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

The “Ukiyo-e Immersive Art Exhibition HIROSHIMA” closed on Sunday, September 6, 2026 at NTT Cred Hall (11th floor of Motomachi Cred Pasela) in Naka-ku, Hiroshima City. The exhibition sets ukiyo-e in motion with 3DCG animation and projection mapping, and it drew about 40,000 visitors during its run, which began on July 18. HITOHATA, INC., one of the organizers, announced the figure on September 11. During the run, the exhibition also featured a limited display of ukiyo-e depicting places in Hiroshima and a collaboration with the Hiroshima Motomachi Aquarium in the same building.

*Disclosure: The “Ukiyo-e Immersive Art Exhibition HIROSHIMA” is an event co-organized by HITOHATA, INC., an affiliate of HITOHATA ASSOCIATION, the general incorporated association that operates TOKYO ART SPHERE, and planned and produced by HITOHATA, INC. together with TV Aichi (About us).

Attendance growth: from 10,000 to about 40,000

During the run, the milestones of 10,000 visitors on July 31, 20,000 on August 19 and 30,000 on August 27 were announced, each marked by a commemorative ceremony. After the close, on September 11, it was announced that the exhibition had ended with about 40,000 visitors (all figures from the organizers).

Opening hours were 10:00–18:00, extended to 20:00 every Friday and Saturday and from August 11 to 13. Last entry was 30 minutes before closing, and there were no closing days during the run.

Displays exclusive to the Hiroshima venue: ukiyo-e depicting Miyajima and Tomo

At the heart of the exhibition are nine three-dimensional video spaces based on more than 300 works by Katsushika Hokusai, Utagawa Kuniyoshi, Utagawa Hiroshige, Kitagawa Utamaro, Toshusai Sharaku, Utagawa Kunisada and others. Videos of about 3 to 10 minutes play on a loop in each space, and between the video spaces were displays, with explanations, of ukiyo-e printed in the Edo period and of reproductions.

In addition, the Hiroshima venue had a Hiroshima-only display space, shown for the first time, introducing ukiyo-e depicting places in Hiroshima. The works listed in the press materials are Tsukioka Yoshitoshi’s “The Great Battle of Miyajima, from the Military Exploits of Toyotomi,” Utagawa Sadahide’s “Port of Tomo, Bingo Province, from Famous Places in the Western Provinces” and Utagawa Hiroshige’s “Festival at Itsukushima, Aki Province, from Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces” (reproduction). An explanation of Utagawa Kuniyoshi’s “Goldfish Collection” series was also added exclusively at the Hiroshima venue.

Collaborations with the Hiroshima Motomachi Aquarium and a hotel

At the Hiroshima Motomachi Aquarium, on the 7th floor of the same building as the venue, immersive spatial productions including exclusive original videos were presented. One was “WELCOME,” in which ukiyo-e rendered in indigo, starting with Hokusai’s “The Great Wave off Kanagawa,” extended continuously across the ceiling, floor and walls through mirror reflections. The other was “CORAL,” in which ukiyo-e depicting the streams and townscapes of Edo, beauties by the sea and fish moved across the walls and floor.

Inside the aquarium, an Edo-period print of Utagawa Hiroshige’s “Collection of Fish: Gurnard and Flounder with Bamboo Leaves” and a reproduction of Kuniyoshi’s “Goldfish Collection” were displayed, along with panels explaining the sea creatures depicted in the works. During the advance sales period, set tickets with the aquarium (3,600 yen) were sold, and a reciprocal discount of 100 yen was offered on presentation of each other’s admission tickets.

In addition, the RIHGA Royal Hotel Hiroshima served original ukiyo-e cocktails, “Reikoka” and “Aiheki,” and offered accommodation plans that included exhibition admission tickets. Visitors wearing the uniforms of the Hiroshima Toyo Carp, Sanfrecce Hiroshima or the Hiroshima Dragonflies received a 100-yen discount.

Next up is Gifu, and a permanent facility in Ginza in spring 2027

According to the September 11 announcement, the series’ cumulative attendance has exceeded 700,000 across 11 cities in Japan and abroad. The next venue is the “Ukiyo-e Immersive Art Exhibition GIFU,” held at the Gifu City Museum of History from Friday, November 6, 2026 to Monday, January 11, 2027 (national holiday). Gifu will also feature venue-exclusive productions in which ukiyo-e of Nobunaga and cormorant fishing come to life. In spring 2027, the series’ first permanent facility is scheduled to open in Ginza, Tokyo.

Editor’s perspective

What set the Hiroshima exhibition apart was that it extended beyond the venue. At the aquarium in the same building, a separate spatial production was built around ukiyo-e depicting fish and goldfish, and projects with a hotel and professional sports teams were layered on top. It can be seen as an example of an exhibition presented in connection with facilities around the city.

By placing Edo-period prints of the “Collection of Fish” in the aquarium and gathering ukiyo-e depicting Miyajima and Tomo, the exhibition also incorporated displays that let visitors encounter actual works and local subjects. The Aomori exhibition the same summer likewise set up a venue-exclusive space introducing the connections between nebuta and ukiyo-e.

Overview

Name: Ukiyo-e Immersive Art Exhibition HIROSHIMA
Dates: Saturday, July 18 – Sunday, September 6, 2026
Hours: 10:00–18:00 (until 20:00 every Friday and Saturday and from August 11 to 13; last entry 30 minutes before closing). No closing days during the run
Venue: NTT Cred Hall (11th floor, Motomachi Cred Pasela)
Address: 6-78 Motomachi, Naka-ku, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture
Admission: Same-day: adults 2,200 yen, students (high school, university, vocational school) 1,500 yen, children (age 4 to junior high school) 700 yen, seniors (65 and over) 1,900 yen, age 3 and under free (prices during the run)
Attendance: About 40,000 (organizer’s figures)
Organizers: Hiroshima Television, Seeds Live, HITOHATA, INC., TV Aichi
Planning and production: HITOHATA, INC., TV Aichi
Official website: https://www.ukiyoeimmersiveart.com/hiroshima
*Information as of October 19, 2026. Please check the official website for the latest information.

*Top image: Ukiyo-e Immersive Art Exhibition HIROSHIMA (from a press release by HITOHATA, INC.)

*This article was compiled by the TOKYO ART SPHERE editorial team based on press materials from HITOHATA, INC. (September 11, 2026, and others) and information on the official website.

Text: TOKYO ART SPHERE Editorial Team

A note from the publisher

*Disclosure: The “Ukiyo-e Immersive Art Exhibition HIROSHIMA” is an event co-organized by HITOHATA, INC., an affiliate of HITOHATA ASSOCIATION, the general incorporated association that operates TOKYO ART SPHERE, and planned and produced by HITOHATA, INC. together with TV Aichi (About us).

The latest information on events produced by HITOHATA, INC. is available on HITOHATA, INC.’s event information page. Inquiries about hosting or co-organizing the “Ukiyo-e Immersive Art Exhibition” and the “Yokai Immersive Art Exhibition” are accepted through the company’s inquiry form.