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Tokyo Biennale 2025, an international art festival originating from Tokyo, will be held from Friday, October 17th. Discounted tickets are on sale at ArtSticker.

Kan'ei-ji Temple on Mount Toei

The Chain Museum Co., Ltd. has begun implementing the ticket sales system of its art communication platform, "ArtSticker," for the Tokyo Biennale 2025, an international art festival originating from Tokyo, which will run from Friday, October 17th to Sunday, December 14th, 2025.

For more details and to purchase tickets, click here

Event theme

The Tokyo Biennale is a "social dive" international art festival that "dives" into various areas of the city of Tokyo, discovering and creating together the charm and new value that lives in the culture and lifestyles of the people who gather there.

This year's theme, "Would you like to take a walk together?" focuses on how the way we connect changes depending on "who" and "where" we walk, connecting us in a soft, gentle way. This year's Tokyo Biennale attempts to discover and create new relationships through a variety of artworks themed around "walking." The base venue, Toeizan Kan'ei-ji Temple, dates back to the Edo period, and Etoile Kaito was founded in 1902, making it a place with a long history in the region. You can experience the profound meaning of "walking" from the comfort of your own home at these two historic venues, or you can actually walk through the six areas. Why not experience the expression of a "social dive" that creates encounters between people, and between people and cities?

■Message from the General Producer

The mission is to dive into Tokyo and become deeply involved with the city.

The Tokyo Biennale is a "social dive" international art festival that "dives" into various areas of the city of Tokyo, discovering and creating together the charm and new value that lives in the culture and lifestyles of the people who gather there.
The theme of this year's event, "Would you like to take a walk with me?" focuses on the fact that the way we connect with others changes depending on "who" we walk with and "where," and is an attempt to create a new form of "walk" that gently and tenderly connects us. Through this uncharted walk, we will explore the expression of a "social dive" that creates encounters between people and people, and between people and cities.
Even in a world where conflicts are deepening, the physical act of walking side by side with someone, even if it's the first time we've met, can provide an opportunity to get to know each other, spark interest in the city and its culture, and become the seed of dialogue. Tokyo, a city twice reduced to ruins by the Great Kanto Earthquake and World War II, continues to nurture diverse streetscapes and people's lives. We want to cherish the miraculous moment of being able to walk together. In particular, we must not forget the existence of "underlying culture"—the wisdom, faith, self-governance, performing arts, and townspeople's culture of urban life that has continued since the Edo period. These traditions still live on inconspicuously throughout the city, and are important cultural resources that can serve as breeding ground for new creativity in the modern era. Tokyo Biennale 2025 will carefully uncover these hidden corners of Tokyo's culture and attempt to connect them to the future through art projects.
To that end, we will explore forms of expression that involve deliberately drifting around the streets of Tokyo, actively taking detours, using the imagination and methodology of artists. This art project, which involves a "stroll" that weaves new relationships, gently connects the city and its people. For example, when you go to see the installation at Toeizan Kan'ei-ji Temple, which is celebrating its 400th anniversary since its founding, or the collection of artworks quietly placed in the gaps of the city, it is in the scenery you encounter along the way and the casual interactions with people that you will make discoveries that can only be experienced here and now. When you come across something that catches your eye, be sure to stop and take a moment to look at it. There you may find an unexpected moment of spiritual opening.
Tokyo Biennale 2025 will dive into Tokyo through 14 exhibition venues, works by 39 participating artists, and numerous walking programs, creating art projects that are deeply connected to the city.

General Producer: Masato Nakamura

Three Features of Tokyo Biennale 2025

Feature 1: A citizen-led, participatory art festival with the theme "Stroll"

Tokyo Biennale 2025 will feature two exhibition locations and six areas filled with artworks and projects. Participating citizens will create their own routes and discover things beyond the artworks that make them wonder, "Is this really art?" This is an art festival created by citizens. A "Stroll University Special Lecture" will also be held before the event begins, sharing the meaning of strolling and new perspectives. Numerous walking-related workshops and tours will also be held during the event.

Feature 2: Two "art maps" – paper and digital – connecting two bases and six areas

Illustration: Kazuki Takahashi

The Art Map will accompany you on your walks and discoveries as you participate in Tokyo Biennale 2025. With fun illustrations and an art map that shows you the highlights at a glance, you can explore the exhibition venues and areas. In addition to the exhibits, the "This Is Art Discovery Team" has been formed to connect interesting information hidden in local cultural facilities, public art, and the city, and will conduct research and gather information in advance. Traces of social trends, culture, and people's lives will also be plotted based on "Edo/Tokyo Lifestyle Studies." These will be reflected on a single map in digital space, connecting the Tokyo Biennale's host areas.

Feature 3: International and local, where people intersect

Adam Roygard, FOR THE PUBLIC I-III, 2024

Through collaboration with artists invited from overseas, such as through the international artist open call project "SOCIAL DIVE" and the "Overseas Collaboration Project," we will rediscover and reconstruct the potential hidden in our lives, culture, behavior, and language from a multifaceted perspective. Through walks, events, dialogue, and more, we will discover new perspectives and possibilities for Tokyo together with the citizens that we would normally not notice.

■Venue and exhibiting artists – The venue will be in six diverse areas in northeastern Tokyo

Tokyo Biennale 2025 will be held in multiple facilities and public spaces in the northeastern Tokyo wards of Chiyoda, Chuo, Bunkyo, and Taito. Centered around two main exhibition venues (fees apply), Toeizan Kan'ei-ji Temple and Etoile Kaito Living Hall, visitors can enjoy exhibitions and events in six free areas, each with its own history and culture.

Base Exhibition
Kan'ei-ji Temple, Toeizan (1-14-11 Ueno Sakuragi, Taito Ward)
Etoile Kaito Living Hall (1-15-15 Higashikanda, Chiyoda-ku)

Exhibition Area
Ueno/Okachimachi area, Suidobashi area, Kanda/Akihabara area, Otemachi/Marunouchi/Yurakucho area, Nihonbashi/Makuicho area, Yaesu/Kyobashi area

Tokyo Biennale 2025 Events

Sanpo University Special Lecture No. 4 "Sanpo no Machi" (Strolling Town)

Toshiya Yoshimi

President of Sanpo University Professor at the Faculty of Tourism and Urban Planning, Kokugakuin University

General admission: 1,500 yen / Students: 500 yen
We will listen to the genius loci hidden in the local areas of Tokyo and engage in dialogue with the history and memories that have been passed down there.
Date and time: November 6, 2025 (Thursday) 18:30~20:00
Guest: Naoki Oshiro (Professor of Cultural Geography, Faculty of Letters, Meiji University)

Event Details

Event Overview

title
Tokyo Biennale 2025: An international art festival originating from Tokyo

theme
Would you like to take a walk with me?

Dates
October 17, 2025 (Friday) – December 14, 2025 (Sunday)

venue
Base exhibition (2 venues): Toeizan Kan'eiji Temple, Etoile Kaito Living Hall
Exhibition areas (6 locations): Ueno/Okachimachi area, Kanda/Akihabara area, Suidobashi area, Nihonbashi/Bakurocho area, Yaesu/Kyobashi area, Otemachi/Marunouchi/Yurakucho area
*Historic buildings, public spaces, stores, unused buildings, etc. in each area

Ticket prices
Advance tickets (two venues common ticket)
General admission: 2,500 yen
Students: 1,500 yen

General ticket (two venues common ticket)
General admission: 2,900 yen
Students: 1,700 yen

Tickets by venue: Etoile Kaito Living Hall
General admission: 2,100 yen
Students: 1,400 yen

Tickets by venue: Toeizan Kan'eiji Temple
General admission: 1,100 yen
Students: 400 yen

Organizer
Tokyo Biennale General Incorporated Association

Sponsor
Chiyoda Ward, Chuo Ward, Bunkyo Ward, Taito Ward, Chiyoda Ward Tourism Association, Chuo Ward Tourism Association, Bunkyo Ward Tourism Association, Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in Japan, Embassy of the Kingdom of Denmark, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, Embassy of Norway, Embassy of Brazil in Japan, Polish Information and Cultural Center

Special Grant
Ishibashi Foundation, a public interest incorporated foundation

Grant
Arts Council Tokyo [Tokyo Arts and Culture Appreciation Support Grant]
The Japan Foundation

Sponsorship
Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd., Daimaru Matsuzakaya Department Stores Co., Ltd., Palace Hotel Tokyo, Fujifilm Business Innovation Japan Co., Ltd., YKK Corporation, Park Hotel Tokyo, Wonder Powered You Co., Ltd.

Business Partner
Tokyo Dome Corporation

Special Cooperation
Kan'ei-ji Temple, Etoile Kaito Co., Ltd.

cooperation
Kyobashi Saiku Area Management General Incorporated Association, NTT East Japan, Ebiwara Shoten, Otemachi First Square Co., Ltd., Command A LLC, Tokyo University of the Arts, Toda Corporation, East Japan Railway Company

Subsidy project
FY2025 Japan Cultural Expo 2.0 Project (Japan Arts Council/Agency for Cultural Affairs)

This project supports the "All Welcome Tokyo" campaign, which aims to create a Tokyo that everyone can enjoy, regardless of whether they have a disability or not, or whether they have a language or cultural difference.

List of participating artists (in alphabetical order)

[Domestic]
Tamari Akiyama, Junko Iwaoka, L PACK., Kaze Ouchi, Junya Kataoka + Rie Iwatake, Mari Katayama, Nozomu Kubota, Yoshiaki Kurihara, Takeru Kurokawa, Mami Osemura, SIDE CORE, Naoki Sato, 6lines studio + Yoshiharu Tsukamoto, Shingo Suzuki, Akio Suzuki, Risaku Suzuki, Kazuki Takahashi, Mika Terauchi, Sachiko Toda, Yasuko Toyoshima, Masato Nakamura, Naoya Hatakeyama, Nobuyuki Fujiwara, Hogarty, Chihiro Minato, Milk Warehouse The Coconuts, Goro Murayama, Junichi Mori, Yasushi Mori, Shun Yonaha, Eiji Watanabe

[abroad]
Naraka Wijewardene (Sri Lanka), Camilla Svensson (Brazil), Tenthaus Art Collective and the OVEN Network (Norway/Thailand), Mariam Tovmasyan (Armenia), Truong Que Chi/Nguyen Phuong Linh (Vietnam), Piotr Buyak (Poland), Elke Leinhuber (Germany), Adam Leugert (Sweden)

Website
https://tokyobiennale.jp/

Purchase tickets here

About ArtSticker

Operated by The Chain Museum Co., Ltd., this platform provides opportunities to encounter art and places to enjoy dialogue, "connecting a series of experiences" in art appreciation. It features a wide range of works, from well-known artists to up-and-coming young artists. The genres of the works are also diverse, including installations, paintings, and performing arts.
ArtSticker also hopes to connect art and artists directly with the world by connecting them to unique real-life locations, not just digitally.

