Omotesando Art Guide - Visiting 9 Distinct Galleries with Characterful Touches

Always bustling with people, the areas of Omotesando and Harajuku in Tokyo present contrasting images. Omotesando is known for its upscale image, with luxury boutiques lining the tree-lined avenue. On the other hand, Harajuku evokes an image of a crowded area filled with second-hand clothing stores and dessert shops catering to a younger audience. Just like the diverse atmosphere of these neighborhoods, there are numerous galleries and museums with various personalities.

This time, we will walk through the Jingumae area, heading from the southern side of Omotesando Station towards Harajuku Station and continuing towards the Meiji Jingu Stadium. We will introduce galleries in the Jingumae area and its surroundings.

It's recommended to log in on the web version or follow the venues on the TAB app if you are interested. The app will notify you via push notifications about the opening and closing of exhibitions at those venues.

Check here for a list of area-specific art guide articles in Tokyo.

Void+

The term “void” represents “emptiness,” and the plus symbol “+” signifies “harmony” or “addition.” This gallery aims to create a neutral space that changes its ambiance based on the connections between people. Operated by the design studio Azone+Associates, Void+ is composed of four spaces.

The main exhibition space features a 7-square-meter white cube, creating a simultaneous sense of tension and calm reassurance. Artists such as Koji Tanada, Teppei Soutome, Shuta Hasunuma, and Yuichi Higashionna have exhibited their works in this space. Additionally, there is a salon area where people from various genres gather to exchange thoughts. Another space, Void+Stock, showcases and sells noteworthy past works that deserve a second look, whether they were buried in studios or warehouses. There is also a space located under the front eaves of the building for pop-up projects and other initiatives.

Fergus McCaffrey Tokyo

Since its establishment in 2006, Fergus McCaffrey has been introducing post-war and contemporary art from the United States, Japan, and Europe to the world. The gallery has spaces in New York, Tokyo, and Saint Barthélemy. The Tokyo gallery is located near Omotesando Station, and since its opening with the Robert Ryman exhibition in March 2018, it has hosted international exhibitions in collaboration with artists such as Ari Marcopoulos, Jasper Johns, Richard Serra, Kazuo Shiraga, and Min Tanaka.

Gallery staff member Noriko Kubo shared the following thoughts: “Exhibitions of contemporary artists from abroad, which are rarely seen domestically, and exhibitions that consider the art history relationship between Japan and the United States, are unique programs offered by our gallery. The entrance might seem a bit intimidating, but we hope you feel free to visit.”

Spiral

The Spiral Garden, characterized by a spiral-shaped ramp designed by the world-renowned architect Fumihiko Maki, is filled with an iconic space called the Atrium. This space is bathed in natural light, creating an open and inviting atmosphere that allows for art appreciation in a leisurely, strolling manner. In addition to galleries, the Spiral Garden features various spaces such as a café, multipurpose hall, restaurant bar, a shop offering lifestyle goods, and a total beauty salon.

The theme of activities at the Spiral is the “fusion of life and art.” Since its opening, it has hosted contemporary art and design exhibitions, stage performances such as theater and dance, concerts, fashion shows, symposiums, and more.

Utrecht

In 2002, Utrecht started as an online shop and, after locations in Daikanyama and Minami Aoyama, has had a physical store in Jingumae since 2014. Utrecht is not only an art bookshop but also features a gallery space, providing a place where visitors can forget the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy a leisurely time.

One notable aspect is the shop’s attention to distinctive book selections. Focusing on art, design, and fashion-related books from both domestic and international sources, Utrecht offers titles rarely seen in regular bookstores. They handle books created and published by artists themselves, those with unique designs, and limited edition pieces where the creator’s identity is evident. The associated gallery space, Now Idea, hosts various exhibitions and projects related to books and artists.

Furthermore, Utrecht is involved in art-related activities, such as book selections and direction for apparel shops, as well as co-hosting the largest art book fair in Japan, the “Tokyo Art Book Fair.”

Blum

Blum & Poe was established in 1994 on the West Coast of the United States in Santa Monica. In the early 1990s, Tim Blum’s strong interest in contemporary Japanese art, gained through his experiences as a dealer and curator in Tokyo, led the gallery to actively plan exhibitions in Japan, Korea, and Europe from within the United States. Blum serves as the Tokyo branch of an international gallery, and one can expect exhibition planning at an international level.

