Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale 2024 [Tokamachi City and Tsunan Town, Niigata Prefecture

  • Niigata
  • Sightseeing
Ilya and Emilia Kabakov, "Terraced Paddy Fields" (Photo by Nakamura Osamu)

What is Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale?

Yayoi Kusama "Tsumari in Bloom" (Photo by Nakamura Osamu)
The Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale is an art festival that takes place in nature.
The Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale is one of the world's largest international art festivals and a pioneer of regional art festivals held throughout Japan. The Echigo-Tsumari region (= Echigo-Tsumari Art Field) is the stage for the festival, where artworks are exhibited throughout the year in the satoyama, where the four seasons are rich in variety.
The Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale is a contemporary art festival that began in 2000 and has continued for more than 20 years, offering visitors not only the opportunity to enjoy approximately 200 artworks throughout the year, but also seasonal programs and tours, as well as dining and lodging at artworks and a former elementary school!


Period: Saturday, July 13, 2024 - Sunday, November 10, 2024
*Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout the entire period (some artwork facilities are open regular hours)

〇Hours: 10:00 - 17:00 (10:00~16:00 in October and November)
*Public days and hours may differ depending on each artwork

〇Hosting location: Echigo-Tsumari area (Tokamachi City and Tsunan Town, Niigata Prefecture) 760 square kilometers

Introduction of representative spots of the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale♪

Under the theme of "Enjoy nature and art in Satoyama with all your senses," there will be 311 works (including 85 new works and new developments) by 275 artists from 41 countries and regions (including 100 new works and new developments from 16 countries and regions). Here are some of our favorites!

Tokamachi Area

Echigo-Tsumari Satoyama Museum of Contemporary Art, MonET

Leandro Erlich "Palimpsest; Pond in the sky" (Photo by Kioku Keizo)
Echigo-Tsumari Satoyama Museum of Contemporary Art, MonET" is the base of the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale.
It reopened on July 22, 2021 after replacing its permanent collection.
With works by prominent new artists such as Kohei Nawa, Michiko Nakatani, and Me, this is a must-visit place when visiting the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale!

0 Open hours: 9:30-18:00 (last admission 17:30)
*Closed: Tuesdays and Wednesdays except national holidays.

Captain Monet and his 87-day square adventure

MonET's original project for this exhibition using MonET's corridor and Akashi no Yu entrance. Artists from Japan and abroad will participate, and what will unfold around the pond is "Captain Monet's" "adventure and play"!　For example, the thrilling "Amida Crossing," putting golf, and giant sculptures are among the many works that visitors can enjoy and experience. At night, the lights are lit up and visitors can enjoy a different serene view of the world than during the day.

Hours: 9:30-18:00 (30 minutes before last admission)

*Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from July 13 to September 30, and August 15 and 16, 18:00-20:00 (30 minutes before last admission): evening experience programs available

*The Long and Winding River (tunnel and table), works in the Akashi no Yu building table)" and "The Ideal Countryside" are open from 9:30 to 21:00.
Amida Crossing" by Rintaro Hara + Yu Hara (Image by Yu Hara)

Hachi & Seizo Tajima Museum of Picture Books and Fruits

Seizo Tajima "Hachi & Seizo Tajima Museum of Picture Books and Nuts" (Photo by Akimoto Shigeru)
There is a village called Hachi, surrounded by mountains and peaks. The elementary school in the center of the village was closed down, but the people of Hachi and picture book artist Seizo Tajima turned it into a small art museum. The story of the last remaining students and the obake (ghosts) that live in the school is told in the picture book, "The School Will Never Be Empty," and the story spreads throughout the empty school building. The story is spread throughout the school building as an interactive "space picture book" museum. Topelatoto eats everyone's laughter, and Dora Dora Bang crushes dreams. Why don't you come and meet the many ghosts that lurk in the school?

0 Hours: 10:00-17:00 (until November 25, 2024)
*October onwards: 10:00-16:00
*Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays except holidays
*Closed during winter: end of November to end of April
*Temporary closing is July 9-12, 2024.
Seizo Tajima "Hachi & Seizo Tajima Museum of Picture Books and Nuts" (Photo by Akimoto Shigeru)
Seizo Tajima "Hachi & Seizo Tajima Museum of Picture Books and Nuts" (Photo by Akimoto Shigeru)

Matsudai Area

Matsudai Snow Country Agrarian Culture Village Center "Nohbutai

Under the theme of "Urban and Rural Exchange," this comprehensive cultural facility seeks to discover and disseminate local resources. Visitors can experience Matsudai's snowy agricultural culture through food, events, hands-on programs, and more. The majority of the land in Matsudai is covered by mountains and boasts one of the highest snowfalls in the world. The culture of Matsudai agriculture, which dates back more than 1,000 years, was based on a culture of wisdom and competition with nature: rice paddies were carved out of the mountains (tanada), rice paddies were cultivated by changing the flow of rivers (segae-da), and trees were planted on landslide sites. The accumulation of such lifestyles in harmony with nature has led to world-class satoyama and farming villages. Matsudai Nohbutai is a field museum of snowy agricultural culture and art that unearths and disseminates such lifestyles. Designed by the Dutch architect group MVRDV, the building and rooms themselves are works of art designed by several artists.
Yayoi Kusama "Tsumari in Bloom" (Photo by Nakamura Osamu)
Ilya and Emilia Kabakov, "Terraced Paddy Fields" (Photo by Nakamura Osamu)

