It’s a big year for artists and art lovers as some of Japan’s biggest contemporary art festivals are back. And we’re not just talking about the long-awaited Setouchi Triennale. Aichi prefecture, for instance, will be hosting its fifth Aichi Triennale from July 30 through October 10.
Dozens of local and international artists have been invited to exhibit their works at the Aichi Arts Center this year, which comprises several facilities including the Aichi Prefectural Museum of Art and the Aichi Prefectural Theater. The arts centre is a five-minute train ride from Nagoya Station, which in turn is just an hour and a half away from Tokyo on the Tokaido Sanyo Shinkansen.
In theory, you could make a day trip out of it. However, you should stay overnight as the festival also stretches into nearby historical towns like Arimatsu in Nagoya, famous for its traditional Edo-style architecture, and Tokoname City in Chubu, which has a long and fascinating history of pottery.
The theme for this year’s festival is ‘Still Alive’. It’s both an affirmation of hope in times of the Covid-19 pandemic as well as a nod to Aichi-born conceptual artist On Kawara, who began a series of works in the 1970s titled 'I Am Still Alive'.
Participating artists include Chiharu Shiota, Mit Jai Inn, Cao Fei, Roman Ondak, Aki Sasamoto, Kate Cooper and Kaylene Whiskey, among many others. They will be presenting pieces ranging from photography and sculptures to performance art and multimedia works.
Advance tickets are now available: ¥1,500 (university students ¥1,000) for single-day access, ¥2,500 for multi-day passports (university students ¥1,700). After July 29, one-day tickets will cost ¥1,800 for general admission (¥1,200 for university students) while multi-day passes will cost ¥3,000 for the general public (¥2,000 for university students). Admission for high school students or younger is free.
Book your tickets here.
More from Time Out
5 new Japanese movies coming to Netflix in August 2022
A giant 3D Akita inu is appearing on billboards around Shibuya Crossing
How to print your Covid-19 vaccine passport at a convenience store
Here are 7 of the most scenic seaside Airbnbs near Tokyo
The 75-minute fireworks at Lake Kawaguchiko is back this year
Want to be the first to know what’s cool in Tokyo? Sign up to our newsletter for the latest updates from Tokyo and Japan.