Chugoku

[Autumn/Winter 2026] Hiroshima Art Guide: Hiroshima Castle Winter Wander, Dreamination, and the Hiroshima Museum of Art, Prefectural Art Museum and Museum of Contemporary Art

“Hiroshima Castle Winter Wander 2026” brings the first projection mapping to the castle keep from December 18, and “Hiroshima Dreamination” has moved to December 4–January 24. A guide to the winter night events, exhibitions at three city museums in the same period, and New Year closing days.

Hiroshima Castle Guide 2026: What to See After the Keep Closed, Admission and Hours, the Ninomaru and A-Bomb Sites, and the Winter Wander Projection Mapping

Hiroshima Castle’s keep closed on March 22, 2026, but the reconstructed Ninomaru is open free of charge, and the keep’s exterior and the A-bomb sites in the Honmaru can still be seen. This guide covers the castle’s history, the Hiroshima Castle Sannomaru History Museum opening in June 2027 and the free projection mapping from December 18, based on official information.

“Hiroshima Castle Winter Wander 2026” from December 18; First-Ever Projection Mapping on the Keep, Free to View

A nighttime event projecting images onto the keep, the Omote-gomon Gate and the stone walls of Hiroshima Castle will be held from December 18 to January 11, 2027. According to Hiroshima City, it is the first projection mapping on the keep; admission is free and no advance application is required.

[2026–2027] Illuminations and Light Events in Chugoku and Shikoku: Hiroshima Dreamination, Tottori Hanakairo, Shiromine-ji and More

We have compiled, by prefecture, 15 light events in the Chugoku and Shikoku regions from November to February, including Hiroshima Dreamination, which has moved its start to December 4; Tottori Hanakairo with its one million lights; and the special night viewing at Shiromine-ji Temple. Dates, prices and whether reservations are required were checked against official announcements.

Adachi Museum of Art Announces Four Special Exhibitions for Fiscal 2027, Including a Bunten 120th Anniversary Show and an Autumn Show Featuring Yokoyama Taikan’s “Muga”

The Adachi Museum of Art in Yasugi, Shimane Prefecture, has announced its spring, summer, autumn and winter special exhibitions in the Main Building starting in March 2027. Drawing on the museum’s collection, they take up themes such as Nihonga painters of the government-sponsored exhibitions and works that marked turning points for painters.

MAFIN 2026 at Daishoin on Miyajima; Four Artists Including Chim↑Pom Reflect on Peace from the Eternal Flame

The second edition of a contemporary art exhibition held at Daishoin Temple on Miyajima begins on November 20. Starting from the Eternal Flame, which has burned for about 1,200 years, four artists and groups including Chim↑Pom and Sumi Kanazawa show their works. Admission is free.

Takehisa Yumeji’s Berlin-Era Painting Nanshi Soshun, Newly Donated, Shown for the First Time at the Yumeji Art Museum in Okayama Until December 6

A painting of a woman that Takehisa Yumeji made in Berlin in 1933 and gave to the diplomat who served as his interpreter has entered the Yumeji Art Museum in Okayama through a donation from the diplomat’s family. It is on view for the first time in the special exhibition Yumeji and Germany, marking the museum’s 60th anniversary.

Motoi Yamamoto’s “Toward the White Sea” at Onomichi City Museum of Art Until November 15; A Hometown Retrospective Drawn with Three Tons of Salt

Motoi Yamamoto, an artist from Onomichi who lives in Kanazawa, traces 35 years of his career using the entire museum in his hometown. A new work reconstructed from the salt of a piece that collapsed in the Noto Peninsula Earthquake is also shown, and on the final day the salt will be returned to the sea.

“Ceramic Resonance” at Bizen City Museum of Art Until December 20; About 100 Contemporary Ceramic Works by 15 Artists from Across Japan

A special exhibition marking the first anniversary of the Bizen City Museum of Art, which opened in July 2025. With about 100 vessels and objects by 15 artists working in Bizen and in Ibaraki, Tochigi, Saga and elsewhere, it presents where contemporary ceramics stands today.

Ohara Museum of Art’s El Greco “Annunciation” Shown After Its First Restoration in About 60 Years; Until March 28, 2027

“The Annunciation,” bought in Paris by Torajiro Kojima in 1922, is said to be the only oil painting by El Greco that was in Japan before the war. After restoration by a conservator from the Museo del Prado, it is on view in Room 3 of the Main Building.

Takeshi Yoro and Kenji Kohiyama’s Insect Exhibition at Okayama Prefectural Museum of Art Until November 29; Words and Photos of Insects Magnified Hundreds of Times

Anatomist Takeshi Yoro and Kenji Kohiyama, who photographs insects using focus stacking: an exhibition by the two longtime insect-loving friends has traveled to Okayama after Tokyo and Toyota. The museum stays open until 19:00 on October 31 and November 28.

Kanji Maeda Exhibition at the Tottori Prefectural Museum of Art Until December 13; 130th Anniversary of His Birth, the First Large-Scale Retrospective in 18 Years

The exhibition traces the career of Tottori-born Western-style painter Kanji Maeda (1896–1930) in five chapters, from his works on “workers” painted while studying in Paris to the seascapes of his last years. Works by members of the 1930 Association are also shown.

“Through the Eyes of Collector Taro Fukutomi” Opens December 15 at the Hiroshima Prefectural Art Museum; Bijinga by Kiyokata, Tsunetomi and Others, and Oil Paintings from the Meiji Era On

A special exhibition of modern Japanese paintings collected by Taro Fukutomi, the Showa-era “cabaret king,” supervised by art historian Yuji Yamashita. Its pillars are bijinga (pictures of beautiful women) by Kiyokata Kaburaki, Tsunetomi Kitano and others, and oil paintings from the Meiji era onward by Saburosuke Okada and others.

“Godzilla: THE ART Exhibition” Opens February 11, 2027 at the Tottori Prefectural Museum of Art; Tadanori Yokoo and Others Take On Godzilla

An exhibition of artworks by contemporary artists on the theme of Godzilla opens at the Tottori Prefectural Museum of Art on February 11, 2027. The general producer is Takeshi Yoro. It has also been held in Tokyo and Kobe.

“Ukiyo-e Immersive Art Exhibition HIROSHIMA” Closes with About 40,000 Visitors; Ukiyo-e of Miyajima and an Aquarium Collaboration

The immersive ukiyo-e exhibition at NTT Cred Hall in Hiroshima City closed on September 6 with about 40,000 visitors. It also featured a limited display of ukiyo-e depicting Miyajima and other local sites and a collaboration with the aquarium in the same building.

“Artists Who Gathered at the ‘Café’” at the Hiroshima Museum of Art Until January 11; Museum to Close for Renovation from August 2027

The first joint project of the Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum and the Hiroshima Museum of Art traces the exchanges among artists who gathered in the cafés and cabarets of Paris and Barcelona. The museum will close for renovation from August 2027 and plans a touring exhibition at seven museums across Japan.

Otomo Yoshihide + YCAM “IMPROVISATION!”: Four Works and Admission, with Live Performances on November 20 and December 6

The new exhibition at the Yamaguchi Center for Arts and Media [YCAM] places four sound works, including a piano played with Ryuichi Sakamoto’s keystroke data, inside the building and in the park. We summarize admission, the free areas, and the schedule of live performances and related screenings.