ABOUT US
Overview
The Yokohama Triennale is an international exhibition of contemporary art held in Yokohama once every three years. The exhibition features both internationally renowned and up-and-coming artists, and presents the latest trends and expressions in contemporary art.
Since its inauguration in 2001, the Yokohama Triennale has addressed the relationships between Japan and the world, and the individual and society, and reexamined the social role of art from a variety of perspectives, in response to a world in constant flux.
The first three editions (2001, 2005, 2008) were primarily organized and overseen by the Japan Foundation to enhance cultural exchange between Japan and other countries and cultures through contemporary art. From the fourth edition (2011), the City of Yokohama has been the primary organizer of the event.
The Yokohama Triennale is a national project supported by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, and also a project that represents the ‘Culture, Art and Creative City Yokohama’.
The Mission of the Yokohama Triennale
- 【MISSION】
The Yokohama Triennale, one of the leading international exhibitions of contemporary art in Japan, will spearhead the development of ‘Culture, Art and Creative City Yokohama’and cultivate a spiritually rich society that embraces diversity.
- 【GOALS】
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To open new channels through art
By celebrating contemporary art, the Yokohama Triennale provides opportunities to engage with a wide range of expressions, which transcend any given genre or era, to foster better understanding between people from many different generations and backgrounds.
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To engage with the world
As a national project, the Yokohama Triennale strives to contribute to international exchange and mutual understanding through its commitment to conveying new principles and values.
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To engage with the community
By collaborating with partners in ‘Culture, Art and Creative City Yokohama’, the Yokohama Triennale enhances and promotes the unique resources in the city.
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- 【GUIDING POLICIES】
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- Striving for excellence
- Nurturing future generations
- Contributing to shaping an inclusive society
- Engaging with the Community
- Celebrating art
- Attracting business and tourism
- SDGs
Organization
Yokohama Triennale is organized by the City of Yokohama, Yokohama Arts Foundation, Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK), The Asahi Shimbun, and Organizing Committee for Yokohama Triennale.
| Organizing Committee for Yokohama Triennale | |
|---|---|
| Honorary Presidents |
YAMANAKA Takeharu（Mayor, City of Yokohama） 【Representative】 |
| INABA Nobuo（President, Japan Broadcasting Corporation [NHK]） | |
| NAKAMURA Shiro（Chairman Chief Group Management Officer, The Asahi Shimbun） | |
| Committee Members |
KONDO Seiichi（Chairperson, Yokohama Arts Foundation） 【Chairperson】 |
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KURAYA Mika（Director, Yokohama Museum of Art） 【Executive Director】 |
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| ADACHI Tetsuroh（Director General of Sports, Culture and Dynamic City Development Bureau, City of Yokohama） | |
| OSAKA Eriko（Director General, The National Art Center, Tokyo） | |
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TATEHATA Akira（Director, Kyoto Art Center, Kyoto） |
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| TANAKA Yoshinori（Director of Content Value Development Center, General Media Administration, Japan Broadcasting Corporation [NHK]） | |
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HIBINO Katsuhiko（President, Tokyo University of the Arts） |
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| SHIMOYAMA Masaya（Executive Vice President, The Japan Foundation） | |
| ITO Ryohei（Deputy Director of Product Development, Media Business Headquarters, The Asahi Shimbun） | |
| Organizing Committee for Yokohama Triennale Office | |
|---|---|
| Managing Director | OKA Yasuyuki（City of Yokohama） |
| Managers | NOGUCHI Atsuko（City of Yokohama） |
| YAMAKI Naofumi（The Asahi Shimbun） | |
| HIRATA Naoki（Japan Broadcasting Corporation [NHK]） | |
| Deputy Executive Director | HOASHI Aki（Yokohama Arts Foundation） |
| Special Committee |
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| Artistic Director Selection Committee |
| Auditor |
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| Bay-Tax Tax Co. |
as of July 1, 2025
History
| 1997 | Ministry of Foreign Affairs announces organization of a recurrent international exhibition |
| 1999 | Organizing Committee for the Yokohama Triennale (The Japan Foundation, City of Yokohama, Japan Broadcasting Corporation [NHK], The Asahi Shimbun) is founded |
| 2001 | YOKOHAMA 2001: International Triennale of Contemporary Art "MEGA WAVE－Towards a New Synthesis" |
| 2004 | "Creative City Measures" are initiated by the City of Yokohama, and the Yokohama Triennale becomes its leading project |
| 2005 | YOKOHAMA 2005: International Triennale of Contemporary Art "Art Circus [Jumping from the Ordinary]" |
| 2008 | YOKOHAMA 2008: International Triennale of Contemporary Art "TIME CREVASSE" |
| 2010 | Members of the Organizing Committee for the Yokohama Triennale reorganized, consisting of the City of Yokohama, Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK), The Asahi Shimbun |
| 2011 | Agency for Cultural Affairs designates Yokohama Triennale as a recipient of their “Program to support International Arts Festivals" Yokohama Triennale 2011: "OUR MAGIC HOUR－How Much of the World Can We Know?－" |
| 2012 | Yokohama Arts Foundation becomes a member of the Organizing Committee for the Yokohama Triennale |
| 2014 | Yokohama Triennale 2014 : "Art Fahrenheit 451: Sailing into the sea of oblivion" |
| 2017 | Yokohama Triennale 2017 : "Islands, Constellations & Galapagos" |
| 2020 | Yokohama Triennale 2020 : "Afterglow" |
| 2024 | 8th Yokohama Triennale : “Wild Grass: Our Lives” |
The City of Yokohama
Located near Tokyo, Yokohama is the second largest city in Japan, with a population of 3.7 million people. It was one of the first commercial ports that Japan opened to the world in 1859 after 200 years of seclusion, and has been the gateway for the transfer and transmission of various people, objects, values and systems, leading Japanʼs modernization and nurturing an amalgam of different culture.
Yokohama is an international port city that is also a popular tourist destination. Many visitors are attracted to the city where the combination of a modern cityscape and historical landmarks look over the busy commercial port with ships coming and going under the open sky.
【Access】
The terminal station, Yokohama, is approximately 25 minutes from JR Tokyo station, 30 minutes from Haneda Airport, and 90 minutes from Narita International Airport by train.
【Yokohama City Culture, Art and Creative City Measures】
Yokohama City Culture, Art and Creative City Measures make the most of the city’s greatest strength – the unique history and culture of its port – and utilize "the creativity" inherent in art and culture in order to develop an urban environment that give rise to new values and appeal. As the pioneering Creative City in Japan, Yokohama has pursued these measures since 2004.
Administered not only by the government but also in cooperation with local citizens, NPOs, and creators, Yokohama has established a "Creative City Core Areas" to effectively utilizing the Central Seaside Area’s historical buildings and public spaces.In recent years, these efforts have helped expand the network between cities both inside and outside Japan, promoting "Culture, Art and Creative City Yokohama" at both national and international levels.