Featured Events in Tokyo in April, 2025 (May Updated)

The newly launched "Ginza Sony Park" has officially opened on January 26, 2025 (Sunday), and the first wave of planning activities "Sony Park Exhibition 2025" will be held simultaneously. With the theme of Sony's six major fields of music, semiconductors, finance, games, entertainment technology and movies, six groups of artists including YOASOBI, Sheep Literature, Vaundy, BABYMONSTER, Creepy Nuts, and Kensuke Ushio will be invited to participate in the creation, using art and high technology to create amazing experiences. Exhibiting works, the event will be divided into two stages, with three groups of works on display in each stage.

Japan, whose otaku culture based on cartoons and games has swept the world, actually has another entertainment that it is proud of: "special photography"! In 2024, "Godzilla-1.0" won the Academy Award for "Best Visual Effects", pushing it to the peak of popularity. Continuing this trend, the "Godzilla 70th Anniversary Art Exhibition" at the Mori Art Museum in Tokyo will be held from April 26 (Saturday) to June 29 (Sunday), 2025!

With the explosive growth of artificial intelligence (AI) and the integration of virtual and real worlds, the latest cutting-edge technologies have quickly penetrated our daily lives. This tendency has become especially apparent since the COVID-19 pandemic, when many human activities shifted towards virtual space. Looking back, the progress of art and technology has run parallel to each other throughout the course of history, a phenomenon that is especially evident in the field of computer art and video art. While recent innovations in video game engines and AI offer unprecedented possibilities for artists, the advent of generative AI also has raised significant concerns. Such developments are now attracting considerable attention in various fields and industries, including the contemporary art world.

Ramses The Great and the Gold of the Pharaohs will feature 183 pieces of rare artefacts from ancient Egypt that focus on the almighty pharaoh, Ramses The Great and it will be the largest collection of artefacts on Ramses II to ever leave Egypt. This spectacular exhibition will also boast the FIRST ever virtual walkthrough of Ramses II’s famous temples as well as a full-length documentary ever produced on Ramses II’s tomb.

"Design Ah! Neo" is an exhibition that expands the concept of the program "Design Ah! Neo" currently airing on NHK Educational TV into an experiential space. It has been held as a "Design Ah! Exhibition" at 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT in 2013, and at six museums across the country, including the Miraikan, the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, and the Toyama Prefectural Museum of Art from 2018 to 2021. The third "Design Ah! Neo" exhibition will exhibit new works with new themes, while retaining the concept of encouraging children to enjoy various thoughts and discoveries about design.

"Maybe Yoshitake Shinsuke Exhibition" opened in Tokyo in April 2022 and then toured all over Japan. This time, the exhibition will be "plenty expanded" with new large-scale experience exhibits and original exhibition goods, and will open on March 20th at CREATIVE MUSEUM TOKYO as "Maybe Yoshitake Shinsuke Exhibition Plenty Expanded Type"! Yoshitake Shinsuke, the author of the best-selling "Maybe Apple" (Bronze Shinsha), made his debut in 2013. Since then, in about 11 years, he has published 30 picture books and about 100 books including other writings and illustration work. He has gained wide support from children to adults. This exhibition is a unveiling of the huge number of sketches that Yoshitake has accumulated over the years in small notebooks, observing events around him. There are also plenty of idea sketches and original drawings that allow you to trace the process of creating a picture book. The exhibition will also feature Yoshitake's treasured collection, which has served as a source of inspiration, and allow visitors to take a peek inside Yoshitake's mind from various angles.

Experience the floating world of Edo as seen by Hokusai through technology. The works of Katsushika Hokusai, which everyone has seen at least once, are reproduced in high-definition images with a sense of realism using ultra-high definition image data and Sony's Crystal LED LED display. In addition, with effects such as Sony's haptics technology that makes it feel as if the floor has turned into a puddle or a sandy beach, visitors can experience the scenery and walking sensation of Edo as Hokusai saw it with an overwhelming sense of immersion. During the event, collaborative goods with brands that represent Japanese craftsmanship and are inspired by Katsushika Hokusai will also be on sale.

