History

Why Nihonbashi and Kyobashi is a town of art?

A land deeply connected to art,
Nihonbashi/Kyobashi

The Kyobashi/Nihonbashi area in Chuo Ward, Tokyo, has been home to about 150 specialty stores since the postwar period, including antiques, crafts, Japanese paintings, modern paintings, sculptures, and prints. Many celebrities and people involved in art museums have sought art in this area as an "art town" with long-established antique shops and galleries.

In recent years there has been an increased level of interest in classical art, antiques and painting across a wide spectrum of age-groups in Japan. The number of art fans and collectors is on the rise. Nevertheless, chances to actually experience such art pieces directly are rare. Some people report interest in such items, but do not know how to go about building their own collections, while others find they have to work up courage just to enter the somewhat imposing environments of some art galleries and dealers.

Spring art event
About Tokyo Art & Antiques

"Tokyo Art &Antiques - Nihonbashi/Kyobashi Art Festival" is one of the largest gallery-based art events in Japan. It started in 1998 as "Nihonbashi/Kyobashi Antiques Festival" and has been held once or twice. Since 2010, we have continued our activities under the new name.

Taking advantage of the locality, instead of looking at the artworks through the glass, we actually hold them in our hands, touch them, talk with the galleries and artists who have a deep knowledge and affection for art, and pass on the charm to the present age.

Our aim is to provide an opportunity for many people, regardless of their age, knowledge, or origin, to experience art and antiques firsthand and thereby become acquainted with the joys of art. We hold many events and exhibitions for visitors to enjoy. Visitors are welcomed, and it's free, no reservation is needed. Just drop by Kyobashi or Nihonbashi in Tokyo and visit the galleries. We hope that this will be an opportunity for everyone to feel the connection to art.

Information

Brief details of each year

2010	74 galleries, Talk event (Yutaka Mino / Takashi Murakami / Tomio Koyama / Nameko Shinsan), Gallery tour (Kenta Oka, Judit Kawaguchi)
2011	67 galleries, Talk event (Akira Nako / Shino Ikenami), Live Ikebana event (Norio Takeuchi), Gallery talk (Mayuyama & Co., Ltd. / Shouun / HIRANO KOTOKEN), Artist workshop
2012	65 galleries, Live Ikebana event (Norio Takeuchi), Gallery talk (Mayuyama & Co., Ltd. / Shouun Oriental Art / T.EDO INOUYE & SON oriental art / GALERIE ETOILE / Gallery KOCHUKYO Co.Ltd.)
2013	70 galleries, Gallery tours, Gallery talk (Mayuyama & Co., Ltd. / SHIKISAISHA / GALERIE ETOILE), Live event (HANABAKO), Exhibitions (17 galleries)
2014	78 galleries, Gallery tour (Keisuke Aoyagi / Shinya Shirasu ), Gallery talk (Mayuyama & Co., Ltd.), Workshop (Gallery Awazu), Exhibitions (24 galleries)
2015	86 galleries, Gallery talk (Mayuyama & Co., Ltd. / WABP), Workshop (Gallery Awazu), Exhibitions (51 galleries)
2016	79 galleries,Talk Event (Ritsuko Yano / Sarah Sato), Gallery talk (Mayuyama & Co., Ltd. / Maruzen, Nihonbashi, 3rd Floor Gallery), Charity Auction, Exhibitions (48 galleries)
2017	86 galleries, Gallery talk (Mayuyama & Co., Ltd. / Maruzen, Nihonbashi, 3rd Floor Gallery / Shouun Oriental Art), Charity Auction, Exhibitions (55 galleries)
2018	89 galleries, Gallery talk (Mayuyama & Co., Ltd.), Talk Event (Guest speaker: Masaaki Arakawa, MC: Tadashi Kawashima), Charity Auction, Exhibitions (52 galleries)
2019	96 galleries, Gallery talk (Mayuyama & Co., Ltd.), Collaboration event "LIFE WITH KOGEI" and information booth with "Hale marche", artist workshop, Charity auction, Exhibitions (56 galleries)
2020	Event was canceled due to the state of emergency declaration. 97 galleries, Space coordination event by Yumiko Sato, Charity auction, gallery talk, exhibitions by 60 galleries were scheduled. Cooperated with "Kottodori MAP" issued by Toda Corporation.
2021	The event was canceled.
2022	83 galleries and 1 group, Exhibitions (59 galleries), online exhibition. Sponsorship: General Incorporated Association Kyobashi Saiku Area Management, Kyobashi Edogrand Management Association, Chuo FM Radio City, Tokyo Tatemono Co., Ltd., Toda Corporation
2023	85 galleries and 1 group, Charity auction, Exhibitions (54 galleries), online exhibition. Special talk event (guest: Toshinobu Yasumura, director of Hokusai-kan Museum and deputy director of Seikado Bunko Art Museum MC: Tadashi Kawashima, president of Mayuyama & Co., Ltd.) Support: Chuo-ku Sponsorship: artscape, General Incorporated Association Kyobashi Saiku Area Management, Kyobashi Edogrand Management Association, Chuo FM Radio City, Tokyo Tatemono Co., Ltd., Toda Corporation