Art galleries exhibition spaces foundations and cultural centers Tōkyo & Area

Kawaii, bizarre, spectacular: all the originality of Harajuku can be found inside. Since 1998, the Design Festa gallery has supported freedom of expression in all its forms. Regardless of nationality, language or technique, artists gather and exhibit in this teeming place of expression. The visit continues to the adjacent café, where you can enjoy a cup of tea or a beer in the open air, and ends at the okonomiyaki restaurant Sakura-tei, whose walls are covered with frescoes.

This exhibition center can be spotted from afar thanks to its monumental entrance in the shape of inverted pyramids. All kinds of commercial and cultural events take place here throughout the year. At the Tokyo Olympics, fencing, wrestling and Taekwondo events were held here. Not to be missed in May and December is the Design Festa festival. Hundreds of visual artists, musicians, graffiti artists and painters take over the west halls to exhibit their work. There are also regular craft exhibitions featuring Japanese artists.

This handicraft center aims to showcase the traditional crafts of the Taito district. Walking around Asakusa, you will still find some of these workshops open. The objects on display are the work of contemporary craftsmen. Specialists in wood, paper, blades, weaving and other materials, every Saturday they offer a workshop open to all where they showcase their art. Mr. Tanaka warmly welcomes and translates into English (better inquire beforehand). Interesting for the workshops, very affordable.