This exhibition is set in the magnificent world of the anime "Chi. - About the Movement of the Earth" and features a wealth of knowledge, from historical research on the heliocentric theory to modern observation technology. With the "Heliocentric Theory Research Notes" handed out at the entrance to the venue in hand, visitors can take part in quizzes, while experiencing the experiential exhibits that faithfully reproduce famous scenes from the anime, powerful images, and photo spots that allow visitors to experience the world of the anime as it is. This is an exhibition where adults and children alike can enjoy exploring the universe in a fully immersive way.

Ancient DNA research involves deciphering minute traces of DNA remaining in the bones of ancient people excavated from ruins, and tracing the footsteps of humanity. In recent years, with the development of technology, it has made great strides, and it has become clear that the path that Homo sapiens walked was far more complicated than previously imagined. This exhibition uses ancient human bones and archaeological materials from all over Japan, as well as high-definition CG images of ancient human skulls, to convey the long path that the Japanese people have taken, as revealed by the latest research, and the message that the collective history has for the future.

The official name of Sensoji Temple comes from the Golden Dragon Mountain, and it is called "Golden Dragon Mountain Sensoji Temple", and the name "Golden Dragon Dance" comes from the name of this mountain. "Golden Dragon Dance" is a dance that started in 1958 to commemorate the reconstruction of the main hall of Sensoji Temple, Kannon Hall. This dance is based on the story of Guanyin Bodhisattva enshrined in Sensoji Temple. According to legend, she appeared as a golden dragon that descended from the sky, and overnight she created a thousand pine trees that symbolize a good harvest. The 18-meter-long, 88-kilogram shining golden dragon dances gorgeously to the music of the celebration, and this scene is absolutely impressive.

This exhibition is hosted by the Japan Typeface Association. From a total of 2,045 works collected from Japan and abroad, high-scoring award-winning works including the Grand Prize, Student Award, and Best Works are selected for centralized display to present the latest style of font design. Welcome to come and experience the charm of "current" font design. The Japan Typeface Association will also hold a special lecture, inviting the designer of this year's award-winning work "From the Rock - Mr. Hakamada's Prison Letters" (Asahi Shimbun Editorial Bureau Design Department) to come to the scene and share the story behind the design.

From the late 1960s to the 1970s, the "underground," commonly known as "angura," took the Japanese art world by storm, mainly in the urban space of Tokyo. The underground, which replaced the "avant-garde" as the gathering point of cutting-edge art, was imported to Japan from the United States through experimental films and spread to fields such as fine art, music, manga, design, theater, and dance, becoming a trend recognized by the general public in just a few years. However, because it was established through its interaction with the anti-establishment movement of the time, it disappeared in the early 1970s as the movement declined. Although it was a short-lived phenomenon, underground culture had a great impact on postwar Japanese society, and it can be said that it remains as a style to this day. In addition, by its very nature, underground culture focused on temporary "events" rather than physical "works," and placed importance on the "places" that welcomed its bearers. For this reason, the underground is seen as the atmosphere of the times, and its actual nature has yet to be clarified. "MAM Research 011: Tokyo Underground 1960s-1970s - A turning point in postwar Japanese culture" will display many materials, mainly ephemera (printed material intended for temporary use), that are suited to conveying the rise and fall of underground culture in Tokyo. Furthermore, by examining these materials, we will attempt to look in detail at the history of "underground," its ideas and those who carried it, as well as its spread and limitations.

