Ukiyo-e in Japan | Hey Japan!

Ukiyo-e is a traditional Japanese style of woodblock print and painting that emerged in the 17th century and flourished until the 19th century. The term "ukiyo-e" translates to "pictures of the floating world," referring to the ephemeral, fleeting nature of life and the focus on pleasure-seeking urban life in Edo-period Japan. Ukiyo-e is characterized by its use of bold lines, vibrant colors, and iconic imagery, including landscapes, portraits of courtesans and actors, and scenes from classical literature and folklore. Ukiyo-e had a profound impact on Western art and continues to be highly influential to this day.

Exhibition

Yokai Immersive Experience Exhibition Kagoshima

An immersive digital art museum brings Edo and Meiji-period yokai artwork to life through three-dimensional projections and interactive experiences.

3 Jul – 31 Aug 2026Kagoshima · Kyushu

Exhibition

Ukiyoe Immersive Art Aomori

Woodblock prints from Japan's greatest artists are reimagined as immersive three-dimensional projections, with original artworks displayed alongside.

11 Jul – 30 Aug 2026Aomori · Tohoku

Ukiyo-e is a traditional Japanese style of woodblock print and painting that emerged in the 17th century and flourished until the 19th century. The term "ukiyo-e" translates to "pictures of the floating world," referring to the ephemeral, fleeting nature of life and the focus on pleasure-seeking urban life in Edo-period Japan. Ukiyo-e is characterized by its use of bold lines, vibrant colors, and iconic imagery, including landscapes, portraits of courtesans and actors, and scenes from classical literature and folklore. Ukiyo-e had a profound impact on Western art and continues to be highly influential to this day.

Exhibition

Yokai Immersive Experience Exhibition Kagoshima

An immersive digital art museum brings Edo and Meiji-period yokai artwork to life through three-dimensional projections and interactive experiences.

3 Jul – 31 Aug 2026Kagoshima · Kyushu

Exhibition

Ukiyoe Immersive Art Aomori

Woodblock prints from Japan's greatest artists are reimagined as immersive three-dimensional projections, with original artworks displayed alongside.

11 Jul – 30 Aug 2026Aomori · Tohoku

Exhibition

National Treasures Reborn: High-Fidelity Reproductions Weaving Dreams of Beauty.

Exhibition of twenty-eight high-fidelity reproductions of Japanese national treasures created through advanced imaging and traditional Kyoto craftsmanship.

17 Jul – 23 Sep 2026Oita · Kyushu

Visual Art

Immersive Ukiyo-e Exhibition HIROSHIMA

This innovative digital art exhibition uses 3D projection mapping to animate over 300 masterpieces by legendary ukiyo-e artists, transporting visitors into Edo-period worlds.

18 Jul – 6 Sep 2026Hiroshima · Chugoku

Exhibition

Yurei Yokai Collection

Special exhibition at Fukuoka City Museum featuring around 100 carefully selected Edo-period ghost and yokai paintings exploring their cultural significance.

19 Jul – 13 Sep 2026Fukuoka · Kyushu

Exhibition

100th Anniversary of the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum Edo in Focus: Japanese Treasures from the British Museum

The Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum marks its centenary with Edo-period paintings and ukiyo-e prints from the British Museum, including works returning to Japan.

25 Jul – 18 Oct 2026Tokyo · Kanto

Illumination

National Treasure Matsumoto Castle Projection Mapping 2025-2026

Matsumoto Castle features projection mapping with ukiyo-e imagery, traditional crafts, and seasonal scenes unfolding in three phases with interactive illuminations throughout the park.

13 Dec 2026 – 15 Feb 2027Nagano · Chubu

Festival

The Sugita Plum Festival

A winter festival in Yokohama celebrates the legacy of a historic plum grove, with around 100 trees blooming at Myōhōji Temple, reviving centuries of tradition.

14–15 Feb 2027Kanagawa · Kanto

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