As spring unfolds in the ancient city of Kyoto, the spotlight once again turns to Kyotographie – Japan’s premier international platform for the exchange of culture through the artistic medium of photography. Celebrating its home city’s unique blend of tradition and innovation, this festival intertwines Kyoto’s thousand-year legacy with its role as a beacon of international culture.
But Kyotographie isn’t just a photo festival: it’s a portal. Set against the poetic backdrop of Kyoto’s temples, teahouses, traditional machiya dwellings and modern landmarks, the annual springtime celebration transforms Japan’s cultural capital into an open-air gallery. Expect powerful visuals thoughtfully embedded in some of the city’s most iconic – and unexpected – venues, from a Meiji-era (1868–1912) sake brewery to the sleek steel face of Kyoto Station.
Running from April 12 to May 11, this year’s edition of the festival highlights the unifying theme of ‘Humanity’. Here’s why Kyotographie makes for an essential addition to any art fan’s spring itinerary.
First of all, this year’s ‘Humanity’ theme feels more relevant than ever. In a time of uncertainty and social flux, the festival invites us to explore what connects us: empathy, resilience, love. By contrasting especially Japanese and Western worldviews, the exhibitions ask how we define, and redefine, ourselves and our communities.
A fixture at Kyotographie, French artist JR is back with another monumental mural, this time capturing the people of Kyoto. His ‘Chronicles of Kyoto’ is pasted right on the north wall of Kyoto Station, marking a collaboration with the artist’s namesake train operator, Japan Railways. Hundreds of local faces, stories and gestures come together in one vast black-and-white panorama. It’s a stunning blend of public art, community engagement, and JR’s signature brand of participatory storytelling.
Kyotographie 2025 presents legendary Mexican photographer Graciela Iturbide’s first-ever major exhibition in Japan, and it’s a knockout. With stark, luminous black-and-white portraits spanning five decades, Iturbide captures the essence of Mexico’s diverse communities, from matriarchal societies to desert rituals. The show is presented by Dior and staged with the help of the artist’s son, architect Mauricio Rocha.
The program’s range this year is dizzying. Indian artist Pushpamala N skewers colonial histories and national identity by casting herself in iconic roles, from Vasco da Gama to Mother India, in lush, satirical photo-performances. Meanwhile, Mao Ishikawa’s ‘Red Flower’ series offers a raw, intimate look at Okinawa in the 1970s, where American military and local life collided in smoky bars filled with love, loss and racial complexity. These works don’t whisper, they roar.
Beyond the headliners, Kyotographie and its satellite festival, KG+, champion emerging talent and global underdogs. Taiwanese artist Hsing-Yu Liu, this year’s KG+ Select winner, stages a dreamlike wedding with his parents to explore gender, ancestry and identity. Meanwhile, Tamaki Yoshida, fresh from a French vineyard residency, brings nature and femininity into haunting harmony in ‘Echoes from the Soil’.
The duration of Kyotographie is such a great time to be in Kyoto. April and May offer sakura blossoms, perfect weather, and that gentle hum of renewal the city wears so well. Add in world-class photography, historic venues, and a festival ethos rooted in connection and curiosity? It’s a cultural deep dive you don’t want to miss.
Kyotographie 2025 runs until May 11 across multiple venues in Kyoto. Plan your route, charge your camera, and get ready to see humanity up close. For full programme details, ticketing information and much more, check out the festival website.
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