The art collective TeamLab will hold the TeamLab Fukuyama Castle Festival of Light event at Fukuyama Castle in Hiroshima Prefecture from December 2, 2022 to January 29, 2023. The exhibition will transform the stone walls, the tower, and the outside of the iconic castle, which is currently celebrating its 400th anniversary. Light art will transform the space in different ways depending on the number of guests and the weather. 

In August 2022, Fukuyama Castle recieved a major restoration with iron paneling installed on the north side, the only such restorative technique used on a Japanese castle to date. As guests walk around the keep, the included musical experience will change according to your walking speed and pace.

teamLab <Castle Tower> 

The stone walls of Fukuyama Castle will depict animals shaped by flowers as they continuously die and are reborn. When guests touch the flowers, they disperse; if they continue to touch and the flowers disperse too much, the animal dies and disappears.

Built during the Edo period, the castle survived the Meiji Restoration but was damaged heavily in WWII.

teamLab <Animals of Flowers, Symbiotic Lives in the Stone Wall>

Ovoids made of light sit at the bottom of the castle. When pushed by a person or blown by the wind, these unique creations will change color and interact with the nearly ovoids, which will change to the same color and make a similar tone.

teamLab <Resisting and Resonating Ovoids on the Stones of Oblivion>

In the Sketch Generals section, visitors can draw historical warlords associated with Fukuyama Castle, including Katsunari Mineno, the first lord of the Fukuyama domain and builder of Fukuyama Castle, Nobunaga Oda, Hideyoshi Toyotomi, Nagamasa Kuroda, Ieyasu Tokugawa, and Masahiro Abe. When the generals are touched, famous quotes appear in speech bubbles!

In addition, visitors can turn their own drawings of generals into pins that they can take home as souvenirs!

teamLab <Sketch Generals>

teamLab <Sketch Factory>

Several other works will be exhibited around the castle during the event as well.

The castle tower was designated a National Treasure in the early Showa era but was destroyed by fire in an air raid during World War II. It was rebuilt in 1966. 

teamLab’s Digitized City project has become popular across the world, allowing the art collective to utilize real-world locales to display artworks without damaging or altering the location chosen.

With its lengthy history, Fukuyama Castle is a magnificent canvas, transforming as both visitors and nature interact with the lights. People, animals, nature, and art can live side by side, without boundaries. Wouldn’t you like to come to visit this winter?

teamLab <Walk, Walk, Walk -Fukuyama Castle>

©チームラボ

Shohaku Art Museum in Nara will be exhibiting works by Uemura Shoen, Shoko, and Atsushi from September 6 until November 27. This will include sketches and rare works by these classical Japanese artists, many of which will be shown for the first time in two years.

Hanagatami. Uemura Shoen, 1915

Hanagatami (Rough Sketch) Uemura Shoen, 1915

Yang Guifei. Uemura Shoen, 1922

Tsudumi no Oto. Uemura Shoen, 1940

Flowers and Birds of the Four Seasons. Atsushi Uemura, 2010. 

The museum has a large number of valuable materials in its collection, including drafts, miniatures, and drawings by Shoen and Shoko. Even the drafts by Shoen are meticulously crafted, down to each and every crease in the kimonos. By viewing the original sketches with the final paintings, guests can feel the emotion that went into them. The exhibition also provides a glimpse of how Shoko and Atsushi deepened their understanding of their subjects through sketching. Fans of Japanese artwork shouldn’t miss this valuable exhibition!

The long-running teamLab Borderless exhibition at the Mori Building Digital Art Museum in Odaiba, Tokyo will close on August 31, 2022. It has now been announced that the exhibition will be moving to the Toranomon-Azabudai Project, which is scheduled to be completed and opened in 2023. The new location will further evolve the teamLab Borderless concepts of space, exploration, and discovery.

teamLab Borderless at Toranomon-Azabudai Project in Tokyo ©teamLab

teamLab Borderless opened in Odaiba in June 2018, and was called a ‘museum without a map.’ In its first year, the museum welcomed 2.3 million visitors, the largest number of visitors for a single artist’s museum in the world. Visitors from more than 160 countries and regions around the world came to explore the unique location, and the museum has received numerous national and international awards, including being named one of the World’s Greatest Places 2019 by Time Magazine and receiving a Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement at the 25th Annual Thea Awards.

teamLab Borderless also opened a location in Shanghai in 2019. Future openings are planned for Hamburg and Jeddah.

From July 23 until September 25, 2022, the world’s first exhibition of Yayoi Kusama prints will be on display at the Matsumoto City Museum of Art in Nagano Prefecture. During this special event, fans will be able to see some of her earliest works, including her Ai wa Tokoshie (Love is Forever) series and ukiyo-e prints of Mount Fuji.

Yayoi Kusama was born in 1929 and has become a world-renowned avant-garde artist. Kusama is originally from Matsumoto.

