Sébastien Raineri

The Setouchi Triennale is one of Japan’s most celebrated contemporary art festivals. Since its inception in 2010, the showcase has brought world-class art to the islands of the Seto Inland Sea in the form of site-specific installations, interactive projects, and performances that integrate seamlessly with the natural and cultural environment. Visitors can explore artworks scattered across Naoshima, Teshima, Shodoshima, and around 10 other islands, encountering everything from avant-garde sculptures to traditional crafts reinterpreted in contemporary forms. Returning in 2025 to once again transform the Inland Sea area into a massive open-air museum, the Triennale is held across three seasons: Spring (April 18 to May 25), Summer (August 1 to August 31) and Autumn (October 3 to November 9). The festival always brings together artists from around the world to engage with the region’s rich history, breathtaking landscapes and vibrant local communities, and the 2025 edition will continue this legacy with new commissions that reflect themes of ecology, sustainability and coexistence – urgent topics in an era of climate change and depopulation. Read on for our picks of things not to miss at the 2025 Setouchi Triennale. RECOMMENDED: Check out our ultimate guide to the Setouchi area

Their time in the subcultural shadows long gone, manga and anime are now common sights at prestigious art museums around the world, with large-scale exhibitions showcasing otaku culture and popular titles popping up from New York and London to Singapore in recent years. But Tokyo is still the world capital of anime and manga shows, and this year brings another packed slate of highlights to exhibition venues around the city. These are our picks of the best displays coming up in 2025 – from cyberpunk dreams and epic sagas to art inspired by the world’s most famous monster. RECOMMENDED: The best art exhibitions to see in Tokyo this year

The art year 2025 in Tokyo is looking packed, with a hefty slate of exhibitions and events highlighting everything from cutting-edge contemporary art to thousand-year old treasures. The visionary sound installations of Ryuichi Sakamoto can be appreciated at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo through the end of March, while spring sees the Mori Museum highlight the intersection of art and digital technology and the Azabudai Hills Gallery showcase the eclectic work of Tomokazu Matsuyama. Big draws in the latter half of the year include an in-depth look at the career of Expo 2025 site designer Sou Fujimoto and the Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum’s celebration of 1920s fashion. Mark your calendars… RECOMMENDED: The best new attractions and facilities opening in Tokyo in 2025

Legendary anime director, producer, and co-founder of Studio Ghibli, Isao Takahata (1935–2018) was renowned for his deeply humanistic storytelling and distinctive artistic approach. A longtime collaborator and friend of Hayao Miyazaki, Takahata remained a role model for the latter throughout his life. Few filmmakers have had as profound an impact on Japanese animation as Takahata, and his meticulous direction underpins some of the most moving animated films in history. His works range from the poignant Grave of the Fireflies (1988) through Only Yesterday (1991), Pompoko (1994), My Neighbors the Yamadas (1999), and the lyrical Oscar-nominated The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (2013). Before setting up Ghibli, he played a pivotal role in the industry’s evolution with classics like Heidi, Girl of the Alps (1974) and Anne of Green Gables (1979), taking literary adaptations to a new artistic level. To commemorate the 90th anniversary of Takahata’s birth, Azabudai Hills Gallery hosts this extensive retrospective from June 27 to September 15. Organised with the cooperation of Studio Ghibli, the exhibition will explore Takahata’s career through his early influences, creative philosophy and technical innovations. A major focus will be Grave of the Fireflies, a film that remains one of cinema’s most powerful messages of peace, inspired by Takahata’s childhood during World War II. The exhibition will also highlight its protagonist’s pre-Ghibli contributions and artistic evolution, offerin

Few figures in Edo-period (1603–1867) Japan left as indelible a mark on the world of publishing and art as Tsutaya Juzaburo (1750–1797). A masterful entrepreneur with a keen eye for talent, Tsutaya revolutionised the ukiyo-e industry by transforming woodblock prints from ephemeral entertainment into recognised works of art. His collaborations with the leading artists of the day set new standards for craftsmanship and aesthetic refinement, while his publishing ventures produced literature – especially satire – that captivated the urban population of Edo.  With ‘Tsutaya Juzaburo: Creative Visionary of Edo’, the Tokyo National Museum pays tribute to this pioneering man of letters, showcasing a sweeping selection of prints, books and rare documents that illustrate Tsutaya’s profound influence on Japanese culture. The exhibition explores Tsutaya’s early ventures in the red-light district of Yoshiwara, his ground-breaking work in multicolour nishiki-e printing, and his role in elevating the status of ukiyo-e as a respected art form. Visitors can step into the bustling streets of Edo, experiencing the artistic innovation and cultural vibrancy that defined Tsutaya Juzaburo’s legacy.

