Dates Announced for "CURATION⇄FAIR Kyoto" Featuring Art in Unique Locations

The CURATION⇄FAIR Kyoto Executive Committee is pleased to announce that "CURATION⇄FAIR Kyoto" will be held in Kyoto's Nishijin area for three days from Friday, November 6 to Sunday, November 8, 2026. (A preview for press and invitees will be held on Thursday, November 5).

This year, the venue has been expanded to three temples: "Daihonzan Myoken-ji," "Honzan Honpo-ji," and "Honzan Myokaku-ji." Set in Nishijin, where the spirits of tea ceremony, prayer, and art have been passed down, the fair will bring together a curated selection of works spanning ancient, craft, modern, and contemporary art.

Furthermore, starting this year, the CURATION⇄FAIR Kyoto Executive Committee will transition to a new collaborative structure, welcoming The Nikkei Inc. alongside Universal Advertising Network Inc. and the City of Kyoto. Through collaboration between government, media, and the private sector, we will promote a rich viewing experience encountered within historic cultural assets to both domestic and international audiences.

【CURATION⇄FAIR Kyoto Event Overview】

● Dates: Friday, November 6 - Sunday, November 8, 2026

Hours: 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM (Until 5:00 PM on November 8)

*A preview for press and related parties will be held on Thursday, November 5.

● Venues:

Daihonzan Myoken-ji (514 Myokenjimae-cho, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, 602-0005)

Honzan Honpo-ji (617 Honpoji-mae-cho, Ogawa-dori Teranouchi-agaru, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, 602-0061)

Honzan Myokaku-ji (135 Shimo-kuraiguchi-cho, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, 602-0007)

● Special Program Venues:

Shozan Resort Kyoto (47 Kasuga-cho, Kinugasa, Kita-ku, Kyoto, 603-8451)

ROKU KYOTO, LXR Hotels & Resorts (44-1 Kinugasa Kioroshi-cho, Kita-ku, Kyoto, 603-8451)

Shoseien (Kikokutei) (Higashi-tamarai-cho, Banzai-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, 600-8190)

● Ticket Sales: Scheduled to go on sale in late August

● Organizers: CURATION⇄FAIR Kyoto Executive Committee

(Universal Advertising Network Inc. / The Nikkei Inc. / City of Kyoto)

● Cooperation: Shozan Resort Kyoto, Ueyakato Landscape Co., Ltd.

● Official Hotel Partner: ROKU KYOTO, LXR Hotels & Resorts

● Media Partner: ARToVILLA / Geijutsu Shincho

● Website: https://curation-fair.com/kyoto2026

*For the latest information on ticket sales dates, please check the website.

【Features of CURATION⇄FAIR Kyoto】

- "CURATION⇄FAIR Kyoto," held in Kyoto's temples, brings together galleries dealing in ancient, craft, modern, and contemporary art, each presenting works selected from their unique perspectives.

- Last year, its inaugural year, the fair offered a space for deep reflection on the history and value of Japanese art through crafts and modern Western paintings. This year, we shift our focus to the relationship between artworks and their environment.

- Many art fairs provide uniform exhibition spaces. This time, we invite you to set aside that premise and enjoy the fair as a dialogue with the temples. The venues, Myoken-ji, Honpo-ji, and Myokaku-ji, are not mere backdrops. They are temples imbued with history, gardens that change with the seasons, and exhibition spaces that emerge within them. Artworks and gallerists, each with distinct contexts and values, will coalesce to create a unified "environment" that envelops visitors.

- Placed within these environments of solemn architecture, atmospheric gardens, gently flowing time, and a palpable sense of history, the artworks will reveal a different charm than usual. We hope this art fair will be a rich experience for visitors and a place for unexpected encounters with art.

Exhibition view of CURATION⇄FAIR Kyoto 2025. Photo: Misaki Yanagihara

【Special Program to Re-experience the "Corporeality" Embedded in Japanese Life and Culture】

- In past Japan, garden appreciation, tea ceremony, ikebana, and crafts that adorned daily life were not merely passive objects to be "seen," but "embodied experiences" intrinsically linked to life and the rhythms of nature. In today's world flooded with digital information and the pursuit of efficiency, this art fair presents special programs designed to create "embodied experiences" where participants can immerse themselves in historical spaces and engage deeply with culture using their five senses.

● Special Tea Ceremony with a View of the Famous "Tomo-no-niwa" Garden (Venue: Honzan Honpo-ji)

- At Honzan Honpo-ji, featuring the "Tomo-no-niwa" garden designed by Hon'ami Koetsu, a special tea ceremony space will be offered overlooking this nationally designated scenic garden. This will be a collaboration between the Urasenke school and contemporary craft artists.

