Tokyo Gendai and Art Collaboration Kyoto Announce 2026 Exhibitor Line-Ups

Japan’s autumn contemporary art season is beginning to take shape with Tokyo Gendai and Art Collaboration Kyoto (ACK) this week unveiling the exhibitor line-ups for their 2026 editions.

Tokyo Gendai returns to Pacifico Yokohama from 11–13 September, with a VIP Preview on 10 September. Now in its fourth edition, the fair continues to position itself as an entry point into Japan’s contemporary art scene for international collectors and galleries. 

Fair director Eri Takane describes Tokyo Gendai as a place where “new connections, collaborations and fruitful conversations” take shape, adding that this year’s programme spans “emerging galleries championing young artists” alongside “well-known industry leaders”.

That ambition is reflected in a programme organised across different stages of artistic practice: Hana (“Flower”) brings together emerging and mid-career artists, while Eda (“Branch”) focuses on established and historically significant figures. New for this year, Miki (“Trunk”) is dedicated to works on paper, photography and printmaking, expanding the fair’s framework to include media with deep roots in Japanese visual culture.

Later in the autumn, ACK returns to Kyoto from 7–9 November, a period when major art events, including Tokyo Art Week, herald a concentration of gallery openings and institutional programmes across Japan.

In the heritage city, the fair continues to centre on its collaboration model, pairing Japanese galleries with invited international counterparts to develop joint presentations. This year’s exhibitor list points to growing international engagement with that format.

Hauser & Wirth will make its debut in partnership with Tokyo’s Taro Nasu, while London’s Carlos/Ishikawa joins Taka Ishii Gallery for its first participation. The arrival of both galleries marks a notable endorsement of ACK’s collaborative approach, which has become increasingly distinctive within the international fair landscape.

That emphasis on collaboration also extends beyond the fair venue. Modern Art and INGLEBY will present an off-site exhibition by Andrew Cranston at Ryosokuin Temple, Kyoto’s oldest Zen temple located in the historic Gion district. The project continues ACK’s practice of embedding contemporary art within Kyoto’s architectural and cultural heritage—offering a markedly different framework from the international market platform that opens Japan’s autumn season in Yokohama.