Latest Events in Kyoto(July Updated)

This exhibition introduces the world of prints by world-renowned avant-garde artist Yayoi Kusama (1929-). Yayoi Kusama made her international debut at the 45th Venice Biennale in 1993 as a representative Japanese artist, but her active involvement in printmaking from an earlier stage of her career was a major driving force behind her current acclaim. In 1979, Yayoi Kusama exhibited her first prints. In contrast to her other works based on themes such as death and suffering after returning from the U.S., her prints are rich in color with vivid motifs. In addition to abstract expressions of her earlier works, motifs such as pumpkins, dresses, grapes, flowers, and butterflies covered in distinct colors and composed of mesh and polka dots are distinctive in her printworks. It is no exaggeration to say that Kusama, whose creative activities are rooted in the proliferation of dots and nets, inevitably encountered printmaking, an art of reproduction.

KYOTO INTERNATIONAL MANGA ANIME FAIR 2025 (KYOMAF) will be held on September 20 and 21 at Miyako Messe, ROHM Theatre Kyoto (KYOMAF Stage), and Kyoto International Manga Museum inKyoto. This year is the 14th edition of the event, a two-day grand gathering of various anime and art. As the biggest manga and anime event in western Japan, KYOMAF integrates new releases, exhibitions, merchandise, stages and festival activities. The venues will feature Kyoto-style experiences such as the "Traditional Arts Workshops", character cafes selling collaborative beverages and food, and Cosplay Area. Let's explore Kyoto City while experiencing manga and anime culture! 【Main Venue】Miyako Messe／ROHM Theatre Kyoto September 20, 2025 9:00-17:00 (16:30 is the last admission time, JST) September 21, 2025 9:00-16:00 (15:30 is the last admission time, JST) 【Sub Venue】Kyoto International Manga Museum September 20, 2025 10:00-19:00 (18:30 is the last admission time, JST) September 21, 2025 10:00-19:00 (18:30 is the last admission time, JST)

Art Collaboration Kyoto (ACK) is an intentionally small art fair focused on collaboration, consisting of two sections: Gallery Collaboration, where a Japanese gallery collaborates with its international counterparts in a shared booth, and Kyoto Convenient, a showcase with a unique connection to Kyoto.

Legend has it that the Kannon of Kiyomizu-dera Temple transforms into a blue dragon and drinks from the waterfalls at night, so this event is held to honor the Yasha Goddess, and to pray for the people who come to worship. The dancing blue dragon parades from Okuno to the cobblestone streets around Kiyomizu-dera Temple. The blue dragon is believed to be one of the four great gods that protect the city of Kyoto. In addition to the blue dragon, there are men dressed in traditional samurai clothes, and the streets are filled with music and spectacular dancing. It's really magical! The Spring Festival is on March 14-15 and April 3. The Fall Festival is September 14-15, starting at 14:00 (2pm).

This year, the museum will once again host Japan’s largest comprehensive public exhibition, “Nitten.” Visitors can enjoy approximately 500 works in five categories: Japanese painting, Western painting, sculpture, arts and crafts, and calligraphy, including basic works that tour the country and works related to the local area created by artists in Kyoto and Shiga.

The Izumi Museum has a collection of more than 3,500 pieces, with a core collection of about 500 Chinese bronzes and bronze mirrors. Both in terms of quantity and quality, it is the leader in overseas bronze collections. Therefore, the "Age of Chinese Bronze" held at the Izumi Museum this spring is also worth paying attention to. If you go to visit the Izumi Museum's reopening exhibition, we also recommend that you pay special attention to this bronze exhibition, including the museum's treasure Tiger You, the early Warring States period chime bells, the Qiang bell, the Kui God drum, the owl zun, the taotie pattern square lei, the taotie pattern square yi, the ge you and other important bronze objects in the collection are all on display.

This exhibition will focus on the Hosomi Collection and will feature folding screens that can be enjoyed spread out in space, as well as picture scrolls that can be enjoyed by playing them out in front of your eyes. In addition to the "Toyotomi Hoko Yoshino Cherry Blossom Viewing Screen," which depicts Toyotomi Hideyoshi's cherry blossom viewing procession, and the "Suzuriwari Soushi Emaki," which was once a treasured possession of Ashikaga Yoshizumi, the 11th shogun of the Muromachi shogunate, visitors will be able to experience the unique qualities of these different painting styles and appreciate the appeal of each individual work.