The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo is pleased to present Hilma af Klint (tentative title) from March 4 to June 15, 2025. This will be the first major retrospective in Asia of Hilma af Klint (1862–1944), a pioneer of abstract painting. The painter from Sweden has been reevaluated in recent years as a creator of abstract paintings that preceded her contemporaries, such as Wassily Kandinsky and Piet Mondrian. For many years, her oeuvre of more than 1,000 works was known only to a very few people. As late as in the 1980s, several exhibitions began to introduce her works, and by the turn of the 21st century, her presence became international all at once. Her 2018 retrospective at the Guggenheim Museum in New York, the U.S., attracted 600,000 visitors, the largest attendance in the museum’s history. Including The Ten Largest (1907), a set of ten paintings over three meters high, all 140 works in this exhibition will travel to Japan for the first time. Centering on her representative accomplishment, The Paintings for the Temple, the exhibition will provide an overview of af Klint’s career, while introducing materials left by the artist and diverse sources of her inspiration, including the spiritualism and the women’s movements of her time.

The techniques of woodblock printing that flourished in the Edo period and Meiji era developed into a modernized artform called Shin-hanga in 1915. Shin-hanga builds on the tradition of collaborative work among the publisher, carver, printer, and designer, while also reflecting modern, eclectic tastes. Landscapes by Kawase Hasui (1883–1957) and Yoshida Hiroshi (1876–1950) as well as images of beauties by Hashiguchi Goyō (1880–1921) and Itō Shinsui (1898–1972) captivated Japanese people of Taishō and Shōwa eras and are still widely admired around the world. In conjunction with the special exhibitions, Tsutaya Jūzaburō: Creative Visionary of Edo andUkiyo-ein Play, this exhibition explores the variety and depth of woodblock printing and its expressive forms.

Are you ready for a great party? Join Kuromi, My Melody and Hapidanbui for an exciting exhibition! Dive into interactive displays, dance to hit music, and enjoy hands-on fun.

For millions of years, unique aesthetics have been born on the islands of Japan and have been passed down from generation to generation. From Jomon earthenware, Haniwa, Erika, armor, and ukiyo-e, to the popular anime that has taken the world by storm, this is an immersive theater that combines NHK's high-definition video technology with “New Wafuism”. The New Wafuism Theater is an immersive theater that incorporates NHK's high-definition video technology. In the theater, you will be able to experience Japanese culture through a time-traveling journey with national treasures and important cultural properties of the Tokyo National Museum.

Obara Koson (1877-1945) was a flower and bird painter active from the end of the Meiji period to the early Showa period. His existence was forgotten in Japan for a while, but in recent years he has been attracting attention, with exhibitions being held in art museums all over the country.The Ota Memorial Museum of Art also held an Ohara Koson exhibition in February and March 2019, which proved more popular than expected. This year marks exactly 80 years since Koson passed away. This is the first time in six years that the museum will be showcasing Koson's flower and bird paintings.

Tsutaya Juzaburo (1750-97), a prominent publisher in the Edo period, is known for publishing Ukiyo-e artists such as Kitagawa Utamaro and Toshusai Sharaku, who are now considered world-class artists. This exhibition takes a close look at Tsutaju's activities, showcasing the diverse culture of Edo, focusing on the Tenmei and Kansei periods (1781-1801). With the red-light district and kabuki of Edo as his backdrop, Tsutaju deepened his friendships with kyoka poets and comic poets during the rise of kyoka poetry. He expanded his network of samurai, wealthy townspeople, popular actors, comic poets, and artists in every direction, linking various fields and introducing various new ideas to the publishing industry through a kind of media mix. Tsutajyu used his business acumen to endlessly innovate the content business. What is rooted in this is a thorough user (consumer) perspective, and the vitality with which he pursued things that people would enjoy and find interesting. This exhibition is in collaboration with NHK's 2025 taiga drama "Berabou: Tsutaju Eika no Yumebanashi," which will feature Tsutaya Jusaburo as the main character. Through a look at Tsutaju's publishing activities along with aspects of the Edo cityscape, visitors will be able to experience not only the part Tsutaju played in the publishing culture of the late Edo period, but also the values ​​and artistry that he created.