▽ArtSticker Website
https://artsticker.app/

▽ArtSticker download URL
App Store: https://apps.apple.com/app/artsticker/id1446438049

For museums and event organizers who want to implement ticket sales functionality

ArtSticker is currently looking for event organizers who would like to implement the ticketing feature.
It is also possible to sell and link audio guides to the exhibits.
For more information, please see below and contact us.

▽Contact us here
Ticket: https://artsticker.app/services/ticket/
Audio guide: https://artsticker.app/services/audio-guide/

Overview of The Chain Museum Co., Ltd.

Company name: The Chain Museum Co., Ltd. (pronounced: The Chain Museum)
Address: Daikanyama TOKO, 3rd floor, Daikanyama Art Village, 17-10 Sarugakucho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Representative: Representative Director Masamichi Toyama

▽The Chain Museum Official Website
https://www.tcm.art/

[The Chain Museum Co., Ltd.] Press Release

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Approximately 400 original drawings will be gathered together! The largest original art exhibition in City Hunter’s history, “City Hunter Original Art Exhibition ~ FOREVER, CITY HUNTER” will be held at the Ueno Royal Museum from Saturday, November 22nd!

Ueno Royal Museum

To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the serialization of "City Hunter," published by Coremix Inc. , on February 26, 2025, the largest original art exhibition in the series' history, "City Hunter Original Art Exhibition ~FOREVER, CITY HUNTER~," will be held at the Ueno Royal Museum from Saturday, November 22, 2025 to Sunday, December 28, 2025.

Tickets for the exhibition will go on sale from 10:00 AM on Thursday, September 25th. This exhibition is dedicated to all fans of "City Hunter," and is the largest exhibition in the series' history, packed with memorable scenes and lines that are etched in everyone's hearts. The fateful encounter between Ryo and Kaori. The trust built with unique colleagues and clients. And the bond between Ryo and Kaori, who recognize each other as irreplaceable partners. This cool, comical, sometimes poignant, and deeply moving story is now condensed into one big exhibit. An impressive display of over 400 original drawings will be on display. Furthermore, the exhibition is packed with must-see exhibits for fans, including rare materials, photo spots where you can immerse yourself in the world of the series, and special videos.

Please enjoy to your heart's content the endless charm of "City Hunter," which has continued to shine for over 40 years. Further information regarding this exhibition will be announced in late October or early November. In addition, a crowdfunding project titled "XYZ…We want to bring Ryo Saeba to the Ueno Royal Museum!!" is also being held in preparation for the exhibition.

Exhibition ticket information

In addition to regular tickets, we have prepared tickets for the 11/22-23 designated date and time for those who want to enjoy the exhibition before the general public. We also have a wide variety of tickets available for sale, including set tickets that come with special perks like an original snow globe and original pins, and partner tickets that offer great deals for two people visiting together. For more details about tickets, please refer to the exhibition website or each ticket agency.

■Release date
September 25th (Thurs) 10:00~

■Ticket sales URL
e+
Full-year ticket/11/22-23 designated date and time ticket
https://eplus.jp/cityhunter40th_ex/

JRE MALL
Seasonal ticket
https://event.jreast.co.jp/activity/detail/a075/a075-00012
11/22-23 date and time ticket
https://event.jreast.co.jp/activity/detail/a075/a075-00001

■Ticket details
11/22-23 Scheduled Date Ticket: 3,500 yen
*November 22nd (Sat) and 23rd (Sun), designated time slots every hour, admission bonus (holo sticker) *Not for sale
Regular advance tickets and same-day tickets will not be valid for admission on these two days.

Same-day tickets: Adults 2,900 yen, Elementary and junior high school students 1,100 yen
Advance tickets: Adults 2,500 yen, Elementary and junior high school students 800 yen
Partner ticket: 4,500 yen
*Partner tickets are available for a limited time from Thursday, September 25th to Friday, October 10th.
*Please come in groups of two. Entering one person at a time is not permitted.

Ticket with special merchandise
Ticket with bonus goods①: 10,000 yen
Ticket with bonus goods②: 13,000 yen


Bonus Item 1: "City Hunter Original Art Exhibition Original Snow Globe"


Bonus Item 2: "City Hunter Original Art Exhibition Original Pin Set"

*All prices include tax.
*The bonus image is for illustrative purposes only. The design may change without notice.

XYZ…I want to invite Ryo Saeba to the Ueno Royal Museum!!

To mark the 40th anniversary of the start of the serialization of "City Hunter," we will be holding a crowdfunding project to recreate famous scenes together with fans.
At the venue of the City Hunter Original Art Exhibition ~FOREVER, CITY HUNTER!!~, there will be a life-size reproduction of Ryo relaxing and sipping coffee at the counter of the Cat's Eye Cafe, a spot often seen in the City Hunter series. We will work with you to create a spot where you can sit next to Ryo Saeba at the counter of the Cat's Eye Cafe and take commemorative photos!

■Application period
September 24th (Wednesday) 19:00 – October 26th (Sunday) 23:59

■Project page URL
https://ubgoe.com/projects/981

■Examples of return gifts
*Supporter names and comments will be posted on the "Giant XYZ Message Board" at the exhibition venue.
※SAEBA Shoji employee giveaway set of 6 items [①SAEBA Shoji business card (with your name), ②SAEBA Shoji president Ryo Saeba business card, ③pass case with neck strap, ④special ballpoint pen, ⑤special memo pad, ⑥special towel]
*Invitation to a premium preview on the day before November 21st
* Catalog signed by Hojo Tsukasa
※Life-size Ryo Saeba

Overview of "City Hunter Original Art Exhibition ~FOREVER, CITY HUNTER~"
Event period: Saturday, November 22, 2025 to Sunday, December 28, 2025
Opening hours: 10:00-17:00 (last entrance 16:30)
Venue: Ueno Royal Museum (1-2 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo)
Organizer: Toei Coamix
Official website: https://www.cityhunter-ex.jp
X: https://x.com/cityhunter_ex
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cityhunter_ex/

Original information

The three letters "XYZ" are written on the message board at the east exit of Shinjuku Station – a desperate message from a client who has "no more chances." Ryo Saeba, a top-notch sniper but also an unrivaled lover of beautiful women, and his partner Kaori Makimura team up as "City Hunters," sweepers of the underworld, to solve various requests, sometimes even getting aroused by beautiful clients. The series was serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump from 1985 to 1991, and celebrated its 40th anniversary on February 26, 2025.

[Comics information]
Zenon Selection "CITY HUNTER" all 29 volumes on sale now
Tsukasa Hojo
Published by: Coremix
Price: 880 yen (tax included)

Sample reading

[Coamix Corporation] Press Release

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[Ueno Royal Museum] Report on “Shosoin THE SHOW.” Experience the beauty of the treasures with your whole body, including a recreation of the scent of the legendary fragrant wood “Ranjatai.”

Ueno Royal Museum

Located within the former grounds of Todaiji Temple in Nara, Shosoin is a miraculous treasure house that has protected and passed down for nearly 1,300 years 9,000 treasures that convey the essence of Tenpyo culture. Every autumn, the Shosoin Exhibition is held, where the treasures are open to the public, but recently, the Ueno Royal Museum is holding "Shosoin THE SHOW – Feel. The miracle that exists here, now," which proposes a new way to enjoy the treasures that takes a different approach from viewing the actual items.

The event will run from Saturday, September 20th to Sunday, November 9th, 2025.

"Shosoin THE SHOW – Feel the miracle that exists here and now" venue view

Empress Komyo (701-760) supported the 45th Emperor Shomu (701-756), known for the construction of provincial temples and the Great Buddha of Todaiji Temple, and worked on Buddhist policies and relief for the poor. The history of the Shosoin treasures began when Empress Komyo, praying for the repose of Emperor Shomu's soul, donated some of Emperor Shomu's beloved belongings to the Great Buddha of Todaiji Temple. Among the approximately 9,000 treasures, many have clear records of their dates of creation, purpose, and origin, conveying to the present day the techniques, aesthetic sense, and aspirations of the people of that time.

This exhibition is under the full supervision of the Imperial Household Agency's Shosoin Office and has the theme of "Weaving Love and Beauty," unraveling the various stories behind the treasures that have been carefully protected under the imperial seal system, allowing visitors to experience their charm with their whole body.

At the beginning of the venue, a full-size replica of the "National Treasure Book," a catalogue of the donated treasures and measuring over 14 meters in length, is displayed unfolded on a full sheet of paper, showing the origins of the Shosoin treasures. While this exhibition is a traveling exhibition from the Osaka venue, the "National Treasure Book" is a new exhibit from the Tokyo venue.

Reproduction exhibition of “National Treasure Book”

At a press briefing held prior to the event, Takehiko Iida, director of the Imperial Household Agency's Shosoin Office, spoke of the dilemma that trying to strictly manage the treasures, which have become fragile over the course of 1,300 years, makes it difficult to open them to the public, and explained that this exhibition was born as a solution. "We wanted to provide a more innovative experience than just looking at the treasures themselves, so we have also included exhibits that appeal to all five senses, allowing visitors to appreciate the appeal of the treasures from all angles," he said, and as such, the exhibition does not feature actual treasures on display .