Kuroda Jutaro, a prominent figure in the Kyoto Western-style painting scene, was not only a painter but also a prolific writer. His literary works conveyed the trends of European art, particularly those in France, and played a significant role in the acceptance of Western art in Japan. His 1947 publicationKyoto Yoga no Reimeiki(“The Dawn of Kyoto Western-style Painting”) provides a systematic account of the development of Western-style painting in Japan, focusing on Kyoto. With the publication of a revised and expanded edition in 2006, the book remains an essential work for understanding the Kyoto Western-style painting scene today. This Special Display traces the formation of Kyoto’s Western-style painting scene as told by Kuroda, introduced through the Museum Collection. From pioneers such as Tamura Soryu, the establishment of the Kyoto Prefectural School of Painting, the formation of the Kansai Bijutsukai, and the arrival of Asai Chu in Kyoto, please enjoy exploring the foundations that shaped the development of Western-style painting in Kyoto.

Kimono have been used as clothing to adorn people's bodies. Kimono are decorated with designs on the surface, and because they are made from a fixed width of cloth sewn in straight lines, they have a very flat appearance, but the colorful designs they incorporate give them a three-dimensional appearance when worn as clothing. This shift between flat and three-dimensional is interesting, as it is very different from Western clothing, which is designed and produced from the beginning using three-dimensional cutting.

The Fire Festival begins with the Goma ceremony in the main hall, where about 20 Tanukiyama monks wearing bells devoutly offer scriptures to Acala. After that, they march in a procession to the fire walking dojo below the main hall, and the sound of conch shells solemnly echoes over Tanukiyama. The Tanukiyama monks, who have undergone rigorous training, work together to pray for the safety and health of their families. The flames of the pure fire rise instantly, reflecting on the main hall. After breaking down the firewood of the Goma altar and using the embers to make a fire bed, the Tanukiyama monks begin walking on fire. Next, the monks hold the fire walking amulets in their hands and take turns walking on fire.

The Mingei movement began through gatherings in Kyoto between philosopher Yanagi Soetsu, and potters Kawai Kanjiro and Hamada Shoji. During a research trip to study Mokujiki’s wood-carved Buddhist statues , their discussions deepened, leading to the coining of the term “mingei” (“folk art”) in 1925. To mark the 100th anniversary of the term’s inception, we are holding the special exhibition,The 100th Anniversary of Mingei: Kyoto’s Legacy of Everyday Life,which reveals the relationship between Mingei and Kyoto.

Song and Yuan Buddhist paintings are Buddhist paintings created during the Song and Yuan dynasties in China. Japan has been a devout believer in Buddhism since ancient times, and imported many cultural artifacts from China, which was a leading country in Buddhism. Song and Yuan Buddhist paintings, which were brought to Japan mainly from the late Heian period to the Kamakura period, include many works of extremely high quality that are noteworthy in the history of Chinese painting. These were enshrined in temples and served as models for painters, and have deeply penetrated Japanese culture over a long period of time. This exhibition will collect Song and Yuan Buddhist paintings held in Japan and introduce the characteristics of each one in the context of the place where they were created. Although they are all grouped together under the term "Song and Yuan Buddhist paintings," their aspects are complex and diverse, including the content depicted, the era and region in which they were created, and the people involved. We hope that this exhibition will provide an opportunity to unravel the appeal of Song and Yuan Buddhist paintings and to reexamine the international nature, tolerance, and diversity of Japanese culture that has passed down these paintings.

Domoto Insho (1891-1975) entered the Kyoto Municipal Painting School in 1918, and in 1920, he studied at the Seikosha art school established by Nishiyama Suisho. He was active mainly in official exhibitions, winning his first prize at the first Teiten Exhibition for his work Fukakusa, receiving a special prize at the third Teiten Exhibition for his work Chojumarizu, and winning the Imperial Art Academy Prize at the sixth Teiten Exhibition for his work Kegon. He was known for his detailed figurative paintings, but after he turned 60 and traveled to Europe, he shifted to an abstract style, completing abstract paintings with dynamic brush strokes. This exhibition, held to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Domoto Insho's death, is a major retrospective that looks back on his career, focusing on his representative works, including those exhibited at official exhibitions, and offers a comprehensive look at this artist who was famous not only in the Kyoto art world but throughout Japan.