- The tea ceremony will feature vessels created by emerging contemporary craft artists exhibiting at "Kougei" Kyoto 2026, held concurrently at the adjacent Daihonzan Myoken-ji (participating artists to be announced). While gazing at the famous garden, a tapestry of nature and history, participants can hold and savor a bowl of tea in vessels infused with contemporary sensibility. This program offers a unique experience, characteristic of this art fair, where the elegance of tradition and contemporary craftsmanship beautifully intersect.

(Left) Honzan Honpo-ji's Tomo-no-niwa garden (Right) Tea ceremony view at Shoseien during CURATION⇄FAIR Kyoto 2025. Photo: Misaki Yanagihara

● Special "Flower Gathering" in the "Takagamine Area," associated with Hon'ami Koetsu

(Venues: "ROKU KYOTO, LXR Hotels & Resorts," "Shozan Resort Kyoto")

- Venturing further from the Nishijin area, drawn by Hon'ami Koetsu, the artistic village of Takagamine, established by Koetsu in 1615, becomes the second stage for our special program.

- At "ROKU KYOTO, LXR Hotels & Resorts" and "Shozan Resort Kyoto," a "Flower Gathering" performance by flower artist Kentaro Sugi will be held. Starting from ROKU KYOTO, harmonizing with its serene nature, the flower gathering will unfold along the path by the Kamiya River flowing through "Shozan Resort Kyoto," and within the normally inaccessible tea house "Gyokuan" nestled in the Japanese garden. This is a precious opportunity to witness the convergence of classical and contemporary art. Additionally, at the normally private Shozan Guest House "Hogokaku," Kentaro Sugi will present "Hana wo Nozomu" (Flowers of Your Choice). Participants will select a single branch of seasonal flowers that resonates with them and arrange it while contemplating that flower. Mr. Sugi will guide each participant through a dialogue with the flower, fostering a unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience where individual sensibilities and emotions are expressed through the chosen bloom.

(Left) Flower artist Kentaro Sugi (Right) Tea house "Gyokuan" in the Japanese garden at Shozan Resort. Photo: Haruhi Okuyama

● Diverse Programs Exploring the Gardens of the Famous "Shoseien" (Venue: Shoseien (Kikokutei))

- Shoseien (Kikokutei), a famous scenic spot whose origins date back to the early Edo period as a detached palace ground of Higashi Honganji Temple of the Otani School of Shin Buddhism. Its varied landscape, known as the "Thirteen Views," has been a place where the Japanese value of "welcoming guests" has been found, and where culture has been fostered through tea ceremonies and poetry gatherings.

- At Shoseien, located near Kyoto Station, we offer a variety of programs, including a Japanese boat tour to experience Edo-period hospitality and a garden tour guided from a gardener's perspective. We invite you to step away from the bustle of the fair venue and enjoy this special time.

Views of the Japanese boat tour and garden tour at CURATION⇄FAIR Kyoto 2025. Photo: Misaki Yanagihara

● From Online to Offline: Introducing a New Viewing Model Integrating Information and Reality

- Kyoto's temples and gardens have been passed down for centuries as crystallizations of closely intertwined faith, art, and daily "life." Understanding such intangible and tangible cultural assets may, in some way, connect with our understanding of contemporary artworks. Therefore, starting this year, we are enhancing our online content and offering new programs that enrich traditional viewing. We have prepared a lineup designed to allow visitors to experience the multifaceted appeal of this art fair, including artwork explanations, lectures on Kyoto culture, and art historical talks, to aid visitors in their deeper appreciation. We aim to construct a hybrid viewing model that links online input, satisfying intellectual curiosity, with offline output – embodied experiences.

- This new initiative will be continued, designing the art fair not as a one-off event, but as a long-term "cultural narrative."

【What is CURATION⇄FAIR Kyoto?】

- CURATION⇄FAIR is an initiative aimed at fostering long-term value standards by promoting the exchange between academic fields and the market in art. "CURATION⇄FAIR Tokyo" was first held in spring 2024 at kudan house in Tokyo. Since then, it has been held annually at the same venue, and "CURATION⇄FAIR Kyoto" will be held in Kyoto in autumn 2025. This will be the second holding in Kyoto in November 2026.

【Collaboration with "Kyoto Art Month" to Energize Kyoto's Autumn Art Scene】

- "Kyoto Art Month," an initiative by the Kyoto Prefectural and City Governments to collectively promote art events held throughout Kyoto City in October and November, will be implemented. In conjunction with events such as the international contemporary art fair "Art Collaboration Kyoto" (held November 7-9, 2026), with the concept of "collaboration," various promotional measures will enhance visitor flow, providing opportunities for both domestic and international visitors to enjoy a diverse range of art experiences in Kyoto during the autumn.