Tokyo Metropolitan Government has created a new tourist resource for nighttime viewing by using the exterior wall of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building No. 1 as a screen to express a variety of art with light and sound, and to perform projection mapping all year round in order to activate and revitalize nighttime tourism. This time, as the 45th anniversary is approaching next year, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government will begin showing works using the world-famous "Pac-Man". The game board appears on the outer wall of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, and Pac-Man, who is making a futuristic scene, eats up everything vividly. The music of the game of Pac-Man, which has a futuristic feel, and the music of the highly friendly soundtrack maker Mr. Haraguchi Sasuke have produced. Please enjoy the collaborative work of Pac-Man and Tokyo that can only be seen in the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building.

Ryudai Takano (1963-) is a photographer and artist who won the 31st Kimura Ihei Photography Award for his photo book "IN MY ROOM" (2005) and continues to work both in Japan and abroad. In addition to his works on the theme of sexuality, such as "IN MY ROOM," Takano also takes snapshots of everyday life, such as "Daily Photos" and "Kasubaba." Since the Great East Japan Earthquake, he has also been working on the theme of exploring the origins of photography, using "shadows" as a subject. The title of this exhibition, "Kasubaba," is a word coined by Takano and is the plural of the word for a place like kas (ba). We live in the midst of rapid change in the times, with large-scale natural disasters, global epidemics of infectious diseases, environmental destruction and urban development due to economic development. Takano accepts reality, which is not just beautiful, and presents the viewer with raw images of weak and ugly things as they are. Through Takano's works, we will be able to see anew the richness and chaos of the everyday life we ​​live in, something that is familiar to us but that we do not look closely at. We hope that this exhibition, which surveys Takano's career, including works shown for the first time, will provide some hints for surviving this everyday life, from which it is becoming increasingly difficult to see an exit.

Joan Miró (1893-1983) was born in Catalonia, Spain in 1893. Along with his fellow countryman Pablo Picasso, he is considered one of the most outstanding artists of the 20th century. His unique style of painting, which depicts natural shapes such as the sun, stars, and moon with symbolic symbols, is also popular in Japan. Today, 40 years after Miró's death, his creative activities are once again receiving praise from the world. This exhibition, including the "Constellations" series, comprehensively introduces Miró's art, who continued to challenge various new expressions until he was 90 years old, by exhibiting paintings, ceramics, and sculptures that reflect each period from his early years to his later years. This exhibition is an unprecedented large-scale retrospective exhibition, and visitors can experience the essence of Miró's art through many selected masterpieces collected from all over the world.

While preparing for the exhibition "Anzelm Kifle: Solaris" at Nijo Castle in Kyoto, Kiefer was deeply attracted by the resonance between two paintings - "E.T.A. Homan no Tame" (2015-2024) and "er hexte eine Schlange ausdem Wasser" (2016). The pastoral scenery reflected on the calm water surface, and the paintings of the snake-themed sculptures use gold, ultramarine, ochre and soft white tones, which resonate with each other in the exhibition space filled with natural light. In Japanese culture, snakes represent a symbol of wisdom, wealth, change, rebirth, and renewal, and are also regarded as messengers of God. This year is also the Year of the Snake, which can be said to be the best year to exhibit these two masterpieces.

Yohen Tenmoku is a treasure of Oriental ceramics. It was made in China during the Southern Song Dynasty in the 12th to 13th centuries, and only three pieces remain in the world, all of which have been passed down to Japan. What continues to fascinate many people is the enigmatic beauty of the iridescent glow that floats on the jet-black glaze. In addition to this mysterious glow, Yohen Tenmoku also hides many mysteries, such as its manufacturing method and transmission. This exhibition focuses on the theme of black colors in crafts, and introduces iron crafts called "kurogane" (black iron), such as swords and iron tsuba, as well as "jet-black" lacquerware. We will also trace the history of black pottery in China and Japan, and approach the various mysteries and secrets that Yohen Tenmoku hides based on the latest research findings.

From a young age, Kusama has suffered from visual and auditory hallucinations. Her mental health condition has had a tremendous impact on the artist’s creative activities. In the 1950s, driven by her own obsessions, Kusama created an enormous number of drawings, resulting in an opportunity to make her breakthrough as an artist. After relocating to the United States in 1957, the artist began to create a series of works that could be described as ritual of “self-obliteration,” where all existence is engulfed in infinitely repetitive patterns such as polka dots and nets while the self is immersed into a boundless world. These works express a desire for salvation from psychological disorders and simultaneously reflect her intention to liberate society from absurd oppression through happenings and other forms of expression.

