Tohoku

[Autumn/Winter 2026] Aizuwakamatsu Art Guide: Tsuruga-jo Castle Projection Mapping, Sazaedo, Oyakuen Garden and the Fukushima Museum

For three nights from November 20, “Tsuruga-jo Castle Projection Mapping 2026” lights up the keep and stone walls with imagery inspired by Aizu crafts. This guide covers the castle keep, the Fukushima Museum, Oyakuen Garden and the double-spiral Sazaedo to visit by day, with admission, hours and the last loop bus.

Tsuruga-jo Castle (Aizu-Wakamatsu Castle) Guide 2026: Japan's Only Red-Tiled Keep, Admission, Opening Hours, the Rinkaku Tea House and November Projection Mapping

Tsuruga-jo Castle in Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima, has Japan's only keep roofed in red tiles. Admission to the keep museum is ¥410 for adults, and it is open 8:30–17:00 every day. This guide covers its history, floor-by-floor exhibits, the Rinkaku tea house, access and the free projection mapping on November 20–22, based on official information.

[2026–2027] Winter Illuminations and Snow Lights in Tohoku and Hokkaido: Pageant of Starlight, Kamakura, Snow Festivals and More

Sendai’s “SENDAI Pageant of Starlight” begins on Friday, December 4, and the “Sapporo White Illumination” on Friday, November 20. Including the snow festivals and snow lights of February 2027, we have sorted out the light and snow events of Tohoku and Hokkaido from official announcements.

Hirosaki Castle Chrysanthemum and Autumn Leaves Festival Ran Until November 8, with Projection Mapping on Flower Art and Bamboo Lanterns

An autumn festival that began in 1962 was held at Hirosaki Park in Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture, until November 8. Video was projected onto flower art depicting the White Tiger, and bamboo lanterns made with citizens and illuminated cherry and maple trees lit up the park at night.

“Yoshitake Shinsuke Exhibition, Maybe” at Hachinohe Art Museum from November 21; About 2,500 Sketches on Show

The first large-scale exhibition of picture book author Shinsuke Yoshitake comes to the Hachinohe Art Museum as the Aomori venue of its nationwide tour. More than 400 items are on display, including reproductions of about 2,500 sketches and original art from about 30 picture books.

“Body, I’m Fine” at Sendai Mediatheque from November 3; A Two-Person Exhibition by Seiran Tsuno and Kento Nito

Seiran Tsuno, who creates work around clothing and bodily experience while working as a home-visit nurse, and Kento Nito, who deals with “weight” with sculpture as his starting point, question our relationships with others through the body. Admission is 500 yen for adults.

“Welcome Back, Nancy Seki!” at the Aomori Museum of Art Until December 23; Eraser Prints and TV Criticism

A special display on Nancy Seki, the eraser printmaker and columnist from Aomori City. In step with a digital archive project for her eraser stamps that began in 2025, it presents her works and related materials.

2026 SENDAI Pageant of Starlight from December 4; About 480,000 Lights on 127 Zelkova Trees along Jozenji-dori

Sendai’s winter festival of light reaches its 41st edition. The executive committee regards this year onward as the “entrance” toward the 50th edition and has adopted the theme “A New Step.” The event runs for 24 days.

Steve Bishop Exhibition at Towada Art Center from December 5; Three Films, Including a New Work Premiering Worldwide

The first solo exhibition at an Asian museum for the Toronto-born, London-based artist. Among three films that look at buildings without inhabitants is the world premiere of a new work shot in the English village of Imber.

“Ukiyo-e Immersive Art Exhibition AOMORI” Closes with Over 45,000 Visitors; First Tohoku Venue Linked Nebuta and Ukiyo-e

The first immersive ukiyo-e exhibition held in Tohoku closed on August 30 at New’s Hall in the To-o Nippo Shinmachi Building in Aomori City. Attendance exceeded 45,000, and a venue-exclusive space linked nebuta and ukiyo-e.

“Taisho ⇆ Reiwa Avant-Garde” Opens December 4 at Hirosaki Museum of Contemporary Art; From Tetsugoro Yorozu to Etsuko Ichihara

An exhibition that sets artists active in northern Tohoku in the Taisho era, such as Tetsugoro Yorozu and Shiko Munakata, alongside Reiwa-era artists with ties to Tohoku, asking what the “avant-garde” is. It runs until May 16, 2027.

Autumn Night Visits to the National Treasure Zuiganji from October 30: An Audio Guide for the “Moon-Viewing Light-Up” and a Concert in the Main Hall

The fifth edition of night visits at the National Treasure Zuiganji Temple in Matsushima, Miyagi Prefecture, began on October 30. The temple grounds are staged with light and sound on the theme of the moon associated with Date Masamune, and the official website now includes information on a tea service and a concert in the Main Hall.

“Tsuruga-jo Castle Projection Mapping 2026” from November 20; Aizu’s Traditional Culture and a First Sea-of-Clouds Effect on the Keep, Free to View

At Tsuruga-jo Castle in Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima Prefecture, images based on local traditional culture such as Aizu lacquerware and Aizu cotton will be projected onto the keep and stone walls for three days, from Friday, November 20 to Sunday, November 22. A sea-of-clouds effect is added for the first time this year, and viewing is free with no reservation required. Here are the highlights, the schedule, and parking and transit information.

Lieko Shiga’s “Nanumo Kanumo” Opens October 31 at the Aomori Museum of Art: Her Second Solo Exhibition in Tohoku, 15 Years After the Disaster

A solo exhibition of Lieko Shiga, who works in photography and video based in Miyagi, opens under the banner of the Aomori Museum of Art’s 20th anniversary and 15 years since the Great East Japan Earthquake. It reconfigures her 2025 “Nanumo Kanumo” and adds new works.