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

SSFF & ASIA was founded by actor Tetsuya Bessho, who is also a member of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), in the United States, in order to introduce short films as a new video genre to Japan. In 2004, it was recognized as an Oscar-certified film festival. In the same year, the Asian Short Film Festival (co-hosted with the Tokyo Asian Short Film Festival) was established to promote new Asian film culture and cultivate emerging filmmakers. Currently, these festivals are held under the general name "SSFF & ASIA". SSFF & ASIA 2025 will be held in multiple venues in Tokyo and online. With the theme of "Creativity, Activism, Generation", this year's festival will screen more than 250 of the latest short films from all over the world, in addition to competition units in various categories. Special screenings will include many films that are being shown in Japan for the first time.

This exhibition will introduce representative items from the Maeba Collection, known as one of the best privately collected roof tile collections in Japan. In addition to a tile from the abandoned Chiyo-ji Temple in Kanagawa Prefecture (Nara period) bearing the inscription "Otomo Isobe," known as a rare example of a roof tile with characters, the exhibition will trace the history of Japan through a variety of roof tile materials, including the gold leaf tiles from Osaka Castle, built by Hideyoshi. Materials other than roof tile materials will also be on display, such as Hattori Hidetatsu's "Saigō Takamori Nanshū Okina Usagi Karizu" (1885).

Tokyo 2025 · The 18th International Art Grand Prix is ​​hosted by the NPO Japan International Art Institute, supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Chinese Embassy in Japan and other government agencies, and cooperated by many groups at home and abroad. The annual large-scale international art exhibition is about to usher in the 18th International Art Grand Prix Tokyo 2025. This exhibition brings together about 300 works of art in various forms and categories from 18 countries.

Enjoy Vietnamese cuisine, traditional arts, live performances from popular artists, and a wide selection of souvenirs. About 150,000 people are expected to attend the festival, so be prepared for big crowds!

The Fussa Firefly Festival is an annual event held in Fussa City, Tokyo, Japan, usually held in the summer. The festival features firefly viewing, attracting many tourists and local residents to experience the beauty and magic of nature. During the event, in addition to watching fireflies, there are usually various traditional performances, food stalls and other entertainment activities, providing a good opportunity for families and friends to enjoy the summer night. The Fussa Firefly Festival not only showcases the charm of natural ecology, but also promotes community interaction and cultural exchange.

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.

A solo exhibition will be held to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the career of Fujiwara Kamui, who worked on the popular manga "Dragon Quest Retsuden: Emblem of Roto" and the legendary RPG "Tenchi Sozo". It has been 45 years since the debut of Fujiwara Kamui, a manga artist who is active in many genres such as manga and games. To commemorate this, the exhibition will be titled "DQ Ten World Tour" and will focus on Kamui's representative works, the manga "Dragon Quest Retsuden: Emblem of Roto" (art: Fujiwara Kamui, script: Koyanagi Junji, Kawamata Chiaki) and the action RPG "Tenchi Sozo" (character design: Fujiwara Kamui), and will be an exhibition (tour) with popular characters. The world maps of these two works, which are the keys to each work, will be combined and appear as a special map limited to the venue. There are many exhibits in each area that can only be seen at each venue, and the tour can only be completed by visiting both venues. You can enjoy the tour while following the route traveled by the main character and his friends based on the special map. Both venues will be exhibiting and selling the main items, including precious rough sketches and setting materials drawn at the time of serialization, original drawings for the exhibition, and autographed reproduction prints. There will also be a selection of original commemorative exhibition goods. In addition, three catalogs, two copies of "Dragon Quest Retsuden: Emblem of Roto" and one copy of "The Creation of Heaven and Earth," will be sold at the venue in advance. During the exhibition, Fujiwara Kamui is also scheduled to be in attendance and hold an autograph session. Why not take this opportunity to visit?

The Kugayama Firefly Festival has been held since 1996, taking advantage of Kugayama's location between the Tamagawa Canal and the Kanda River. Large numbers of fireflies are released at the venue, making it Kugayama's largest event, attracting a record 30,000 visitorsover two days. Each year, the Kugayama Firefly Festival has five venues where fireflies can be viewed. The main venues are the Kanda River Venue and the Tamagawa Josui Venue, where released fireflies dance in the night sky. If you stand still, a firefly might land on your shoulder!