In 1993, Kusama made her debut on the world stage at the 45th Venice Biennale, cementing her as one of Japan’s top artists. Early in her career, the artist actively worked on making prints, many of which will be on display at the museum. 

In 1979, Kusama’s works Going to the Field with Shoes on and Standing on the Visionary Field were put on display. Artwork is not only a hobby or interest to Kusama, but a lifeline–the artist has gone on record many times stating that “if not for art, I would have killed myself a long time ago.” Many of her works pull from the idea of life and death, and this trend began when Kusama returned to Japan after living abroad for a number of years. Along with the abstract nature of her earlier works, Kusama also heavily incorporates motifs into her pieces, from pumpkins and dresses to hats and grapes. Many recognize her works instantly due to her use of polka dots.

The black-and-white motif present in her earlier works is a far cry from the more colorful pieces that she has become known for around the world. For those in the United States, exhibitions featuring the artist’s unique Infinity Rooms have become a staple, popping up in New York, Louisiana, Washington D.C., and many other locations.

Come fall in love with the artistic world of Yayoi Kusama at this exclusive exhibition.

Starting on July 6, Yumeji Art Museum in Okayama Prefecture started a special exhibition highlighting both the works of Yumeji Takehisa, a poet and artist active in the early 1900s, and Hiromi Matsuo, a popular Okayama-based illustrator known for her colorful depictions of Taisho-era women in an anime style. 

Yumeji Takehisa (1884-1934) was a poet and painter known as the representative of Taisho Romanticism. His illustrations of beautiful women are still loved today, and his works also included book covers, newspaper illustrations, postcards, and patterned washi paper. This collaboration will truly transport you to another time. 

Yumeji Art Museum Special Exhibition – Yumeji Takehisa x Hiromi Matsuo

Tanabata (Cover of Fujin Graph) –  Yumeji Takehisa / FANTASIA – Hiromi Matsuo

Come enjoy a timeless moment away from the hustle and bustle surrounded by gorgeous art.

From June 1 until August 31, Keio Plaza Hotel Hachioji is inviting guests to travel to the adorable world of Moomin by partaking in two tasty buffet events at the Le Clair Restaurant on the second floor. In Moomin’s home country of Finland, people start enjoying the summer following the solstice in June. The theme of this project is ‘Moominvalley Turns Jungle,’ inspiring the hotel’s chefs to create a spectacular original menu. A tasty lunch buffet will be held Tuesday through Friday during the event period, while a sweets buffet will take place on weekends and holidays. The restaurant’s interior will be decorated with artwork from Tove Jansson’s 1956 comic Moominville Turns Jungle.

The Moomin Lunch Buffet is titled ‘Jungle Party in Moominville,’ and will depict a fun summer lunch get-together in the titular character’s home village. The lineup of foods includes smoked salmon canapes, marinated herring, and sardine sandwiches, all typical of Scandinavian cuisine. Plenty of spiced dishes and veggies will be available, the latter looking like they came from Moominmamma’s garden. August 9 is Moomin Day, and the chefs will be preparing some extra goodies for each guest on that day only.

The Moomin Sweets Buffet will feature adorable desserts created by expert pâtissiers and will be inspired by Moomin and his friends enjoying the summer. From red velvet cake made to look like Little My’s dress to chocolate mousse in the style of Moominpappa’s Silk Hat, fans of the series will want to snap plenty of pictures before they dig in! Tons of sweets will include popular Scandinavian ingredients like red currants, raspberries, and blueberries. The welcome plate, limited to one per person, will change monthly, with a Tropical Parfait coming in July and an Edible Jungle coming in August. Light meals will also be available to compliment the sweets.

The Sweets Buffet will also include a special table plan limited to three per day, using plates and mugs included in the Moomin by Arabia 2022 Summer collection. Guests participating in this plan can order a special non-alcoholic cocktail created by the restaurant’s bartender and made with rose-colored ice inspired by Moominmamma’s love for flowers.

The Nakamura Keith Haring Collection in Yamanashi Prefecture will be holding a celebratory exhibition in honor of the location’s 15th anniversary from May 14, 2022 until May 7, 2023.

In April 2007, the Nakamura Keith Haring Collection opened in Kobuchisawa, located at the foot of Mt. Yatsugatake. The only museum in the world dedicated entirely to New York-based artist Keith Haring, Kazuo Nakamura collected the works and acts as the director of the museum. Over 300 works of art are on display along with 500 other pieces, from photographs and videos to merchandise. The new exhibition features approximately 150 works.

Three Lithographs (People Ladder), 1985

Icons (Radiant Baby), 1990

Untitled, 1984

Untitled, 1988

Untitled (Subway Drawing), 1981-1983

The ‘Chaos and Hope’ exhibition was originally held during the museum’s first year of operation and looks back at Haring’s first experiences in New York City in 1978. The artist was present at the dawn of the hip-hop movement and was struck by the clash between typical white art and underground minority artists. In only five years, Haring rose to stardom. Sadly, while traveling the world, he contracted AIDS, passing away at the age of 31. Behind the bright and cheerful artwork he left behind, he hid his inner suffering and desire for hope and freedom.