Some people may be disappointed and think, "What, there are no real ones?", but instead, there are "reproductions" on display that have been researched and produced for many years by the Shosoin Office of the Imperial Household Agency .

Reproduction of "Mother-of-pearl and purple sandalwood five-stringed biwa"

Unlike ordinary replicas, reproductions do not simply resemble the appearance, but rather utilize a variety of analytical and optical equipment to investigate the materials and techniques of the time, and Living National Treasures and other master craftsmen use their skilled techniques to aim to recreate the original appearance of the treasures. This exhibition features 11 reproductions, including the world's only surviving ancient five-stringed biwa, the "Mother-of-pearl Purple Sandalwood Five-Stringed Biwa," and the "Mother-of-pearl Box," both of which are renowned as representative treasures of the Shosoin Repository.

Reproduction of the "Mother-of-pearl box"
"Kontama Obi" Reproduction
Reproduction of "Gold and Silver Inlaid Tang Sword"

The goal of the Shosoin Office is to "create another Shosoin treasure." The replica is like a treasure that has traveled back in time to the present day, allowing us to see the treasures as close as possible to the ones that people of the Nara period actually saw, without any discoloration or damage.

In addition, since 2019, the Shosoin Office has been collaborating with TOPPAN to create detailed 3D digital data (digital archives) of the treasures, making full use of the latest 3D measurement, high-resolution photography, and texture capture technologies .

In this exhibition, a video work that adds special effects to this 3D digital data will be projected in high-definition video of approximately 12K on a huge screen approximately 4 meters high and 20 meters wide. The screen uses screen paint developed based on research on "Quantum Dots," which won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2023, making the treasures shine with even sharper contrast.

Story video

The approximately 17-minute screening is set to magnificent music and is divided into three parts: a "story video" about the hidden tales of Shosoin, a "digital treasure video" that approaches the overwhelming "beauty" of the treasures themselves, and a "reproduced and imitation treasure video." The most impressive part is the "World of Beauty of Shosoin" in the story video, which recreates a fantastical universe of "beauty" with camels, elephants, and mythical beasts strutting about among the flower and bird patterns and mother-of-pearl decorations on the treasures. The sense of beauty embodied in the treasures is condensed into this video, and standing in front of the screen provides an even greater sense of immersion.

Scene from the digital treasure video "Circular Mirror, Flat Mother-of-Pearl Inlay, No. 11"

The digital treasure footage projects treasures at angles that allow viewers to glimpse the details and textures of treasures that are difficult to see with the naked eye, such as the gorgeous decorative mirror "Circular Mirror with Flat Mother-of-Pearl Back No. 11," featuring a floral and bird motif interspersed with lapis lazuli and turquoise flakes, and the beautiful incense burner stand "Urushi-Kin Usu-Eban (Lacquer and Gold Thin Picture Board) B," featuring 32 brilliantly colored petals. A truly immersive viewing experience is possible even without the use of monoculars. "Urushi-Kin Usu-Eban (Lacquer and Gold Thin Picture Board) B" offers a truly enjoyable experience that can only be achieved with digital data, with the petals being disassembled to reveal the design, as if a flower is blooming, and the appearance of incense rising.

Digital Treasure Video "Scene from "Urushi-kin Usu-eban Otsu"

One of the highlights is the display of a reproduction of the scent of the legendary fragrant wood "Ranjatai ." Ranjatai (treasure name: Huang Jukkou) is a type of agarwood made by depositing resin and essential oils on the stumps of the Aquilaria genus of the Thymelaeaceae family, which is found in Southeast Asia. It was coveted by rulers of the time, such as Oda Nobunaga, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, and Yoshimasa, and has been called "the most famous fragrance in the world." Amazingly, it is said that you can still smell a faint scent of it today.

"Ranjatai (replica)"

To record the fading scent, the Shosoin Office, with the cooperation of Takasago International Corporation, will begin analyzing the aromatic components in the air volatilizing from the Ranjatai starting in 2024. Furthermore, through the perfumer's 'monko' (a method of savory aroma appreciation in which fragrant wood is heated in an incense burner and the aroma is savored), they discovered that the fragrance resembled labdanum, a natural fragrance extracted from the resin of the cistus plant, and created the first-ever replica fragrance based on this.

Ranjatai fragrance experience exhibit

Takashi Suzuki of Takasago International Corporation's IR/PR department explained, "Rather than the scent of Ranjatai itself, it is closer to the scent you smell when you listen to it, the scent that Oda Nobunaga and others smelled." At the venue, a replica fragrance will be placed in a glass container so that visitors can actually enjoy the scent.

The writer felt that it had an elegant fragrance reminiscent of cinnamon and apricot kernel. This world-famous fragrance has been revived in modern times, and we highly recommend experiencing it at the venue.

The newly established "Avenue of Beauty" at the Tokyo venue

Beyond the "Avenue of Beauty," which is covered up to the ceiling with colorful designs of a wide variety of treasures, lies an exhibition area where new works created by contemporary artists inspired by the Shosoin treasures are on display.

The participating artists are music producer Kameda Seiji, photographer Takimoto Mikiya, ceramic artist Kamee Michiko, and designer Shinohara Tomoe .

Michiko Kamee's exhibition

Seiji Kameda has released a piece called "Hikari," which combines recordings of his treasured biwa and shakuhachi instruments with contemporary music.
Takimoto Mikiya exhibited a series of monochrome photographs of the majestic Shosoin Repository illuminated by moonlight in the dark, evoking the nocturnal world seen by people 1,300 years ago, when there was no light like we have today.
Michiko Kamee imagined the stories of people at the time who would have been moved by the colors, materials, and patterns they had never seen before, and acted out those stories while creating her works.The small plates and vases on display are decorated with patterns created by skillfully combining digital technology and analog brushwork.

Shinohara Tomoe, who attended the press preview, spoke about the production process and details of her "LACQUERED EWER SHOSOIN DRESS, " a dress that combines tradition and modernity with a motif of a Persian-style water pitcher called a "lacquered gobin," inspired by the "beauty that is relevant to the present day" of the Shosoin treasures.

Tomoe Shinohara and her new dress "LACQUERED EWER SHOSOIN DRESS"

"Lacquer Hubin" is a delicate design of flowers, birds and animals made from thin silver plates using lacquer art unique to East Asia. Shinohara was captivated by the overwhelming presence of this piece, saying, "I felt a sense of the generous flow of the continent and a timeless aesthetic sense."

The creation of this piece, which took about a year from conception to completion, involved hand-tracing over 400 different pattern parts based on 3D data of the treasures, while also embracing the passion of past artisans. Intensely committed to embodying 1,300 years of history, the designers repeatedly applied the cut brass pieces to the crushed velvet fabric, soaking them in chemicals and applying heat to add nuances through repeated trial and error.

The focus of the dress was on its form, and she commented, "I made sure to preserve as much of the oriental form of the lacquered gobin as possible, based on the 3D data. It was my first attempt at creating a costume from 3D data, but I created it with the hope that people would feel as if they were actually peering into a treasure."

Even the handle of the pitcher has been incorporated into the design with respect.

While observing the lacquered gobins, he noticed that not only animals such as deer and birds, but even small insects existed in pairs of male and female. He shared the following story, revealing how he was moved when he discovered a "love story between Emperor Shomu and Empress Komyo" in the lacquered gobins.

"The main feature of this exhibition is that it allows you to experience the Shosoin treasures as art, and it is an exhibition that shows the seriousness of the Imperial Household Agency's Shosoin Office. I would be very happy if this exhibition allows you to feel the charm of the Shosoin treasures, the value of handiwork, and the passion of our ancestors who have passed them down to the present. I hope everyone will come and see it."

"Shosoin THE SHOW – Feel the miracle that exists here now" allows you to not only experience the charm of the treasures that have been brought back to life in modern times using the latest technology, but also to come into contact with the feelings of the people who have protected and passed down the history of the ancient treasures. The exhibition will run until Sunday, November 9th.

Overview of "Shosoin THE SHOW – Feel the miracle that exists here and now"

Dates Saturday, September 20, 2025 – Sunday, November 9, 2025
venue Ueno Royal Museum
Opening hours 10:00-17:00 (Last admission 30 minutes before closing)
Admission fee (Same-day tickets) Adults: 2,300 yen, High school and university students: 1,700 yen, Elementary and junior high school students: 1,100 yen
*Free admission for preschool children
*For ticket details, please see the exhibition's official website.
Organizer The Ueno Royal Museum, "Shosoin THE SHOW" Executive Committee (Yomiuri Television, The Yomiuri Shimbun, TOPPAN, Kadokawa Media House), Nippon Television Network, BS Nippon Television
Supervision Shosoin Office of the Imperial Household Agency
inquiry Hello Dial 050-5541-8600 (9:00-20:00 open every day)
Exhibition official website https://shosoin-the-show.jp/tokyo/

*The content of this article is current as of the time of coverage. Please check the official exhibition website for the latest information.

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Report from the “Berabou Edo Taito Taiga Drama Museum.” Experience the story of Tsutaju, the “Edo Media King.”

"Berabou: Tsutaju Eika no Yumebanashi" is a historical drama that depicts the turbulent life of Tsutaya Juzaburo, also known as Tsutaju, a media mogul active in the mid-Edo period.

The "Berabou Edo Taito Taiga Drama Museum" that we visited this time is a facility that opened in Taito Ward, Tokyo, an area associated with Tsutaya Juzaburo, the main character of "Berabou – Tsutajueika no Yumebanashi." The Taiga Drama Museum is packed with content that will allow you to enjoy the drama even more, such as the costumes and props of the characters.

In this report, we will introduce its charms and highlights.

Exterior of the "Berabou Edo Taito Taiga Drama Museum" (Taito Civic Center)

Experience the atmosphere of the Edo period

There are various gimmicks in the corridor leading from the Taiga Drama Museum
Large-format main visual of Tsutaju, played by Yokohama Ryusei

The Taito Civic Hall, where the Taiga Drama Museum is located, is just a few minutes' walk from Asakusa Station. The 9th floor is an Edo-period town called "Oedo Karamarumachi," and upon stepping inside, you'll feel as if you've traveled back in time.

