Featured Events in Tokyo in January, 2025 (July Updated)

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.

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.

Hair Expo Tokyo 2025, set to take place from January 15 to January 17, 2025, at Tokyo Big Sight in Koto, Tokyo, Japan, promises to be a landmark event in the beauty and hair industry. This premier expo will gather top professionals, innovative brands, and industry enthusiasts from around the globe, offering a unique platform for networking, education, and showcasing the latest trends and technologies in hair care and styling. Attendees can expect a series of engaging seminars, live demonstrations, and competitions that highlight cutting-edge techniques and products. With its strategic location in the bustling city of Tokyo, Hair Expo Tokyo 2025 is poised to be an unmissable event for anyone looking to stay ahead in the dynamic world of hair fashion.

Automotive World Tokyo 2025, set to take place from January 22 to January 24 at Tokyo Big Sight in Koto, Tokyo, Japan, is poised to be a landmark event in the automotive industry. This premier exhibition will gather leading experts, cutting-edge technologies, and innovative solutions, all under one roof. Attendees can expect to explore the latest advancements in electric vehicles, autonomous driving, and connected car technologies. With a focus on sustainable mobility and smart transportation systems, Automotive World Tokyo 2025 promises to be a pivotal platform for industry professionals to network, collaborate, and drive the future of automotive innovation. The event's strategic location in Tokyo, a global hub for technological advancement, further underscores its significance. Don't miss the opportunity to witness the forefront of automotive evolution at this prestigious event.

Explore The January Tournament Day 13 sporting information for 24th January, as well as links for Sumo Wrestling tickets and more with Fixture Calendar. The January Tournament, also known as Kyushu Basho, is one of the six annual professional Sumo Wrestling tournaments held in Japan. This prestigious sporting event features the top-ranked wrestlers from the Japan Sumo Association, known as Rikishis, competing against each other in a round-robin style format. The tournament takes place in Fukuoka at the Fukuoka Kokusai Center, a renowned indoor arena with a seating capacity of over 10,000 spectators. Fans from all over the world flock to this event to watch their favorite wrestlers, including the yokozuna (highest ranked) and ozeki (second-highest ranked) compete for the championship title. The January Tournament is a must-see for any Sumo Wrestling enthusiast and promises to deliver an intense and thrilling experience for all. Information Source: fixturecalendar.com

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.

"Ghost" is a project started in Bangkok in 2019 by artist Korakrit Arunanondchai (born in Bangkok in 1986). It is held every three years at multiple venues in Bangkok, mainly focusing on video works (including installations and performances), with the final edition scheduled for 2025. This year's "MAM Screen" will welcome Arunanondchai (first edition "Ghost 2561" [2018]) and Christina Lee (second edition "Ghost 2565: Live without dead time" [2022]), who have served as curators, and will add new works to the works exhibited in the two editions, creating a program of video works that show how stories and memories are imprinted on the body, and various methodologies of expression through the body. Haig Ayvazian (born in Beirut in 1980) uses artificial lighting as a motif to depict the various contradictions that technology has created. Real Rizaldi (b. 1990, Bandung, Indonesia) explores the spiritual experiences of two employees working on the fringes of a global tech company. In addition, Tosh Basco (b. 1988, California) explores the physical in the modern world, and Chantana Tiprachart (b. 1991, Kalasin, Thailand) explores a disappearing ritual associated with the Thai water goddess, Naga. The program explores various methods of “physical resistance” in the context of technology and progress in Tokyo, an international Asian city that embraces both human and non-human entities. Held in an international city where global capital and the desire for progress are deeply intertwined with tradition, Ghost Intervention will reveal how tangible and intangible forces have shaped and will continue to shape the world we live in.

This is the first large-scale retrospective exhibition held in Japan for French-American artist Louise Bourgeois in 27 years. This exhibition will present Bourgeois's works from different periods, covering paintings, prints, drawings, sculptures, installations, manuscripts and other categories, and comprehensively review and interpret her creative career. The full name of the exhibition, "Louise Bourgeois: I have been to hell and back. And let me tell you, it was wonderful.", is quoted from one of her later works. This sentence implies the fluctuation of emotions and also conveys a sense of black humor. Louise Bourgeois considered herself a survivor who had survived adversity, and her work expressed a strong will to survive. This exhibition will present Bourgeois's paintings from 1938 to 1949 for the first time in Asia. The importance of these early paintings has only recently been recognized, and they show that during this period Bourgeois established the forms and themes that she would continue to create in the following decades. In addition, the exhibition also introduces her iconic "Spider" series, exploring the themes of maternal love, healing and memory conveyed by the large spider sculpture "Maman" located in Roppongi Hills.