Want to enjoy hydrangeas in nature on a weekend getaway without leaving Tokyo? Then head to Wonderful Nature Village next to Tokyo Summerland for the Hydrangea Festival! The event runs from June 7 to July 6. Here, you’ll see a sea of ​​white hydrangeas blooming on the hillsides. There are more than 15,000 hydrangeas in this area of ​​the vast park alone, and they are expected to reach peak bloom in late June. In addition to white hydrangeas, the park also grows beautiful blue hydrangeas native to Japan, the Kurohime Hydrangea and the Ochre Hydrangea. These varieties are expected to bloom in mid- to late June.

Hamitsuki Inari Shrine is famous for praying for protection from disasters, prosperity of business, and safety of buildings. Reclamation of the sea southeast of Edo began long before the founding of Edo (1603), but whenever the embankment was built, it was washed away, which was a big challenge for Tsukiji Market. However, one night, when people held a worship ceremony for the gods who appeared on the sea, the waves stopped and the building was completed in 1659 (Manji 2). The Tsukiji Lion Festival is said to have originated from the lion heads that people carry with them, a dragon that controls the clouds, a tiger that controls the wind, and a lion that can scare all living things with just a roar.

The theme of this exhibition is "Infinitely Expanding Love". This is my outlook on life and my love for life. After graduating from university, Xiang Lihui has been active in Shanghai, China. As the first generation of "Shanghai Drifters", she is keenly aware that she lives in an age of speed. People walk hurriedly between steel and concrete, and anxiety and loneliness, like thorns piercing the flesh, strongly entangle the tired mind. The virtual bridge built by social media seems to have shortened the distance between people, but in reality it has made emotional communication increasingly rare. She created an IP image of a lovely milk bear with a cute and innocent perspective as an entrance. She interprets the deep emotions behind abstract art through stories, and uses innovative illustrations and installation art to develop an exhibition that travels around the exhibition venue from multiple perspectives, including the senses, smell, and hearing. The little Milk Bear is like a key connecting the contrasting visions of childlike fun and artistic abstraction, building a bridge to communicate with the audience's hearts, conveying the power of love and healing, and satisfying people's deepest expectations of beautiful emotions.

WHAT CAFE will hold a group exhibition of young artists selected by art curator Hirotaka Noma. In this exhibition, approximately 130 works by 16 up-and-coming artists selected by Noma will be exhibited and sold. WHAT CAFE held an exhibition of works selected by Noma in October 2023, which was well received, and has decided to hold it again with new artists and works. This time, we will focus on the act of "containing" the "movements" of the artists' inner fluctuations in their creations, technical attempts, cultural perspectives, etc., in their respective expressive methods and supports, and introduce works in which the "movements" are visualized within the frame. In addition to works that graphically depict people and animals, you can enjoy a wide range of unique art, from detailed depictions to abstract expressions. Why not take this opportunity to visit? Participating artists (titles omitted, in no particular order): Inoue, Yeka Haski, Chara Ai, Komatsumoto Yui, Sakkarani Ai, Sawada Moko, Suzuki Jun, SOMETA, Hime, Fujikawa Kosei, Funaki Ai, Maeda Toshiyuki, Matsuda Ken, Matsuyama 5th Avenue, Murayama Hiroaki, MEG

The exhibition Fe_Ca_Sn, being held at Kaamer in Tokyo from June 27 to July 6, features collaborative and individual works by three Tokyo-based artists: Sae Honda, Azu Kimura, and Kathleen Reilly. United by a poetic sensibility and material curiosity, the trio engage in an experimental project inspired by the Surrealist game Exquisite Corpse, exchanging their signature materials—iron (Fe), calcium (Ca), and tin (Sn) to explore new artistic processes. Honda, known for her narrative-driven design, questions value systems through tactile, interdisciplinary practices. Kimura’s nature-inspired art reflects ecological interdependence, drawing from her background in botanical design. Reilly, a Scottish metalworker and poet, casts tin works infused with memory and fleeting moments. Together, the artists blur boundaries between art, design, and craft, proposing alternative aesthetics and embracing the ephemeral. Their work collectively reflects a sensitive response to the impermanence of contemporary life and materiality through shared experimentation and individual expression.