Japanese game auteur Hideo Kojima, the mind behind Death Stranding and the Metal Gear series, has revolutionised interactive storytelling with his cinematic sensibility. Danish director Nicolas Winding Refn, celebrated for Drive and Only God Forgives, is known for his stylised, meditative explorations of violence and human nature. Bound by mutual respect and a fascination with the convergence of their mediums, the two artists share a decade-long friendship that has sparked artistic collaborations across film and video games.  The two visionary creators now reunite in Tokyo for an ambitious installation. From April 18 to August 25, Prada Aoyama hosts ‘Satellites: Nicolas Winding Refn with Hideo Kojima’, an exhibition that invites visitors into a retro-futuristic space where Refn and Kojima appear across six exposed television screens together shaped like a spaceship, engaging in dialogue on identity, death and creativity. The journey continues in an adjacent dressing room filled with cassette tapes, interweaving AI-translated soundbites and film soundtracks, allowing guests to craft their own narrative from fragments of conversation. Blurring the lines between analogue and digital, film and games, ‘Satellites’ explores human connection in an age of technological fusion.

Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the Tokyo Photographic Art Museum traces the career of one of Japan’s most compelling contemporary photographers with ‘Takano Ryudai: Kasubaba, Living through the ordinary’. Since receiving the prestigious Kimura Ihei Award in 2006 for his acclaimed series ‘In My Room’, Takano has gained international recognition for his unflinching exploration of sexuality, intimacy and the human body. Equally, his lesser-known yet deeply personal daily snapshots – what he terms kasubaba – reveal a poetic sensitivity to the ordinary moments that shape our lives. Takano has been shooting kasubaba since 1998, reflecting his enduring commitment to photographing the overlooked textures of urban life through scenes so mundane they often escape notice. This exhibition brings together these candid images, alongside works exploring shadows and the nature of photography itself, created in the wake of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake. Through his quiet yet profound visual diary, Takano invites viewers to confront the fragile beauty of the everyday. In a world marked by upheaval, disaster and uncertainty, kasubaba offer a meditation on resilience, presence, and the act of truly seeing. The retrospective celebrates Takano’s artistry while providing a poignant reminder of life’s fleeting, unadorned moments.

Formula 1 represents the pinnacle of motorsport, a global spectacle combining cutting-edge technology and adrenaline-fuelled drama. Japan has played a key role in F1 history, from iconic races at Suzuka to Honda’s engineering prowess shaping race-winning machines driven by legends including Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost. As F1 celebrates its 75th anniversary and Honda marks 60 years since its first Grand Prix victory, Tokyo is set to host a special event that could bring fans closer to the sport than ever before.  From April 2 to April 6 – the weekend of the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka – the F1 Tokyo Fan Festival will descend on Odaiba and Aomi to offer an immersive motorsport experience. The festival will feature three distinct zones: the F1 Village zone, where fans can admire real F1 cars, test their skills in a simulator and participate in a pit stop challenge; the World Food Circuit zone, which offers international flavours from Grand Prix races; and the Twilight Music zone, where dynamic performances are combined with live F1 projections. A pre-event on April 2 will feature current drivers and team staff, making this a must-attend celebration for motorsport enthusiasts.

A living legend of Japanese contemporary art and graphic design, Tadanori Yokoo has been creating for over six decades and shows no signs of slowing down. Born in 1936 near Kobe, Yokoo first gained international recognition for his bold, graphic poster art, which fused elements of pop art, surrealism and traditional Japanese aesthetics. His 1972 solo exhibition at the MoMA in New York cemented his place in the global art scene. Soon after that he transitioned to painting, developing a deeply introspective and experimental approach. From April 26 to June 22, the Setagaya Art Museum showcases the latest phase of the artist’s winding creative journey. ‘The River of Renga’ zooms in on how in 2023, Yokoo began exploring a new process inspired by the Japanese poetic tradition of renga, in which multiple poets collaborate to compose linked verses. Applying this principle to painting, he began treating each new brushstroke as a response to the previous day’s work, allowing the imagery to flow organically like a river. This meditative approach has resulted in a series of evocative oil paintings, where memory, time and water intertwine.  Featuring approximately 60 new works, the exhibition offers an intimate glimpse into the still-expanding world of one of Japan’s most enigmatic artists.