【Support for This Project: Arts Aid KYOTO】

- "CURATION⇄FAIR Kyoto" is a certified project of "Arts Aid KYOTO," a cultural support system established by the City of Kyoto in 2021. This project is widely seeking companies and organizations that agree to cultural sponsorship utilizing corporate version of hometown tax donations.

- 70% of donations will be directly allocated to the operation of this art fair, and 30% will be accumulated as a cultural fund for Kyoto as a whole, aimed at supporting young artists and educating children in traditional culture. Through the application of the corporate version of hometown tax donations, up to approximately 90% of the donated amount is eligible for tax deductions (for companies headquartered outside Kyoto City).

- We invite you to participate in this initiative to connect culture to the future.

- For details on donations, please check the website below.

Arts Aid KYOTO Website:

https://kyoto-art-donation.com/self/project/aak2026_curationfairkyoto.html

【Concurrent Event: "Kougei" Kyoto 2026】

- A craft exhibition by contemporary artists presenting the new value and possibilities of crafts to Japan and the world.

(Left) Exhibition view of "Kougei" 2026 at Tokyo Bijyutsu Kurabu (Right) Exhibition view of "Kougei" Kyoto 2025 at Shoseien. Photo: Misaki Yanagihara

- "Kougei" Kyoto 2026, following "Kougei" 2026 held at Tokyo Bijyutsu Kurabu in May 2026, will be held at Daihonzan Myoken-ji in Kyoto from Friday, November 6 to Sunday, November 8, 2026 (preview for press and invitees on Thursday, November 5). This exhibition is a craft exhibition where the techniques and spirit of traditional crafts inherited throughout Japan intersect with the expressions of contemporary artists. Daihonzan Myoken-ji, the venue, is also known as a place associated with Toyotomi Hideyoshi and has a high affinity with craft works such as vessels and flower vases, reflecting Momoyama and tea ceremony cultures. Set against the backdrop of Daihonzan Myoken-ji, a place steeped in history and culture, we will convey the new value and possibilities of crafts to Japan and the world.

<Scheduled Participating Artists> From "Kougei" 2026 Exhibiting Artists

Invited Artists (7 names) (in Gojuon order):

Ryuichi Kakuzaki, Hisako Sekijima, Junki Tsuchiya, Masahiro Maeda, Ryo Mikami, Kyusetsu Miwa XIII, Shinya Yamamura

Recommended Artists (50 names) (in Gojuon order):

Yasuhiro Asai, Hidetoshi Ito, Wataru Ito, Koichi Uchida, Rina Uchida, Xueyang Wang, Momoo Omuro, Sadanochi Tsukiyama, Takahiro Kato, Ryotaro Kato, Kentaro Kawabata, Hiroshi Kishino, Satoshi Kino, Keiko Kumagai, Mitsuru Koga, Runa Kosogawa, Kenji Gomi, Takayuki Sakiyama, Ryuhei Sako, Yuko Sawatani, Shuzo Shingu, Suna Fujita, Miao Sun, Nagi Takahashi, Satohime Tanaka, Shingo Tsukuda, Eri Dewa, Sanae Tokita, Koji Todda, Kenta Toyoumi, Akito Niizato, Keiko Nishimura, Hiroshi Noguchi, Masaya Hashimoto, Makiko Hattori, Ryuta Fukumura, Kohei Fujikawa, Shinya Hongo, Toshiya Masuda, Yoshiko Masumoto, Keita Matsunaga, Masayasu Mitsuke, Haruo Mitsuda, Yo Miyairi, Mai Miyake, Taro Miwa, Hibiki Mutta, Taiichiro Yoshida, Rei Rus, Makoto Wada

*Exhibiting artists are subject to change.

【"Kougei" Kyoto 2026 Event Overview】

● Dates: Friday, November 6 - Sunday, November 8, 2026

*A preview for press and related parties will be held on Thursday, November 5.

● Venue: Daihonzan Myoken-ji (514 Myokenjimae-cho, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, 602-0005)

● Organizers: Tokyo Bijyutsu Kurabu, Agency for Cultural Affairs, National Theatre and Music Arts Foundation

*This project is implemented as part of the "Creator Support Program (Development and Implementation of Training Programs)" funded by the Cultural Arts Activity Base Strengthening Fund.

● Website: https://kogeigene.com/exhibition/

Cultural Arts Activity Base Strengthening Fund "Creator Support Program (Development and Implementation of Training Programs)" | National Theatre and Music Arts Foundation

*As of July 6, 2026.

<Contact Information>

Culture and Arts Promotion Division, Arts and Culture Promotion Office, Department of Culture and Citizens Affairs, City of Kyoto

Phone: 075-222-4200