Claude Monet (1840-1926), one of the leading painters of the Impressionists, captured the vicissitudes of nature on his canvas with a keen eye that caught a moment of light. In later years, however, his art was transformed into more abstract and internal images. Monet's later years were also a time when he faced many challenges, such as the death of a beloved family member, his own eye disease, and the First World War. In such a situation, the source of his greatest creativity was the water lily pond built in the garden of his residence in Giverny, where the surrounding trees, sky, and light are reflected as one. And the idea of a "large decorative painting" that covers the walls of the room with a huge canvas depicting this subject would occupy Monet's mind until his very end. At the center of this exhibition is a number of large-scale "water lilies" created through this process of trial and error. This time, about 50 works from the Musée Marmottan Monet in Paris will be exhibited for the first time in Japan, including many important works. In addition, works from various collections in Japan will be added to introduce the pinnacle of Monet's late art. It will be a valuable opportunity for the largest "water lilies" ever to gather in Japan.

British art from the turn of the century is often introduced in terms of its lineage with the Pre-Raphaelites or its relationship with Aestheticism and Symbolism, but inspired by the development of modern French painting, various movements arose in which young artists sought to create new environments for their work. The New English Art Club was founded in 1886 in opposition to the Royal Academy of Arts, which dominated the art world, the Camden Town Group was formed in 1911 in response to the Academy's conservatism, and the Newlyn School, which formed an artists' colony in a fishing village in Cornwall. In these movements, we can see responses to Impressionism and Post-Impressionism, as well as a backlash against London's rapid urbanization and industrialization.

The "ONE PIECE ONLY" exhibition focuses on the production process of the manga "One Piece". "One Piece" has been serialized in "Weekly Shonen Jump" since 1997, and it has been more than 27 years. On January 4, 2021 (Monday), the 1000th episode of the serialization was published, and on September 3 of the same year (Friday), the 100th volume of the single book was officially released. In the "ONE PIECE ONLY" exhibition, the exhibition will show the production process of this masterpiece through photos and videos, revealing the behind-the-scenes story of the comic from its creation to its arrival in the hands of every reader.

Yayoi Kusama has constantly faced the critical realities of life and death as pressing issues. Her experience of the Pacific War in a complex family environment, along with her overcoming of suicidal impulses triggered by trauma and neurosis through her creative practices, has influenced her perception of these issues. This exhibition unveils Kusama’s evolving outlook on life and death, alongside the corresponding shifts in her artistic presentation, through a series of diverse works—from her 1940s and 1950s paintings, which bear the imprint of war, to her very latest pieces. After relocating to the United States in 1957, Kusama gained a reputation for her net paintings and sculptures that embody ‘self-obliteration’: the feeling of losing the boundary between the self and the other through the obsessive repetition of motifs originating from her hallucinations. In her anti-war happenings in the late 1960s, she painted dots onto the human body using the same concept of ‘self-obliteration’ while also highlighting the beauty of life and the human body. During the 1970s and 80s, following the loss of her father and her lover, as well as her return to Japan due to health issues, Kusama produced numerous dark-toned collages and three-dimensional works centered on the theme of death, as well as poetry and novels imbued with a sense of mortality. As she continued creating fantastical works exploring death and the afterlife, her works from the late 1980s began to explore themes of transmigration and cyclical returns to eternity through ‘self-obliteration’. Kusama’s works, which increasingly incorporated more colors, reveal how her creative process evolved from a means of coping with death to becoming synonymous with her very existence. In her painting series from 2000 onwards, Kusama has been relentlessly depicting the beauty of life and the joy of living on canvases overflowing with vibrant colors, driven by the ever-looming presence of her own death.

This spectacular light show is the brainchild of renowned Japanese lighting designer Motoko Ishii. The term Jewellumination stands for jewels and lights, and it is brought to life by seven jewel colors: diamond, ruby, amber, topaz, emerald, sapphire and amethyst. The park is lit up by four million LED lights and divided into five colorful and themed areas: "Amusement Park", "Water Park", "Beautiful Stream", "Kawaii Park" and "Forest", with dance performances synchronized with lights and music. If you purchase an unlimited ride pass, you can also see these lights and the amazing night view of Tokyo from the top of the roller coaster or Ferris wheel.

