KYOTOGRAPHIE
KYOTOGRAPHIE has evolved over the last 11 years as an anticipated annual art and cultural event. Unique scenography is a signature of the festival, with exhibitions at home in modern and historic venues highlighting the beauty of Kyoto.
Mabel Poblet, WANDERING, 2022; Artwork photo courtesy of Alejandro Gonzales
KYOTOGRAPHIE, held in the spring in the ancient city of Kyoto, is one of the few truly international artistic events. It hosts the works of international artists uniquely staged in traditional and contemporary settings of Kyoto. Beyond the art exhibited, KYOTOGRAPHIE promotes opportunities and connections between all ages, cultures, and backgrounds.
The festival was launched in 2013 by Lucille Reyboz (French) and Yusuke Nakanishi (Japanese). They settled in Kyoto after the 2011 earthquake and the resulting Fukushima disaster. KYOTOGRAPHIE was created to connect people, value photography, and support Japanese photographers. Using Kyoto’s history and beauty as a platform, the exhibitions are a tool to encourage encounters and to open photography and the themes explored to the broader community.
“Life inhabits and defends various borders. These lines shape our existence and frame our experience; they protect, destroy, discriminate, and differentiate life in all forms. Human instinct pushes us to evolve, face new frontiers and create new territories. This innate desire to differentiate and break boundaries is a powerful force in nature and essential to survival. In 2023, we seek out
these borders, identified as physical, temporary, transient, or transparent.”
Lucille Reyboz & Yusuke Nakanishi
Co-founders and Co-Directors of KYOTOGRAPHIE
© Isabel Muñoz
© Gak Yamada
Valuable collections of photography and works by internationally renowned artists are exhibited in elegant, historic buildings and modern architectural spaces. Some shows feature the work of traditional artisans, while others highlight modern collaborations and new approaches to design.
The goal is to present a multifaceted photography festival that can only be found in Kyoto. Annually the festival is presented with a theme. In 2023, 15 exhibitions and 19 venues explore the theme BORDER.
KYOTOPHONIE SPRING EDITION
Every weekend and over Golden Week, between April 15 to May 14 At various locations in Kyoto City
Anew international music festival, KYOTOPHONIE, will be launched this spring as a natural progression of its successful sister event KYOTOGRAPHIE. KYOTOPHONIE is a vehicle for connection, conversation, and experience through meaningful and vibrant events. KYOTOPHONIE harmonizes itself in the city of Kyoto — uniting its history, future, and aspirations.
Like KYOTOGRAPHIE, KYOTOPHONIE will support and involve the local community and create new opportunities for local artists to collaborate with international professionals and vice versa. The Spring sessions of KYOTOPHONIE bring people together to experience music not commonly available ‘live’in Japan. In most cases, they will perform in formats crafted especially for the Kyoto audience and venues - some developing premier pieces to be shown first in KYOTOPHONIE and only accessed in Kyoto.
For more information about ticket purchases, artist/musician information, venues, and more, visit their website: