Boso Triennale 2027 Opens March 6; 90 Artists and Groups in Ichihara, Kisarazu and Otaki

The “Boso Triennale 2027 (Boso International Art Festival Art×Mix 2027)” will be held in Ichihara City, Kisarazu City and Otaki Town in Chiba Prefecture. It runs for 64 days, from Saturday, March 6 to Sunday, May 30, 2027. It is organized by an executive committee formed by Chiba Prefecture and the three municipalities, with Takeshi Kobayashi as general producer and Fram Kitagawa as general director. The theme is “All Five Senses Open, Traveling Boso: An Art Workshop for Everyone.” Ninety artists and groups from 19 countries and regions are expected to take part, with works set up in stations, closed schools, shopping streets and other locations.

From “Ichihara Art×Mix” to a festival of the prefecture and three municipalities

Since 2014, Ichihara City has held the art festival “Ichihara Art×Mix” with the aim of addressing local issues and increasing the number of people visiting the area. In 2024, five cities in the Uchiboso area jointly held the “Hyakunengo Art Festival: Environment and Desire – Uchiboso Art Fes” as a public-private project commemorating the 150th anniversary of Chiba Prefecture.

In 2027, this will be developed further, with Chiba Prefecture, Ichihara City, Kisarazu City and Otaki Town working together to hold the festival. The plan was announced on Friday, October 2, 2026 at an event in Nihonbashi Kabutocho, Tokyo. It was a joint announcement with the “SORA MIZU KU ART FESTIVAL” to be held in Narita and other cities in spring 2027, and Fram Kitagawa serves as general director of both festivals.

Where is it held? Venues in the three municipalities and along the Kominato Railway

Venues in Ichihara City include the Yawata area, the Goi area, Uchida Mirai Gakko, the Ushiku area, the Ichihara Lakeside Museum and Ichihara Quodo no Mori. The former Satomi Elementary School, the former Heisan Elementary School and Tsukide Kosha (the former Tsukide Elementary School) will also serve as venues.

In Kisarazu City, the venues are the coastal area around Kisarazu Station and Shiohama Park, the Fukuta area and KURKKU FIELDS. In Otaki Town, the festival uses the castle-town street and the central building of the Otaki Town Hall, designed by architect Kenji Imai in 1959. On the Kominato Railway, whose station buildings and other structures are registered as National Tangible Cultural Properties, the “Kominato Railway Station Project” will present works at stations along the line.

What artists and works can be seen?

The list of participating artists in the materials from the planning announcement (as of September 2026) includes names such as Anish Kapoor, Olafur Eliasson and Carsten Nicolai. Japanese artists on the list include Sou Fujimoto, Aiko Miyanaga, Yuko Mohri, Motohiko Odani, Ryota Kuwakubo and Yuriko Sasaoka. The list also includes the artists of works permanently installed at KURKKU FIELDS.

KURKKU FIELDS is a “sustainable farm & park” founded by Takeshi Kobayashi. On its grounds, the KURKKU FIELDS MUSEUM (tentative name), designed by architect Kentaro Ishida, is scheduled to open in April 2027. Its collection is said to include works by artists such as Andy Warhol and David Hockney, as well as by artists of the generation active today.

During the festival, the Ichihara Lakeside Museum will hold the special exhibition “From Boso to Terra (the Earth): Reading the Memory of the Earth.” Under the concept of “An Art Workshop for Everyone” from the theme, there will also be artist residencies, symposiums and workshops.

Music concerts and tours

On Saturday, March 13, Remioromen will perform at the Ichihara City Civic Hall. On Saturday, March 27 and Sunday, March 28, music concerts and a marché are planned at the former Satomi Elementary School. On Saturday, May 8, YEN TOWN BAND will hold “Yen Town LIVE” at KURKKU FIELDS. The concert marks the 30th anniversary of the release of the film “Swallowtail Butterfly,” and a screening of the film is planned for the following day.

There are three ways to get around: special tours of each municipality (art buses) that require reservations, tours of new works in each area on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, and official buses running every day during the festival (three routes). Prices and itineraries are to be announced in late January 2027.

Tickets and prices

The artwork passport allows holders to see almost all of the works once each during the festival. Advance passports (until March 5, 2027) cost 3,000 yen for adults (19 and over) and 1,000 yen for youth (16–18). During the festival, prices are 3,500 yen for adults and 1,500 yen for youth, and children (15 and under) are free. Second and subsequent visits are half price at all venues.

Sales began on October 2, 2026, and run until May 30, 2027. Passports are available online as well as at information centers and venue reception desks. Single-venue tickets start at 400 yen per venue; KURKKU FIELDS is 800 yen, and the new museum on its grounds (tentative) costs an additional 1,000 yen (junior high school students and older). Holders of a disability certificate are admitted free, and up to one caregiver is also free if assistance is needed. There are also ticket types that include music concerts or a passport for the SORA MIZU KU ART FESTIVAL.

Overview

Name: Boso Triennale 2027 (Boso International Art Festival Art×Mix 2027)
Dates: Saturday, March 6 – Sunday, May 30, 2027 (64 days)
Closed: Tuesdays and Wednesdays (except during Golden Week)
Venues: Various locations in Ichihara City, Kisarazu City and Otaki Town, Chiba Prefecture
Admission: Artwork passport – advance (until March 5, 2027): adults 3,000 yen, youth 1,000 yen; during the festival: adults 3,500 yen, youth 1,500 yen; children free. Single-venue tickets from 400 yen per venue
Organizer: Boso International Art Festival Executive Committee (Chiba Prefecture, Ichihara City, Kisarazu City, Otaki Town)
General Producer: Takeshi Kobayashi
General Director: Fram Kitagawa
Art Director: Ryo Toyofuku
Design Director: Rikako Nagashima
Official website: https://boso-artmix.com/
*Information as of October 19, 2026. Please check the official website for the latest information.

*Top image: Ryo Toyofuku, “Satomi Plant Museum,” Photo by Osamu Nakamura (from a press release by Ichihara City Office)

*This article was compiled by the TOKYO ART SPHERE editorial team based on press materials from Chiba Prefecture (October 6, 2026) and Ichihara City (February 27, 2026) and information on the official website.

Text: TOKYO ART SPHERE Editorial Team