Four reasons to visit the Setouchi Triennale

More than an art festival, the Setouchi Triennale is a journey through time, traditions and natural beauty. The 2025 edition extends to 17 venues, including hidden gems like Ibukijima and Awashima. Each island offers a distinct cultural landscape, deepening the immersive experience for visitors. 

Highlights include revisiting Naoshima, often referred to as Japan’s ‘art island’, where contemporary works by the likes of Yayoi Kusama blend harmoniously with nature and traditional buildings. Teshima will continue to offer its meditative blend of art and environment, while other islands are debuting new installations that blend local history and community narratives with art.

The festival’s popular island-hopping format not only allows visitors to admire art in a variety of settings, but also fosters engagement with local communities. Many installations are created in collaboration with local residents, ensuring that the art reflects the spirit and struggles of Setouchi’s aging and declining population.

Renowned for iconic institutions such as the Benesse House Museum and the Teshima Art Museum, Setouchi will welcome a new landmark in 2025: a museum designed by Tadao Ando on Naoshima. This latest addition promises to enhance the island’s architectural charm and provide an exceptional venue for contemporary works.

To further spice up the festival, a collaboration with the Setouchi Triennale will bring together eight museums from Kagawa, Okayama and Hyogo prefectures to showcase contemporary works. This initiative encourages exploration beyond the islands, offering visitors the opportunity to discover the broader regional art scene.

During its run, the Triennale will present over 150 exhibitions by diverse artists, reaffirming its reputation as Japan’s premier art festival. Expect an eclectic mix of installations, performances and sculptures reflecting both global trends and local narratives. 

Among the standout artists is Sarah Hudson, the New Zealander whose immersive installations earned her the Golden Lion Award at the 2024 Venice Biennale. Swedish conceptual artist Jacob Dahlgren will be presenting his iconic explorations of consumer culture, while Russian duo Leonid Tishkov and Marina Moskvina will offer whimsical lunar-themed works, blurring the line between fantasy and reality. 

Reflecting its deepening ties with the region, the Triennale will showcase Asian perspectives by way of groups such as Taiwan’s Cloud Gate Dance Theater, whose site-specific performances will interact dynamically with Setouchi’s landscapes. Vietnam is the 2025 festival’s special cultural focus, with Vietnamese artists set to present a series of installations and performances celebrating their country’s artistic heritage.

The Setouchi Triennale’s primary goal is to revitalise rural communities through art. The 2025 edition reinforces this mission with programs designed to connect visitors more deeply to the islands and their inhabitants.

The festival offers guided tours, including specialised programs focusing on environmental art, local cuisine and regional crafts. Study tours will be available for those seeking a more in-depth exploration of the art and the Setouchi region’s socio-cultural context.

Practical innovations include the Triennale Passport and a dedicated official app with route planning features. The passport grants access to most of the artworks and exhibitions across the participating islands, streamlining the experience for visitors eager to explore multiple sites. Instead of purchasing individual tickets at each location, passport holders enjoy unlimited entry to a wide range of installations and museums, making it easier to immerse themselves in the art without logistical hassle.

The passport also encourages deeper engagement with the festival’s unique island-hopping journey, allowing travellers to discover hidden gems at their own pace while soaking in the rich landscapes and culture of the Inland Sea.