Japan is home to some incredible art, and we just aren’t talking about the things you’ll find in museums and galleries. From the Saitama rice paddies that were temporarily turned into ukiyo-e masterpieces during the Tokyo 2020 Games to the permanent art parks around the country, nature is often used as a canvas for showcasing unique artworks you won’t find anywhere else. Now you can head to Niigata to find towering outdoor art installations made of bales of rice straw.
These amazing installations are a part of the annual Wara Art Festival, which takes place in Uwasekigata Park in Niigata prefecture. This year's festival, now in its 14th edition, runs until Monday October 31 2022.
This year's theme revolves around 'things that bring happiness', with artworks including a giant lucky maneki-neko, the mythical quilin (a creature that is said to bring happiness), and a large pine tree that symbolises endurance and longevity.
The massive creatures are made from leftover wara, or straw, which is traditionally used to create household items like baskets and zori sandals. The festival first came about in 2008 when a professor from Tokyo's Musashino Art University suggested a collaboration between the university and local farmers to use up the otherwise discarded rice straw.
Every year, students from Musashino Art University design the sculptures, which are then constructed by local artisans from Nishikan ward in Niigata city. To create the oversized creatures, each installation is first constructed with a wooden skeleton before being thatched with straw. You can check out some creations from previous years and get a peek at this year’s creations on the Facebook page.
The festival will take place at Niigata city’s Uwasekigata Park. Do note that there is no direct public transportation from the city centre to the park. The closest train station is an hour’s walk away, so driving is your best bet. The Joetsu shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Niigata Station takes just over two hours. From there, the park is a 40-minute drive.
More information on the Wara Art Festival website.
This article was published on September 15 2021 and updated on October 20 2022.
More from Time Out Tokyo
Guide to Japan’s reopening for tourism: visa-free travel, valid vaccines, PCR tests and more
Shimokitazawa is one of the world's top 10 coolest neighbourhoods in 2022
You can now get 20 percent off Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea tickets
Sanrio's exhibition on kawaii culture featuring Hello Kitty is now in Kyoto
Nintendo is opening its second official Japan store in Osaka
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.