EVENT OUTLINE 開催概要

Pre BIWAKO BIENNALE 2027 “共鳴〜RESONANCE”

Exhibition period
Sat 24 October –
Mon 23 November 2026 (public holiday)
Venue area
Omihachiman Old Town (Shiga Prefecture)
Venue
KICHOU　(12 Nagahara-cho Moto, Omihachiman, Shiga)
Opening hours
10:00–17:00　(Last admission: 16:30)
Closing days
Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Admission
General ¥1,000　(Free for junior high school students and younger, and for visitors with a disability certificate plus one accompanying person)
* Valid as a free pass — re-enter as often as you like during the exhibition period
Organized by
International Art Festival BIWAKO BIENNALE Executive Committee
Subsidized by
Japan Arts Council (Independent Administrative Institution), Japan Cultural Expo
General Director
Nakata Yoko

About

The history of the land and the charm of the space come to life through art.

This art event takes place mainly in the Old Town of Omihachiman, centered around Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture, featuring exhibitions by both Japanese and international artists.

Additionally, by utilizing vacant houses and old traditional homes as venues, the event aims to rediscover the charm of these time-honored buildings and contribute to "community revitalization." The process begins with local residents and volunteers from across Japan cleaning up long-neglected traditional homes. Through these exhibitions, the town’s history and art intersect, emerging as a truly immersive experience.

Theme : 共鳴〜RESONANCE

The theme for the 12th BIWAKO BIENNALE in 2027 is “共鳴〜RESONANCE”.

The empathy and wonder that people share through art festivals are among the noblest qualities that dwell within human beings. Invisible though it may be, this “resonance” echoes in the depths of the human spirit.
When the life energy of each one of us connects like the neurons of a brain and resonates together, perhaps we can choose a future of coexistence with all life on Earth.

In autumn 2026, ahead of the main edition in 2027, we are holding Pre BIWAKO BIENNALE 2027, featuring an exhibition at KICHOU, a traditional merchant house in Omihachiman, along with a concert and workshops.

Artists

Four artists from Japan and abroad take part in Pre BIWAKO BIENNALE 2027, each transforming a space at KICHOU, a traditional merchant house in Omihachiman, into a work of their own.

  • Work by Jorge Cañete
    Jorge Cañete (Switzerland/Spain, contemporary artist)
  • Work by Tetsuya Tanaka
    Tetsuya Tanaka (Shiga, ceramic artist)
  • Work by Yoshinori Morishima
    Yoshinori Morishima (Shiga, photographer)
  • Work by Satoshi Takemoto
    Satoshi Takemoto (Shiga, biwa player and media artist)

Location

As in previous years, Pre BIWAKO BIENNALE 2027 takes place in its main venue area, Omihachiman Old Town. Built on the foundations of a castle town established by Toyotomi Hidetsugu, the area later flourished as the birthplace of the Omi merchants.

Stroll through the town and experience, with all your senses, spaces made to shine anew through art.

  • As in previous years, the main venue will be the “Omihachiman Old Town Area,” particularly the Shinmachi Street, which retains its historic townscape.
  • The Hachiman-bori Canal, a vital waterway that played a major role in the town’s prosperity.

Events

During Pre BIWAKO BIENNALE 2027, we are holding a concert and workshops. For details and booking, please see each event page below. *Please note that events may be cancelled or rescheduled, or their locations may change, due to weather conditions, natural disasters or other unforeseen circumstances.

See Events