What exactly is the nature of a child? Adorable and pure. Free yet bearing a sense of fragility. These perceptions of children are, in many ways, discoveries that were made anew in the modern era. The Meiji period saw the establishment of schools, leading to the development of children’s education. By the Taisho period, a distinct children’s culture had been established, including children’s magazines and nursery rhymes, and many cultural figures, such as authors and composers, turned their attention to children. In this climate, many modern painters also began to observe and depict children in their works—as symbols of purity, expressions of youthful vitality, or as beloved family members. Numerous works featuring children are also housed in the Museum Collection. This Special Display, centered on paintings themed around children, will reflect on the “gaze towards children” in the modern era

Focusing on the collection of the San Diego Museum of Art, along with masterpieces from the National Museum of Western Art, we will offer tips on how to enjoy viewing Western paintings. All of the world-renowned masterpieces on display from the San Diego Museum of Art, including works by Giorgione and Sánchez Cotán, will be on display in Japan for the first time. As we trace the history of Western art spanning 600 years, from the Renaissance to the end of the 19th century, we invite you to come and find your own "where to look" at the venue.

The World Heritage Nijo Castle will host the "NAKED encounters Nijo Castle 2025 Evening Cool" lighting event, allowing visitors to enjoy the atmosphere of a summer festival at night. This project is part of the "NAKED GARDEN ONE KYOTO 2025" art project, which aims to bring visitors a new experience of Kyoto through real and virtual means. This summer, we will debut a variety of exciting content, including interactive art inspired by Kyoto's summer traditions - riverside seats and bamboo boats, with the illuminated National Treasure Ninomaru Palace and Important Cultural Property Karamon as the background.

The Bon Odori of Honganji Temple is one of the traditional events held every summer at Nishi Honganji Temple in Kyoto. As the largest Bon Odori event in Kyoto, it attracts many local residents and tourists to participate. The event is usually held in the Nishi Honganji Temple. Participants can dance around the stage in yukata to the accompaniment of traditional Japanese music, enjoying the coolness and joy of summer. In addition to the Bon Odori, there are various stalls at the event site, providing Japanese snacks and drinks, adding to the festive atmosphere. This event is not only an opportunity to enjoy summer fun, but also a good platform to experience Japan's traditional culture and community spirit.

Daigoji Temple is the main temple of the Shingon sect of the Daigo sect and is listed as a World Heritage Site. The "Daigoji Manrankai Festival" is a memorial service held on August 5 every year to commemorate the ancestors and souls of each family and focus on the preciousness of life. While many lanterns and lanterns light up the entrance, the "Manlan Ceremony" and "Hungry Ghost Tower Offering" are held. On the day of the event, the national treasure golden hall and five-story pagoda are specially lit up, creating a dreamy atmosphere.

The Gojozaka Pottery Festival began in the early Taisho period and has grown into one of the largest pottery festivals in Japan. The event takes place five blocks away on Gojozaka Street in Higashiyama District, where hundreds of vendors gather to sell their respective pottery. Although the kilns are now moved out of town for environmental reasons, Gojozaka still retains many of the pottery shops that have been passed down for many years. Kyoto-style pottery is renowned in Japan for its quality, and even low-end ones are expensive, but if you know where to look, you can always find some good goods during these four days.

This year marks the 31st anniversary of the Kyoto International Children's Film Festival, a film festival with children as the main characters. At the festival, children plan, organize and judge short and feature films from all over the world. It is a festival where you can watch, learn and experience, such as live dubbing by professional actors and children, and "Backyard Tour" where you can explore behind the cinema. This year's theme is "Summer Moments, Our Cinema".

The Matsuno-no-Torch Lighting Festival is a rural event that highlights some of the traditions of rural Japan and is held in three remote villages in Kyoto in August. Held on August 15th every year, starting at around 20:00, Hanase's Matsuhi is used as a way of sending off the dead who return to our world during the Bon Festival, as well as a ritual that is said to drive away fire. The festival is also a prayer for a good harvest. Twenty-meter-high torches are lit beside streams in a field of a thousand torches, and locals wave their lit small torches in the dark of night, which is a sight to behold! Hirogawara's Matsuhi is held on August 24th every year, starting at around 20:30. To host the festival, a tall pillar about 20 meters high is built from Japanese cedar wood, with a large torch on top. As night falls, bonfires are lit and small torches are placed in the surrounding fields to create a magical effect. Locals take small bundles of wood tied to ropes, light them in the bonfire, and throw them at the torch on top of the pole, trying to light it to the sound of energetic drums and cheers of the assembly.

