Japan is a wonderland of sites, sounds, smells and tastes. But save some time in your day after wandering the temples and shrines to see some truly exceptional art. Recently I had the privilege of exploring Tokyo and Hakone, and discovering some of the art destinations they have to offer.

The National Art Center, Tokyo

The exhibition traces how Japanese art evolved during a pivotal 20-year period—from 1989 (the end of the Shōwa era) through to 2010—when Japan and the world were undergoing rapid globalization, social shifts and the breakdown of old certainties.

It features the work of over 50 artists from Japan and abroad, examining how artists in Japan engaged with new international currents while also reflecting on Japan’s own history, identity and cultural transformation. As someone who wasn’t that familiar with modern Japanese art this exhibit felt like a crash course. And left me doing my own research on different artists I had just discovered.

The exhibition fosters a dialogue between Italy and Japan, between tradition and innovation, between craft and contemporary art. The show highlights the interplay of Italian (Roman) jewellery heritage and Japanese aesthetics—how craftsmanship, design culture and color sensibilities intersect across cultures. For example, the scenography is a collaborative effort between Italian and Japanese studios.

It also emphasises craft: the high-jewellery techniques, the bold gemstone combinations in Bvlgari’s history. All in all a very fun way to discover an iconic brand in an unusual setting, that revealed the truly museum worthiness of this jewelry.

MORI Art Museum

https://www.mori.art.museum/en/
A breathtaking view of Tokyo and a very interesting modern art museum. The exhibit I got to see was:

The Architecture of Sou Fujimoto: Primordial Future Forest

July 2 – Nov. 9, 2025

This is the first major survey exhibition of Sou Fujimoto’s architectural career, covering roughly 30 years of his work—from early projects to future-oriented concepts. Fujimoto’s architecture often explores the boundary between nature and the built environment: he uses metaphors like the forest, openness, many layers and ambiguous boundaries.
As a former art school student it was fun to watch his foam core concepts become immense buildings and see his process from start to finish.

Yoyoi Kusama Museum

The exhibition “Fighting Woman / Painting Girl” at the Yayoi Kusama Museum in Tokyo (October 16, 2025 – March 8, 2026) explores two contrasting yet complementary identities in Kusama’s long career: the “fighting woman” and the “painting girl.”

The exhibition assembles early drawings, sculptures from her “Accumulation” phase confronting her fears around sexuality and form, archival documentation of performances and bold fashion projects, along with more recent painting series and 3-D works of girls and flowers. It also includes a world-premiere small mirror room. Check this out if you can tickets are limited and not sold at the door!

teamLab Borderless: MORI Building DIGITAL ART MUSEUM

The museum offers a truly immersive digital-art experience. Visitors wander through large, darkened spaces filled with floor-to-ceiling projections, motion-sensors, mirrors, and light installations that respond to movement and presence.
If you’re in Tokyo and you have time, this is well worth visiting — especially if you enjoy light, technology, interactive art and want something different from the standard museum.

The Hakone Open Air Museum

The museum’s location is so lovely — tucked in the mountains of Hakone, one hardly knows where to look first, the art or the scenery.

The sculpture park is large and maze-like with a winding path that trails lead off of. Stay focused and meander through large‑scale works by very famous sculptors (e.g., Henry Moore, Pablo Picasso).

There are indoor offerings as well including the Picasso Pavilion featuring an impressive collection of his works across media in a single museum. There is something here for everyone from children to art aficionados. I keep thinking of this lovely place all the time. It’s well worth the trek!

Liz Collins | The Giardini

James Lee Byars and Seung Taek Lee – Invisible Questions that Fill the Air

 The Arsenale

Mataaho Collective | The Arsenale

The Giardini – The 60th International Art Exhibition

It’s a pleasant stroll or a quick Vaporetto ride to reach this charming garden, which has been transformed into an immersive international art exhibit. Whether you choose to walk or ride, be sure to experience this unique and captivating space.

With 30 international pavilions plus the Central Pavilion to explore, be sure to allow plenty of time for your visit. Many exhibitions are experiential, inviting you to fully immerse yourself in the artists’ creations. As you wander, keep the theme Foreigners Everywhere in mind, and observe the diverse interpretations and expressions of this concept throughout the exhibits.

