Yearning Japanese

TIME TO EXPLORE Japan's national parks, also right, are celebrating big anniversaries

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From mainland Honshu through to the northern island of Hokkaido, 2026 is looking to be an incredibly exciting year for Japan with various new hotel openings and iconic anniversaries bringing buzz across the country. Here, we take a look at what's in store...

EVENTS

Mishima Mangan Art Festival returns for the third consecutive year, Shizuoka Prefecture

Located just over 30 minutes from Tokyo, the Mishima Mangan Art Festival is not to be missed.

Taking place for the third consecutive year, the festival is a contemporary art event that seeks to “open up” the compact, walkable city of Mishima by transforming the city’s vacant shops and public spaces into galleries.

The festival, which was started by the locals, aims to invite visitors to wander on foot and experience both artworks and streetscapes, underpinned by the city’s character - spring-fed rivers from Mount Fuji, a lively local community and its history as a temple town around Mishima Taisha.

Inaugural Maebashi Biennale 2026 to launch in September, Gunma Prefecture

Taking place from September 19 to December 20, the inaugural Maebashi Biennale will be an 80-day art festival rooted in Maebashi’s long-term “Mebuku” urban renewal vision, which has transformed the city centre through contemporary architecture, arts facilities and new creative businesses.

Exhibitions and projects will span Arts Maebashi, Maebashi Galleria, Shiraiya Hotel, the Maebashi Literature Museum and surrounding streets, turning the city into a walkable cultural stage.

Visitors can look forward to generative sound works by Keiichiro Shibuya, poetryinspired public art by Tahi Saihate and research-based installations engaging with Maebashi’s landscapes and history.

ANNIVERSARIES

Four of Japan's national parks celebrate their 90th anniversaries in February