The Setouchi Triennale is one of Japan’s most celebrated contemporary art festivals. Since its inception in 2010, the showcase has brought world-class art to the islands of the Seto Inland Sea in the form of site-specific installations, interactive projects, and performances that integrate seamlessly with the natural and cultural environment. Visitors can explore artworks scattered across Naoshima, Teshima, Shodoshima, and many other islands, encountering everything from avant-garde sculptures to traditional crafts reinterpreted in contemporary forms.  Returning in 2025 to once again transform the Inland Sea area into a massive open-air museum, the Triennale is held across three seasons: Spring (April 18 to May 25), Summer (August 1 to August 31) and Autumn (October 3 to November 9). The festival always brings together artists from around the world to engage with the region’s rich history, breathtaking landscapes and vibrant local communities, and the 2025 edition will continue this legacy with new commissions that reflect themes of ecology, sustainability and coexistence – urgent topics in an era of climate change and depopulation. Whether wandering through an abandoned school transformed into an art space or engaging with local artisans preserving centuries-old traditions, you’ll be able experience a unique fusion of art and place that defines the spirit of the Setouchi Triennale. This is a festival that offers not just artistic discovery, but a deeper connection to Japan’s

First serialised in 1985, City Hunter is one of Japan’s most iconic manga series, blending hard-boiled action with gritty comedy. Created by Tsukasa Hojo, the story follows Ryo Saeba, a talented and charismatic ‘sweeper’ who operates in Tokyo, taking on cases ranging from protecting clients to solving mysteries. Along with his loyal but hot-tempered partner Kaori Makimura, Ryo’s adventures balance thrilling shootouts, heartfelt moments and his notorious womanising antics, often leading to comedic consequences. City Hunter has remained a beloved franchise over the decades, spawning multiple anime adaptations, films and spin-offs, captivating audiences with its blend of 1980s urban glamour and timeless storytelling. In celebration of the series’ 40th anniversary, the City Hunter Retro Pop Days pop-up store will open at the Gallery of Hakaba in Nakano Broadway, from March 19 to April 22. Fans will be able to browse an exclusive collection of nostalgic yet modern merchandise inspired by the series. A tribute to the enduring legacy of City Hunter, the pop-up fuses retro aesthetics with contemporary style, inviting fans to relive the vibrant world of Ryo and Kaori in an interactive setting. Step into the streets of 1980s Tokyo and celebrate four decades of City Hunter in true pop fashion.

Tsukasa Hojo’s popular manga City Hunter debuted in Weekly Shonen Jump in 1985, and the action comedy series has since become firmly established in the Japanese comics canon. The story follows the charismatic but easily distracted private investigator Ryo Saeba, an inveterate womaniser, as he takes on high-stakes missions in Tokyo, helping those in need while navigating an ever-expanding cast of allies and adversaries. Known for its gripping blend of action, humour and heartfelt moments, City Hunter has inspired anime adaptations, films, and live-action interpretations around the world. To commemorate the manga’s 40th anniversary, the Ueno Royal Museum will be hosting the ‘City Hunter 40th Anniversary Original Art Exhibition’ from November 22 to December 28 2025. The special showcase is set to feature a vast collection of original artwork, tracing the series’ evolution over four decades. Fans will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of City Hunter through rare illustrations, behind-the-scenes sketches, and iconic moments that have defined the series. Sharing his thoughts on the milestone, Tsukasa Hojo humorously noted that while protagonist Ryo Saeba repeatedly proclaims himself ‘twenty years old’ (regardless of his real age), City Hunter is now celebrating its ‘second coming-of-age ceremony’. Here’s to hoping that Ryo’s adventures will continue to resonate with readers for decades to come.

Few would argue against the late Leiji Matsumoto as one of Japan’s most visionary manga artists. Born in 1938, Matsumoto grew up fascinated by the night sky, a passion that would later shape his iconic stories such as Galaxy Express 999 and Space Pirate Captain Harlock. His work blends space-faring adventure with profound philosophical themes, exploring concepts of life, mortality and human perseverance, and has inspired creatives worldwide, even shaping the dreams of future astronauts. From June 20 to September 7, Tokyo City View at Roppongi Hills will host ‘Leiji Matsumoto: A Creative Journey’, the first major exhibition dedicated to the prolific career of an artist who left an indelible mark on the world of sci-fi with his rich storytelling and strikingly detailed art. Marking the beginning of a series of events celebrating the upcoming 50th anniversary of Galaxy Express 999, this exhibition will immerse visitors in Matsumoto’s imaginative universe. Featuring over 300 original drawings, including early works, rare materials and never-before-seen sketches, the display offers an opportunity to dig deep into the Kitakyushu native’s creative process and experience the timeless magic of his work.

