Artistic Spark Revives Japan's Islands During Setouchi Triennale 2025
The Setouchi Triennale 2025 is set to captivate visitors with its immersive contemporary art installations, cultural experiences, and natural beauty across Kagawa Prefecture and its surrounding islands. Running from October 3 to November 9, the autumn session promises a unique blend of art, nature, and local heritage.
At the heart of the festival are locations like Kagawa Prefecture and the island of Naoshima, renowned for their artistic flair. The Kagawa Prefectural Museum, with its exhibition "Seven Wonders of Sanuki," is one such venue. Artworks by renowned artists such as Tadao Ando, Sou Fujimoto, and Yayoi Kusama can be found in 17 distinctive locations, creating a trail of artistic discovery.
Key islands hosting art works and installations include Naoshima, Teshima, Megijima, Ogijima, Shodoshima, Oshima, and Inujima. Important ports like Takamatsu Port and Uno Port also play host to these artistic creations.
The festival's theme, "Restoration of the Sea," promotes environmental awareness and artistic engagement with nature and the Seto Inland Sea's local heritage.
Beyond the festival, Kagawa Prefecture and the Shikoku region offer additional attractions. The exquisite traditional Japanese garden, Ritsurin Garden, in Takamatsu, offers tranquil ponds, pines, tea houses, and views of Mt. Shiun. Takamatsu city museums and cultural sites also provide additional exhibition content during festival times.
With the festival spanning numerous islands and venues, visitors typically plan 2-3 days to fully enjoy the interplay of art, nature, and local culture, combining island hopping with museum visits and outdoor art viewing.
Notable attractions during the Setouchi Triennale 2025 include the Kagawa Prefectural Arena, a 10,000-capacity venue designed by SANAA, and the Benesse House Museum, which unveiled a new exhibition featuring major Western artists including Frank Stella in 2025. Shinji Ohmaki's sculpture, Liminal Air -core-, rises eight meters at Takamatsu Port, creating a dynamic, immersive space for visitors.
The festival first began in 2010 and has expanded significantly in its sixth iteration. The Benesse House Museum offers site-specific works and outdoor installations, creating an immersive dialogue between art, architecture, and nature. The Hiroshi Sugimoto Gallery, a central attraction of the Setouchi Triennale, is dedicated to the work of artist Hiroshi Sugimoto.
The Setouchi Triennale spans 100 days and is divided into spring, summer, and fall sessions. The Spring session runs from April 18 to May 25, and the Summer session from August 1 to August 31. Contact information for the Setouchi Triennale can be found at https://www.setouchi.travel/en/.
In summary, the Setouchi Triennale 2025 in Kagawa Prefecture is a rich blend of contemporary art exhibitions, island landscapes, and cultural experiences centered on interaction with nature and community heritage, making it a key occasion to explore this scenic part of Japan.
A visitor to the Setouchi Triennale 2025 can embark on a lifestyle that combines traveling to multiple islands and venues, immersing themselves in contemporary art installations, and experiencing local heritage. As they roam around Kagawa Prefecture and its surrounding islands like Naoshima, Teshima, and Ritsurin Garden, they will find themselves traveling through the artworks of renowned artists and engaging with the festival's theme, "Restoration of the Sea."