US Pavilion – Jeffrey Gibson: The Space in Which to Place Me

Curators: Kathleen Ash-Milby, Abigail Winograd
Exhibitor: Jeffrey Gibson

German Pavilion – Thresholds

Curator: Çağla Ilk
Exhibitors: Yael Bartana, Ersan Mondtag, Michael Akstaller, Nicole L’Huillier, Robert Lippok, Jan St. Werner

Hungary Pavilion – Techno Zen

Curator: Róna Kopeczky
Exhibitor: Márton Nemes

Polish Pavilion – Repeat After Me II

Curator: Marta Czyż
Exhibitors: Open Group (Yuriy Biley, Pavlo Kovach, Anton Varga)
Repeat after Me II is a collective portrait of witnesses of the war in Ukraine.

The Arsenale

April 20 – November 24
Theme: Foreigners Everywhere

This incredible venue is a labyrinth of art, featuring exhibitions from 24 different countries. Once again, the theme Foreigners Everywhere is explored through a myriad of unique interpretations and creative expressions.

South African Pavilion – Quiet Ground

Curator: Portia Malatjie
Exhibitors: MADEYOULOOK (Molemo Moiloa & Nare Mokgotho)

Saudi Arabia Pavilion – Shifting Sands: A Battle Song

Curators: Jessica Cerasi, Maya El Khalil
Exhibitor: Manal AlDowayan

Lucky you! More time in Venice is always wonderful. Make sure to explore these additional captivating shows:

Punta Della Dogana
Pierre Huyghe – liminal

Pierre Huyghe has since long questioned the relation between the human and the non-human, and conceives his works as speculative fictions from which emerge other modalities of world. Wander through this dynamic, sensitive milieu that is perpetually evolving. The exhibition is a transitory state inhabited by human and non-human creatures and becomes the site of formation of subjectivities that are constantly learning, changing, and hybridizing. You’ll be confronted by completely original video installations that will make you ponder long after you’ve left.

Museo Fortuny
Eva Jospin – Selva

This exhibit begins quietly and builds to a stunning conclusion. The humble materials and consummate craftsmanship are a wonder. The artworks engage deeply with both the historical and environmental context of their setting—the ancient Palazzo Pesaro. They also interact with the museum’s collections, particularly the diverse and rich artistic works of Mariano Fortuny, uncovering unexpected and sometimes surprising aesthetic and methodological connections.
Truly a must-see.

Museo Correr
Francesco Vezzoli – Museum of Tears

Vezzoli juxtaposes his works—both historical and contemporary, including new pieces created specifically for this exhibition—with the masterpieces of the Museo Correr collection. His goal is to foster a dialogue and create a new narrative where art history is reimagined as a living, dynamic entity. By blending themes and iconographies, especially religious ones, from different eras, he explores concepts such as identity, authorship, emotion, and the relationship with the past without denying or erasing it. While the exhibit is quite site specific, the contrast between Vezzoli’s modern conceptual works and traditional Venetian art offers intriguing visual comparisons and prompts thoughtful questions.

Gallerie dell’Accademia
Willem De Kooning L’Italia

Willem de Kooning, one of the most revolutionary and influential artists of the 20th century, is the focus of a highly anticipated major exhibition. This show explores the profound impact Italy had on De Kooning’s work, highlighting how Italian art and culture shaped his innovative approach.

Palazzo Loredan
James Lee Byars and Seung Taek Lee – Invisible Questions that Fill the Air

The exhibition spans over six decades of work, solidifying both Byars’ and Lee’s roles as pivotal figures in 20th and 21st-century avant-garde art. The display features stunning compositions that highlight the interplay between the art and the architecture, with intriguing juxtapositions arising from the coexistence of both artists’ works in the same space.

Palazzo Franchetti
Your Ghosts Are Mine

The palazzo is filled with stunning and haunting videos in this original exhibition produced by Qatar Museums. The moving images delve into contemporary themes of community life, memory, transnational crossings, and exile. These films stand apart from mainstream media and cultural industry norms, carving their own unique paths. They are deeply aware of their role as historical artifacts, particularly when they emerge from countries ravaged by conflict or lacking in preserved memorabilia.