Art galleries will gather at Hibiya OKUROJI, an elevated passageway hidden behind Hibiya, to present an art fair not bound by existing formats.

Named after its location in the heart of Tokyo’s Hibiya/Ginza district, Hibiya OKUROJI is a 300-meter-long facility that runs under the elevated railroad bridges of JR East (Yamanote, Keihin-Tohoku, and Tokaido lines) and JR Tokai (Shinkansen). The iconic brick arches, built in 1910 (Meiji 43) under the guidance of German engineers and modeled after the viaducts in Berlin, are still in use and support the daily operation of the railroads.

The location, which does not belong to any of the unique districts of Ginza, Yurakucho, Hibiya, or Shinbashi, but has the potential to become a node in each area and supports the daily transportation network while retaining its 113-year history, makes it the perfect platform of contemporary art.

Aiming to provide a place where the interest in contemporary art can be communicated without barriers, gallery tours will be held twice a day, where visitors can listen to explanations in the gallerist’s own words. The “Emerging” section will introduce the next generation of expression, including newly independent gallerists who do not have gallery space, and staff of existing galleries who are directing under their own names. In addition, in response to the unique lineup of restaurants at Hibiya Okuroji, a “mobile tea room” will be set up during the exhibition period to allow visitors to enjoy a casual tea ceremony experience.

The event will be held during the same period as the Art Fair Tokyo and can be accessed on foot from the Tokyo International Forum. We warmly look forward to welcoming all to this new art fair which, as the official copy of Hibiya OKUROJI says, gives you “a sense of excitement that will make connoisseurs want to search for something and a sense of secret hiding places with deep commitment and 100 years of history.”