Maebashi is quietly becoming one of Japan’s most creative cities

THE FIRST MAEBASHI BIENNALE 

The inaugural Maebashi Biennale will run from Sep 19 to Dec 20, 2026, bringing art, design, food and cultural programmes to venues across the city. These will include waterfront sites, restaurants and cafes, disused public facilities, historic silk mills and established art spaces.

The biennale takes its theme, “Mebuku: Where Good Things Grow”, from Maebashi’s wider regeneration vision. Tanaka serves as executive producer and chair of the executive committee, while programme director Takenori Miyamoto is overseeing a presentation of works by more than 70 artists and groups. Among them are teamLab, which will create a site-specific digital installation on the waterfront, and photographer and filmmaker Mika Ninagawa, who will collaborate with creative collective EiM on a project presented by Hauser & Wirth. Martin Margiela is also expected to show new work at Arts Maebashi and Maebashi Galleria.

Shiroiya Hotel will participate through Art Illumination, its annual winter programme launched in 2021. Artist and picture-book author mirocomachiko will present Putting Down Roots in the Air in the Green Tower, responding to the biennale’s theme of growth. “Mebuku” means “to bud” or “to sprout”.

The event will put Maebashi on the global stage as an art and design destination outside of Tokyo. Its hard work of sustainable cultural and urban regeneration will also be showcase to new audiences, and the once-dying town will once again be filled with people. 

HOW TO GET TO MAEBASHI

By train: From Tokyo Station, take the Joetsu or Hokuriku Shinkansen to Takasaki Station, a journey of about one hour. Transfer to the JR Ryomo Line for Maebashi Station, about 15 minutes away. Shiroiya Hotel is approximately a 15-minute walk from the station.

By car: The drive from Haneda Airport to central Maebashi takes about two hours, depending on traffic.