2025.01 Japan’s Contemporary Art Festivals Unleash Creativity in 2025

Photo credit: Exhibition in Tonomachi Togawa area in 2023 (work by Yoshihito Mizuuchi)

Exploring Contemporary Art Amidst the Breathtaking Islands

The Setouchi Islands are dotted throughout the Seto Inland Sea, creating one of Japan’s most magical landscapes.

Photo credit: Osamu Nakamura

Every three years, the Setouchi Islands play host to the Setouchi Triennale, Japan’s most prominent contemporary art festival. Located in the stunning Seto Inland Sea, this archipelago was designated as Japan’s first national park, the Setonaikai National Park, in 1934. Since then, the park has expanded to include nearby iconic sites and is now the largest national park in Japan. The Seto Inland Sea is considered one of the country’s most stunning scenic locations, which makes it the perfect location to host such a unique art experience.

First launched in 2010 with the goal of revitalizing the area through art, the Setouchi Triennale festival saw art installations from both Japanese and international artists erected across the islands, allowing art and nature to come together in visual harmony. It was a resounding success, with close to one million visitors having attended to marvel at the innovative art set against the backdrop of one of Japan’s most stunning vistas.

Since then, the Setouchi Triennale has continued to attract artists and art lovers from around the world. In 2025 the festival will return once again, bringing with it a chance to explore these islands and discover some of the world's greatest contemporary artwork.

One of Shodoshima’s art pieces is artist Shiko Miyake’s “The Time of the Beginning.”
Photo credit: Shiko Miyake "The Time of the Beginning",  Photo: Keizo Kioku

Out of the thousands of islands that reside in the Seto Inland Sea, seventeen islands and coastal areas will participate in the Setouchi Triennale 2025, including Megijima, Ogijima, Teshima, and of course, Japan’s internationally recognized “art island,” Naoshima. Over a period of about 100 days, spread across Spring, Summer, and Autumn, these islands will offer not only their usual artistic fare, which includes numerous museums, galleries, art houses, and sculptures, but new artwork as well as festival-specific events and exhibitions.

For those who want to get the most out of the event, why not join a guided tour? This will ensure you see all the festival’s highlights and recommended spots as well as encourage you to take in the natural charm of the islands, which includes delicious local cuisine.

Exploring Our Relationship With the Environment Through Art

Indoneisan artist Mulyana recreates an underwater ecosystem using leftover factory yarn.
Photo credit: Mulyana "Sea Remember" 2018 Collection of Paulus Ong.

Aichi Prefecture is famous for having been the stronghold of one of Japan’s most legendary shogun, Tokugawa Ieyasu. Leaving behind its warring history, today the prefecture is known for its manufacturing power, particularly of automobiles and robotics.

As well as its manufacturing industry, Aichi is also known for its strong art culture. This is epitomized by the Aichi Triennale, a contemporary art festival. The festival features a diverse range of Japanese and international artists who display their contemporary art at venues across the prefecture. These include the Aichi Arts Center and Aichi Prefectural Ceramic Art Museum as well as various spaces across Seto City, a city revered as one of Japan’s Six Ancient Kilns having produced setomono (a type of ceramic craft) for thousands of years. This ceramic craft, a pride of Aichi, will serve as a pillar within the festival and will be present in the artist’s new work.

While paying respect to the art and craft traditions of the area, the Aichi Triennale seeks to highlight the work of contemporary artists who create across a variety of disciplines. Seeking to transcend the boundaries of artistic genres, the work on display also includes the performing arts, with theater, dance, and other performances available to watch in the triennale.

Since its inauguration, every Aichi Triennale has worked around a central theme. In 2025 that theme will be A Time Between Ashes and Roses, which asks the question, “Do flowers bloom on dead trees?” The festival’s theme encourages both the artists and the general public alike to think about our relationship with our planet, the cycle of destruction and rebirth through the lens of war and the commercialism of land. The Aichi Triennale also aims to educate, and, if you want to get involved, you can take up one of their learning programs, such as workshops, guided tours, and lectures, which is supported by the learning team as well as local volunteers.

A Celebration of Art Across Kansai

Make-up artist turned sculpture artist Kazu Hiro will display his “Andy Warhol” sculpture in the exhibition “Study: Osaka Kansai International Art Festival 2025” at the Osaka Culturarium at Tempozan
Kazu Hiro, Andy Warhol, 2013, platinum cured silicone, human hair, resin, chrome plate, 213x91x91cm, Collection of the artist
Photo credit: ©Kazu Hiro Courtesy of the artist and Institute for Cultural Exchange, Tübingen

In 2025 the World Expo will land in the vibrant city of Osaka. With the eyes of the world on it, Osaka will be looking to put its best foot forward and to that end, the city is pulling out all the stops. As one of Japan’s biggest and most visited cities, Osaka already has a lot to offer. From the bright lights and delicious smells of Dotonbori to the retro vibe of Shinsekai, there’s so much for visitors to enjoy. Thanks to the World Expo, there will soon be even more to take in, such as the architectural wonder that is the Grand Roof (ring).

This won't be the only artistic endeavor on display. Taking advantage of the attention and tourism that the city will receive, the Study: Osaka Kansai International Art Festival will run in parallel to the Expo. The festival has been held three times since 2022 as pre-events to prepare for the upcoming large-scale event. The event will focus on the theme of “social impact” and how much power art has in the face of social issues.

The event will feature artists from all over Japan and the world whose art will be scattered throughout the city. Venues include museums and large-scale centers such as the Osaka Culturarium at Tempozan, designed by famed architect Ando Tadao, and the Osaka International Convention Center, as well as buildings used in daily life such as the JR Osaka Station and various local businesses found in the Nishinari area. There will also be art displayed at various locations within the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo site.

Using Art to Connect the Past with the Present in Nara

Art and history stand side by side as you explore historic streets and modern art in Kashihara.
Photo credit: Exhibition in Kashihara / Imai area in 2023 (work by Mako Sakano)

As with the Setouchi and Aichi Triennale, locations across Japan have turned to art as a way to revive areas. One such endeavor comes in the form of the Nara Machiya Art Festival HANARART, a regional art project that holds contemporary art festivals in Nara Prefecture’s historic townscapes. Nara Prefecture is located right next to Kyoto, meaning you can easily make a day trip there to explore its many charms.

Developed by former and current residents and artists, the goal of the festival is to connect the rich culture and history of these areas’ past with their future. Part of this is through the restoration of traditional Japanese townhouses for use as art venues and gallery spaces. So far, the HANARART project has been held in 22 venues across Nara Prefecture with 46 vacant buildings transformed and put to use. In the past, the festival has moved through different locations within Nara, with exhibitions focusing on certain aspects of the local area. Artists who have a connection with the land and its culture showcase contemporary artwork which ranges from paintings and sculptures to calligraphy and ikebana (the art of flower arranging).

There will also be plenty of opportunities for visitors to join in, with local activities on offer as well as a chance to taste local food.

2025 is the year to enjoy contemporary art across Japan

2025 is a great year to be an art lover visiting Japan. As well as the above festivals there are plenty of other events to check out. In early June, Chiba Park will host the YohaS Night Art Festival, allowing guests to enjoy illumination and digital art installations after dark. Or celebrate the art of moving image at the Yebisu International Festival for Art and Alternate Visions 2025 running from the end of January to the middle of February. There’s so much to choose from, you might just wish you could go to all of them.

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