Facilities

The Setouchi Triennale is a contemporary art festival that began in 2010. It is held once every three years on the islands of the Seto Inland Sea, and is divided into three seasons (spring, summer, and fall) over a period of approximately 100 days, allowing visitors to experience the beauty of the Seto Inland Sea in each season. Approximately 1 million people from Japan and abroad visit the Triennale, making it one of Japan's leading international art festivals. Under the theme of ""Restoration of the Sea,"" visitors use art as a guide as they tour the islands and interact with artists, local residents, and volunteer supporters. In doing so, visitors get the chance to experience not only beautiful scenery and nature, but also island culture, and the lifestyle of the Seto Inland region. This style of art festival is one that resonates with many people, both in Japan and abroad. The Setouchi Triennale has also been featured in prominent magazines around the world, garnering attention from the world’s tourism industry. The Seto Inland Sea has been a vital transportation route since ancient times. Ships plying its waters stopped at different islands where their crew passed along the latest cultural and lifestyle trends. The distinctive local cultures that emerged through such interactions can still be found today. The islands’ unique identities, however, are being eroded by the shrinking and aging of their populations and the region’s diminishing vitality which have accompanied the acceleration of globalization, optimization and homogenization. Through the Setouchi Triennale, we aim to revitalize island communities that once thrived within the spectacular setting of the Seto Inland Sea, a nexus of trade and cultural exchange, and transform this region into a Sea of Hope for the world.