Biwako Biennale 2025

In Japanese, there’s the expression geijutsu no aki (芸術の秋), or “autumn is for the arts” (literally, “autumn of the arts”).

The Biwako Biennale is an international art exhibition that began in 2001, in a bid to preserve traditional Japanese merchant houses and buildings.

This year the Biwako Biennale, themed “FLUX” (“流転”), explores the constant motion and change of all things.

It will be celebrating its 11th edition in the fall of 2025 nd will take place between Saturday, September 20 ~ Sunday, November 16, 2025 “ in the cities of Omi-Hachiman and Hikone in Shiga prefecture. And this year, Chōmeiji Temple, part of the Saigoku Thirty-three Kannon pilgrimage route, will be added as a new venue.

It is a rare art event that highlights the beauty of old Japanese houses, where contemporary art pieces accent spaces that people occupied in the olden days. The exhibitions are scattered throughout 18 venues, most of which are buildings from the Edo period (17th – 19th century), including Hikone Castle.

Passing from one place to another, visitors will be able to appreciate works of art while taking a stroll between the Edo era and our time.

About 70 artists and art units from Japan and around the world will gather to highlight the fleeting beauty of autumn, for a period of one and a half months.

Animated by works of contemporary artists, the long abandoned buildings will enchant the public throughout the festival.

You will get to enjoy the fusion of Japanese-style architecture with contemporary art.