Planet Tralis in Nunagawa Campus

Planet Tralis" BankART KAIKO 2023 (Image)
"Music and Peepholes" and "Clouds of Consciousness" ...... embody a planet
with music playing from all over the place and rain falling in a variety of colors. The scenery of a nostalgic village seen through countless peepholes, and a world of colors so vivid that they cover the eyes. This is the imaginary planet "Tralis" created by Akinori Matsumoto, who creates sound objects made of bamboo, and Rinko Matsumoto, known for her works using cats as a motif. A world where a variety of objects that stimulate the imagination gather will unfold!

0 Open to the public: July 13 - November 10, 2024
0 Hours: 10:00 - 17:00 (until 16:00 in October and November)
*Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays except national holidays, September 7, and during the winter season.

Nakasato Area

Kiyotsukyo Valley Tunnel / Tunnel of Light

Ma Jansson / MAD Architects "Tunnel of Light" (Photo by Nakamura Osamu)
Enjoy the artistic tunnel!
Renovated as an artwork by the Chinese architectural group Ma Yansong / MAD Architects at the 2018 Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale, the tunnel's interior has undergone a major renovation, as well as the entrance facilities. Using the "five elements" of nature (wood, earth, metal, fire, and water), the architectural space and artistic atmosphere were created to transform this historic tunnel.
Kiyotsukyo Gorge, known as one of Japan's three great gorges along with Kurobe Gorge and Osugi Gorge,
offers visitors a deeply moving experience with its magnificent columnar-jointed rock faces and the dynamic Kiyotsu River.

0 Opening hours: 8:30-17:00 (last admission 16:30) (winter season 9:00-15:30)
*Pre-reservation period: all Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays, and weekdays from August 2, August 13 to August 16, October 21 to November 8
*Pre-reservation is required during peak season (GW, consecutive holidays, Obon and autumn leaf season)
*Entrance Facilities are open until November 30 (closed in winter)
*Scheduled temporary closures may occur due to snowfall conditions, etc.

How about "YukiMo! (Yukiguni Mobility)" for convenient transportation?

A new rapid service (bus) runs from Echigo Yuzawa Station to Kiyotsukyo - Tokamachi Station for a limited time!
The 2-km journey from Kiyotsukyo Entrance (bus stop) to Kiyotsukyo is also easy! After visiting Kiyotsukyo, you can go directly to Tokamachi for a round trip on this very convenient route. The MaaS Pass also allows unlimited bus rides, so please use YukiMo! and enjoy the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale.
Please note that reservations are required in advance, so please check the official website below for more details.


Ticket sales locations: Yukiguni Kankosha (Echigo-Yuzawa Station West Exit), Kiyotsukyo Tourist Information Center (before Kiyotsukyo Gorge Tunnel), Tokamachi City General Tourist Information Center "Tocco" (Tokamachi Station West Exit)
For more information about YukiMo!

Kawanishi Area0

Nakago Wonderland - Animals' Breath and Rebirth

Erusu Nakazato "Kuru Kuru Sanba" (Image)
A new vitality that has passed from the Corona Disaster by having the opportunity to feel a sense of spiritual healing and open connection with nature. This exhibition is developed with this in mind, using the expansive lawn of Nakago Green Park as its main stage. The exhibition will feature unique and humorous "animal" motifs, as well as workshops, performances, and other audience-participatory works.

0 Open to the public until October 6
0 Hours: 10:00 - 17:00 (until 16:00 in October and November)
*Closed: Tuesdays and Wednesdays except national holidays

Tsunan Area0

The Tsunan area (Tsunan Town, Niigata Prefecture) is located at the southern tip of Niigata Prefecture, on the border of Nagano Prefecture. Naeba to the south, and magnificent river terraces with up to nine levels are formed along the Shinano River running north to south and the Shikumi, Nakatsu, and Kiyotsu Rivers that merge with it. While there is heavy snowfall in winter, the summers are blessed with cool breezes and a refreshing highland climate. These topographical and climatic conditions allow for the cultivation of not only rice, but also flowers, carrots, asparagus, corn, and other field crops. Ruins dating back to the Jomon period can be found throughout the town, indicating that people have used the river terraces for their livelihood and culture since prehistoric times.

Akiyama -Akiyama Township Ooakazawa Elementary School

［Kengo Sato, Korogarou General Incorporated Association (Image by Kengo Sato)
In 1924, Oakasawa Elementary School was established as a long-desired school in an area exempted from compulsory education, but the school was closed in 2021. Taking over its history, the reborn "Akeyama" was named after "Akeyama," which is also the origin of the word "Akiyama" and means a common mountainous area. Under the supervision of Fukasawa, who has been conducting research in the area, the "Akeyama School" will serve as a "school to regain the power of human life," where people from all walks of life, including residents, researchers, and artists, will learn and practice the techniques and beliefs of the "common land.