Explore Japan XV v Māori All Blacks sporting information for 28th June, as well as links for Rugby Union tickets and more with Fixture Calendar. The Japan XV Pacific Nations Cup5 Union team, also known as the Brave Blossoms, is the national team representing Pacific Nations Cup6 in the sport of rugby union. The team is currently ranked 11th in the world and is a member of the prestigious Six Nations Championship. They have participated in every Rugby World Cup since its inception and have a strong track record in the tournament, making it to the quarter-finals in both 2015 and 2019. Some notable players on the Japan XV team include stars like Michael Leitch, Kazuki Himeno, and Yu Tamura. The team plays their home matches at the Chichibunomiya Pacific Nations Cup5 Stadium in Pacific Nations Cup4, which has a capacity of 27,188 spectators. With their impressive performance in recent years, the Japan XV team has risen to become a force to be reckoned with in the world of rugby union. The Māori All Blacks are a renowned Pacific Nations Cup5 Union team representing New Zealand's indigenous Māori population. They have been competing internationally since 1910 and have an impressive record, having won numerous competitions, including the Pacific Nations Cup and the World Cup Sevens. The team is composed of talented players who possess incredible skill and athleticism. Some of their star players include Damian McKenzie, Aaron Smith, and Rieko Ioane. The Māori All Blacks are known for their fierce and passionate playing style, which has earned them a fierce reputation on the field. They play their home games at the iconic Rotorua International Stadium, which is known for its lively atmosphere and supportive crowd. With their rich history and talented players, the Māori All Blacks are a force to be reckoned with on the international rugby scene. Information Source: fixturecalendar.com

The exhibition brings together about 240 selected works, introducing the origin of Japanese prints, the changes of Ukiyo-e, the influence of Western art on prints, and the internationalization process of Japanese prints after the war. Exhibits include the "Immaculate Pure Light Great Dharani Sutra" from the Nara period, Utagawa Hiroshige's "Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido: Lake Hakone", Kawase Hasui's "Morning in the Mist (Yotsuya Mitsuko)", and Tokata Shiko's "Two Bodhisattvas and the Ten Great Disciples of Sakyamuni: The Fence of Purna", etc., leading the audience to explore the artistic charm of Japanese prints for thousands of years.

Why are people so touched by the natural beauty of Mingei, born from nature? Naoto Fukasawa, product designer and museum director, will select everyday items from the museum's collection that have touched and inspired him, shedding light on the appeal of Mingei beauty, such as its "warmth," "intimacy," and "loveliness." The existence of Mingei, the crystallization of the beauty of everyday life, will serve as an important touchstone for ascertaining our "manufacturing" and "direction of life" for the future.

Perrotin Tokyo presents Cherries Bloom in April — the first solo exhibition in Japan by German artist Gregor Hildebrandt. The following is an essay authored by artist and curator Andreas Schlaegel on the occasion of this exhibition.

Perrotin Tokyo is pleased to announce Cherries Bloom in April — the first solo exhibition in Japan by German artist Gregor Hildebrandt. The following is an essay authored by artist and curator Andreas Schlaegel on the occasion of this exhibition. Hildebrandt’s passion for art, poetry, and music is as extensive as it is infectious. His ability to internalize and contextualize what he sees, reads, and hears informs the connections he draws in precise and distinct material form – poetic and open-ended, inviting viewers’ reflections.

Set during the French Revolution, the exhibition and sale will include the timeless masterpiece "The Rose of Versailles," which depicts the lives of the cross-dressing beauty Oscar and the Queen of France Marie Antoinette, as well as 30 prints of "The Window of Orpheus" (88 graphs). In addition, miscellaneous goods such as art tiles, mirrors, and glasses cleaning products will be on sale. Please enjoy the beautiful and splendid world depicted by Riyoko Ikeda.

SUPPORT PROGRAM FOR YOUNG CHINESE ARTISTS IN JAPAN

The "Anpanman the Movie" exhibition is an exhibition themed around the classic animation IP "Anpanman", which is open to the public free of charge. It will be held at Suginami Animation Museum from April 12 to July 21, 2025.

