Tokyo Gendai, Japan’s leading international art fair, returns for its third edition from 12-14 September at PACIFICO Yokohama. Presented by Principal Partner SMBC Group, the fair’s move to the autumn calendar coincides with the launch of several dynamic new initiatives, from the inaugural curatorial symposium to the debut of the Hana Artist Award, as well as a fortified lineup of existing programming.

For 2025, Tokyo Gendai presents a wide-ranging and dynamic showcase of contemporary art from 67 globally recognised galleries, across three sectors. The Galleries sector welcomes presentations reflective of the galleries’ year-round programming, while Hana ‘Flower’ features presentations of emerging or mid-career artists, and Eda ‘Branch’ features presentations of established and historically significant figures, with a special focus on Asia. Across the fairground, gallery presentations showcase an array of curatorial approaches and artistic visions.

Participating galleries for 2025

Tokyo Gendai presents an expansive showcase of contemporary art, from internationally renowned artists showing seminal works, to emerging artists at the cutting edge of their disciplines, across 67 galleries divided into three key sectors: Galleries, Hana ‘Flower,’ and Eda ‘Branch.’

The Galleries sector welcomes multi-artist curations reflecting the participating galleries’ programming.

Participating galleries include Pace Gallery, Sadie Coles HQ, Taka Ishii Gallery, Ceysson & Bénétière, Almine Rech, Johyun Gallery, A Lighthouse called Kanata, ShugoArts, KOTARO NUKAGA, Gallery Baton, Galerie EIGEN+ART, and Galerie Eva Presenhuber.

Hana ‘Flower’ features presentations of one or multiple artists at an early or mid-stage in their career.

Highlights include Tomio Koyama Gallery, PARCEL, Keteleer Gallery, NANZUKA, Each Modern, EM gallery, and Yoshiaki Inoue Gallery.

Eda ‘Branch’ is dedicated to solo or multiple presentations by established or historically significant figures, especially across Asia.

Participating galleries are Ippodo gallery Tokyo, The Page Gallery, SHANGHart Gallery, The Columns Gallery, and PYO Gallery.

Sato ‘Meadow’: a selection of 11 installations and performances

11 installations will be on view in the Sato ‘Meadow’ program, a curated selection of installations and performances that activate the fair space. 

Highlights of Sato ‘Meadow’ include the following. 

The Steel Bar and the Pictorial Memory of the Gesture by celebrated French conceptual artist Bernar Venet (Ceysson & Bénétière)

Carl Krull’s (Formation Gallery) new live drawing performance, Vertex, takes place once each day of the fair, resulting in four large-scale ink drawings. 

A dual presentation of works by Takuro Kuwata and Dan McCarthy (KOSAKU KANECHIKA) offers a dialogue between the two artists working in ceramics.

Otani Workshop’s (Kaikai Kiki Gallery) large-scale bronze sculpture, Sleeping Child Tower

Wood sculptures by Rieko Otake (Tomio Koyama Gallery) evoke childhood memories and distant, dreamlike worlds.

Yuko Murata’s (GALLERY SIDE 2) birch garden installation, combines paintings with works in ceramic, to create a garden landscape.

Pit, a new installation by Douglas Watt (Unit 17), recreates and expands a scene from his local pool’s diving practice area into a temporary monument. 

Tsubomi ‘Flower Bud’: special exhibit exploring traditional craft techniques

An annual highlight of Tokyo Gendai, this year’s special showcase Tsubomi ‘Flower Bud’ presents the work of four Japanese women artists exploring traditional craft techniques in their contemporary art practice, and the increasing influence of artisanal practices in the contemporary art scene. Working with a range of materials and approaches, these artists consider the methods and processes of making and working with material objects. Artworks in ceramic by Namika Nakai (TARO NASU) are on view, as well as glass work by Ritsue Mishima (ShugoArts) and lacquer sculptures by Chie Aoki (Sokyo Gallery). 

Curatorial symposium: a roundtable discussion of leading curators 

New to the program for 2025 is Tokyo Gendai’s curatorial symposium, introducing a dedicated space to explore contemporary curatorial practices and concepts. Across a series of in-depth conversations, the symposium brings together a range of perspectives from across Japan and internationally, offering curators the opportunity to foster new connections and discuss relevant themes. The symposium is held at the Shiseido Global Innovation Center, and is supported by The 5th Floor, an alternative space in East Tokyo dedicated to supporting the emergence of the next generation of artists and curators.

Hana Artist Award: fostering emerging artists

The third edition of Tokyo Gendai also marks the launch of the Hana Artist Award, established with a mission to foster emerging artists. The Award is given to an outstanding artist participating in the Hana ‘Flower’ sector of the fair, with the support of ArtSticker; it consists of a cash prize of USD 10,000 and special recognition at the fair. Selected by Mark Rappolt, Editor-in-Chief of ArtReview, Miwako Tezuka, Director of the soon-to-open Dib Bangkok, and Kenjiro Hosaka, Director of the the Shiga Prefecture Museum, the winner will be announced at a ceremony on Thursday 11 September 2025.

CONNECT: Tokyo Gendai’s cross-fair partnership with Art Busan

The 2025 edition of Tokyo Gendai marks the first year of its new partnership with Art Busan, titled CONNECT. Through the partnership, 9 Korean galleries and 2 Chinese will participate in the fair, and a satellite program showcased at the TERRADA ART COMPLEX in Tokyo. 

CONNECT incorporates a breadth of cultural activations including joint talks programs with Asian art fair directors, engaging audiences across Korean and Japanese platforms. Supported by the Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Korea Arts Management Service, the partnership aims to foster a sustainable market and cultivate cultural exchanges throughout East Asia.

Tokyo Gendai will be held from 12–14 September 2025 at PACIFICO Yokohama, with a VIP Preview and Vernissage on 11 September.

Tickets to Tokyo Gendai are available to purchase online.