Ahead of its main edition in 2027, the International Art Festival BIWAKO BIENNALE will present a series of pre-events in Omihachiman in the autumn of 2026.

The programme brings together an exhibition, a concert of biwa (Japanese lute) and yoshi-bue (reed flute), a natural-dyeing experience using reeds from Lake Biwa, and a workshop in the locally handed-down craft of torch making — each an encounter with the nature and culture particular to this place. We warmly invite you to enjoy Omihachiman in autumn, ahead of the festival itself.

The latest details of each programme will be updated on this page.

◯ Exhibition

Overview

Works by four artists will be shown at a venue in the historic centre of Omihachiman.

Dates

Sat 24 October – Mon 23 November 2026 (public holiday)

(Open Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays / Closed every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday)

Opening Hours

10:00–17:00 (last admission 16:30)

Venue

KICHOU　12 Nagahara-cho Moto, Omihachiman

Participating Artists

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

Admission

・ General　¥1,000
・ Junior high school age and under　Free
・ Visitors with a disability certificate, plus one accompanying person　Free

(Valid as a free pass — re-enter as often as you like during the period)
* When re-entering, please show an ID to confirm your identity.

* Artist profiles and images of the works will be published here in due course.

◯ Concert — Biwa and Yoshi-bue (Reed Flute)

Overview

The narrative voice of the biwa and the tone of the yoshi-bue (reed flute) resound through a traditional house in Omihachiman. The biwa programme presents “Nasu no Yoichi”, a celebrated episode from The Tale of the Heike, in narration and performance.

▶ More details

Date & Time

Sat 17 October 2026
Doors open 13:30 / Performance begins 14:00

Venue

Ban Family Residence (Ban-ke Jutaku), 2F　3-15 Shinmachi, Omihachiman

Programme

〈Part 1〉
14:00–14:45　Chikuzen biwa performance: “Nasu no Yoichi”
Hoozan Takemoto Kyokuyo

14:45–15:00　Intermission

〈Part 2〉
15:00–16:00　Yoshi-bue (reed flute) performance
Yumiko Kondo (President, Japan Yoshi-bue Association)

Admission

・ General　¥3,000
・ Elementary and junior high school students　¥1,000
・ Infants and preschoolers　Free
・ Visitors with a disability certificate, plus one accompanying person　Free

* BIWAKO BIENNALE catalogues and commemorative books will be on sale at the venue.

◯ Torch-Making Demonstration & Traditional Shimenawa Rope-Making Workshop

Overview

A torch-making demonstration and a traditional shimenawa (sacred rope) making workshop led by the Association for Passing Down Traditional Torches as Cultural Heritage. Watch the time-honoured craft of torch-making up close, and try making a shimenawa with your own hands.

▶ More details

Date & Time

Sat 7 November 2026
13:30–16:00

Venue

KICHOU　12 Nagahara-cho Moto, Omihachiman, Shiga

Capacity

12 participants

Fee

¥2,500
(Admission to the exhibition at KICHOU is charged separately.)

Instructors

Association for Passing Down Traditional Torches as Cultural Heritage
Minoru Onishi and two others

◯ Lake Biwa Reed-Dyed Linen Scarf Workshop

Overview

Experience the art of botanical dyeing by using reeds from Lake Biwa as a natural dye to create your own linen scarf.

▶ More details

Date & Time

Sun 8 November 2026
① Morning session: 9:30–12:00
② Afternoon session: 13:30–16:00

Venue

Fabrica-mura　657 Sanocho, Higashiomi, Shiga

Capacity

10 participants per session

Fee

¥5,500

Instructor

Yoko Kitagawa (Director, Fabrica Village)

* “Yoshi udon” will be served between 12:00 and 13:00 for those who would like it (¥1,000, advance booking required).

* The “10th ANNIVERSARY of BIWAKO BIENNALE” commemorative catalogue, accompanied by an original postcard, is available at a special price (regular price ¥1,300 → special offer ¥800).

◯ Bookings & Enquiries