Featured Events in Japan in July, 2025 (July Updated)

Yumeshima, the site of the Osaka-Kansai Expo, is a place that gives a sense of Osaka's unique character, which developed towards the sea. The numerous documents stored in the Osaka Castle Tower retain the image of the "water city" of the past, which can no longer be seen today. Please take the time to reflect on the history of Osaka, which was nurtured by its abundant waters.

During the Sengoku period, various cultural artifacts from Europe and Asia were brought to Japan through trade with the Western countries. This exhibition will focus on the various aspects of exchange with the world that had a major impact on Japanese society, such as the introduction of Christianity and firearms.

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

One of Japan’s most influential and iconoclastic artists, Tadanori Yokoo has spent over six decades reshaping the boundaries of contemporary art. From his bold graphic designs in the 1960s to his later exploration of painting, photography and installation, the Hyogo native’s oeuvre makes for a kaleidoscopic journey across time, culture and personal mythology. His ever-evolving practice is marked by a restless spirit of experimentation and a refusal to settle on a single, ‘complete’ form of expression. This ongoing journey informs ‘Mikan: Myself, Incomplete’, on display at the Gucci Ginza Gallery until August 24. Offering a glimpse into Yokoo’s inner world, the show brings together around 20 works, including six previously unexhibited new pieces. Ranging from self-portraits to depictions of family, they’re all centred on the theme of incompleteness and the ongoing journey of artistic creation.

In ancient China, where advanced civilization developed, various cultural artifacts were created using excellent technology, and many of them were decorated with designs that are novel and stimulating even to modern eyes. What kind of thinking was behind the creation of these designs, which seem far removed from our sensibilities? This exhibition will introduce the sophisticated design sense of ancient China and the myths and worldview that formed its background, focusing on masterpieces of bronze mirrors owned by the Izumiya Hakukokan Museum (Kashigatani, Higashiyama, Kyoto). We will then interpret the background of the designs from four main perspectives: "Animals/Plants," "Astronomy," "Tanabata," and "Longing for Taoist Immortals," and also introduce the influence they had on Japanese art. In addition, some of the works exhibited at the "Izumiya Biennale," a collaboration between contemporary metalworkers and ancient Chinese bronze vessels held at the Izumiya Hakukokan Museum (Kashigatani, Higashiyama, Kyoto) in 2021 and 2023, will be exhibited for the first time in Tokyo.

Fujimoto Yoshimichi (1919-1992) pursued realistic and deep color paintings, and in 1986 was recognized as a holder of the Important Intangible Cultural Property for colored porcelain. He developed the technique of "Yubyo-kasai" to depict the background, using shades of paint to create a three-dimensional motif and to make it look like it is one with the white porcelain surface. The main motif is a bird. The appeal of colored paintings lies in the layered expression created by overlapping paints and glazes, but by depicting a pale landscape like a watercolor painting under the colored painting of a bird, he created a unique expression that is realistic and spreads into the depths of the vessel, yet also has the abstractness of a ceramic pattern.Fujimoto studied craft design at Tokyo School of Fine Arts (now Tokyo University of the Arts), and after graduating he entered the Ministry of Education's Crafts Technical Training Institute, which was located on the school grounds, to gain practical skills, where he was taught by Tomimoto Kenkichi (1886-1963) and Kato Hashimoe (1900-1968), both of whom would later become Important Intangible Cultural Property Holders for overglaze porcelain. His family had no connection to pottery, and after graduating from the training institute he continued to create his own works while moving around from Tokyo to Gifu, Kyoto, Wakayama, Kagoshima, and other places as Tomimoto's assistant, ceramic designer, and instructor. During his time working at Kyoto City University of Arts (now Kyoto City University of Arts), he participated in the Sodeisha and Modern Art Association, and attracted attention for his ceramic objects, but after becoming an assistant professor at Tokyo University of the Arts in 1962, he gradually began to concentrate on overglaze painting as he created the right environment.This exhibition explores the relationship between the deepening of Fujimoto Noboru's expression and technique through works from the mid-1970s to his final years in 1991, when he developed materials and techniques and worked on colored porcelain.

Famous swords were the supreme treasure of samurai families. Not only were they excellent weapons, but over the years, they have been possessed by many rulers during times of war, or given as gifts at happy turning points in life, and as a result, their value has increased even more. In this way, for hundreds of years, many famous swords have been passed down from hand to hand, and have been preserved and passed down to the present day along with their gorgeous sword fittings that are befitting of their status. This exhibition will focus on the swords and sword fittings in the collection of the Tokugawa Art Museum, and will display famous swords associated with famous warlords and daimyo, as well as gorgeous sword fittings, while focusing on the various stories surrounding the works. This large-scale exhibition, befitting the 90th anniversary of the museum's opening, will feature a selection of national treasures, important cultural properties, and famous items. The profound world of swords and sword fittings, which continue to be fascinating even through the ages, will be introduced from both the historical background and the beauty of the works themselves.

