The ideas behind Japan’s unique ‘inconvenient art’ movement defy conventional wisdom about how people consume art and culture. I’ve recently written and spoken about the phenomenon, in the pages of The Japan Times and on the Deep Dive of The Japan Times podcast.
Far from any major city or shinkansen stop, usually located in nature and remote towns, these works of art and events are difficult to access by design. Fram Kitagawa, one of the movement’s founders, wrote in his 2015 book “Hiraku Bijutsu” (“Open Art”) that he wanted people to experience “the charm of inefficient and sweaty art exhibitions.”
Melting under the summer sun, or buried under meters of snow, or at risk of being blown away at the edge of the sea: here are some of the most famous awkward art venues and events in Japan. To navigate through, check bus and ferry schedules in advance. You may need to take a free shuttle or book a rental car. You will probably sweat.