All Keith Haring Artwork ©Keith Haring Foundation
Courtesy of Nakamura Keith Haring Collection.

Hiroshima PARCO is currently hosting Moomin Market 2022, an exhibition offering special merchandise inspired by the Finnish character Moomin. The event is open now at PARCO FACTORY in the facility’s main building until May 8, 2022. 

Selected Goods Lineup

The Moomins have continued to be loved by audiences around the world since the release of Tove Jansson’s novel The Moomins and the Great Flood in 1945. The event is offering a number of new goods, including those from the Moominmamma’s Rose series, which are perfect for Mother’s Day. Guests should also look forward to the Moomin House on display at the venue!

The Moominmamma Rose Fair is ready to brighten the spring season from April 16 until May 8, 2022!

Moominmamma always brings happiness to those around her and warmly looks after those in need. The adorable mother figure will play a leading role in this event, which is also being held in conjunction with the Spring Festival.

Fruits Sandwich

Latte Art

Original Pin Making

Limited-Edition Goods (Selection) / Pancake Mix

Limited Design Goods Purchase Bonus: Original Card

Guests can enjoy washing their hands with rose-scented water at the Floating Flower Walk, and a selection of limited-time food items will be sold during the event. Visitors can also take place in unique workshops where they can make their other Mother’s Day gifts.

From March 30 until April 12, fans of Moomin will want to visit the Odakyu Department Store in Shinjuku for a special pop-up store!

Lineup

Odakyu Preorder Items　

Toto Bag

Synthetic Leather Coaster

Masking Tape

Event Exclusives

T-Shirt

Acrylic Keychain

Stainless Steel Tumbler

Purchase Bonuses

(March 30 ~) Bonus for purchases of ¥6,600 or more

Pocket Thermos Bottle, Joxter Cloud Design (Not for Sale)

(April 2 ~) Bonus for purchases of ¥3,300 or more

Sea Orchestra Acrylic Keychain (Not for Sale)

(April 9 ~) Bonus for purchases of ¥5,500 or more

Snufkin & Joxter Acrylic Stand Set (Not for Sale)

The pop-up store, which was very well-received last year, focuses on Snufkin, one of the most popular Moomin characters. This year, Snufkin’s father, Joxter, will also be making an appearance. The venue will be decorated with original artwork, and a wide variety of Moomin merch will be available, including plush toys, sundries, apparel, and much more.

Select Moomin Cafe locations in Japan are now offering Moominmama’s Afternoon Tea for a limited time!

This afternoon tea fully expresses the hospitality of Moominmamma, who always warmly welcomes guests. Each set comes on a two-tiered tea stand with wooden plates with a Scandinavian feel, and features desserts and light meals with two different themes: the upper tier being ‘Friends of Moomin Valley’ and the lower tier being ‘Nordic Finland.’

The upper tier will feature sweets such as five-tiered mini pancakes and Snufkin’s hat-inspired tarts, while the lower tier will feature a potato and anchovy gratin pie based on Jansson’s Temptation,  a familiar Scandinavian home-style dish. In addition, there is a choice of seven types of tea available, including the aromatic Scandinavian Söder tea and Earl Grey, as well as Moomin Café’s original flavor of blueberry pancake milk tea.

Celebrating the 10th anniversary of her major label debut, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu is staying active in 2022. The artist will perform at this year’s Coachella, one of the largest music festivals in the United States, and released her first full-length album in three years ‘Candy Racer’ in October 2021.  On January 16, Kyary embarked on the largest tour of her career, ‘Kyary Pamyu Pamyu 10th ANNIVERSARY JAPAN TOUR 2022 CANDY WAVE,’ which will see the singer performing 30 shows across Japan. In conjunction with the nationwide tour, the “LOCAL POWER JAPAN Project” was launched to energize Japan through the appeal of regional towns and cities, and has been attracting major attention. Kyary’s tour is scheduled to visit Hiroshima on March 11, and the details of her next collaboration have been revealed!

Kyary will be collaborating with Nishikido, the largest manufacturer of Hiroshima Prefecture’s famous momiji manju. This tasty sweet is a buckwheat and rice cake shaped like a Japanese maple leaf and filled with red bean paste. Nishikido’s well-known logo has been reimagined as a tribute to Kyary’s 2014 album Family Party.

A special box of momiji manju will include five pieces in both traditional red bean paste and cheese cream, and is a perfect souvenir for fans of the singer. This special product is available for pre-order at the LOCAL POWER JAPAN Project website and will also be on sale at the tour venue, Hiroshima Ueno Gakuen Hall, on March 11. 

A collaborative T-shirt is also on sale featuring the new logo and the singer’s 10th-anniversary logo. The shirt is available on the LOCAL POWER JAPAN Project website for two weeks only.