Yakushigawa Chiharu has developed a distinctive style of abstract painting based on the relationship between “pairs.” In herrubseries, in which she applies handmade pigment to both hands and feet, pairs of two or four colors are arranged opposite one another, leaving traces that evoke her bodily movements. Positioned side by side on a single surface, the colors sometimes appear to encroach upon one another’s territory. Additionally, in her recentknockseries, Yakushigawa paints the surface by knocking on it with paint-covered hands, as if signaling to an unseen counterpart on the opposite side.This exhibition will showcase new works centered around the knock series. When confronted with Yakushigawa’s works, what might we imagine lies beyond the painted surface?

Located around the hotels and bakeries that Kyoto, the "city of bread," is proud of, about 20 shops from all over the country gathered. Please enjoy the special bread festival that will be limited to two days at Kamigamo Shrine. In 2015, the "Shikinen Sengu" celebration, which is held every 21 years, was held for the first time at Kamigamo Shrine. As a food event that prays for a good harvest and focuses on "bread," which is indispensable in modern food culture, it attracted more than 40,000 visitors last year. The event aims to spread Kyoto's unique bread culture as the country's top "city of bread," and at the same time, it will allow people to get closer to and attract tourists while experiencing the history of Kamigamo Shrine, a world cultural heritage that Kyoto is proud of. This is the largest bread event in Kyoto.

Samata Kazuki is an unconventional artist who, alongside her artistic practice, is also a professional disc golf player. While participating in the sport as a player, she has used unique strategies to address various issues facing sports, such as sponsorship, society and politics, nationalism, and gender. Furthermore, she expands on these issues to suggest that they are of the same nature as the challenges facing the art world today. Samata’s perspective, gained by illuminating art through the practice of sports, is original and persuasive precisely because of her dual identity as athlete and artist. This is the artist’s first exhibition at an art museum. Examining the Museum from multiple angles through the lens of sport, Samata will deliver a unique viewpoint while posing humorous questions to visitors.

This exhibition showcases the elegant dolls of Maruhei Oki, a doll maker founded in Kyoto during the Meiwa Era in the Edo period, displayed alongside paintings depicting Gosekku (“the five seasonal festivals”) and other seasonal events. Maruhei has a long doll-making tradition rich in exquisite craftsmanship, from costumes through to furnishings, based on the customs of the Imperial Court. Focusing on Hina dolls, which have long been loved by the Imperial household and other important families, and comprising Gosho dolls, Isho dolls, Ichimatsu dolls, and other dolls unique to Maruhei displayed alongside the works of modern painters from the Collection, this exhibition will reflect on the enduring beauty of tradition in Kyoto.

This is a grand festival dedicated to the god Inari, where devotees from all over the country gather. During the "Manto Shinto" ceremony held on the eve of the festival, prayer lanterns are lit throughout the temple. About 400 "andonga" (paper lanterns) are displayed in the temple for two days.

In 2020, the Arashiyama Fireworks Festival was held for the first time in 44 years. At that time, it was a difficult period of the new crown pneumonia epidemic, and in the hope of "I hope everyone will show their heads a little", the event started with a quiet fireworks display. "I pray for the end of this epidemic around the world." This year is the 5th time, and for the first time, a private viewing platform has been prepared where you can enjoy not only the fireworks but also the night view of Arashiyama, as well as a special viewing area where you can enjoy live music and a beer garden.

The 5th SICASE Global Conference on Art, Education, and Humanities is set to take place in Kyoto, Japan at the KYOTO RESEARCH PARK from March 27-29, 2024. The conference's theme, "Creative Industries and Social Development," aims to foster interdisciplinary discussions on the impact of creative industries on social and economic development, cultural diversity, innovation, and sustainability. Participants can expect keynote speeches and paper presentations exploring current trends, challenges, and opportunities within the creative industries. Strategies for promoting growth and resilience in this sector will also be discussed. This event offers an exciting exploration of how creative industries shape societies and envision future possibilities. For inquiries, please contact sicase@sicase.org. Ticket sales have ended.