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

There are many artists and works that are still unknown to the world in Japanese art. For example, in the case of Ito Jakuchu (1716-1800), an exhibition held at the Kyoto National Museum in 2000 triggered an unprecedented boom in Jakuchu's work, but before 2000, Jakuchu was a "hidden treasure trove" for the general public. Since then, Jakuchu and other eccentric painters have been unearthed, but there are still many hidden treasures from the Jomon period to modern times. This exhibition aims to unearth these treasures once again and establish them as beautiful gems in the history of Japanese art. We would like the audience to use their own eyes to find "future national treasures."

The "Japanese Graphic Design 2025" exhibition selects about 300 works from the yearbook, covering 10 major categories including posters, book binding, product packaging, brand logos, digital media, films, and space design, supplemented by physical exhibits and video materials, to fully present the current creative enthusiasm and professional depth of Japanese graphic design.

The National Museum of Western Art will hold the "Nationalmuseum of Sweden Drawing Collection - From Renaissance to Baroque" exhibition from July 1st to September 28th, 2025. The Nationalmuseum of Sweden, located in Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, is one of the oldest art museums in the world, based on art collected by the Swedish royal family. In particular, the museum's drawing collection is known for its rich quality and quantity, even on a global scale. This time, we will hold an exhibition that introduces a selection of masterpieces from the drawing collection, from the Renaissance to the Baroque. Since drawings are easily affected by changes in the environment, light, and vibration, it is usually difficult to exhibit drawings held overseas in Japan, so this will be the first time that the world's best collection of drawings, about 80 pieces, will come to Japan. This exhibition allows you to fully enjoy the charm of drawings, which are filled with all of the artist's skill and imagination, including works by masters such as Dürer, Rubens, and Rembrandt.

Sou Fujimoto (born 1971 in Hokkaido) has design offices in Tokyo, Paris, and Shenzhen, and is involved in a wide range of projects around the world, from private homes to universities, commercial facilities, hotels, and complexes. After garnering attention with his Aomori Museum of Art Competition in 2000, he has completed a series of highly acclaimed projects, including the Musashino Art University Museum and Library (Tokyo, 2010), the Serpentine Gallery Pavilion 2013 (London), and in recent years the apartment complex L'Arbre Blanc (The White Tree) (Montpellier, France, 2019) and the music complex House of Hungarian Music (Budapest, 2021). He is currently one of the most notable Japanese architects, serving as the venue design producer for the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo.

To commemorate the 30th anniversary of the original popular manga "Coji-Coji" by Momoko Sakura, the creator of the Japanese national anime Chibi Maruko-chan, we will be collaborating with artist YOSHIROTTEN. Cojicoji encounters the world of YOSHIROTTEN's SUN, creating a completely new exhibition that is bathed in UNIVERSE colors never seen before.

Fukahori Ryusuke (born in Aichi Prefecture in 1973) is an artist who is fascinated by goldfish and continues to create works of art. This exhibition will feature around 300 works, from his early period to his latest, with a focus on his Goldfish Sake series, which the artist named himself after the incident of being saved by a goldfish. His virtuoso 2.5D (dimensional) paintings (which look like swimming goldfish when viewed from above, but what about from the side?) bring to life the cruelty, strangeness, beauty, loveliness and transience of life.

This fireworks display will be held at Ajiura Beach in Hitachinaka, one of the most beautiful beaches in Ibaraki Prefecture. In 2025, the event will be held for seven days in July and August, mostly on weekends. For about 10 minutes, colorful fireworks will be launched from the sea surface, allowing you to enjoy the beautiful sight of the fireworks reflected on the water. It is conveniently located a 5-minute walk from Ajiura Station on the Hitachinaka Seaside Railway. Although the event is short, impressive fireworks such as the 8-inch and 13-inch ones light up the night sky. Feel the sea breeze and enjoy the fireworks on a pleasant summer night.

The Gujo Odori is one of Japan's oldest and longest-running Bon Odori festivals, with a history of over 400 years. Held in the scenic Gujo Hachiman Castle Town, this two-month festival invites locals and visitors to dance in the streets every night, passing on a rich cultural tradition.

From July 17 to August 31, Kobe Nunobiki Herb Garden will host the Summer Garden Festival, a seasonal event where visitors can enjoy a variety of different activities. There will be fields of blooming sunflowers, a cooling mist garden, nighttime illuminations, and drinks from the terrace bar featuring mint and edible flowers grown on site. Families with children shouldn’t miss out either – there are a number of activities designed just for kids. From making your own cosmos seed paste “dumplings” to take home and plant, to exploring the garden’s herb scavenger hunt, there’s plenty to keep kids interested.

The British Museum of Natural History is coming to Japan for the first time! A full-body reconstructed skeleton of the 37-meter-long "Patagotitan mayorum" is on display! The exhibition "Titanosaur: Life as the Biggest Dinosaur," which was well received at the British Museum in London, is coming to Japan! Yokohama will be the first stop on its international tour. The museum will introduce the world's largest sauropod, Patagotitan mayorum, through an impressive, fully restored skeleton measuring approximately 37 meters in length, and interactive exhibits. Many specimens from Japan are also gathered here! Learn about not only giant sauropods, but also the history of the gigantism and prosperity of dinosaurs. Under the supervision of the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum and the Fukui Prefectural University Dinosaur Research Institute, numerous specimens of dinosaurs other than sauropods and other creatures are collected from all over the country and exhibited in one place. The museum introduces the history of the flourishing of dinosaurs and the evolution of living things through a wide range of specimens, including non-dinosaur paleontologists and extant mammals. A moving specimen?! An impressive dinosaur robot is also on display! This robot is made by Kokoro Co., Ltd., a company that makes high-quality dinosaur robots that are exhibited in museums both in Japan and overseas, such as the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum and the British Museum of Natural History. Even adults will be amazed by its life-size, realistic appearance.