0 Hours: 10:00-17:00 (until 16:00 in October and November)
*Closed: Tuesdays and Wednesdays except national holidays and during the winter season

Kamigo Clove Restaurant

Cloveza Restaurant in Kamigo (Photo by Yanagi Ayumi)
EAT & ART The "Kamigo Cloveza Restaurant" was started under the production of TARO. The restaurant is a performance restaurant where dishes using seasonal Tsunan ingredients are served by local onnasho (female chefs) in a cheerful and fun theatrical style, inspired by the Edo period bestseller "Hokuetsu Yukifu," which describes life in the snow country!
For restaurant availability and reservations, please visit the following website.
For availability and reservation of "Kamigo Cloveza Restaurant 2024"

Official tours are also convenient!

Each of the five official tours will take visitors to a different area and work of art, so you can combine each course to cover the entire area. This tour is also recommended for those who come by public transportation!

●One-day course (with a guide)
An official guide will talk about the efforts of the Art Festival, the region, and the background of the artworks. Lunch using local ingredients is also an enjoyable part of the tour.

Half-day course
This is an easy course that departs at 12:00 p.m. and does not include a guide or meal.
We recommend enjoying the Matsudai "Nohbutai" Field Museum in the morning and then viewing the artworks in Matsudai/Matsunoyama in the afternoon.

*There are other courses available, please check the official website for details.
For more information about Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale 2024 Official Tour

Get a passport to view the artworks!

Passports, a must-have item for touring the more than 300 artworks on view during the Triennale, are available at the Tokamachi City Tourist Information Center (inside the west exit of Tokamachi Station) and Matsudai/Matsunoyama Onsen Tourist Information Center (inside Matsudai Station) in addition to the official website and major facilities of the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale. It is also available at the Tokamachi City General Tourist Information Center (inside the west exit of Tokamachi Station) and the Matsudai/Matsunoyama Onsen Tourist Information Center (inside Matsudai Station)!
There are also many special offers that can be used at restaurants and hot springs in the area.

〇During the exhibition period (July 13-November 10): Adults 4,500 yen / Elementary, junior high and high school students 2,000 yen / Elementary school students and younger free
*All prices include tax.
The guidebook (1,200 yen including tax) and guide map (300 yen including tax), which are sold separately, are very useful for touring the works.
The yellow passport is also stylish!
For more information about the Passport to View Artworks, please visit
Image courtesy of Tokamachi City Tourist Association

Let's ride around the satoyama with an assisted bicycle "Satoyama E-Bike"♪

This is the Satoyama E-bike!
Why don't you enjoy Tokamachi's nature with Satoyama E-bikes?
The choice of means of transportation is important when touring the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale artworks scattered throughout the city.
Sports-type Satoyama E-bikes feature a powerful assist function. The thicker tires provide a sense of stability, and the power of the assist can be felt when riding up hills. The bikes can travel up to 70 kilometers, making it possible to enjoy a full day of art tours in a wide area.


Tokamachi City Tourist Information Center (Tokamachi Station West Exit)
・Matsudai・Matsunoyama Onsen Tourist Information Center (inside Michi no Eki Matsudai Furusato Kaikan, directly connected to Matsudai Station)
*For safety reasons, please note that bicycles cannot travel between Tokamachi, Kawanishi and Nakasato areas and Matsudai and Matsunoyama areas.

0Car models
Panasonic Hurryer
For reservations and more information about "Satoyama Cycling", please visit
Tokamachi City offers many fun activities throughout the four seasons, such as Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale in summer and fall, fresh greenery in spring, and snow sports in winter, so please visit us and enjoy yourselves!
*The contents and services in this article are subject to change.

How about "YukiMo! (Yukiguni Mobility)" for convenient transportation?

For a limited time only, a new rapid service (bus) will run from Echigo Yuzawa Station to Kiyotsukyo - Tokamachi Station!
The 2-km journey from the Kiyotsukyo Entrance (bus stop) to Kiyotsukyo is also easy! After visiting Kiyotsukyo, you can go directly to Tokamachi for a round trip on this very convenient route. The MaaS Pass also allows unlimited bus rides, so please use YukiMo! and enjoy the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale.
Please note that reservations are required in advance, so please check the official website below for more details.


Ticket sales locations: Yukiguni Tourist House (Echigo-Yuzawa Station West Exit), Kiyotsukyo Tourist Information Center (before Kiyotsukyo Gorge Tunnel), Tokamachi City General Tourist Information Center "Tocco" (Tokamachi Station West Exit)
For more information about YukiMo!
Photo by: Tokamachi City Tourism Association

Take your favorite train and lodging combination for a budget-friendly trip!

You can create your own original trip!

The " JR East View Dynamic Rail Package " is a variable-price individual travel product sold exclusively through the Internet that allows you to choose your train and accommodations freely and make a reservation at once. Depending on the timing and conditions of your reservation, you may be able to save even on the day of departure at the earliest! We also offer one-day trip plans! Please enjoy your own trip according to your schedule and purpose.

Click here for details

For train + accommodation reservations in Niigata area, please visit [ JR East View Dynamic Rail Package ]
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