COHJU was established by owner Hideyuki Nishieda in February 2008 in a building designed by a prominent architect, Kisho Kurokawa, in a historical and cultural area, in front of the Kyoto Imperial Palace. First several years, the gallery mainly held exhibitions of mid-career Japanese artists such as Takesada Matsutani. As Kyoto’s art scene has flourished with young emerging artists since 2014, the gallery started focusing on promoting young artists based in the Kansai region.

The gallery presents 4 to 5 exhibitions including group shows that feature outstanding artists who have just graduated as well as participates in 5 to 6 art fairs in Asia, Europe, and North America to showcase cutting-edge projects to the international art scenes.

COHJU remodeled the gallery space in 2021, succeeding Kisho’s style but adapting today’s various types of projects. The gallery aims to make progress with artists, and also keep discovering splendid talents.