Niigata Attractions｜"Humanity is in Nature" is held every three years - Echigo-Tsumari Land Art Festival

#exhibition "Echigo-Tsumari" is not the official name on the map. It comes from the ancient Japanese place name "Echigo-kun, Tsumari-so". Today it refers to Tokamachi City and Tsunan Town in southern Niigata Prefecture. Due to the rapid economic growth of Japan after the war, the population gradually emigrated to cities. Problems such as aging, empty houses, abandoned schools, abandoned farmland, etc. have profoundly affected the Echigo-Tsumari area. Faced with this situation, the Land Art Festival, which was launched with the goal of revitalizing the place, began to bring a new breath to Echigo-Tsumari. Since 2000, it has been held every three years in Echigo-Tsumari and is the world's largest international outdoor art season. With the concept of "human beings are in nature" and the goal of local redevelopment, we use art as a bridge and farmland as a stage to connect people and nature, and explore the inheritance and development of regional culture, explore the value contained in the place, and unleash the potential of the place. The charm revitalizes the agricultural areas that have become increasingly declining and aging in the process of modernization. The artistic works are scattered across a vast land of 760 square kilometers. Exhibition time: July 13th to November 10th, 2024 (closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays) Opening hours: 10:00~17:00 (10:00~16:00 in October and November) Transportation guide: Take the JR Joetsu Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Echigo-Yuzawa Station, which takes 1 hour and 20 minutes. Then transfer to the local train "HOKUHOKU LINE" to Tokamachi Station, which takes 40 minutes. There are not many flights on the North-North Line, so be sure to check the timetable, otherwise you will spend a lot of time waiting. Itinerary guide: It is recommended to arrange at least three days to visit. If you can drive yourself, it is the most convenient way to reach each exhibition venue. If it is less than three days or you mainly take the train, it is recommended to focus on Tokamachi Station and pick a few favorite exhibitions. Near Tokamachi Station is the Satoyama Museum of Modern Art, which was established as the base of the "Land Art Festival". The most distinctive feature of the museum is the large pond surrounded by the central corridor and the highlight of the museum. The "Farm Stage" next to Matsushiro Station is not only a highlight of the building itself, but it was also chosen for the work "Tanabata". There are dozens of art works around it, including Yayoi Kusama's "Blooming Flowers Tsumari". If you still have time, go to the "Forest School" in the Matsunoyama area. These three areas are the main exhibition areas. Several major exhibition venues require tickets to enter, so you can purchase the "Echigo-Tsumari Land Art Season Passport" in advance. If you don’t want to study the itinerary, you can take a local half-day or one-day guided tour. There is a special tour guide, but unfortunately it is only in Japanese at the moment. This is a well-known art festival. In addition to local Japanese creators, there are also works by artists from all over the world. Some are hidden in the mountains. It is recommended to travel lightly, not to carry too much luggage, and a pair of good sneakers. #Echigo Tsumari#Echigo Tsumari Land Art Festival#Art Festival#Niigata#Tukamachi#Matsudai#Satoyama Modern Art Museum#Agriculture Stage#Forest School#Tanata#Chongjin Canyon Tunnel#Light Tunnel#Kusama Yayoi# Flower Blossom Wife has #100 Ways to Travel# exhibition