The corridor leading from the elevator to the Taiga Drama Museum is also filled with various gimmicks that entertain visitors, such as panels where people appear from silhouettes when photographed with a flash, and walls painted with ukiyo-e art that changes depending on the angle from which you view it.

When you step into the "Berabou Edo Taito Taiga Drama Museum," you will be greeted by the main visual of Tsutaju, played by Yokohama Ryusei.

Tsutaya Juzaburo was born in 1750 in Shin-Yoshiwara, Edo (present-day Senzoku, Taito Ward), and opened the bookstore "Koshodo" in front of the Yoshiwara Daimon Gate in his twenties. He interacted with Toshusai Sharaku, Kitagawa Utamaro, and other writers who represent Edo culture, and achieved great success as the "media king of Edo."

The historical drama "Berabou: Tsutaju Eika no Yumebanashi," which depicts the life of Tsutaju, will begin airing on January 5, 2025, and was already entertaining many viewers at the time of this interview in early October.

"Berabou Introduction" introduces the main cast and staff

Costumes actually worn by Yokohama Ryusei are on display

The Taiga Drama Museum is divided into nine zones.
The "Berabou Introduction" section will feature an exhibition of Tsutaju's costumes and an introduction to the main cast and staff.
The highlight is Tsutaju's costume displayed in the center. It is the black-green tsumugi striped kimono that Tsutaju wore in the drama.

Sachiko Ito, who was in charge of costume design, explained why she chose green for the kimono worn by the main character, Tsutaju, instead of the more common indigo blue:

"He's still nobody, but he's not bound by anything, and he's mischievous and imaginative, and he's going to create something new. I chose the color green, which is not easy to reproduce, as a color to symbolize the start of such an original life."

He said:

Production team message board
There are photo spots set up everywhere

The exhibit also features comments from actors such as lead actor Yokohama Ryusei and narrator Ayase Haruka, who plays Kurosuke Inari, as well as from the production team, including screenwriter Morishita Yoshiko, composer John Graham, and title calligrapher Ishikawa Kyuyo.

The photo spot featuring the English title for overseas audiences, "UNBOUND," seems to be extremely popular, with many people taking the same arm-crossed pose as Tsutaju to have their photo taken.

Incidentally, "UNBOUND" means "liberated" or "unconstrained." It seems to have been chosen as a word to describe Tsutaya Juzaburo, who lived a life unconstrained by social status or origin, and unconstrained by convention.

The "Ijikkenmichi Zone" displays props and panels related to Tsutaju.

"Ichikendo Zone"
"Ehonmushi Erami" appeared in the 34th edition of Berabou
The character of "Edo Nama Tsuyaki Kabayaki" is very unique.

The next zone, the "Ichikkenmichi Zone," displays props related to Tsutaju, the publisher (a modern-day publishing company; originally referring to the business owner who owns the "plates" used in printing), as well as panels of related characters. The exhibit also includes costumes and props (some of which are replicas) actually used in filming, making for an extremely valuable exhibit.

In particular, "Ehon Mushi Erami," which appeared in the 34th competition, is a gorgeous picture book that fully demonstrates Utamaro's keen observational skills and realism. You will be captivated by the vivid colors and exquisite realism.
It's a rare opportunity to see items that are essential to the drama's episodes up close.

Tsutaya, Tsutaju's base of operations, replica set
Books published by Tsutaju and rental books are lined up in front of the store.

A replica set of "Tsutaya" is also on display. Of course, the scale is adjusted to fit the venue, but it is truly "Tsutaya" itself. The level of reproduction is amazing.

The interior has been meticulously recreated, from the chest of drawers to the household altar, and the eaves are lined with books that Tsutaju was involved in publishing and rental books. You can even sit inside, so be sure to take a commemorative photo.

Recreating Yoshiwara's main street! "Nakanomachi Zone"

Costumes worn by Segawa, played by Fuka Koshiba, are on display
Special panels and props delving into Yoshiwara are lined up

The most eye-catching exhibit is the costume worn by Segawa, the legendary courtesan played by Fuka Koshiba, during her courtesan procession. You can picture the courtesans walking briskly down the main street, garnering attention.
The visual of Nakanomachi, Yoshiwara's main street, in the background also leaves a striking impression, but since it would not be possible to build such a long set during the actual filming of the drama, a panel explained that an LED wall of images was used to create depth.

Additionally, the 4K Theater next to the Nakanomachi Zone screens video content that delves into the themes and behind-the-scenes of the program, and also introduces famous places and historical sites in Taito Ward related to Tsutaju.

There is also a circular bus that runs from the Taiga Drama Museum to places associated with Tsutaju, such as Shohoji Temple, Tsutaju's family temple, and the grave of Hiraga Gennai, who had a connection with Tsutaju, so it's a good idea to actually visit the spots you saw in the theater (you will need to present a commemorative visitor's card from the Taiga Drama Museum to board the circular bus).

The official website for "Taito Ward, a place associated with Tsutaju" introduces model tourist courses that take visitors to the Taiga Drama Museum and places associated with Tsutaju, as well as events and traditional rites related to the culture of the Edo period, when Tsutaju lived.
If you're interested, please check out the official website of "Taito Ward, the place associated with Tsutaju."

The Edo Castle Zone focuses on the Shogunate and its retainers

Costume worn by Ken Watanabe as Tanuma Okitsugu
Introducing the Shogun family and their retainers

Edo Castle is also an important location in the story.
The setting of "Berabou: Tsutaju Eika no Yumebanashi" is the mid-Edo period, a time of prolonged peace and flourishing arts and culture. However, with the "Kansei Reforms" of Matsudaira Sadanobu as a turning point, the circumstances surrounding Tsutaju and his friends also began to change dramatically.

The Edo Castle Zone features exhibits focusing on people associated with the Edo Shogunate, such as the Shogun family and their retainers, as well as panels introducing the program's art and behind-the-scenes filming.

At the end of the Taiga Drama Museum, handwritten messages and autographed colored paper from the cast members are displayed, conveying the passion they have for this drama. It's also a great way to find the autograph of your favorite character, or to remember characters who have unfortunately already left the show.

Experience the Edo market! "Taito Edo Market"

Entrance to the Taito Edo Market
A wide variety of ukiyo-e related goods on sale
You can get information about the actual store from the QR code in the product description.
Take on the Edo riddle "Hanjie"!
A vibrant display of cherry blossoms. The interior is simply stunning.

The adjacent Taito Edo Market sells souvenirs bearing the logo of the historical drama "Berabou," as well as items related to Edo and products made by local Taito ward companies.

The Taito Edo Market has such a wide variety of souvenirs that you could easily spend an hour just looking around, and the beautiful interior decorations are also noteworthy. There is also a corner where you can try your hand at solving "hanjie," a type of riddle that was popular in the Edo period, and it's full of fun. It would be fun to try it with your children.

Commemorative stamp corner
You can experience a little bit of multicolored Ukiyo-e printing

Speaking of fun, the commemorative stamp corner in the lobby also has a unique feature.
By layering five color plates on the back of the visitor's certificate, you will eventually complete Utagawa Hiroshige's "One Hundred Famous Views of Edo: Asakusa Kinryuzan." This is a fun experience of the multicolor printing technique of ukiyo-e.

The Taiga Drama Museum is currently holding guided tours, which are enjoyable for both first-time visitors and repeat visitors, so why not give it a try?

Although I had not seen the drama, I was intrigued by the character of Tsutaju, the "media king of Edo," portrayed through the drama, and the place where he grew up, Taito Ward.

The Taiga Drama Museum will be open until Monday, January 12th, 2026 (national holiday).
After viewing the Taiga Drama Museum, why not take a tour of the places associated with Tsutaju and let your thoughts wander back to the Edo period?

■ Overview of the "Berabou Edo Taito Taiga Drama Museum"

period February 1, 2025 (Saturday) – January 12, 2026 (Monday/Holiday)
Opening hours 9:00-17:00 (last entry 16:30)
Closed days The second Monday of every month (the following day if the second Monday is a public holiday), New Year's holidays, etc.
place Taito Civic Hall, 9th floor, 2-6-5 Hanakawado, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Organizer Taito Ward Historical Drama "Berabou" Promotion Council
inquiry 03-4330-1409 (Taiga Drama Museum)
"Taito Ward, the place associated with Tsutaju" official website https://taito-tsutaju.jp/features/exhibition

■ Overview of the Taito Edo Market

period February 1, 2025 (Saturday) – January 12, 2026 (Monday/Holiday)
Opening hours 9:00-17:00 (last entry 16:30)
Closed days The second Monday of every month (the following day if the second Monday is a public holiday), New Year's holidays, etc.
place Taito Civic Hall, 9th floor, 2-6-5 Hanakawado, Taito-ku, Tokyo
inquiry 03-6802-8150 (Taito Edo Market)
"Taito Ward, the place associated with Tsutaju" official website https://taito-tsutaju.jp/features/edomonoichi

*The content of this article is current as of the time of coverage. Please check the official website for the latest information.

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“Van Gogh Exhibition: A Painter’s Dream Continued by a Family” (Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum) Coverage Report. Why did Van Gogh become such a beloved painter around the world?

Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum

 

The exhibition “Van Gogh: A Painter’s Dream Passed on by a Family” is currently being held at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum , tracing the activities of the Van Gogh family, including the devoted support of the globally beloved painter Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890), his brother Theo, his wife Jo, and his nephew Vincent Willem, and showing how Vincent’s dreams and works have been passed down to the present day.
The event will run from Friday, September 12th to Sunday, December 21st, 2025.

“Van Gogh Exhibition: A Painter’s Dream Connected by a Family” venue photos
“Van Gogh Exhibition: A Painter’s Dream Connected by a Family” venue photos

Vincent van Gogh started his career as a painter somewhat late, in 1880, at the age of 27, but he produced around 2,000 works in the short 10 years until his death in July 1890 at the age of 37. During his lifetime, Vincent was devotedly supported both emotionally and financially by his younger brother, close friend, and fellow artist, Theo (Theodorus van Gogh), but he passed away six months after his brother’s death.