Glaze is a glassy film that covers the surface of ceramics, and is an element unique to ceramics. Since ancient times, people have sought not only practical use in glazes, but also beauty that changes in various ways depending on the nature and method of application. This pursuit, which has continued for many years, has brought about great developments in the world of Chinese ceramics. Crafts with completely different styles were born, such as Sancai, which boldly uses vivid colors, Celadon, which has a refined appearance, and Yatsuo-gure, which has a fantastic purple-red color. This exhibition will display about 50 pieces that are full of the beauty of glazes, such as green glazes, Sancai, Celadon, and Yatsuo-gure, from about 1,500 years from the Later Han to the Ming dynasties. Please enjoy the rich expressions and unique colors that are born from applying glaze and firing.

Pokémon and spaceships – what kind of battle do you think will happen? Azabudai Hills Gallery will host an upgraded Pokémon Craft Exhibition from November 1, 2024 to February 2, 2025. The exhibition features a collaborative cafe, exclusive talk events and workshops, and will feature 20 artists and around 80 crafts inspired by the iconic works. The works are divided into three categories – Appearance, Story and Lifestyle.

Pliny the Elder’s encyclopedicNaturalis Historia(77 CE) includes the story of the daughter of a ceramic tile maker in Corinth, a city in ancient Greece, wanting a record of the young man she loved, who was setting out on a trip. She drew an outline of his shadow on the wall. In the latter half of the eighteenth and the early nineteenth century, that story was often mentioned as the origin of painting. In fact, if we look at the history of art in Europe, “depicting a person,” figure painting, has long been a significant element in creating works. For example, self-portraits have been both opportunities to display one’s skill and experimental settings for trying new styles. Portrait painting has been a staple source of painters’ livelihoods. In addition to actual human figures, portraits also depict the characters in stories. This exhibition introduces the abundance of paintings of the human figure.

Since its opening in 2020, the Artizon Museum has been holding the annual exhibition "Jam Session," a collaboration between the Ishibashi Foundation Collection and artists. This fifth exhibition will feature Yuko Mohri, an artist garnering attention in the international art scene. Mohri primarily uses installations and sculptures to give form to the flows and changing phenomena that exist latent in a particular space, such as magnetism, electric current, air, dust, water, and temperature, in an attempt to open up new circuits of perception for those who witness her work. The word "physis" in the title of this exhibition is an ancient Greek word that is usually translated as "nature" or "nature." In early Greek philosophy, which gave rise to the question "What is the origin of all things, the principle?" that has continued to this day in philosophy, "physis" was the central subject of consideration. Although only fragments of his writings remain from that time, they were later given the title "Physis = On Nature," and convey the thoughts of philosophers who find the true nature in movements such as creation, change, and disappearance. Their approach to perceiving the world as a constantly changing, vibrant, dynamic world can be seen as overlapping with Mohri's. This exhibition, Mohri's first large-scale exhibition in Japan, will feature new and old works alongside works from the Ishibashi Foundation Collection selected from the artist's perspective, inviting visitors into a tranquil yet organic space filled with subtle sounds and movements that can only be experienced here.

This is the museum's first bird-themed special exhibition. It introduces the origins and evolution of birds, and displays many specimens based on the evolutionary lineage hypothesis revealed by the latest research using genome analysis.

TOKYO MEGA ILLUMINATION is a large-scale illumination event held at Tokyo's Oi Racecourse from mid-October to early January each year. Known for its spectacular light displays and creative designs, the event attracts many families, friends, and couples. The site includes attractions such as the Edo Cherry Blossom Tunnel, the Flashing Road, the Great Waterfall, the Rose Garden, the Rainbow Fountain, and the Aurora Forest. There is also a "Big Naked Book" area that uses augmented reality technology (AR), as well as a variety of food and Souvenir shops. The admission ticket is reasonably priced and it is an entertaining activity for visitors of all ages

The Ishibashi Foundation Collection now consists of approximately 3,000 works, including Impressionist paintings from the latter half of the nineteenth century, modern paintings from the twentieth century, modern Japanese paintings from the Meiji period on, postwar Abstract paintings, early modern art from Japan and elsewhere in East Asia, and ancient Greek and Roman art. Here we introduce, throughout the year, a variety of works selected from the collection. Special Section Matisse’s Studio Interiors were consistently important elements in paintings by Henri Matisse (1869-1954). Particularly from the 1940s on, his studio was a vitally important space, where daily life and creating came together. This exhibition, in connection with the acquisition of his Dancer and Rocaille Armchair, Black Background (1942), explores, through works in the Ishibashi Foundation Collection and from multiple viewpoints, the role of the studio in Matisse’s paintings.

"Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba", which has been loved by generations, is a manga created by Koyoharu Gotouge and animated by ufotable. It has been 5 years since the first episode was aired, and after the final episode of "Hiraru Training Arc" aired in May this year, the "Theatrical Version of "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba" Infinite Castle Arc" was announced, which has set off a new wave of topics. The focus of this exhibition is on the "Hiraru" swordsmen of the Demon Slayer Corps, who have inherited the love-hate relationship with Muzan Kibutsuji for thousands of years. The exhibition will allow the audience to have a deeper understanding of the personality and background of the nine pillars through exquisite displays and interactive experiences.

Sui Mi, the story of a little fish, and Ao Kun and Qiu Ye Chen, a story woven through blue and yellow shapes. These are picture books created by Leo Leoni (1910-1999). Leo Leoni has been active in various fields such as painting, design, and picture books in Italy and the United States since the 20th century. This exhibition will introduce all the creative activities of Leo Leoni throughout his career and the artists who influenced him. Leo Leoni was born in the Netherlands in 1910 and grew up in a strong European culture. In his youth, Leo Leoni interacted with many artists and cultural figures such as Bruno Munari (1907-1998) and influenced each other. In 1939, he went to the United States and devoted himself to painting while being active as an artist. He traveled between Italy and the United States for the rest of his life and created a large number of works as a painter, sculptor, and picture book writer. In 1996, the Itabashi Museum of Art held Leoni’s first solo exhibition in Japan, in cooperation with Leoni himself. Since Leoni’s death, the Museum has maintained contact with his family, and this communication led to the 2020 “Leoni Exhibition, Meet Everyone”, which exhibited many works for the first time, in addition to about 70 donated works. This exhibition is the third Leoni exhibition held by the Itabashi Museum of Art, and through years of communication and research, it explores Leoni’s creative activities and his important position in 20th century cultural history.

Like all illuminations, this one has a theme: Exciting Moments. The illuminations are divided into three main areas, and you can head to the streets outside Hibiya Nakamura to enjoy the gradient of colors, to the Hibiya Steps Plaza to enjoy the star-studded Christmas tree (open only until December 25), and to the Park View Garden on the sixth floor to enjoy the winter white wonderland.

Since its opening in April 2010, the Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum of Art has held 40 special exhibitions. It has been closed for a long period of time since April 2023 for facility maintenance, but will reopen on November 23, 2024. Based on its past activities, the museum will continue to hold attractive exhibitions where people can gather, talk, and make new discoveries as a landmark of Marunouchi, Tokyo. Museums must constantly review their activities in response to changes in the times. To that end, we thought that borrowing the sensibilities of sharp artists who reflect the times was one of the best ways to do so, and we had planned to invite Sophie Calle (1953- ), a representative contemporary French artist, to hold "1894 Visions: Redon, Lautrec," which was planned as the 10th anniversary exhibition of the museum's opening in 2020. However, due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, Sophie Calle was forced to cancel her visit to Japan, and the project of collaboration with contemporary artists was postponed until after the museum reopened. The first exhibition since the reopening, "Commemorating the Reopening: 'Absence' – Toulouse-Lautrec and Sophie Calle," will once again display works by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (1864-1901), who is at the core of the museum's collection and exhibition activities. By inviting Sophie Calle to collaborate, we hope to incorporate a new perspective into the museum's activities and lead to future development.

The sunlight pouring down, the sunlit spots that give a sense of gentle warmth, the moonlight shining through the darkness... we encounter various kinds of light in our lives. In this exhibition, two artists who continue to be active at the forefront of contemporary art, Aoki Noe and Mishima Ritsue, will install their works in various places in the museum and illuminate the Art Deco decorative space from a new perspective. Aoki has opened up new horizons of expression with her sculptures that draw lines in space using iron, while Mishima has scooped up the energy of the place and converted it into light through her colorless and transparent glass works. The materials "iron" and "glass" that the two artists use are blessings of nature that have been passed down to us over time, and are also used extensively in the decoration of the venue, the former Asaka Palace, for chandeliers, reliefs, tympanums on doors, etc. The two artists have visited this place many times and engaged in dialogue with the decorative space of the 1930s to create a once-in-a-lifetime exhibition plan for this exhibition. Both Aoki Noe and Mishima Ritsue use fire in their creations, breathing life into materials with hot, shining flames. Their forms, imbued with primitive power, evoke the energy and cycles of nature, bringing surprise and awareness to the viewer and enveloping the world around us in a new light.