If you are lost, this is the place to be! Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale in Niigata, Japan

  • Niigata
  • Sightseeing
Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale is one of the world's largest international art festivals held in the Echigo-Tsumari region, which consists of Tokamachi City and Tsunan Town in Niigata Prefecture.
More than 200 art works are scattered throughout the vast 760㎢ satoyama area throughout the year.

And this year, the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale 2024 is being held from Saturday, July 30 to Sunday, November 10, 2024 (closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays)!
I want to go, but where should I go? Here are 5 recommended spots.

Echigo-Tsumari Satoyama Museum of Contemporary Art, MonET

Leandro Erlich "Palimpsest: Pond in the Sky
This is the base facility representing the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale, which was just renewed in 2021.
It houses a permanent exhibition of works by prominent contemporary artists from Japan and abroad, including Leandro Erlich, Eye, and Kohei Nawa.
In addition, there is a museum store selling official Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale goods and artist goods, and "Salon MonET Coffee" where visitors can enjoy café time in an art space, making it the perfect place to purchase Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale goods and souvenirs!
Eye "movements
Salon MonET Cafe Photo Nakamura Osamu

Matsudai "Nohbutai" Field Museum

Reverse City" by Pascal Martin Taillieu
The Matsudai Nohbutai is a field museum where art works are exhibited in the surrounding satoyama called Matsudai Shiroyama, centered on Matsudai Nohbutai.
Matsudai Castle, which rises to the top of Joyama, houses works by three artists. The restaurant "Echigo Matsudai Satoyama Shokudo" in Matsudai Nohbutai serves excellent lunches using local seasonal ingredients. The satoyama buffet served mainly on weekends and holidays, as well as the satoyama gohan and satoyama curry on the weekday menu are also popular, so this is definitely a place to stop by at lunchtime!
Matsudai Castle "Esterstocker "Longing for the view" Photo Kioku Keizo
Echigo Matsudai Satoyama Shokudo

Hachi & Seizo Tajima Museum of Picture Books and Fruits

Picture book author Seizo Tajima has revitalized the former Sanada Elementary School in Hachi village, Tokamachi City, as a spatial picture book.
Children who attended the school at that time and "Toperatoto," an obake that eats laughter and chatter, fly around the school building, and Shizuka the goat and her son live in the schoolyard.
Let's dive into the magnificent art space that unfolds in the rich satoyama as if the entire village were a picture book!

Christian Boltanski + Jean Kalman "The Last Classroom

Photo T.Kuratani
This installation uses the classrooms and gymnasium of the former Higashikawa Elementary School in Tokamachi City.
The theme of the work is "absence of human beings," and the memories of the place are densely and heavily trapped inside the building.

Rintaro Hara + Yu Hara "Tsumari Sugoroku

Photo Kioku Keizo
A gigantic Sugoroku-zukuri (rock climbing) field was opened in the gymnasium of Katakuri no Yado, an inn located at the entrance to the unexplored Akiyamago region.
There are basketball goals and an original ping-pong table from a closed school that still retains its former appearance, as well as panels of artworks that visitors to the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale may recognize...!
This is a spot where both adults and children can enjoy hands-on artworks to the fullest.
Visitors can stay overnight and fully enjoy themselves, or they can just visit the artworks, making it a great place for those who want to experience art with their whole body!
Katakuri no Yado Photo Noguchi Hiroshi

A bus tour around the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale is also recommended!

For those who visit by train or are not comfortable driving, a bus tour is recommended!
Take a bus tour to visit many new works of art and popular facilities in an efficient manner.

Official Bus Tour

1-day tour with guide & special lunch from/to Echigo-Yuzawa Station

▼Select Bus Tour

1-day tour with guide & special lunch from/to Tokamachi Station
There are many more artworks at the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale!
Why don't you enjoy a trip around satoyama with art as your guide, using all your five senses?

Basic Information] Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale 2024

Dates: July 13 (Sat) - November 10 (Sun), 2024
*Tuesdays and Wednesdays are closed *Publication dates and times vary depending on the artwork.
Venue: Echigo-Tsumari area (Tokamachi City and Tsunan Town), Niigata Prefecture 760 K㎡
■Passport for viewing artworks: Adults 4,500 yen / Junior high and high school students 2,000 yen
■Inquiries: NPO Echigo-Tsumari Satoyama Collaborative Organization Secretariat TEL: 025-761-7767
Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale 2024 Brochure (1)
Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale 2024 Pamphlet 2
For the latest information and details, please check the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale official website.
Image provided by: Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale Executive Committee, Tokamachi City Tourism Association

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