Art Week Tokyo 2025 returns from November 5–9, transforming the city into a global hub for contemporary art. This highly anticipated annual event connects more than 50 leading museums, galleries, and art spaces, offering an immersive journey into one of the world’s most dynamic art capitals.
Image by Art Week Tokyo
Art Week Tokyo (AWT) Focus: What Is Real?
At the heart of Art Week Tokyo 2025 lies AWT Focus, an exhibition curated by the internationally acclaimed Adam Szymczyk, renowned for directing documenta 14. Hosted at the elegant Okura Museum of Art, this show invites visitors to ponder the question: “What Is Real?”
Step inside, and you’ll encounter over 100 works by 60 artists and collectives, bridging generations and continents. Each piece challenges perception, sparks curiosity, and offers a window into the contemporary world.
Guided tours will be offered on November 5–6.
Visit the VIP Desk at AWT Focus for assistance.
Institutional Highlights
Alongside AWT Focus, several of Tokyo’s most influential institutions present special exhibitions and programs during Art Week Tokyo 2025:
Artizon Museum | Jam Session: The Ishibashi Foundation Collection × Yamashiro Chikako × Shiga Lieko – In the midst of
The latest instalment of the museum’s Jam Session series stages a dialogue between contemporary artists Yamashiro Chikako and Shiga Lieko with the Ishibashi Foundation Collection. Their works explore themes of memory, history, and regional identity, offering urgent reflections on the present.
National Art Center, Tokyo | Prism of the Real: Making Art in Japan 1989–2010
Organized in partnership with M+ Hong Kong, this landmark exhibition redefines a pivotal era in Japan’s contemporary art history, revisiting iconic works while situating them within global artistic trends. A curator-led walkthrough will be held on November 6.
Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo | Aki Sasamoto: Life Laboratory
Known for installations and performances that merge personal obsessions with theory and improvisation, New York–based artist Aki Sasamoto receives her first midcareer survey in Japan. A special live performance by the artist takes place on November 6.
Mori Art Museum | The Architecture of Sou Fujimoto: Primordial Future Forest
Visionary architect Sou Fujimoto, celebrated for his 2013 Serpentine Pavilion in London, is the subject of this comprehensive survey. The programmed event on November 7 features remarks by Mami Kataoka, Director of Mori Art Museum.
Engaging Platforms
Alongside the exhibitions, AWT introduces vibrant cultural hubs:
- AWT Bar (Nov 5–9): Cocktails by artists, food by rising chefs, and the Shirai Collection on view in Minami-Aoyama.
- AWT Video: Curated by Keiko Okamura, presenting moving image works in Marunouchi.
- AWT Talks: Global conversations featuring the Directors Conversation (Nov 6) and a Symposium led by Naomi Beckwith of the Guggenheim (Nov 7).
Collateral & Special Events
Beyond the main program, collateral events enrich the experience:
- Interdisciplinary Talks at International House of Japan (Nov 5–6), including AI and Buddhism and Japanese Animation & Global Politics.
- Matsuya Ginza Centennial Exhibition (Nov 8).
- Shibuya Parco Opening Event with live performance (Nov 5).
Beyond the Exhibitions : Engaging Platforms
Experience immersive cultural hubs: sip cocktails at the AWT Bar, catch moving image works at AWT Video, and join global dialogues through AWT Talks with thought leaders like Naomi Beckwith of the Guggenheim.
- AWT Bar (Nov 5–9): Cocktails by artists, food by rising chefs, and the Shirai Collection on view in Minami-Aoyama.
- AWT Video: Curated by Keiko Okamura, presenting moving image works in Marunouchi.
- AWT Talks: Global conversations featuring the Directors Conversation (Nov 6) and a Symposium led by Naomi Beckwith of the Guggenheim (Nov 7).
Social & Networking Highlights
Art Week Tokyo isn’t just about looking, it’s about meeting. Rub shoulders with artists, curators, and collectors at intimate gatherings: the First Drinks at The Tokyo Edition, AWT Party at emergence aoyama, Swiss Embassy Dinner, Curators Night, and the Closing Party. Every encounter sparks inspiration, conversation, and collaboration. Art Week Tokyo blends art with lifestyle, offering numerous opportunities for VIPs to connect with artists, curators, and patrons:
- First Drinks at The Tokyo Edition (Nov 4)
- AWT Party at emergence aoyama complex (Nov 5)
- Swiss Embassy Collection & Dinner (Nov 7)
- The Artists’ Party (Nov 7)
- Curators Night (Nov 8)
- Closing Party (Nov 9)
Extend Your Journey Across Japan
Before or after your time in Tokyo, consider extending your journey to catch these highlights. Japan’s cultural calendar is buzzing with major art festivals and events happening across the country, each offering its own flavor of creativity and cultural depth.
- Aichi Triennale 2025 (Sep 13 – Nov 30)
A large-scale festival rethinking contemporary art in the vibrant city of Nagoya. - Okayama Art Summit 2025 (Sep 26 – Nov 24)
Known for its experimental edge, this summit transforms Okayama into a playground for cutting-edge ideas. - Setouchi Triennale – Autumn Season (Oct 3 – Nov 9)
Contemporary art meets island landscapes across the Seto Inland Sea — a must for those who love mixing nature with art. - Hiroshima Architecture Exhibition 2025 (Oct 4 – Nov 30)
Dive into Japan’s architectural heritage and future in a city that symbolizes resilience and renewal.
VIP-Only Experiences
As a VIP, the city becomes your private gallery. Glide between venues in a chauffeured car, take curated bus tours across Tokyo’s cultural hotspots, and step into exclusive collections—from Shirai to Faro and even the Swiss Embassy. Visit Hiroshi Sugimoto’s teahouse or Izumi Kato’s studio, and uncover the stories behind Tokyo’s most iconic modernist residences.
With a personalized VIP dashboard and digital pass, every experience is at your fingertips. Reserve tours, book events, and secure special accommodation packages at The Okura Tokyo, ensuring that your Art Week journey is as effortless as it is unforgettable.
Step into Tokyo’s art world this fall. Every gallery, performance, and hidden corner tells a story!
Image by Art Week Tokyo