Autumn voyage of discovery: art festivals and new luxury hotels in Japan!

Autumn voyage of discovery: art festivals and new luxury hotels in Japan!

The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) has released new travel recommendations for late summer and fall 2025 that will be of particular interest to culture enthusiasts, art lovers and explorers. Recommendations cover a variety of topics, including festivals, biennials, luxury hotel openings and sustainable themed trips. These events provide numerous opportunities to experience and enjoy Japan's rich culture and art.

A highlight of the cultural events will be the **Aichi Triennale 2025**, which will take place from September 13th to November 30th. Titled “A Time Between Ashes and Roses,” it will feature over 60 artists, many from non-Western regions. The exhibition takes place at various locations in Nagoya, Seto and Aichi and covers themes such as destruction, renewal and global perspectives. Other exhibition venues include the **Aichi Arts Center** in Nagoya City, which has been an important venue for contemporary art since it opened in 1992. The **Aichi Prefectural Ceramic Museum** in Seto is also part of the triennale, which maintains a long tradition in the art of pottery.

Art and festivals in autumn

In addition to the Aichi Triennale, there is the **Biwako Biennale 2025**, which takes place from September 20th to November 16th in Omi-Hachiman and Hikone, Shiga Prefecture. Under the motto “Flux”, 70 international artists present works that combine tradition and the present.

Another important event is the **Okayama Art Summit 2025**, which takes place from September 26th to November 24th. This biennial is dedicated to the famous novel “1Q84” by Haruki Murakami and is curated by Philippe Parreno. Here literature, art and urban landscape are linked together.

New openings and traditional festivals

The fall season also brings exciting new openings. The **InterContinental Sapporo** will be celebrating its opening from October 1st. The hotel, located in close proximity to Nakajima Park and the lively Susukino district, offers 149 elegant rooms, several restaurants and an indoor swimming pool with panoramic views.

Traditional festivals are also special features of this season. The **Fukushima Aizu Festival**, which takes place in Aizu-Wakamatsu from September 19th to 21st, features sword fighting shows, lantern parades and a large parade on September 20th with around 500 participants in samurai clothing. The **Sendai Ōtsunahiki** in Kagoshima, a traditional tug of war, is scheduled for September 22nd, in which 3,000 participants pull a 365-meter-long, seven-ton rope made of rice straw.

Creative experiences and nature

The region also offers creative opportunities such as **Ceramic Art at Mashiko**, a Japanese pottery art center open all year round. Visitors have the opportunity to make pottery themselves, sometimes with English instructions. The place is known for Mashikoyaki ceramics and is hosting an autumn ceramics fair from November 1st to 4th.

Nature lovers recommend a hike to the source of the Shimanto River, considered Japan's last unregulated river. Here you can cycle, canoe or simply relax in the untouched nature.

Overall, Japan will offer a variety of cultural highlights and experiences in late summer and fall 2025 that reflect both the traditional and contemporary art scenes. The events and new openings invite you to discover the country's fascinating culture.

For detailed information on recommended events and travel inspiration, check out the links: sumikai and Aichi Triennial.