Mentioning other fantastic galleries conducting ambitious international projects in the Omotesando-Harajuku area, Director Marie Imai expressed, “In the future, we hope to contribute to uplifting the community together through collaborative events.” This signals the anticipation of new developments in the community.

Nanzuka Underground

Nanzuka Underground, which opened in Shibuya 2-chome in 2005, underwent relocations and consolidations in Shirogane and Shibuya. In June 2021, it reopened in Jingumae 3-chome. The distinctive exterior, appearing as if it had emerged from underground to the surface, was customized by Tetsuya Nakamura, who painted the exterior walls, and the gallery logo was designed by Hajime Sorayama.

Nanzuka Underground has evolved from an experimental project gallery aiming to connect pop culture with contemporary art. Even after going through the “Nanzuka” era and returning to the original name of the gallery, the commitment to transcending the boundaries of the current art scene and context remains unchanged, regardless of the changes in the flagship gallery’s location and building.

The gallery collaborates with artists who cross the boundaries between illustration and art, such as Keiichi Tanaami, Hajime Sorayama, and Harumi Yamaguchi, as well as emerging artists from both Japan and abroad, like Masato Mori, Haroshi, Daniel Arsham, Hiroki Tsukuda, and Todd James.

Maho Kubota Gallery

Maho Kubota Gallery is a contemporary art gallery that opened in 2016. The gallery focuses on artists who address gender issues and explore philosophical questions such as “What is the world?” It also emphasizes artists who practice a cognitive psychology approach in their art.

The staff mentioned, “We aim to create an open experimental space where people can experience art in their daily lives and explore how living with art can lead to enriching chemical reactions in life. Through exhibitions featuring outstanding artists from both Japan and abroad, we hope to create an environment where the memories of the art persist strongly even after viewing, becoming catalysts for individual thoughts and explorations.” Some of the represented artists include Kentaro Kobuke, Shinji Ogawa, Midori Harima, Yuki Murai, Atsushi Kaga, and Julian Opie.

Eukaryote

Eukaryote gallery was established in 2018 by members of the Sezon Art Gallery (closed in 2017). The gallery name “eukaryote” is Latin for “those with a real nucleus,” emphasizing works and artists that possess “essence” as a universal value.

When asked about the charm of the Omotesando-Harajuku area, Director Ryo Suzuki responded, “The interesting thing about the Jingumae area is the unintentional and spontaneous increase in art spaces.”

The gallery represents artists such as Ryo Kikuchi, Bo Yang, Yuasa Eboshi, Junya Ogawa, Haruna Shinagawa, Naohiro Takahashi, Gensho Sugahara, Dan Isomura, Taishi Hatayama, Rintaro Umino, Keisuke Katsuki, Soichi Yamaguchi, and Kazuto Ishikawa, among others. A notable characteristic of Eukaryote is that both the artists and gallerists are predominantly from the generation born in the 1980s and 1990s.

Watari-um, The Watari Museum of Contemporary Art

Lastly, let’s visit Watari-um, The Watari Museum of Contemporary Art, which opened in 1990 and celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2020. Designed by Swiss architect Mario Botta, the museum is built on a triangular plot. The exterior, adorned with black stripes on concrete, possesses the dignity of a landmark that shapes the scenery of this area.

While exhibiting works by international artists such as Nam June Paik and Joseph Beuys, the museum has also collaborated with emerging artists from Japan and the Asian region, contributing to supporting and promoting Japan’s art scene. In addition to exhibitions, the museum offers a rich program of publicly accessible lectures and events.

The collection includes works by artists such as Cai Guo-Qiang, Donald Judd, Tsuyoshi Ozawa, Yoko Ono, Andy Warhol, On Kawara, Koji Abe, Niki de Saint Phalle, René Magritte, and Man Ray.

In addition, the Omotesando and Harajuku area has unique art museums and galleries, such as the Nezu Museum, with an impressive Japanese garden, and the Ota Memorial Museum of Art, specializing in ukiyo-e (woodblock prints). Why not take a break and visit these distinctive art spaces in the lively Omotesando and Harajuku areas?