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

The special exhibition “Takeshi Yoro and Kenji Kohiyama’s Insect Exhibition: Look, Feel, and Then Think” is on view in the basement galleries of the Okayama Prefectural Museum of Art (Kita-ku, Okayama) until Sunday, November 29. It is a two-person exhibition by longtime insect-loving friends, anatomist Takeshi Yoro and information and communications researcher Kenji Kohiyama. Yoro’s words and Kohiyama’s photographs of insects magnified hundreds of times are presented through panels large and small, three-dimensional displays and video. Admission is 1,500 yen for adults.

Highlights: “Micro presence,” stacking 30 to 50 shots for each insect

According to the exhibition’s official website, Yoro is an anatomist born in 1937 in Kanagawa Prefecture and a professor emeritus at The University of Tokyo. Kohiyama is an information and communications researcher born in 1942 in Tokyo and a professor emeritus at Keio University. He is also a “micro presence” artist.

Kohiyama’s “micro presence photographs” are made by “focus stacking” each part of insects measuring mere millimeters. According to the Okayama Prefectural Museum of Art, he takes an average of 30 to 50 shots per insect and combines the in-focus parts. Collecting the specimens to be photographed and arranging their shape are also no easy task.

Yoro is said to have been astonished when he first saw these “photographs,” in focus throughout, which until then had existed only in his own mind. The exhibition page opens with the words “All the answers are in insects.”

What is on display? “Yoro Boxes” and ultra-magnified photo panels

According to the exhibition’s official website, the venue is designed as “Professor Yoro’s room of thought,” with words scattered throughout. On display are “Yoro Boxes,” three-dimensional displays that use words and photographs to question how we see insects and nature, ultra-magnified photo panels made with focus stacking, footage of Yoro collecting insects, 3D digital video and more. The art direction is by graphic designer Tomohiro Okazaki.

The official website says photography is allowed in the venue (video recording is not, and commercial use is to be avoided). At the Okayama venue, follow the on-site guidance.

Cooperating with the Okayama venue are the Kurashiki Museum of Natural History, the Kurashiki Entomological Society and the Yoro Insect Club. At the insect collecting event on Saturday, November 7 (closed, capacity reached), Yuichi Okushima, a curator at the Kurashiki Museum of Natural History, serves as instructor.

From Oita, Tokyo and Toyota to Okayama: The exhibition’s tour

According to the exhibition’s official website, it was held in 2024 at the Oita Prefectural Art Museum (July 13 – August 25). The planning company Crevis announced attendance in Oita of 28,949. In 2026, it began at the Tokyo Photographic Art Museum (March 21 – May 24) and came to Okayama via the Toyota Municipal Museum (July 11 – September 23).

Ahead of the Tokyo opening, Crevis announced that Tomohiro Okazaki, designer of the “Design Ah!” exhibition, had joined in upgrading the exhibition. At the Toyota venue, an insect specimen display corner created with people involved with the museum was set up as an original project (Toyota Municipal Museum). Okayama is the last of the venues listed on the official website as of October 20.

Yoro also serves as general producer of “Godzilla: THE ART Exhibition,” which opens at the Tottori Prefectural Museum of Art on February 11, 2027.

Related events

• Tuesday, October 27, 14:00–15:30: Talk show “Thinking About the Space Between ‘Photography’ and ‘Art’ with Kenichiro Mogi.” The speaker is neuroscientist Kenichiro Mogi. 2F Hall, capacity 210 (first come, first served on the day; reception from 13:30)

• Saturday, November 21, 13:30–16:15 (planned): “Exploring the World of Insects with Game Sampo: GAME SAMPO LIVE.” With Iida and Masuda of Game Sampo, a public recording and gallery talk take place. 2F Hall, 200 people, 2,000 yen. The ticket also gives same-day access to this exhibition and the “73rd Japan Traditional Kogei Exhibition, Okayama”

• Sunday, November 22, 14:00–15:30: Talk show by Hiyori Katada (actor, composer and insect producer), ambassador for the insect exhibition. 2F Hall, capacity 210 (first come, first served on the day)

• Until November 29: “Murmurs of Numbers,” a participatory display in the B1F foyer where visitors make insects from cut-out numbers and stick them on a jungle picture

Tickets, prices and access

Same-day tickets are 1,500 yen for adults, 1,000 yen for university and high school students and those under 18, and 500 yen for elementary and junior high school students, and preschool children are free. Groups of 20 or more pay 1,200 yen for adults, 800 yen for university and high school students and those under 18, and 400 yen for elementary and junior high school students. Student and other rates require proof of age. Those who bring a disability certificate or similar and one caregiver are admitted free. Sales of advance tickets (1,300 yen for adults) ended on October 8.

The exhibition ticket also gives access to the concurrent “15th I-shi Prize Winning Artist Exhibition” and “Art of Okayama Exhibition” (both until November 3). Opening hours are 9:00–17:00 (last entry 30 minutes before closing), with evening openings until 19:00 on Saturday, October 31 and Saturday, November 28. Upcoming closed days are Monday, October 26, Monday, November 9 and Monday, November 16.

The address is 8-48 Tenjincho, Kita-ku, Okayama. It is a 15-minute walk from the Korakuen Exit (East Exit) of JR Okayama Station. By streetcar, take a car bound for Higashiyama from the “Okayama-ekimae” stop, get off at “Shiroshita” and walk three minutes. By Okaden Bus, take a bus bound for Fujiwara Danchi from stop 1 and get off at “Tenjincho,” right by the museum. The underground parking lot has 44 spaces, and the museum, expecting crowds during the exhibition, urges visitors to use public transportation.

Editor’s perspective

The exhibition has toured institutions of different kinds: a photography museum, a museum and an art museum. At the Okayama venue, neuroscientist Kenichiro Mogi holds a talk show exploring the space between “photography” and “art.” Should the magnified insects be seen as records or as works? Being shown in an art museum offers an opportunity to consider the difference.

Overview

Name: Takeshi Yoro and Kenji Kohiyama’s Insect Exhibition: Look, Feel, and Then Think
Dates: Friday, October 9 – Sunday, November 29, 2026
Hours: 9:00–17:00 (last entry 30 minutes before closing; until 19:00 on October 31 and November 28)
Closed: Tuesday, October 13, Monday, October 19, Monday, October 26, Monday, November 9, Monday, November 16
Venue: Basement Galleries, Okayama Prefectural Museum of Art
Address: 8-48 Tenjincho, Kita-ku, Okayama
Admission: Adults 1,500 yen, university and high school students and those under 18 1,000 yen, elementary and junior high school students 500 yen, preschool children free (group rates for 20 or more)
Organizers: Okayama Prefectural Museum of Art, The Sanyo Shimbun, RSK Sanyo Broadcasting
Planning: Crevis Inc.
Official website: https://www.okayama-kenbi.info/exh-20261009-mushi_ten/
*Information as of October 20, 2026. Please check the official website for the latest information.

*Top image: Gunjo-okobuhamushi, a leaf beetle (actual size 8 mm) (from a press release by Crevis Inc.)

*This article was compiled by the TOKYO ART SPHERE editorial team based on information on the Okayama Prefectural Museum of Art official website and the exhibition’s official website (as of October 20, 2026) and press materials from Crevis Inc. (February 26, 2026).

Text: TOKYO ART SPHERE Editorial Team