EVENT OUTLINE 開催概要

BIWAKO BIENNALE 2025 "流転〜FLUX"

Exhibition period
2025 Sep 20th (Sat) 〜 2025 Nov 16th (Sun)
Venues
OMIHACHIMAN Old Town, CHOMEIJI Temple, OKISHIMA Island. (Shiga Prefecture)
Opening hours
10:00〜17:00 (Last admission：16:30)
Closing days
Wednesdays Except last Wednesday of the festival (12.11)
Organized by
International Art festival BIWAKO BIENNALE Executive Committee, Japan Arts Council, Agency for Cultural Affairs
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 : 流転〜FLUX

The theme for the 11th BIWAKO BIENNALE in 2025 is “流転〜FLUX”. All things are in constant motion, never remaining the same.
What we recognize as a single, unchanging self is, in truth, an illusion — our cells are constantly dying and regenerating, ensuring that we are never the same, even from one moment to the next.
Not only us humans, but everything in this world is in a perpetual state of change.

"When Yin reaches its extreme, Yang begins to emerge; when Yang reaches its peak, Yin begins to manifest."

All things may drift within the waves of flux, changing form as they carve the passage of eternity. Feel the flow of creation and transformation within the art at BIWAKO BIENNALE 2025 “流転〜FLUX”, while allowing your thoughts to drift toward the cosmos. We invite you to experience the ultimate stage where you can begin a dialogue with your inner self.

Artists

The International Art Festival BIWAKO BIENNALE 2025 is a grand symphony brought to life by artists. Around 70 selected artists from Japan and abroad will transform each space into their unique work of art.

  • Gabriela Morawetz, "continuum" (2014)
  • saiho + Sayuri Hayashi Egnell, “Imagery Garden” (2022), at Pre-BIWAKO BIENNALE 2025, Shanghai (2024)
  • Zhou Yiqiao, "Misunderstanding Between Red and Green" (2024), at KOBE ROKKO MEETS ART 2024 beyond, photo: ROKKO MEETS ART
  • Niino Kyohei, "Transparent Breath" (2025), at Kyohei Niino × Shona Sai Duo Exhibition: "A Stroll Through the Sleeping Night" (2025)

Artists

Location

The 2025 International Art Festival BIWAKO BIENNALE is centered around Omihachiman City, with three main areas: the "OMIHACHIMAN Old Town Area", "CHOMEIJI Temple Area", and "OKISHIMA Island Area". The Omihachiman Old Town (the main venue) is built on a castle town founded by Toyotomi Hidetsugu and developed in the early modern period as the birthplace of the Omi merchants. Okishima Island, an inhabited island on Lake Biwa, is the only one of its kind in Japan. It has a thriving fishing industry, accounting for half of the lake's total fish catch.

This year, Chomeiji Temple, associated with Prince Shotoku and part of the Saigoku Thirty-three Kannon pilgrimage route, will be added as a new venue. Located at the foot of the mountain, about 250 meters above sea level, the temple provides an excellent view of Lake Biwa.

You can dive deep into one area in a day or explore multiple areas to experience different perspectives. Enjoy the spaces brought to life by art and engage all your senses as you explore them!

  • 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, is located in the Omihachiman Old Town Area.
  • Chomei-ji Temple, serving as a venue for the first time this year.
  • Okishima, an inhabited island on Lake Biwa.

Exhibition venues

The three areas - "OMIHACHIMAN Old Town" District, "CHOMEIJI Temple Area", and "OKISHIMA Island Area" - each feature multiple exhibition venues. As the artist-venue collaborations are finalized, we'll keep this site updated with the latest exhibition details.

See Exhibition Venues

Events

Throughout the Biwako Biennale, we hold a variety of events, including workshops and concerts. Updates are available through our news section and on X (formerly Twitter).
*Please note that events may be canceled or rescheduled, or their locations may change due to weather conditions, natural disasters, or other unforeseen circumstances.

  • Workshops
  • Concerts and performances
  • Pre Event

See Events