Spring in Japan isn’t just about cherry blossoms. Ok, fine it’s mostly about cherry blossoms. But if you’re looking to combine some gallery hopping in between the ohanami, we’ve got you covered. From futuristic anime retrospectives to centuries-old woodblock prints brought together in major museums, here are five art exhibitions not to miss in Japan this spring.
1. Ghost in The Shell: The Exhibition — Tokyo (Jan 30–Apr 5, 2026)
Dive deep into one of the most influential sci-fi franchises of the last 30 years in this massive retrospective in Tokyo’s Toranomon Hills at TOKYO NODE Gallery. The show explores the evolution of Ghost in the Shell — from Mamoru Oshii’s landmark 1995 film to every animated series that followed — through over 1,600 production materials, original drawings, and immersive digital installations.
2. Kyoto Nippon Festival 2026 — Kyoto (Feb 1–May 24, 2026)
More than a single exhibition, the Kyoto Nippon Festival transforms the historic Kitano Tenmangu Shrine grounds into a living art and cultural showcase. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the festival stitches together site-specific installations in plum gardens, light-and-flower landscapes, and collaborative immersive performances that blend nature, history, and contemporary artistic practice.
3. From Kiyochika to Hasui: Ukiyo-e and Shin-Hanga Woodblock Prints — Tokyo (Feb 19–May 24, 2026)
The Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum in Tokyo, which is an art of work itself, will host this beautifully curated exhibition tracing the evolution of Japanese print art, from late-Edo period master Yoshitoshi Kiyochika to early 20th-century shin-hanga artists like Hiroshi Hasui. Featuring around 130 woodblock prints and photographs on loan from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art, the show will highlight how traditional ukiyo-e techniques were reinterpreted during Japan’s modernization.
4. Yokai Immersive Experience Exhibition — Tokyo (Mar 27–Jun 28, 2026)
Step into the mythical world of yokai, brought to life with cutting-edge digital technology. After a successful showing in Nagoya, this touring immersive exhibition lands in Tokyo this March. Computer graphics, projection mapping, and holographic screens animate classic depictions of Oni, Tengu, Kappa, Tsukumogami, and more. Unlike traditional museums, this version of the show invites you to move through the space, interact, and take photos alongside the ghosts and monsters in motion.
5. Kyosai’s World: The Israel Goldman Collection — Tokyo (Apr 22–Jun 21, 2026)
At the Suntory Museum of Art, discover the witty, inventive, and often playful creations of Kawanabe Kyōsai (1831–89), one of the most celebrated artists of the late Edo and early Meiji periods. This exhibition showcases paintings and prints from the Israel Goldman Collection, including works being shown in Japan for the first time. Kyōsai’s art ranges from supernatural scenes and Buddhist motifs to comic animals — perfect for anyone curious about 19th-century Japanese aesthetics and humor.
