K

In the Present area, you’ll find an ultra-wide screen spanning about 24 meters, creating an atmosphere much like a live concert with dimmed lighting and audience silhouettes. Here, special videos from six different artists are showcased, ranging from reimagined live performances to original versions of music videos and entirely new creations. Every piece is a debut exclusive to this venue, making it a one-of-a-kind experience.

Honestly, I thought, “It’s probably thrilling for hardcore fans, but watching a big-screen video of songs I don’t really know… not so much.” I apologize for my initial skepticism.

When the live footage of THE YELLOW MONKEY started during the press viewing, though, that first note hit—and I was covered in goosebumps! The venue lighting changed in sync with the stage on screen, blurring the line between here and there. The immersive feeling of actually being at the concert was electrifying. Next to me, a woman was swaying along, completely caught up in the moment as if she were at a live show, which made it even more enjoyable. There’s something undeniably joyful about sharing music together with everyone.

This is a special MV version of YOASOBI’s “Stand on the Stage,” known as NHK’s 2024 sports theme. In the original official MV, various sports flash by during the climax, but here, an extended, uninterrupted version fills the entire 24-meter screen with each sport playing simultaneously—a breathtaking presentation. Watching this, the final lyrics, “I realized that no moment up until now was wasted,” resonate on a whole new level. Even if you get a little teary-eyed, the image remains stunningly clear—thanks to the 13K resolution.

The video featuring nævis, a virtual idol who just debuted from SM Entertainment, is a brand-new creation made specifically for MUUUSE. It’s filled with effects that blur the line between here and there, enhancing the immersive experience. Notably, while nævis herself is virtual, the four dancers are real people, making the boundaries between real and virtual performers feel indistinct as you watch.

Other featured artists include TM NETWORK, UVERworld, and pianist Hayato Sumino, totaling six artists overall. Watching all performances takes around 30 minutes, offering an engaging and satisfying showcase. It’s also pretty generous that photo and video recording is allowed here, don’t you think?

The Close Relationship Between Cars and Music

Between exhibition rooms 2 and 3, there is an installation featuring an actual Audi car, accompanied by an original composition based on the sound of its engine. By the way, MUUUSE is located on the 45th floor of the Toranomon Hills Station Tower. After sunset, the curtains at the back open, revealing a stunning nighttime view of Tokyo from 200 meters above the ground.

Creating Original Songs with AI

Next to the Audi corner, there is also a section where you can try the innovative music AI “PixTrax.” By scanning a QR code and uploading a photo you like, the AI analyzes the data to generate an original piece of music along with a custom album cover—it’s truly a shocking experience. “No way…” I thought, so I decided to give it a try right away.

I uploaded an adorable red panda photo I took at the zoo last week. As the AI takes a few minutes to generate the music and album cover, I proceeded to the final exhibition area while waiting.