Ogasawara treasures each unique encounter with a landscape, and his landscape paintings, created using the techniques of Japanese painting and based on meticulous sketches, are bright and clear in style with a gold base, and while their expression is simple, they are imbued with elegance. This exhibition will feature works depicting the natural scenery of rural areas around Japan, such as mountain valleys covered in blossoms including cherry blossoms, and waterside scenes of clear streams.

The "Showa 100th Anniversary Summer Festival" at Seibuen Amusement Park is a large-scale summer event themed on commemorating the Showa era. The event is usually held in the summer and aims to lead visitors to relive the customs and culture of the Showa period through various entertainment programs and cultural activities.

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

This is the world's first immersive experiential digital art museum where you can be immersed in Japan's proud world of Yokai (supernatural monster) art, focusing on "Hyakki Yagyo Emaki" (Night Parade of One Hundred Demons scrolls), "Hyaku Monogatari" (A Collection of 100 Supernatural Tales), Oni (ogres/demons), Tengu (long-nosed goblins), Kappa (river imps), and Tsukumogami (artifact spirits), depicted by various painters from the Edo and Meiji periods, combined with cutting-edge video technology and three-dimensional modeling.

With the Yokohama Hakkeijima Ocean Park, a park with four aquariums and various amusement facilities, as the background, the night sky and the sea are the stage for the fireworks symphony. The new technology brings a 52-meter-high "Pyramid of Light", with fireworks and projection images, accompanied by exciting music, as if entering a fantasy world. It will be held for more than 10 days, with 2,500 fireworks set off every day, attracting about 55,000 people.

I'm Uncle Friday, who graced the opening of Friday Road Show from 1997 to 2009. It was created by director Hayao Miyazaki and finished by director Yoshifumi Kondo. Now, everyone. Was it through Friday Road Show that you first encountered Studio Ghibli films? Since airing "Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind" in 1986, we have been bringing Studio Ghibli films to everyone. Many people all over Japan are watching at the same time. It's a special experience that can only be had through this program.

The Seven Wonders of Fukagawa, a legend of Edo Fukagawa, are depicted in ukiyo-e-style woodblock prints! The darkness of Edo is brought back to life!! The appeal of the Seven Wonders of Fukagawa is that you can identify the modern geographical place names. It's even more enjoyable when you compare the modern locations with the old maps on display alongside the ukiyo-e-style woodblock prints!

The event will be held at the open-air stage of Kushiro Saikyo-cho Park, where you can enjoy the "sea mist", the natural symbol of Kushiro. The main attraction of the event is the laser show that renders the foggy night sky colorful, allowing you to immerse yourself in a dreamy space where fog, lasers and sound interweave. In addition, the "sea mist market" where you can enjoy live music and food made with seasonal ingredients is also very popular.

The Buddhist chanting dance passed down from Yugyoji Temple, when the Buddhist master Ippon Shonin traveled around the country chanting sutras and praying for blessings. Chanting the mantra, the disciples suddenly began to dance, and the onlookers followed suit. It is believed that this dance eventually integrated the culture and characteristics of each region and became the origin of Bon Dance and folk performing arts. The Bon Dance event "Yugu no Bon" makes full use of this culture preserved in Fujisawa, featuring Bon Dance, including Fujisawa's new Bon Dance "Yugu Dance" with the theme of Buddhist chanting, making the summer of Shonan full of vitality.

The Nagasaki Port Festival is a major summer event in Nagasaki, centered around the Port of Nagasaki. The event includes stage performances, food and beverage stalls, and fireworks displays, which are fun for all ages. The feast of sound and light that adorns the night sky is intoxicating. The reflection of the fireworks on the sea is a unique charm of the port location.

Explore The July Tournament Day 15 sporting information for 27th July, as well as links for Sumo Wrestling tickets and more with Fixture Calendar. The July Tournament is one of the most highly-anticipated events in the world of Sumo Wrestling. Held in Tokyo, Japan, this prestigious tournament features the top 42 wrestlers competing against each other to claim the title of Grand Champion. This six-day event takes place in Ryōgoku Kokugikan, the largest and most traditional sumo arena in Japan. Established in 1985, this tournament is organized by the Japan Sumo Association and attracts thousands of spectators from all over the world. The tournament is divided into two divisions, Makuuchi and Juryo, with each division comprising of 32 and 10 wrestlers respectively. Each wrestler, known as rikishi, represents a specific stable and follows strict traditional rituals and customs before and after each match. With a rich history and fierce competition, the July Tournament is a must-see for all Sumo Wrestling fans. Information Source: fixturecalendar.com