Vincent van Gogh and Theodorus van Gogh

Although Vincent was not unknown during his lifetime, it is well known that he only sold a few of his works. So how did he come to achieve such a brilliant reputation today as a painter whose works are treasured in art museums around the world?

Theo’s wife, Johanna van Gogh-Bonger, who inherited the vast collection after his death, played a key role in this. Jo dedicated her life to bringing her brother-in-law’s work to the world, working tirelessly to ensure that he was properly recognized as a painter by exhibiting his works in exhibitions, strategically selling them, and organizing and publishing his correspondence.

Johanna van Gogh-Bonger
Vincent Willem van Gogh

Furthermore, Theo and Jo’s son, Vincent Willem van Gogh, established the Vincent van Gogh Foundation in 1960 to prevent the collection from being dispersed, and was instrumental in opening the National Vincent van Gogh Museum (now the Van Gogh Museum), which has a generous policy on lending artworks.

This exhibition is the first in Japan to focus on this carefully handed-down family collection. It features over 30 of Vincent’s oil paintings and drawings, primarily from the Van Gogh Museum’s collection. In addition, the exhibition is divided into five chapters, showcasing oil paintings and drawings by Paul Gauguin and Édouard Manet, illustrated prints from British and French newspapers, and ukiyo-e prints, all of which reveal the interests of the Van Gogh brothers and the art trends of their time, as well as four handwritten letters by Vincent, which will be shown in Japan for the first time.

John Peter Russell, Portrait of Vincent van Gogh, 1886, Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam (Vincent van Gogh Foundation)
Paul Gauguin, Paris in the Snow, 1894, Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam (Vincent van Gogh Foundation)
Matthew White Ridley, Miner, from “The Face of the People IV” in The Graphic, April 1876, Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam (Vincent van Gogh Foundation)

Vincent aspired to be a painter, and from 1881 he honed his drawing and oil painting skills in The Hague and the rural village of Nuenen in the Netherlands. He established his modern style in Paris, where he moved in 1886, and went on to create innovative masterpieces in Arles, Saint-Rémy, and Auvers-sur-Oise, the place of his death in the south of France. The works on display at this exhibition allow visitors to trace the artist’s career over those intense 10 years.

Vincent van Gogh, “Face of a Fisherman in a Waterproof Hat”, January 1883, Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam (Vincent van Gogh Foundation)

“Face of a Fisherman in a Waterproof Hat” (1883) was painted during his time in The Hague, when he was enthusiastically studying black media such as pencil, chalk, and ink, influenced by the realistic subject matter and black-and-white contrasts found in illustrated newspaper prints. During his stay in Nuenen, his interest in color theory grew, and he began actively working on still lifes as a way to practice working with color. “Vase with Lunaria” (1884) is one of his first botanical still lifes, produced in late autumn and early winter of 1884.

Vincent van Gogh, Vase with Lunaria, Autumn-Winter 1884, Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam (Vincent van Gogh Foundation)

Upon arriving in Paris, he was astonished to find that the works of the new avant-garde painters were completely different from what he had imagined, and he began to move away from the dark tones seen in this work and to seek out new colors and brushwork. Taking inspiration from the painters he respected, such as Delacroix’s colors and Monticelli’s impasto technique, he produced over 30 still lifes of flowers in the summer of 1886 alone. One of these, Vase with Gladiolus and Aster Flowers (1886), features a distinctive background resembling overlapping crosses.

Vincent van Gogh, Vase with Gladiolus and Daisies, August-September 1886, Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam (Vincent van Gogh Foundation)

If you turn your eyes to the highlight of this exhibition, the masterpiece Self-Portrait as a Painter (1887-1888) , which is said to be the last work he produced during his time in Paris, you will be amazed at how, in just two years, he had transformed into an extremely modern painter, compared to the oil paintings he produced during his time in the Netherlands.

Vincent van Gogh, Self-Portrait as Artist, December 1887 – February 1888, Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam (Vincent van Gogh Foundation)

The rich and skillful use of color, the fruit of his color theory studies in Paris, is born from the palette of colors that can be seen on the canvas, and the brushstrokes, imbued with unwavering confidence, spread vividly across the canvas. His posture is good, and his gaze, though slightly shadowed, is directed directly at the viewer, giving the impression of a strong will, perhaps a declaration of his pride as an artist, or perhaps a declaration of his resolve.

 There is an anecdote about this work, about the first time Vincent and Yeo met in 1890, before Vincent left the Saint-Rémy asylum and headed for Auvers-sur-Oise. Yeo had heard many stories about Vincent’s illnesses and poor health, so he imagined him to be a frail-looking man, but in his memoirs he wrote that he found him to be “a sturdy, broad-shouldered man with a healthy complexion, a smile on his face, and a very resolute demeanor.” He added, “Of all his many self-portraits, this one, in which he is at his easel, is the one that most resembles him at that time.”

Vincent himself seems to have had a negative impression of the painting, associating it with the Grim Reaper, but in any case, this work is considered one of the most important treasures of the Vincent van Gogh Foundation and, by extension, the Van Gogh Museum.

Vincent van Gogh, The Sower, November 1888, Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam (Vincent van Gogh Foundation)

Vincent also admired Jean-François Millet, known as the “rural painter,” from the early days of his career, and left behind many copies. His “The Sower” (1888), painted during his time in Arles, was based on Millet’s work of the same name. Wanting to paint his own colorful “The Sower,” he repeatedly made prototypes until he was satisfied with the composition of this work.

The influence of ukiyo-e is clearly evident in the treatment of motifs and the deformed depictions, such as the innovative composition that boldly crops the farmer below the knees, the tree trunk that is shown close up in the foreground with extreme perspective, and the huge sun that shines divinely on the farmer, and so the work is being exhibited alongside a collection of ukiyo-e prints.

On the left is Vincent van Gogh’s Night (after Millet), October-November 1889, Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam (Vincent van Gogh Foundation)
Vincent van Gogh, The Olive Garden, September 1889, Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam (Vincent van Gogh Foundation)

At the same time, the exhibition also includes a section featuring works that Yeo sold, i.e., works outside the Van Gogh Museum’s collection, in order to showcase his unparalleled entrepreneurial spirit and achievements in the art world .

Although Yo was originally an amateur in the field of art, after marrying Theo, she gradually became familiar with modern and contemporary art, including Van Gogh, the world of private collectors and museums, and the mechanisms of the art trade. After Theo’s death, she regularly sold Vincent’s works, but the economic reason of making a living for father and son was secondary; it was her ambitious goal to establish the reputation of Vincent, whom she believed to be a central figure in modern art.

Theo van Gogh and Jo van Gogh-Bonger, Accounting Books of Theo van Gogh and Jo van Gogh-Bonger, 1889-1925, Van Gogh Museum (Vincent van Gogh Foundation)

The “accounting books” kept by Teo and Yeo shed light on Yeo’s efforts. Initially, they only recorded the household income and expenditures, but after Teo’s death, sales of his artworks were also recorded, leaving behind a vivid record of which works Yeo sold, when, to whom, and for how much. As a result of research and investigation, over 170 paintings and 44 works on paper have been identified, of which three oil paintings are on display in this exhibition.

“Van Gogh Exhibition: A Painter’s Dream Connected by a Family” venue photos

The Van Gogh Museum boasts the world’s largest collection of Vincent’s works, with approximately 200 oil paintings and 500 drawings, and it is said that if Yeo had not sold them, there would have been around 250 more. However, it was Yeo’s strategic maneuvering that allowed his works to be included in collections around the world, making it relatively easy for those of us living in Japan to see the originals and properly appreciate them. Vincent’s dream of “having his paintings seen by people living 100 years from now” has thus been realized.

The Van Gogh Museum’s collection has gradually expanded, particularly since the late 1980s, thanks to donations and grants. While the collection has expanded to include works by the Barbizon School, the Hague School, Symbolism, Impressionism, and Post-Impressionism, as well as works on paper such as prints and posters, Vincent’s works and letters have also been incorporated. This exhibition marks the first time that four letters addressed to Anton van Rappard, whose whereabouts had been unknown for a long time but were discovered in a private collection in 2006, will be coming to Japan.

Exhibition of letters addressed to Anton van Rappard
Vincent van Gogh, “Letter to Anton van Rappard with the Back View of an Old Man Holding an Umbrella,” c. 23 September 1882, Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam (Vincent van Gogh Foundation)

These are four pieces of paper from four letters addressed to Van Rappaardt, a senior painter whom Vincent met in Brussels, containing illustrations of people sitting on benches and old people he saw in a workhouse. These letters are prone to deterioration and are very rarely exhibited in exhibitions, making this an extremely rare opportunity.

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, At Saint-Lazare, 1886, Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam
Jules-Bastien-Lepage, Grape Harvest, 1880, Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam
Paul Signac, The Flelicite’s Pontoon, Asnières (Op. 143), 1886, Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam
Immersive Corner

At the end of the exhibition, an “Immersive Corner” will be created, offering an experience of a space over 4m high and 14m wide. High-definition images of Van Gogh Museum masterpieces such as “Branches of Blossoming Almond Trees” and “Wheat Field with Crows Flying” will be projected on a giant monitor, along with a 3D scanned CG video of “Sunflowers” (SOMPO Museum of Art). Come and enjoy this immersive experience, where you can expect to make new discoveries from a bold perspective that is too close for the naked eye.

Overview of the “Van Gogh Exhibition: A Painter’s Dream Continued by a Family”

venue Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum
Dates Friday, September 12, 2025 – Sunday, December 21, 2025
*Reservations are required for specified dates and times on weekends, holidays, and after December 16th (Tuesday).
Opening hours 9:30-17:30 *Until 20:00 on Fridays (Entry until 30 minutes before closing)
Closed days Monday, October 14th (Tue), November 4th (Tue), November 25th (Tue)
*Open on Monday, October 13th (national holiday), Monday, November 3rd (national holiday), and Monday, November 24th (holiday)
Admission fee Please check the official exhibition website.
Organizer Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum (Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture), NHK, NHK Promotion, Tokyo Shimbun
inquiry (Hello Dial) 050-5541-8600
Exhibition official website https://gogh2025-26.jp

*The content of this article is current as of the time of coverage. Please check the official exhibition website for the latest information.

