As the largest art fair in Japan and the oldest in Asia, ART FAIR TOKYO continues to bring together commercial art galleries and art dealers from across Japan and the rest of the world. The fair features a wide range of art, from antiques and crafts to nihonga painting, modern art, and contemporary art. ART FAIR TOKYO continues to be a place for artists, curators, and collectors to collaborate, network, and exchange ideas and inspiration.
As a leading force in the Japanese art market, ART FAIR TOKYO targets established and new generations of global and local dealers and collectors to take note of the wide range of art represented. Due to the fair's unique presence in the market, galleries benefit from having a different segment of the global art scene view their pieces.
As the fair continues to evolve and expand as a platform for the art market, we are excited about its future. ART FAIR TOKYO endeavors to develop meaningful connections between past and present, Asia and the West, as well as presenting historically inspired artistic contexts.
Art Fair Tokyo is based around three core exhibitions: Galleries, Crossing, and Projects.
Galleries B2F Hall E
Galleries is the main section of Art Fair Tokyo located on B2F Hall E and the Lobby Gallery on B1F.
This section features the best commercial galleries and art dealers from Japan and abroad handling works (including two-dimensional, three-dimensional, media art, and performances) dating from centuries ago all the way to the present day. Galleries presents unique opportunities to create new relationships resulting in collectors of antique art coming across contemporary art, and collectors of contemporary art purchasing ancient earthenware. Galleries sets itself apart from other art fairs hosted overseas that lean towards contemporary art by exploring the mature yet complex market in Japan, in which new discoveries lead to new customers for exhibitors.
Crossing B1F Robby gallery
Crossing is specially curated by both art institutions and alternative spaces and is where the bleeding edge of the ultra-modern art scene bumps into the storied cultures and traditions of regional arts and crafts bodies.
Explore Japanese culture through the lenses of tradition and modernity and experience the diverse and intersecting aesthetics and values on show. Exhibitions on display here include booths organized by art institutions and alternative spaces that play a significant role in the Japanese art scene.
Projects
Projects showcases up-and-coming galleries and young artists in solo or two-person exhibitions. Exhibitions in the Projects section are commercial galleries/art dealers that will lead the next generation of the art industry.
Both the booth size and exhibition format have been expanded to enable more freedom with the aim of highlighting the individuality of the artists and providing visitors with opportunities to discover their favorite artists and purchase their works. The critically acclaimed Projects section allows visitors to compare and contrast the condensed worldviews of the artists.
Looking at the history of ART FAIR TOKYO is as important to understanding its present and future in the worldwide art scene. The fair's origins date back to 1992's Nippon International Contemporary Art Fair (NICAF). It started in Pacifico Yokohama as Asia's first major contemporary art fair. Unfortunately, at the time, NICAF struggled in Japan's bleak economic climate. This caused it to be held for the eighth and final time in 2003.
Thankfully 2005 was an eventful year and saw the relaunch of NICAF as ART FAIR TOKYO. At its annual venue of Tokyo International Forum, the fair includes exhibits presented by a uniquely broad range of galleries and dealers, encompassing everything from antiques to contemporary art.
The art world received this relaunch with open arms allowing ART FAIR TOKYO to expand the venue to 5,000 square meters in 2012. That year the fair had an astounding 50,000 visitors.
In 2016 ART FAIR TOKYO changed its organizational structure to expand beyond the art market and encompass art as a concept in various fields.
ART FAIR TOKYO 2024
Dates: March 7,2024 – March 10,2024
Venue: Tokyo International Forum, Hall E and Lobby Gallery
Number of participant/collaborating galleries:156
ART FAIR TOKYO 2021
Dates: March 18,2021 – March 21,2021
Venue: Tokyo International Forum, Hall E and Lobby Gallery
Number of participant/collaborating galleries:140
ART FAIR TOKYO 2018
Dates: March 8,2018 – March 11,2018
Venue: Tokyo International Forum, Hall E and Lobby Gallery
Number of participant/collaborating galleries:164
ART FAIR TOKYO 2015
Dates: March 20,2015 – March 22,2015
Venue: Tokyo International Forum, B2F Exhibition Hall
Number of participant/collaborating galleries:160
ART FAIR TOKYO 2012
Dates: March 30,2012 – April 1,2012
Venue: Tokyo International Forum, B2F Exhibition Hall
Number of participant/collaborating galleries:176
