Setouchi Triennale 2025: Key Highlights, Schedule, Locations, and Tickets

Setouchi Triennale 2025: A Highly Anticipated Art Event in Japan

Picture courtesy of Setouchi Triennale 2025

The Setouchi Triennale is a globally renowned art festival that has attracted artists and visitors from worldwide since its inaugural event in 2010. Held every three years, this festival takes place on multiple islands in the Setouchi region of Japan. The event allows people to appreciate various contemporary artworks within a natural landscape.

The year 2025 marks the eighth edition of the Setouchi Triennale, with themes and exhibited works continuing to explore local culture and nature.

Setouchi Triennale 2025 will build on previous successes, emphasizing sustainability and social engagement more. The artworks will not merely be static exhibits but will serve as a medium to provoke ideas among the audience.

From outdoor installation art to interactive exhibitions, artists will challenge the boundaries of traditional art, encouraging active participation and allowing visitors to experience diverse art.

2025 Key Project: Becoming the Hub of Asian Culture and Art

Takamatsu Port. Picture courtesy of Setouchi Triennale 2025. Photo by Shintaro Miyawaki

On October 24, Tokyo hosted a planning presentation for the Setouchi Triennale 2025, which announced the project outline and main visual design.

For the 2025 art festival, the organizers hope to deepen their connections with various Asian countries. By deepening these relationships, the Setouchi Triennale aims to take on a central role in Asian cultural arts.

Countries and regions expected to participate in the festival include New Zealand, Sweden, Russia, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, Singapore, the Philippines, Laos, India, China, South Korea, and Taiwan.

Over 60 Groups of Artists Expected to Participate

Sarah Hudson (New Zealand) Picture courtesy of Sarah Hudson portrait (provided by McCAHON House)

So far, more than 60 groups of artists are expected to participate in the Setouchi Triennale 2025.

Jacob Dahlgren (Sweden) Picture courtesy of Color Reading and Contexture

Participants will include Sarah Hudson (New Zealand), who won the Golden Lion at the 2024 Venice Biennale; Jacob Dahlgren (Sweden), who focuses on consumer society; and Leonid Tishkov and Marina Moskvina (Russia), who capture lunar objects around the world, among others.

Jakkai Siributr (Thailand) Picture courtesy of 100 Tonson Foundation

In addition, artists from various Asian countries are actively invited to participate.

Cloud Gate Dance Theater (Taiwan). Picture courtesy of Sounding Light Performed by Cloud Gate Dance Theater of Taiwan. Choreographer Cheng Tsung-lung. Photo by Lee Chia-yeh

For example, participants will include Jakkai Siributr (Thailand), who explores history through weaving and embroidery; Park Ji-hyun (South Korea), who creates immersive installations of light and space; and Cloud Gate Dance Theater (Taiwan), a contemporary dance group well-known among the Taiwanese.

Important Information about the Setouchi Triennale 2025

Picture courtesy of Setouchi Triennale 2025. Photo by Shintaro Miyawaki

・Starting from October 24, the Art Viewing Passport and the Official App (which includes a new route search feature for artworks) will be available for purchase.

・The Art Festival 2025 offers "special early bird discounts" for visitors who purchase in advance.

・ Festival venues will cover the various islands in the Setouchi region and coastal areas (a total of 17 areas), making it the largest scale in history.

・Emphasizing Asian cultural arts, with a special focus on Vietnam. Cloud Gate Dance Theater (Taiwan) will also participate.

・Co-hosting projects with UNHCR (the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees).

・A newly highlighted venue: Naoshima's new art museum (designed by Tadao Ando).

・A collaborative project with the Setouchi Art Museum (during the Setouchi Art Festival period, works by contemporary artists will be exhibited in eight museums across Kagawa, Okayama, and Hyogo prefectures. A standard discount ticket and travel itinerary are offered).

・The official design and main visual concept were created collaboratively by multiple groups of junior high and high school students, depicting extraordinary scenes from everyday life. The image shows junior high and high school students in red swimming caps and black swimsuits crowded on a diving platform, all jumping into the sea together.

Setouchi Triennale 2025 Event Information

Picture courtesy of Setouchi Triennale 2025. Photo by Shintaro Miyawaki

Since its inaugural event in 2010, the Setouchi Triennale 2025 will be held for the sixth time and is celebrating its 15th anniversary. The dates and venues for the event are as follows:

Event Dates

Spring Session: April 18 to May 25, 2025
Summer Session: August 1 to August 31, 2025
Autumn Session: October 3 to November 9, 2025
Total of 107 days

Event Venues

Islands and coastal areas of Setouchi (a total of 17 areas)

Full Duration: Naoshima, Toyoshima, Megijima, Ogijima, Shodoshima, Oshima, Inujima, around Takamatsu Port, around Uno Port

Spring Session only: Seto Ohashi Area
Summer Session only: Shido/Tsuda Area, Hiketa Area
Autumn Session only: Honjima, Takamijima, Awajima, Ibukijima, Udatsu Area

Art Viewing Passport: Ticket Types, Prices, and Purchase Methods

Picture courtesy of Setouchi Triennale 2025 Art Viewing Passport Purchase

Advance sales allow you to enjoy each artwork (installation) participating in the festival once during the event period with an all season passport, with costs varying based on the sales period.

One passport permits access to nearly all paid artworks at the festival. This makes it more economical and convenient than paying for each artwork separately.

Purchase Methods

Picture courtesy of Setouchi Triennale 2025

You can download the official Setouchi Triennale 2025 app on your smartphone and purchase tickets through the app.
Official App Download Link

Setouchi Triennale 2025 Official Website
https://setouchi-artfest.jp/en/

*This press release is based on the Setouchi Triennale 2025 Planning Presentation. (Japanese)

Kagawa Prefecture Takamatsu Port Main image courtesy of Nobumichi Asai Liminal Air-core-. Photo: Shintaro Miyawaki