5 Must-see art fairs and festivals in Japan this fall

Posted by PSEDEN

2025-08-12

On 2025-08-12

Japan’s autumn moon is famous for its picturesque scenery. However, in addition to natural beauty, this season also offers ample opportunities for artistic immersion immersion. Many world-class art festivals are held in the fall, turning the city centers of the country, historic roads and outdoor activities into hubs of creativity and cultural exchange.

Especially this year, we have seen the highly anticipated return of two world-renowned Triennales, making them a unique and rich travel window for aesthetics. These are five art fairs and festivals across Japan that you should check out this fall.

Aichi for three years

It has been held every three years since 2010 Aichi for three years It is an urban international art festival covering a wide range of fields. This year’s festival will bring together 61 artists and groups from 22 countries and regions, as well as art and programs introduced in museums, theaters and various city markets. Aichi Triennale 2025 will be in September 13 to November 30.

One of the unique features of Aichi Triennale is its rich local resources and history. Seto City is one of the main sites, a famous ceramic capital with a history of one thousand years. It is registered as a Japanese heritage site and is one of six ancient kilns in 2017 and is home to many potters and creatives. The Aichi County Ceramic Museum shows the beauty and evolution of the medium and is another festival venue.

Sasaki Rui “Subtle Intimacy (2012-2022)”, 2022. Photo: Yasushi Ichikawa

The theme of this year’s triennial is “The Age Between Ashes and Roses,” which is taken by a verse by the Syrian poet Adonis, who portrayed hope and renewal after the war. Led by Art Director Hoor Al-Qasimi (President and Director of the Sharjah Art Foundation), the Art Fair aims to explore the relationship between human beings and the environment and to have a dialogue on the concepts of nation, territory and race.

Some highlights include the multimedia art duo Basel Abbas and Ruanna Abu Talocated between New York and Ramall in Palestine; a famous comic artist Daijiro Morohoshi;Glass Installation Artist Rui Sasaki;And more.

You can buy tickets for the festival here.

Tokyo Gendai

Tokyo Gendai launched in July 2023 (translated as “Tokyo Contemporary”) displays major contemporary art galleries from Japan, the wider Asia-Pacific region, and around the world. This year’s fair will be from September 12-14 exist Pacifico Yokohama Exhibition Hall.

Exhibitors are divided into three categories: gallery (many artist curated), Hana (“flower”, featuring early to mid-career careers of artists) and EDA (“Branch”, featuring well-known artists from all over Asia). Some Participate in the gallery Kosaku Kanechika, Pace Gallery, Almine Rech, Ceyson & Bénétière and Column Gallery from all over the world.

The special exhibition of the expo, Tsubomi “Flower Bud”, explores the works of Japanese female artists using traditional craftsmanship. This year, the display includes Namika Naka (represented by Taro NASU) and glass works Ritsue Mishima (represented by Shugoarts).

You can buy tickets for the festival here.

Naoshima Pavillion

Three years old

One of the most famous art festivals in Japan, Three years old Set on the Inland Ocean Island of Sedo. The area has breathtaking natural beauty and unique island culture, but in recent years it has been struggling with declining populations and aging communities. Since 2010, the triennium has tried to revitalize the islands through the power of art.

The 2025 edition is divided into spring, summer and autumn meetings and offers a rare opportunity to experience world-class creativity in harmony with nature. It spans 17 locations in Kawakawa and Okayama Prefecture, and features works by artists from 21 countries.

The autumn meeting will come from October 30 to November 9. Remember that some islands and installations are open year-round (e.g., the pumpkins in Yayoi Kusama and the gazebo on Naoshima by Sou Fujimoto), while others are subject to seasonal restrictions.

To learn more about tickets, transportation and highlights, check out our comprehensive guide to the festival here.

Tokyo Art Week

Tokyo Art Week It is an annual display of the creativity and diversity of Tokyo’s contemporary art. With the support of the Japanese Cultural Affairs Agency, in partnership with Art Basel, the city has initiated the activation of more than 50 leading art institutions and galleries on five-day coordinated programs and special platforms.

A series of events will occur November 5-9. Highlights include a landmark exhibition at the Tokyo National Arts Center from 1989 to 2010. A medium-sized survey by Aki Sasamoto, a New York-based multimedia artist, was held at the Tokyo Museum of Art; and the first major survey by Sou Fujimoto, a renowned architect at the Mori Art Museum.

The gallery lineup is also spectacular, including the historic Tokyo Gallery + BTAP (the first contemporary art gallery in Japan), Scai the Bathhouse, Taka Ishii Gallery, Tomio Koyama, Tomio Koyama, Taro Nasu, Take Ninagawa, Ninagawa, Ninagawa, Kaikai Kikii Gallery and more. The list also includes the city’s most amazing exhibition spaces, such as the Ginza Maison Hermès Le Forum and the Espace Louis Vuitton.

Entering the gallery is free, and participating museums will offer discounted prices to visitors to Tokyo. Free AWT bus service will be provided with links to all venues.

Makoto Egashira, “Blanket with Rose IV” (2022), at Biwako Biennale 2022

Biwako Biennale

this Biwako Biennale It is an indispensable art festival in the Kansai area, mainly located in the old town Omihachiman, which borders Shiga Prefecture and Biwa Lake. The exhibition uses vacant houses and ancient traditional houses as venues to showcase the charm of these long-standing buildings. The theme of this year’s Biennale is “Flux,” an opening discussion about changes in time and matter. The festival will come from September 20 to November 16.

Some Participate in the Artist include Makoto Egashirathey often mix rococo-style design with Japanese aesthetics; Kosei KomatsuThey capture the movement and light of nature through complex large-scale abstractions; and the duo of architects and artists Siho + Sayuri Hayashi Egnellblending charming soundscapes and sculptures.

As the main venue, the old town of Omihachiman provides a lot of cultural depth for cultural depth. In the early modern times, as the birthplace of OMI merchants, the historic road was built in the castle town established by Toyotomi Hidetsugu. Okishima Island is the residential island on Biwa Lake, and Chomeiji Temple, which is associated with Saigoku 33 Thirty-three Kannon pilgrimage routes, will also serve as the venue.

You can buy tickets for the Biennale here.