Article provided by: Kokosil Ueno

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The game-like garbage collection event “Seisochu” will be held in Ueno, Taito Ward, Tokyo!

On that day, your city will become a huge gaming space.

Gab Inc. is pleased to announce that it will be participating in the planning and management of "Seisochu," a game-style litter collection event scheduled to be held in Ueno, Taito Ward, Tokyo on October 18, 2025.

The game-like trash collection event "Seisochu" is coming to Ueno, Taito Ward, Tokyo!
Complete various missions and aim to achieve them!
Ueno becomes a game area, and you can enjoy a new experience where fallen trash turns into points.

・Event details

[Implementation Information]
Date: Saturday, October 18, 2025
Reception location: Okachimachi Park
Organized by: Taito Ward Tourism Division
Planning and management: Gab Co., Ltd.
Capacity: 100 people selected by lottery
Reception begins: 9:15 / Opening ceremony: 9:45 / End: 12:00
Participation fee: Free
Will proceed in light rain / Will be postponed in severe weather

[In the event of an event postponement]
The event may be postponed depending on the weather on the day of the event.
Postponed date: October 19, 2025 (Sunday)
Reception location: Okachimachi Park
Reception begins: 9:15 / Opening ceremony: 9:45 / End: 12:00

[Application Deadline]
Until 23:59 on Sunday, October 12th

[Lottery results announcement]
October 13th (Monday)

If the event is postponed, we will contact you by email around Wednesday, October 15th.
Important emails regarding the event will be sent, so please make sure that you can receive emails from seisouchu@gab.tokyo. If you do not receive the email, please check your spam folder.

【Items to bring】
·drink
・One smartphone that can use LINE per team
・Comfortable clothing (comfortable shoes, hat, rain gear)
*Please bring a mobile battery if you have one.
*Tongs, bags, gloves, and other equipment will be provided by the organizers, so there is no need to bring cleaning supplies.

[Participation Q&A]
Q: Can elementary school students participate alone? Also, do infants and toddlers need tickets?
A: For safety reasons, elementary school students cannot participate alone. Children under elementary school age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian aged 18 or over. All guests, including parents and infants, will need a ticket.

Q: How many tickets can I apply for?
A: Because Seisou is a team event, the maximum number of people per application (one team) is 5. If you are participating with 6 or more people, please apply for separate teams.

Q: Do I need to bring cleaning supplies?
A: Equipment such as tongs, bags, and work gloves will be provided by the organizers, so cleaning supplies are not necessary. Please bring drinks, comfortable clothes, comfortable shoes, etc. If there are any items to protect yourself from the heat, please bring them with you.

Q: Do I need to bring a mobile battery?
A: This event will use the free calling app "LINE" and the map app "Google Maps" to distribute missions during the event. If you need one, please prepare a mobile battery.

Q: What if I don't want to be photographed or photographed in media coverage?
A: There may be photography and media coverage on the day. If you do not want to be photographed, please let the event staff know in advance.

[Notes regarding participation]
・Data communication charges are your responsibility.
・In the event of an infectious disease outbreak or a disaster, we may be forced to postpone the event.
・Please note that once you have submitted the application form, you will not be able to add or edit any information.
・Photographs and videos will be taken during the event. The rights to the images belong to Gab Inc. and the Taito City Tourism Division, and they may be used for news reports, social media, and other promotional purposes during the event. (If you do not want your images to be used, please inform the reception staff on the day.)
・Please note that there may also be media interviews.
・By completing your application, you agree to this notice, disclaimer, and the Seisouchu Privacy Policy ( https://www.seisouchu.com/privacypolicy ).

[Disclaimer]
・One person can participate with one ticket.
・Ticket cancellations will be subject to teket's ticket cancellation regulations.
・Personal information entered on the application site will be strictly managed in accordance with the Seisouchu Privacy Policy and shared internally. It will also be used as part of public relations activities, but will not be used for any purposes other than those related to this event.
・If you violate the terms of use or other rules set by our company, this ticket may become invalid.
・If the event is postponed or canceled due to force majeure or other reasons beyond our control, we may not be able to provide refunds or other compensation for this ticket.
・We are not responsible for any damages caused by natural disasters, troubles, incidents, accidents, etc. that occur during the event.
・We cannot be held responsible for any of the following issues that occur during the event.
1. A malfunction of the mobile device occurred while the game progress page was open.
2. Troubles between participants that occur during the event
3. Accidents and incidents caused by using a smartphone while walking
4. Accidents or incidents that occur intentionally outside the game area
5. Any trouble, incident or accident that occurs in a building unrelated to the event.
6. Troubles, incidents, and accidents caused by not following precautions
7. Troubles, incidents, or accidents caused by not following the instructions of staff during the race
8. Natural disasters, etc.
*This event is insured.

▼If you would like to participate, please apply below.
https://teket.jp/9471/54434

・What is Seisouchu?

"Keisouchu" is managed and operated under the responsibility of Gab Inc. with the official permission of Fuji Television Network, Inc. and the "Run for Money" production team.

Seisouchu is a garbage collection event that combines gamification (*1) with garbage collection. Teams work together to collect garbage, and points are awarded based on the type and weight of the garbage collected, as well as the degree of mission completion notified via smartphone, with the top teams receiving luxurious prizes. By creating a world where littered garbage is transformed into items and the entire city becomes a game area, this near-future environmental education content provides an opportunity to think about garbage issues through the introduction of "fun."

*1 Gamification refers to the application of game design elements and game principles to things other than games. Research has been progressing in recent years because of its effectiveness in promoting stress-free learning and behavior while still providing a fun, game-like experience.

・About the operating company

Company name: Gab Inc.
Address: Shibuya 3-chome Square Building 2F, 3-5-16 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Representative: Moeto Yamauchi
Company Overview: A startup company in its fifth year of business with the mission of "Solving Problems in a Unique Way." The company is involved in projects that contribute to the realization of a sustainable society, such as the game-like litter picking event "Seisochu," the Instagram account "Ethical Living" which provides lifestyle tips that lead to solving social issues, the "Ethical Living Online Store" where you can solve social issues just by enjoying shopping, and pop-up events held in various locations.
Website: https://www.gab.tokyo/

[Gab Inc.] Press Release

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The key visual for Emperor Rockhopper’s 5th stage performance “Things Left Undone,” written, directed and starring Kurihara Taiga, Hayakawa Iori, Sato Tomohiro and others, has been released!

Emperor Rockhopper, which creates emotionally honest entertainment theatre with the concept of "easy to understand and easy to watch" and the motto of "truth in a world of lies," will perform their 5th stage performance, "Things Left Unfinished," at Ueno Storehouse from November 6th (Thurs) to November 10th (Mon), 2025. The key visual for the performance has been released.

In this film, Hayakawa Iori, who is active mainly in stage productions such as the play "Furiko" and the musical "Nintama Rantarou," and Sato Tomohiro, who is expanding his range of activities with the film "Futari Futatsu no Saien" and the musical "Nintama Rantarou," play brothers, as the older brother (Sato Tomohiro) desperately searches for "unfinished business" for his younger brother (Hayakawa Iori), who has been given a terminal diagnosis. Other unique actors also appear in the film, adding to the excitement of this film.

The script and direction will be handled by Taiga Kurihara, a talented actor who has appeared in many popular stage productions, including the musical "Nintama Rantaro," the stage production "Yowamushi Pedal," and the stage production "Kaze ga Tsuyoku Fuiteiru." Tickets will go on sale from Monday, September 22nd.

[Comment from Taiga Kurihara]
I'm Kurihara Taiga, the scriptwriter and director. This production will be themed around "things left undone" as it is the last act of one's life. We've brought together a wonderful cast of actors, including the two co-stars. Each character has their own struggles. What the person who is dying has left undone. What the person who is leaving has left undone. I hope you enjoy each perspective.

[Comment from Iori Hayakawa]
This time, I will be co-starring with Sato Tomohiro. My name is Hayakawa Iori. I am very excited to be appearing in a work written and directed by Taiga for the first time! Just reading the synopsis has me excited to see what kind of work it will be! I will work with all my heart to create a work that will make people glad they watched it.

[Comment by Tomohiro Sato]
Nice to meet you if this is your first time. Thank you as always to those who already know me. I'm Sato Tomohiro. After hearing about this role, reading the synopsis, and moving on to the visual shoot, I feel that I'll regret it if I don't cherish each and every scene and word. I'm sure I'll feel even more motivated once I read the script. I'll make sure to keep it all going from rehearsals to the final performance.

——————————————————–
<Performance details>
Emperor Rockhopper 5th stage performance "Things left unfinished"
Screenplay and direction: Kurihara Taiga

■ Performance Schedule
Thursday, November 6th – Monday, November 10th, 2025
November 6th (Thursday) 7:00 PM
November 7th (Friday) 14:00/19:00
Saturday, November 8th 13:00/18:00
November 9th (Sun) 13:00/18:00
November 10th (Monday) 14:00
*Doors open 45 minutes before the start of the show, and reception and same-day ticket sales begin 60 minutes before the start of the show.
*The performance is scheduled to last approximately 120 minutes.
*Preschool children not allowed
*★ indicates that Blu-ray filming will be included.

■ Theater: Ueno Storehouse (NORD Building B1, 1-6-11 Kitaueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo)

■Synopsis:
Ryota is a young man who has been told he has only a short time left to live.
Ryota says there is one thing he has left to do before he dies, but he won't tell us what it is.
His older brother Yuta continues to desperately search for that “unfinished business.''
Will Ryota's wish be granted?

■ Cast:
Hayakawa Iori (co-starring)
Tomohiro Sato (co-starring)

Takuya Ohara
Moeha Gomoto
Manami Tanaka
Tsukino Miumi

Nana Mihime
Masato Kushida
Hiromasa Kudo
Takuya Murakami
Asuka Kanzaki
Kanon Minami
Hikaru Hoshina

Taiga Kurihara

■Ticket information:
Front row with special benefits* ¥8,500
Second row with special benefits* ¥7,500
Regular A seat ¥5,900
Same-day tickets +¥500
*Includes a not-for-sale 2L-size bromide (signed)
Please note that the seats in the front row will be mini chairs.