Few works of anime have left as profound a mark on Japan’s pop-cultural landscape as Space Battleship Yamato. Directed by the legendary mangaka Leiji Matsumoto, the sci-fi epic was first aired in 1974 and revolutionised the medium, introducing a sweeping narrative, complex characters, and a cinematic approach that would influence generations of creators. The series follows the battleship Yamato on its desperate 296,000-light-year journey to save Earth from extinction, weaving a tale of heroism, sacrifice and resilience. With its captivating storylines and stunning mechanical designs, Space Battleship Yamato became a cornerstone of anime history, inspiring countless adaptations, sequels and remakes. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the epic series, the ‘Space Battleship Yamato Complete Record Exhibition’ will be held at Seibu Shibuya from March 15 to March 31. Fans will have the chance to explore original proposals, character and mechanical design drawings, background artwork, and animated cels from the series’ production. Planned and produced by acclaimed director Hideaki Anno, who has spoken about his deep gratitude for the influence Yamato has had on his life and career, the exhibition promises a treasure trove of rare and never-before-seen materials, allowing new generations to appreciate the series’ ground-breaking legacy.

Believe it or not, SpongeBob SquarePants is turning 25. The lovable yellow deep-sea dweller has delighted audiences worldwide with his infectious enthusiasm and underwater adventures since debuting back in 1999. In that time, the Nickelodeon character has become – hell, it’s true – a global cultural icon, inspiring generations with his quirky humor and unforgettable catchphrases. Set in the whimsical world of Bikini Bottom, SpongeBob’s misadventures with Patrick, Squidward and company have transcended TV to influence films, Broadway and an ever-expanding universe of merchandise. To celebrate a quarter-century of SpongeBob, Seibu Shibuya will host ‘SpongeBob Snapshot Square’ from February 19 to March 9. Snapping pics in front of numerous photo spots featuring vibrant pop art, visitors can capture moments that make them feel like they’ve entered a real SpongeBob episode.  In addition to interactive displays, the event will feature Japan’s largest-ever SpongeBob pop-up store, offering a wide selection of character merch. A special highlight will be a collaboration with renowned marine researcher and artist Sakana-kun, whose exclusive SpongeBob-inspired artwork will be available for purchase.  Whether you're a longtime fan or new to the joy of SpongeBob, the Snapshot Square promises a fun-filled dive into an animated classic that continues to amuse and gross out viewers across generations.

Deservedly known as the ‘God of Manga’, Osamu Tezuka continues to loom large over Japanese pop culture more than 35 years after his passing. A visionary whose artistic and philosophical contribution to the medium of comics is without equal, the Osaka native created a wealth of works now considered masterpieces. Phoenix (Hinotori; 1967–1988), however, stands apart as Tezuka’s self-proclaimed ‘life’s work’: a sprawling epic that weaves together past and future, delving into profound questions about life, death, and humanity’s eternal struggle for meaning. Tokyo City View at Roppongi Hills now presents the first large-scale exhibition dedicated to this epic saga. Running from March 7 to May 19 2025, ‘Osamu Tezuka’s “Hinotori” Exhibition’ offers an unprecedented look into the artist’s most monumental undertaking. It’s a display worth making the trip for, whether you’re a hardcore Tezuka acolyte or a complete newcomer to the manga form. Photo: Sébastien Raineri The god of manga Over the course of a career that spanned more than four decades – from the immediate post-World War II period to the dawn of the Heisei era – Osamu Tezuka revolutionised the medium of comics, shaping its narrative and artistic conventions. With more than 700 titles and 150,000 pages, his extensive body of work laid the foundation for modern manga and anime. Born in 1928, Tezuka’s artistic vision was shaped by Western cinema, early Disney animation, and Japanese storytelling traditions. His breakthrough wo

If your familiarity with Ryuichi Sakamoto is limited to his scores for films like Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence and The Last Emperor, a visit to the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo this winter or spring may prove startling and satisfying in equal measure. At ‘Ryuichi Sakamoto: seeing sound, hearing time’, on at the MOT until March 30 2025, the interdisciplinary segment of Sakamoto’s oeuvre takes on a monumental dimension by way of a multisensory experience that connects sound, space and time. Encouraging contemplation, lingering and meditation, the immersive retrospective offers an unparalleled opportunity to discover the artist’s sound installations and traces his experimental and pioneering journey through landmark pieces as well as previously unseen works conceived shortly before his untimely death in 2023. Photo: Kisa Toyoshima Room-sized artworks explore Sakamoto’s concept of ‘installation music’, under which the artist and his collaborators designed environments for the public to experience sound in physical space. These three-dimensional experiences interact dynamically with the museum’s architecture and highlight Sakamoto’s understanding of technology as an essential tool for making sense of the world as a whole, including the relationship between humans and their environment. An eclectic career – and a lingering influence Born in Tokyo in 1952, Ryuichi Sakamoto’s passion for music began early, inspired by a home rich in art and literature. His love for Debussy an