Odilon Redon (1840-1916) was a French symbolist painter, known for his dreamy style full of mysticism. In his early years, he focused on charcoal drawings and prints, calling his works depicting a fantasy world "black creations". In the 1890s, influenced by the Nabis painters, he gradually turned to pastels and oil paintings, using more colorful and bright colors and light and shadow to depict mythological, religious, human and floral themes.This exhibition is centered on the collection of the Gifu Prefectural Art Museum, and brings together approximately 110 works from art museums in Japan and abroad, covering charcoal drawings, prints, pastels and oil paintings, etc., to fully display the full picture of Odilon Redon's creation and explore how he developed his unique style between tradition and innovation.

The theme of this exhibition is "BLOOM=咲く". 65 works by Katsushika Hokusai with "flowers" as the theme are selected from "Hokusai Manga" and constructed together with the special exhibition works. Flowers, as a symbol of "beauty" and "ideal", sometimes also carry "impermanence" and "reverence". They have long been used by countless artists as a medium for expression and thinking. So, how do these flowers appear in the eyes of Hokusai? This is the first time in about a year that "art cruise gallery" has held an exhibition of Katsushika Hokusai. Even viewers who have visited the exhibition "PLAY W/HOKUSAI" can rediscover Hokusai's new charm in this exhibition. In the spring when nature awakens and colorful flowers bloom in the fields and cities, let's enjoy the natural scenery and Edo street scenes that Hokusai depicts with delicate and humorous brushstrokes, which unfold around flowers.

Naofumi Maruyama begins painting by placing a cotton cloth, saturated with water, on the floor. Utilizing the effect of pigments spreading and seeping into the fabric through the water, he has created numerous landscapes where the boundaries of objects dissolve ambiguously. Unlike applying layers of paint onto a firm and solid support, his process involves gradually generating colors and forms on a damp surface, much like a wetland. This approach resonates with the reality of our own existence, as we stand and live on unstable, physically shifting ground.

Tadanori Yokoo, who is known as the "Japanese Andy Warhol", is one of the most internationally renowned Japanese designers. He is good at integrating Japanese elements with pop art in his illustrations, posters, record covers and other creations. In the spring of 2023, Yokoo began a series of "continuous paintings" as he faced the gradual decline of his physical functions. This exhibition takes the river photos of the artist's childhood hometown as the starting point, and evolves into a visual river that integrates the images of life and death.

The exhibition focuses on 17 new works created recently by the artist. In Mizukami Aimi’s creations, the act of painting exists as an accumulation of time. Myths and folk tales from all over the world give her paintings a kind of allegory, allowing her to engage in dialogue between ancient and modern times.

Canon Gallery S on the first floor of Canon S Tower will be hosting a photo exhibition by Takehisa Sato entitled "U.F.O.". Photographer Takehisa Sato has been photographing strange things from around the world from a natural history and aesthetic perspective. For nearly 20 years, he has travelled the world, observing the diverse cultures and folk customs, as well as the people who live in each region. This exhibition will display 140 works that depict not only mysterious worlds, but also neutral perspectives, from his early works in 2003 to his new works in 2025, tracing the trajectory of his travels.

Joan Jonas is an American pioneer of video and performance art and a central figure in the performance art movement of the 1960s. This exhibition focuses on 80 works on paper, highlighting the relationship between painting and performance in Jonas's artistic practice, as well as her connections to Japan, a country she first visited in the 1970s.

The Meiji era saw the country moving forward towards a modern nation. Young people who dreamed of a new Japan blossomed in their own way. Natsume Soseki, Masaoka Shiki, and Mori Ogai were all pioneers of modern literature and had a huge influence on the world. More than 100 years after their deaths, this year's exhibition will focus on the handwritten manuscripts of Soseki, Shiki, and Ogai from the many modern literary materials held by Tenri Library. Manuscripts handwritten by authors themselves are first-class materials for the study of the author and his work. You can still hear them breathing through the pages, with various traces of revision and editing notes. What kind of lives did these three men, who lived in the same era and who sometimes interacted with each other, lead? We hope that you will be able to get a glimpse of their lives through the various literary works on display.