The tale of how the Heian-period warrior Minamoto no Yorimitsu quelled the demon Shutendōji took shape before the fourteenth century. It then spread widely through paintings, Noh performances, and other genres. The Muromachi period Shutendōji picture scrolls by Kanō Motonobu (the “Suntory Scrolls”) are a famous ancient example copied hundreds of times during the Edo period. This exhibition will display all three of the recently restored Suntory Scrolls and will also introduce the richly varied Shutendōji picture scrolls that developed broadly from them.

"MAM Collection 019: Perspective" focuses on the photographic expressions of three female artists from the Mori Art Museum Collection: Maiko Haruki, Mari Katayama, and Tomoko Yoneda. This exhibition introduces photographic works in which the image is completed through the viewer's involvement, rather than as a so-called recording medium. Maiko Haruki's series "either portrait or landscape" attempts to destabilize and liberate the viewer's perspective from the perspective of form, and also by incorporating the relationship between photography and abstract expression as a theme. Mari Katayama reverses the power relationship between image and viewer, challenging conventional traditional notions of diversity, normative values, and agency. Tomoko Yoneda's series "Between the Visible and the Invisible" expresses the interrelationship between the image on the surface and the narrative behind it.

Joan Miró (1893-1983) is one of the most important Spanish artists of the 20th century, as famous as Picasso and Dali. His creations experienced changes from Fauvism, Realism to Surrealism, and finally established his own unique style. His paintings are famous for their strong colors, imagination and poetry. This exhibition will present the artist's works collected by the Joan Miró Foundation. Through Miró's representative works from his early years to his later years, it will review his creative career of more than 60 years and show the development of his artistic language and creative process. .

Tokyo City View will hold the Tezuka Osamu "Phoenix" exhibition - the Phoenix is ​​a symbol of dynamic equilibrium (dotekiheikou) that resists the increase of entropy, i.e., cosmic life (cosmozone) - from Friday, March 7, 2025 to Sunday, May 25, 2025. Tezuka Osamu, who created many masterpieces, declared that the manga "Phoenix" was his life's work. It is a masterpiece long work that depicts the conflict of people who pursue the legendary bird "Phoenix", whose blood is said to grant eternal life to those who drink it. The magnificent worldview of this work, which alternates between the past and the future and freely expresses philosophical themes such as "life and death" and "reincarnation", continues to capture people's hearts even today. This exhibition will interpret the epic poem, which was written over a long period of more than 30 years, focusing on the 12 main chapters from "Dawn" to "Sun", which began in the magazine "COM". Now that 70 years have passed since the serialization of "Phoenix" began, biologist Shinichi Fukuoka will guide us as we interpret the story structure of "Phoenix" from a new perspective of bioscience and seek the answer to the question "What is life?" that Tezuka Osamu continued to express throughout his life.

When Charlie Brown and his sister Sally get on the school bus with their friends and head off to school, various events await them. They meet unique friends and teachers. Classes are conducted day by day, and sometimes there are tense presentations, and as a reward, there are dance events. When they get home, they do their homework, and during summer vacation, they meet new people at summer camp. The school life of the Peanuts gang is a familiar, bittersweet experience. Enjoy school life with the Peanuts gang through about 45 carefully selected comics.

In December 2024, a new craft collection was donated to our museum. It consists of approximately 150 pieces. Almost all of them are enamel pieces. "Emayu" may be an unfamiliar word. It is the French katakana spelling, and in English it is called enamel, and in Japan it is usually called Shippo. In other words, enamel refers to a craft in which a glassy glaze is baked onto a metal base. The donor is jewelry artist Mitsuo Kaji. This new "Kaji Collection," consisting of carefully selected enamel gems, will make its debut at this exhibition.