Niseko is a hive of creative expression and there are dozens of galleries and workshops scattered across the region. Check out these exhibitions for starters.
Shu Ogawara Museum of Art
“61st Rokusaikai & Kutchan Art 2020”
Nov 16 – Feb 11
Combined art exhibition featuring pieces created by local artists from today and the past 60 years, displayed in the gallery named after Niseko’s most famous artist, the late Shu Ogawara.
Arishima Takeo Museum
“Winter’s Hideyuki Fujikura Part 3”
Nov 23 – Mar 15
A fascinating exhibition of a centuries-old Japanese art form featuring locally created “kiri-e” (paper-cut) artwork.
ST Gallery
“Shigeru Tokumaru 2019”
Dec 1 – Apr 30
New works painted in 2019 by 85-year old living Niseko legend Shigeru Tokumaru. On display in his quaint and captivating Hirafu gallery.
UPAS Gallery
“Yoichi Watanabe Photo Exhibition”
Dec 1 – Apr 30
View select images from the latest photo book by the founding father of photography in Niseko, Yoichi Watanabe. By appointment only – email [email protected].
Somoza Gallery
“Hokkaido Through The Ages”
Dec 1 – Apr 30
In continuation from the highly successful exhibition at Somoza last season, discover Hokkaido’s rich history ranging from 4,000-year-old Jomon earthenware, through to Ainu artefacts and mid-century art. All of this blended seamlessly within a 150-year-old ‘Kominka’ farmhouse hidden away in the hills beyond Hanazono.
Galerie Tamenaga Pop-Up Gallery
“Galerie Tamenaga Fine Art Exhibition”
Dec 18 – DEC 25
Works by contemporary international artists curated by Tokyo’s Galerie Tamenaga – one of the first collectors to bring European art into Japan following World War II.
AJ Gallery
“Between Air & Water”
Dec 20 – Jan 20
From the pages of his new book to the walls of his rustic gallery at the Hirafu traffic lights, enjoy prints on hand-made Japanese paper by Powderlife photo editor and internationally renowned Hokkaido photographer Aaron Jamieson.
Powder Art
“Mori”
Dec 20 – Mar 29
A collection of top emerging national artists from Tokyo, Amsterdam and New York. Currently showing artists Ben Mori, Peter Riezebos, Michael Angel and Victor Demarchelier.
Gallery Ram
“Amimal”
Dec 25 – Feb 25
Amimal – not animal. View the latest body of work by local wood and steel “hammer artist” Masafumi Sawada – animals made from “ami” wire mesh, along with plenty of other wild creations.
Somoza Gallery
“Mono no Aware – the pathos of things”
Jan 21 – Feb 29
At the very centre of Japanese culture and encapsulating the pathos derived from awareness of the fleeting, impermanent nature of life, Shouya Grigg brings together pieces from his private collection of art and antiquities and blends them seamlessly with his original fine-art washi prints.
Gentem Gallery
“kokyu”
Jan 26 – Feb 9
View Niseko through the lens of Gentemstick snowboards founder Taro Tamai – soul surfer, photographer, visionary.