Since 2000, art festivals have been held all over Japan. Some representative examples are the Echigo-Tsumaari Art Festival in 2000, the Yokohama Triennale in 2001, and the Setouchi Triennale in 2010. Of course, art festivals are also held all over the world. One famous example is the Venice Biennale in Venice, Italy.
Personally, I was very impressed by the Yokohama Triennale in 2001. The first event in 2001 was held in the vast exhibition hall of Pacifico Yokohama, and was an exciting space filled with only contemporary art. I am sure that many people were influenced by the Yokohama Triennale. For example, Ellie from Chim↑Pom said that this art festival was what inspired her to form Chim↑Pom.
Here, I am writing about the art festivals that I have visited. Also, many of the art festivals I am writing about are held in rural areas. Please understand that I am writing about these festivals because they happened to fit the theme of this website, “extraordinary spaces,” and left an impression on me.
In addition, for art festivals that I have visited, but there is no article, I have listed below with a brief comment for your reference.
Art Festivals with articles
BIWAKO BIENNALE (Shiga, Japan)
Art festival held around Lake Biwa in Shiga, Japan. When stepping into a Japanese old house, excited by the contemporary art with a sense of Japanese culture. (described on Feb 17 2025)
Oku-Noto Art Festival (Ishikawa, Japan)
Noto Peninsula, Suzu City, Japan. Seeing how contemporary art to evolve in this rare land blessed with both mountains and sea.
(described on Jul 22 2023)
Nakanojo Biennale (Gunma, Japan)
Nakanojo town in Gunma, Japan. A successful “local” art festival. The nostalgic memories of a long time ago revived with the artworks in the abandoned school.(described on Jun 30 2022)
Other Art Festivals (without Article)
■ Yokohama Triennale
An art festival held around Yokohama Minato-Mirai. The first festival in 2001 had a huge impact. It has continued since then, but on a smaller scale. It is basically a triennale, so it is held once every three years. The director changes every time, so the content changes. Nowadays, many art festivals are held all over the country, but personally, I feel that this art festival acted as a catalyst, leading to the holding of many more art festivals, and also raising awareness of contemporary art.
・Years held: 2001/2005/2008/2011/2014/2017/2020/2024
・Years visited: 2001/2005/2008/2011/2014/2017/2020/2024
・Website: https://www.yokohamatriennale.jp/
■ Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale
Art festival held in Tokamachi, Niigata Prefecture and its surrounding areas. The first one was held in 2000. This is the first large-scale art festival in Japan. Although it is a difficult location to access, it could be said to be the first successful regional art festival. As many of the works are installed outdoors. I have felt that there is an issue with maintenance.
・Year held: 2000/2003/2006/2009/2012/2015/2018/2022
・Year visited: 2015
・Website: https://www.echigo-tsumari.jp/
■ Setouchi Triennale
Art festival held on the islands of the Seto Inland Sea, Kagawa prefecture, Japan. An art festival of a scale unparalleled in the world. The act of moving between islands brings about an extraordinary experience. The basic format is to stack up the works that have been created, so it may be less fresh. The Chichu Art Museum and Benesse House in Naoshima, the center of the venue, are also venues. As it is a triennale, it is held every three years, but many of the exhibits can be viewed other than the time at the festival. Therefore, it is not required to visit during the festival.
・Year held: 2010/2013/2016/2019/2022
・Year visited: 2010
・Website: https://setouchi-artfest.jp/
■ Aichi Triennale
Art festival held in Nagoya and its surrounding areas. The first one in 2010 was large and impactful, but since then it has been scaled down. The director changes every time. In 2019, some of the exhibited works caused controversy.
・Year held: 2010/2013/2016/2019/2022
・Year visited: 2010/2019/2022
・Website: https://aichitriennale.jp/
■ Northern Ibaraki Art Festival
Art festival held in the northern Ibaraki area. It was held in 2016. Northern Ibaraki is a place that few people visit for tourism purposes, but I think it was a good art festival. After the 2016 event, it was scheduled to be held in 2019, but it was ultimately canceled. I feel that this northern Ibaraki area is an area that is overlooked from a tourism perspective. Therefore, it would be good to consider resuming it.
・Year held: 2016
・Year visited: 2016
■ Reborn Art Festival
Art festival held in Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture and its surrounding areas. As you can guess from the word “reborn”, this art festival also has the meaning of recovery, in light of the enormous damage caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake that occurred in 2011. The exhibition venue includes areas that were damaged by the tsunami. The Oshika Peninsula and Aji Island were particularly memorable. The next event has not yet been announced.
・Year held: 2017/2019/2021-2022
・Year visited: 2019
・Website: https://www.reborn-art-fes.jp/
■ Northern Alps International Art Festival
Art festival held in Omachi, Nagano Prefecture. An art festival held in the foothills of the Northern Alps. The theme is “water”. There are several venues that make use of mountains, lakes, and rivers, as well as shrines. Impressive works with a sense of history can be encountered.
・Year Header: 2017/2019/2021-2022/2024
・Year Visited : 2024
・Website: https://www.rebon-art-fes. jp/
■ Venice Biennale
Art festival held in Venice, Italy. The first one was held in 1895, so it has a history of over 100 years. It is probably the most famous and historic art festival in the world. The exhibition format is a little unique, with each country having a pavilion, and that country exhibits its works in that pavilion. Japan also has a pavilion. I have only been there once. I did not get the impression that it had any special features as an art festival.
・Year held: 1895-
・Year visited: 2013
・Website: https://www.labiennale.org/it
(descried on Mar 17 2025)