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 coastal heritage and the timeless beauty of the Seto Inland Sea.
For more info on the festival, check out 'Four reasons to visit the Setouchi Triennale'.
