A conversation can change how you see art.

On October 9, I visited MEET YOUR ART FESTIVAL 2026 in Tennozu at the invitation of Ms. Shikata, Digital Marketing Manager at ENGAWA, publisher of Tokyo Weekender.

With Avex among the organisers, music was a memorable part of the atmosphere. At dusk, Tetsuya Komuro performed at the DJ booth against a backdrop of digital art on screen, filling the venue with energy. Along the canal walk, stalls offered artistic objects, playful goods and charming little finds. The waterfront had become a lively celebration of art—somewhere to linger, explore and enjoy.

I met emerging artists, including art university students, as well as established practitioners. Being able to ask artists directly about the inspiration behind their work made the experience feel especially personal and accessible.

You do not need to visit galleries regularly to enjoy this festival. A conversation with an artist or their gallery representative can reveal the story behind a work, giving you a way into something that might initially feel unfamiliar. That moment of connection was what stayed with me most.

For me, the festival offered a wonderful example of how art can live beyond the museum and become part of everyday life—even the casual rhythms of street culture. Encountering a work between music, market stalls and a walk along the water makes art feel like something we can live with, rather than something reserved for a special occasion.

If you are in Tokyo this weekend, I encourage you to go. Afterwards, take time for something delicious to eat and a drink beside the water. It is a lovely way to let the day’s discoveries settle.