April 7, 2026
8 Art Events in Tokyo To Visit This Spring
Fill your calendar with these must-see art exhibitions
By Metropolis
What’s happening in Tokyo’s art scene this spring? From major museum exhibitions to small gallery shows, here are some of the best art events to see in Tokyo this Spring.
Amane Ishii Exhibition: “Pool of Sunlight”
Until April 21
“Pool of Sunlight” (日差しのプール) marks Ishii’s second exhibition at the gallery and centers on a series of figurative paintings that explore the qualities of light. Built around portraits, the works feature fluid brushwork and layered surfaces to create depth, movement and overlapping imagery. Known for her delicate yet emotionally resonant style, Ishii constructs quiet, immersive compositions that subtly shift between presence and memory. The exhibition brings together these works into a cohesive space.
Location: TAKU SOMETANI Gallery
1-1-1 Uchisaiwaicho, Chiyoda-ku
Price: Free
Official Website
Martin Margiela at Kudan House
Until April 29
An immersive exhibition dedicated to the work of Martin Margiela arrives at Kudan House. Running for a limited time this spring, the exhibition traces Margiela’s approach to art, exploring themes of time, disappearance and sustainability. The event is located at Kudan House, where each piece is placed in each room for an intimate experience.
Location: Kudan House
1-15-9 Kudankita, Chiyoda-ku
Price: ¥2,500
Official Website
For more spring events, check out our list of the top things to do in Tokyo in April.
“Thirty-six Views of Mt. Fuji”: Hokusai
Until April 30
A landmark exhibition of Katsushika Hokusai’s iconic series “Thirty-six Views of Mt. Fuji” arrives at the National Museum of Western Art this spring. Bringing together all 46 prints from the series—alongside two rare alternate impressions—the exhibition marks the first full public presentation of the Iuchi Collection. Highlights include exceptional examples of “The Great Wave off Kanagawa” and “Red Fuji,” as well as the elusive indigo-toned “Blue Fuji.”
Location: The National Museum of Western Art
1-8-1 Yurakucho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Price: ¥1,100 – ¥2,200
Official Website
“Opera”: Mayumi Nakamura Solo Exhibition
Until May 10
Ceramic artist Mayumi Nakamura presents a new body of work that combines three of her ongoing series, converging on a single theme: the joy of living. The exhibition captures moments of quiet vitality through about 30 new pieces, including guinomi (sake cups), tea utensils, flower vessels and ceramic panels. Opening during the spring bloom, the show highlights Nakamura’s exploration of energy, growth and renewal.
Location: Galerie GEEK/ART 1F
6-23-6 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku
Price: Free
Official Website
Insects: An Exhibition by Takeshi Yoro and Kenji Kohiyama
Until May 24
An exploration of the insect world arrives in Tokyo with “Insects: An Exhibition by Takeshi Yoro and Kenji Kohiyama—Look, Feel, and Think,” opening this spring at the Tokyo Photographic Art Museum. Through a mix of preserved specimens, magnified displays and interactive installations, the show reveals the intricate structures and surprising diversity of insect life. Educational programs and guided activities further expand the experience, making it accessible to curious newcomers and enthusiasts alike.
Location: Tokyo Photographic Art Museum
1-13-3 Mita, Meguro-ku
Price: ¥500 – ¥1,500
Official Website
“Open the Drawing Manual—Sketches by Hokusai or Many More”
Until May 24th
This exhibition explores edehon—illustrated drawing manuals that helped aspiring artists learn techniques during the Edo period. At its center is Hokusai Manga, the influential collection of sketchbooks by Katsushika Hokusai known overseas as “Sketches by Hokusai.”
Featuring original manuals by Hokusai and his students alongside works inspired by them, the exhibition shows how these woodblock-printed guides shaped artistic practice in Japan and beyond. From detailed technique manuals to picture collections designed for copying, the display reveals how artists learned through instruction, imitation and experimentation across generations.
Location: The Sumida Hokusai Museum
2-7-2 Kamezawa, Sumida-ku
Price: ¥1,000
Official Website
“A Contest of Allure”: Katsushika Hokusai × Keisai Eisen
Period 1: April 4 – April 12
Period 2: May 1 – May 10
“A Contest of Allure” brings together two major ukiyo-e masters: Katsushika Hokusai (1760–1849), now recognized worldwide, and Keisai Eisen (1791–1848), who developed a distinct style while drawing influence from Hokusai. The exhibition contrasts their approaches to sensuality—Hokusai’s bold, dynamic compositions and Eisen’s more decadent, refined aesthetic.
About 100 works from the Mitsuru Uragami collection appear in the show, including Hokusai’s famous shunga print The Dream of the Fisherman’s Wife, which the museum will display for a limited time. The exhibition also includes seasonal ukiyo-e that capture the atmosphere of spring.
Location:
Shinjuku Kabukicho Noh Stage
2-9-18 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku Lions Plaza Shinjuku 2F
Price:
￥1,500 – ¥2,200
“Where Unseen Things Seep Forth”: Barbara Penhouët & Bastien Marienne
Until May 8
“Where Unseen Things Seep Forth” features Marseille-based artists Barbara Penhouët and Bastien Marienne, who turn the landscapes of Provence into quiet studies of mood and fleeting moments. Using thick impasto and dramatic light, their paintings capture the subtle emotions hidden within everyday scenes. The exhibition invites viewers to slow down and notice what usually slips past the eye—small shifts in light, texture and atmosphere that echo Japan’s own appreciation for impermanence and restraint.
Location: 4F UltraSuperNew KURA
2-6-18 Higashi, Shibuya-ku
Price: Free
Official Website
“Looking at Architecture 2026”: Animals in the Residence of Prince Asaka
Until June 11
Set within the former residence of Prince Asaka, the exhibition invites visitors to explore the building itself as a work of art. Focusing on animal motifs embedded throughout the interiors, from decorative reliefs to subtle design details, the show highlights how nature-inspired forms were woven into the residence’s aesthetic. Combining history, design and a sense of discovery, “Looking at Architecture 2026” is an immersive architectural experience.
Location: Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum
5-21-9 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku
Price: ¥400 – ¥1,000
Official Website
“Dark Afterglow of the Fin de Siècle” by Swiss Painter Karl Walser
Until June 21
A rare look at the work of Karl Walser with “Dark Afterglow of the Fin de Siècle,” an exhibition tracing the artist’s role in the shifting cultural landscape of early 20th-century Europe. Best known for his atmospheric portraits, illustrations and stage designs, Walser creates works that reflect the fading elegance and underlying tension of the fin de siècle period. The exhibition brings together paintings, drawings and graphic works that highlight his distinctive style.
Location: Tokyo Station Gallery
1-9-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku
Price: ¥1,800
Official Website
Ron Mueck Exhibition—Mori Art Museum
April 29 – September 22
This exhibition brings together 11 sculptures by Ron Mueck, tracing the artist’s evolution from early works to recent pieces. Six appear in Japan for the first time, including the monumental Mass, made up of 100 oversized human skulls, and Woman with Shopping, a hyperrealist portrait of a mother burdened by daily life. The exhibition also features photos and films documenting Mueck’s meticulous studio process.
Location: Mori Art Museum, 53F
Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku
Price: ￥2,300 (Weekdays for adults);¥2,500 (Weekends & Holidays for adults)
Official Website
For a full list of what’s happening in Tokyo, head to our upcoming events page.