■Ticket sales
General sale: Monday, September 22, 2025, 10:00
Confetti https://www.confetti-web.com/@/kouteirockhopper_5
Corich https://ticket.corich.jp/apply/400815/

■ Staff
Script and direction: Taiga Kurihara (Emperor Rock Hopper) / Stage director: Keiichi Maeda (LDA) / Stage art: Aiko Maeda (LDA) / Sound: Yusuke Kakumaru (DISCOLOR Company) / Lighting: Kaori Iwaisako (DISCOLOR Company) / Merchandise photography: Taichi Maruyama / Merchandise hair and makeup: Kaori Mochizuki / On-site merchandise: satsuki / Practice Manager: Yuka Mikuni (Emperor Rock Hopper) / Promotional art: Shuho Sakato / Videography and editing: Akinori Onodera / Production and ticket sales: style office / Organizer: Vtoly / Planning: Emperor Rock Hopper / Producer: Takuya Ohara (Emperor Rock Hopper)

■ Cooperation (in alphabetical order)
Adesso / Apollo Bay / RMP / It's Follies / SPM / All Staff / Queen's Avenue / Space Craft / Timely Office

■Organization name: Emperor Rockhopper
■Official website: https://kouteirockhopper.wixsite.com/main
■Official Group X: https://x.com/k_rockhopper
■Performance website: https://yarinoko2025.com/

[Style Office Co., Ltd.] Press Release

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Square Enix’s new “Cat x Travel x Puzzle Solving” experience “Catrip” Ueno Edition now available for pre-order with early bird bonuses

~Starting in October in collaboration with puzzle-solving apps "RIDDLER" and "JRE WALLET"~

Square Enix Co., Ltd. will launch "Catrip," a local sightseeing tour-style puzzle-solving content, in mid-October 2025. The first installment, the Tokyo Ueno edition, will be created by RIDDLER, led by Ryogo Matsumaru, and digital coupons will be provided in collaboration with JR East's "JRE WALLET," providing a touring experience that intertwines reality and a slightly mysterious fantasy as you tour the city and its stores.
The first "Catrip" event will be held in the Ueno Park area. In advance of that, we began accepting pre-orders for the puzzle-solving kit today, September 18th. As a limited-edition early purchase bonus, a special goshuin stamp will be included that can be received in the "Catrip" game.

"Catrip" official website : https://www.jp.square-enix.com/catrip/

About "Catrip"

"Catrip" is an experiential content with the theme of "tripping with a cat," where participants progress through a story while walking around a real city. Using a paper puzzle-solving kit and the LINE app, participants are guided by the navigator cat "Nyaoyorozu" to collect goshuin stamps depicting distinctive landmarks and enjoy a story set against the backdrop of landscapes and historical sites. An everyday stroll around town is transformed into a special time filled with inspiration and discovery.
Furthermore, by linking with "JRE WALLET," a digital service provided by JR East, those who solve puzzles and complete missions will be rewarded with digital coupons that can be used for discounts and special offers at affiliated stores, adding value to the travel experience with a "bargain" element. Enjoy smart sightseeing while rediscovering the charms of the region.

About the first installment of "Catrip": Ueno, Tokyo

The first installment, the Tokyo Ueno edition, will begin in mid-October in the Ueno Onshi Park area. The puzzles for this installment were created by RIDDLER Inc., led by Ryogo Matsumaru, who is active on television programs, resulting in a challenging experience. Similarly, "Nyaoyorozu" was created by Square Enix artist Ryoma Ito, who was involved in the development of "Final Fantasy XII," and will bring to life a fun new worldview that blends with traditional local culture. Starting with the Tokyo Ueno edition, "Catrip" is scheduled to be rolled out to various areas, each with its own unique story and character design, offering new discoveries.

title Catrip Ueno
Planned start date Mid-October 2025
Number of participants From 1 person
Must-have items Smartphone (LINE app compatible), internet connection, puzzle solving kit (can be purchased on the day or in advance)
Event area Around Ueno Park, Taito Ward, Tokyo
"Catrip" official website https://www.jp.square-enix.com/catrip/
Mystery solving kit sales site Square Enix e-STORE
https://store.jp.square-enix.com/item/SE_E4224.html

RIDDLER NAZO SHOP
http://shop.riddler.co.jp/products/catrip
Mystery solving kit price 2,500 yen (tax included)
*A limited-edition early purchase bonus includes a special goshuin stamp that can be received in the "Catrip" game.
Puzzle production RIDDLER Co., Ltd.
Copyright © SQUARE ENIX

Square Enix has set strengthening customer touchpoints across both digital and real-world channels as one of its key initiatives in its medium-term management plan. We will continue to actively expand our efforts to enable more customers to experience our titles through various touchpoints.

<Reference>
About Square Enix Co., Ltd.
Square Enix Co., Ltd. is a leading entertainment company that continues to produce hit, creative and innovative content and services. Representative works from the group's in-house IP include the Dragon Quest series (total shipments and download sales of over 95 million units), the Final Fantasy series (total shipments and download sales of over 204 million units), and the Space Invaders series. ( https://www.jp.square-enix.com )

[Square Enix Co., Ltd.] Press release

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[Over 200,000 visitors!] Night Museum events will be held on Friday, September 19th and Friday, September 26th at the special exhibition “Ice Age: The World as Seen by Humanity 40,000 Years Ago”

National Museum of Nature and Science

[Over 200,000 visitors!] Night Museum events will be held on Friday, September 19th and Friday, September 26th at the special exhibition "Ice Age: The World as Seen by Humanity 40,000 Years Ago"

The special exhibition "Ice Age: The World as Seen by Humanity 40,000 Years Ago" currently being held at the National Museum of Nature and Science has attracted over 200,000 visitors. Additionally, a "Night at the Museum" event will be held on Friday, September 19th and Friday, September 26th.

Mr. Ohara's family and museum director Kenichi Shinoda (left) appeared at the commemorative ceremony.

The special exhibition "Ice Age: The World as Seen by Humankind 40,000 Years Ago," currently being held at the National Museum of Nature and Science (Ueno, Tokyo), has surpassed 200,000 visitors. To commemorate this milestone, a ceremony was held on Thursday, September 11th to celebrate the milestone. Kenichi Shinoda, Director of the National Museum of Nature and Science, who served as the overall supervisor of the exhibition, presented the Ohara family, who attended the ceremony, with original merchandise exclusive to this exhibition and an exhibition catalog.
Ohara, who had followed the Ice Age exhibition on social media, commented, "I was looking forward to seeing the Neanderthals and Cro-Magnons, the ancestors of mankind." In response, Director Shinoda encouraged the two visitors, saying, "I hope you will enjoy the exhibition while thinking about the fact that these people once lived."
The "Night at the Museum" event will be held on Friday, September 19th and Friday, September 26th. During the Night at the Museum, visitors will navigate the dark exhibition hall using flashlights and lanterns to illuminate their feet. The event will also include an explanation and talk session by the special exhibition curator.

[Ice Age Exhibition Night at the Museum Overview]
Event name: Special Exhibition "Ice Age Exhibition – The World as Seen by Humanity 40,000 Years Ago" Night Museum
Dates: Friday, September 19th and Friday, September 26th, 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM (last entrance at 7:30 PM)

Speakers:
Wataru Morita (Researcher, Human History Research Group, Department of Life History Research, National Museum of Nature and Science)
Jun Yabe (Head of the Evolutionary Paleontology Research Group, Department of Life History Research, National Museum of Nature and Science)
Yoshinori Murai (Senior Researcher, Biodiversity Analysis and Conservation Group, Department of Plant Research, National Museum of Nature and Science)

Commentary and talk session:
September 19th (Friday) Wataru Morita, Yoshinori Murai
September 26th (Friday) Wataru Morita, Jun Yabe
Capacity: 250 people per day

Night at the Museum Ticket Information [Only a few tickets left!]
Sales period:
September 19th (Friday) Night at the Museum Ticket: Until September 19th (Friday), 2025, 4:30 PM *First come, first served, while supplies last
September 26th (Friday) Night at the Museum Ticket: Until September 26th (Friday), 2025, 4:30 PM *First come, first served, while supplies last
Sales method: Available on the official ticket site and TBS ticket site
Admission fee: Adults and university students: 2,300 yen, elementary, middle and high school students: 600 yen
*Advance tickets, same-day tickets, free admission tickets, etc. cannot be used.
*Please be sure to check the notes on the ticket purchase page.

▼Ticket purchase page
Official online ticket : https://www.e-tix.jp/hyogakiten/
TBS Tickets https://tickets.tbs.co.jp/hyogakiten/

Special Exhibition "Ice Age" Night Museum Image
Special Exhibition "Ice Age" Night Museum Image

[Midomos Greeting Event, Midori City, Gunma Prefecture]

Midomos, the official mascot character of Midori City, Gunma Prefecture,
He will be visiting the Ice Age Exhibition on Saturday, September 13, 2025. "Midomos" is a character created in the image of a mammoth, and is named after the Iwajuku ruins in the city.

[Event Overview]
Date and time: Saturday, September 13, 2025
①10:00-10:30 ②11:30-12:00 ③14:30-15:00
Location: National Museum of Nature and Science, Global Gallery, Special Exhibition Hall, Connecting Corridor
・To participate in the greeting event, you will need a ticket for the special exhibition "Ice Age: The World as Seen by Humanity 40,000 Years Ago."

Mido Moss

■ Ice Age Exhibition Overview
Exhibition name: Special Exhibition "Ice Age Exhibition – The World as Seen by Humanity 40,000 Years Ago"
Date: July 12, 2025 (Sat) – October 13, 2025 (Monday/holiday)
Opening hours: 9:00-17:00 (last admission at 16:30)
Nighttime opening hours: October 10th (Friday) to 13th (Monday, national holiday) closes at 7:00 PM (admission until 6:30 PM)
Closed: September 16th (Tue), 22nd (Mon), 29th (Mon)
*Exhibition dates, opening hours, and closing days are subject to change.

Exhibition composition:
Chapter 1: Animals of Ice Age Europe
During the Ice Age, northern Europe was covered by ice sheets, and dry grasslands spread across the central part of the country, dominated by large animals known as the "Ice Age Megafauna."
What kind of creatures were these giant animals that lived in such harsh environments? Which of them became extinct and which survived to the present day?

Chapter 2: Neanderthals and Cro-Magnons
Neanderthals and Cro-Magnons (Homo sapiens) lived during the Ice Age.
This is the first time that an actual skull has landed in Japan. Neanderthals had a sturdy build and strong muscles, while Cro-Magnons had a relatively slender build and long limbs. Both lived in the same era, but by 40,000 years ago, Neanderthals had disappeared.
What on earth was the difference between the two fates?

Chapter 3: The Japanese Archipelago in the Ice Age
The Japanese archipelago stretches from north to south and is home to a diverse range of environments.
It is believed that humans arrived in Japan by the time of the last ice age, approximately 38,000 years ago. What were the animals that lived at that time, including Japan's three most extinct animals (the Naumann's elephant, the Yabe giant deer, and the Japanese long-eared tiger), and what was life like for humans on the Japanese archipelago during the ice age?

[Overall Supervision]
Kenichi Shinoda: Director of the National Museum of Nature and Science
[Supervision]
Wataru Morita: Researcher, Human History Research Group, Department of Life History Research, National Museum of Nature and Science
Jun Yabe: Head of the Evolutionary Paleontology Research Group, Department of Life History Research, National Museum of Nature and Science
Yoshinori Murai: Senior Researcher, Biodiversity Analysis and Conservation Group, Department of Plant Research, National Museum of Nature and Science
Kazutaka Morisaki: Associate Professor, Graduate School of Humanities and Sociology, The University of Tokyo
Yuichiro Nishioka: Associate Professor, Museum of Earth and Environmental History, Fujinokuni

Venue: National Museum of Nature and Science (Ueno Park, Tokyo)
7-20 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo 110-8718

access:
■ 5 minutes walk from JR Ueno Station (Park Exit)
■ 10 minutes walk from Ueno Station (Exit 7) on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line or Hibiya Line
■ 10 minutes walk from Keisei Ueno Station (main exit) on the Keisei Line
*There is no parking or bicycle parking on the premises.

Organizers: National Museum of Nature and Science, TBS, TBS Gloudia, Tokyo Shimbun
Sponsors: TOPPAN, Bic Camera
Sponsored by: BS-TBS, TBS Radio

Official website: https://hyogakiten.jp/
Official X: https://x.com/hyogakiten

■Special tickets (limited quantity)
Sales period: Until 16:30 on Monday, October 13th (national holiday)
*Only official online tickets are available
・Same-day ticket with BE@RBRICK: 5,200 yen (tax included)

■ Same-day tickets
Sales period: Electronic tickets are available until 16:30 on Monday, October 13th (national holiday)
*Other ticket agencies will be open until 3:00 PM on Monday, October 13th (national holiday).
・General admission, university students: 2,300 yen (tax included)
・Elementary, junior high and high school students: 600 yen (tax included)
*Free for preschool children.
* Free admission for those with a disability certificate and one caregiver.
*If you have a student ID or other certificate, please present it upon entry.

Ticket sales locations: National Museum of Nature and Science (except closed days), official website (online tickets), TBS Ticket, Asoview, Seven Ticket, e+, Lawson Ticket, Ticket Pia, CN Play Guide, Rakuten Ticket, Ikoyo

[TBS Gloudia] Press Release

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[Additional seats planned] Ticket applications for the stage production “Don’t be silent, move, breathe” where deaf and hearing people meet will begin on Monday, September 1st at 10:00 AM!

Tokyo Bunka Kaikan

General supervision by Katsuhiko Hibino, President of Tokyo University of the Arts
Deaf and hearing artists interact with each other, and this process is the basis for
An original story is created and performed.

We are pleased to announce that ticket applications for the stage production "Don't be silent, move, breathe," in which deaf and hearing people encounter each other, will begin at 10:00 on Monday, September 1st .
"Don't be silent, move, breathe" is being created in collaboration with deaf and hearing people since 2023 as part of the cultural program for the IAAF World Athletics Championships, which will be held in Tokyo this autumn.
This production features two towns: "Mist Town," where sign language is the language of the town, and "One Hundred Layers," where Japanese is the language of the town. The residents of the two towns do not understand each other's languages. Just like the characters, the audience can enjoy the process from their seats as they start out in a state of "not understanding" and gradually begin to communicate as they try to get to know each other.

Performance details

【title】
TOKYO FORWARD 2025 Cultural Program
"Don't be silent, move, breathe" is a stage production where deaf and hearing people meet.

[Performance Date and Time]
Saturday, November 29, 2025, 15:00 Doors open 14:00 (Pre-talk from 14:45)

【venue】
Tokyo Bunka Kaikan Large Hall (5-45 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo)

[Cast]

Abe Aiko, Iizuka Daishu, Ikeda Momoka, Ishida Michiko, Itabashi Renpei, Ueda Ai, Utoda Chiharu, Ohashi Yuta, Okumura Yasuto, Ono Kanon, Onosato Mitsuko, Kikuchi Ken, Kurashima Satoshi, Kondo Tatsuya, Sato Moe, Sano Kazumi, Takayanagi Ayumi, Tsunoda Risa, Narutsuka Motoka, Hayashi Daigo, Honma Chiemi, Mitsuhashi Raku, Murata Yuko, Moe Fumi, Yaotani Rie, Nicholas Yuyama, Yoshida Miyuki, Leo, Nishiwaki Masago.

【staff】
General Supervision: Hibino Katsuhiko Composition and Direction: Makihara Eri Direction: Shimaji Yasutake Dramaturg: Shizukukyo, Nagashima Kaku
Staging Director: Yo Nakamura Music Creation Staff: Masago Nishiwaki
Music Supervision: Fuyuko Fukunaka Set Design: Ai Harada Lighting: Ayumi Kido Music: Ryuichi Ono, Tan Igawa Sound: Raku Nakahara Stage Visuals: Satoshi Kuriyama Costumes: Kumiko Takeda Hair & Makeup: Ruu Assistant Directors: Hidetada Tashiro, Miki Nakamura, Tomoka Yamada Stage Director: Hidemine Yamaguchi

【story】
In a town surrounded by fog, a ceremony to celebrate the founding of the nation is taking place, when a man wanders into the town.
He had come through the fog from another town.
This "Mist Town" is a floating, moving town. In a world without the concept of sound, language is physical.
It has developed its own unique culture, and everything is designed to be convenient for the town's residents.
Over the years, they periodically approach the "other town," but are obscured by fog and remain unaware of each other.
A man who has wandered in is captivated by the ceremony, which is accompanied by music.
He eventually becomes friends with the three residents and begins living in the town.
Two years later, the man invites the three to "another town."
The city's name is "Hyakusō." It is a megalopolis with high-rise buildings and a highly centralized urban area. It has a developed culture of sound and its language is also phonetic.
On the other hand, noise problems have become serious due to overpopulation, and there is a demand for extreme silence.
The man returns after two years and shows the three around the town.
Through their encounters with various residents of the Hundred Floors, the four eventually end up participating in a concert…

Official website: https://duk-tokyoforward2025.jp/
Official YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@duk-tokyoforward2025/
Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/duk_tokyoforward2025/

[Organizer]
Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture, Arts Council Tokyo, Tokyo University of the Arts

Ticket application

【ticket】
All seats reserved, free (advance registration required, first come first served)
After your application is received, we will contact you by email or postcard with your seat number at least one week before the performance.

[How to apply]
Please apply from 10:00 on Monday, September 1st using one of the following methods.
①Application form https://pro.form-mailer.jp/fms/6b38097f334471
②Return postcard application deadline: October 31st (Friday) postmark valid
Please fill in your address, name, contact information (e.g., phone number), and desired viewing support (deaf theater area, subtitles, hearing loop, audio guide), and send it to the address below.
Send to: Sumitomo Fudosan Azabu-Juban Building 4F, 1-4-1 Mita, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-0073
Lights Apartment Co., Ltd. "Don't be silent, move, breathe" performance office
If you would like to attend the performance as a group (10 or more people), please contact the performance office.
*Due to popular demand, tickets are sold out.
They are considering increasing the number of seats and will announce on their official website by early October when applications will resume, so please wait for the announcement.

*Preschool children are not allowed to enter.
*The front seats on the first floor are a viewing area for deaf people where the sign language on stage can be easily seen.
* Loud sounds will be heard in some scenes. Earplugs will be provided at the venue if you wish.
Please check the official website for details .

[Viewing support]
● Subtitles (Spoken dialogue is displayed as subtitles. Sign language dialogue is not supported.)
For this performance, subtitle support will be available using the free app "HELLO! Theater."
For more information, please visit the following URL: https://www.hellotheater.info/
Hearing group (reservations required, first come first served, limited seating area)
● Audio guide (reservation required, first come first served, limited availability)
Visual information such as the state of the stage and the movements of the performers will be conveyed through audio.
● Free area
There are free areas within the auditorium where you can sit if you want to move seats temporarily or if it is difficult to return to your seat during the performance.
● Lobby rest area
If you need a break during the show, you can take one in the lobby.
Childcare service (reservations required, fees apply, limited availability)
Event Childcare/Mothers: (0120-788-222) Deadline: 5:00 PM, Friday, November 21st.
*If you are coming with a wheelchair, assistance dog, or require other assistance, please contact the event office in advance.

[Venue map and access]
Tokyo Bunka Kaikan (5-45 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo)
Approximately 1 minute walk from the Park Gate of JR Ueno Station
Approximately 5 minutes' walk from Exit 7 of Tokyo Metro Ueno Station
Approximately 7 minutes walk from the main ticket gate of Keisei Ueno Station
*Tokyo Bunka Kaikan does not have a dedicated parking lot for customers. Please use a nearby paid parking lot.

[Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture] Press release

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