Name: Echigo-Tsumari Art Field Winter “SNOWART” 2026
Start: 2026-01-24T10:00+09:00
End: 2026-03-08T17:00+09:00
Location: Echigo-Tsumari

Last Updated on March 5, 2026

The Echigo-Tsumari region of Niigata Prefecture is preparing to host the 2026 edition of its annual winter art festival, known as SNOWART, which invites visitors to explore a landscape transformed by heavy snowfall.

This seasonal event serves as a vital component of the area’s year-round cultural calendar, bridging the gap between the major triennial festivals with a focus on the unique relationship between the local community and its harsh environment.

Central to the festivities is the Echigo-Tsumari Satoyama Museum of Contemporary Art, KINARE, which will showcase several immersive installations including Leandro Erlich’s optical illusion piece Tunnel and Carlos Garaicoa’s Fuyu, a work reflecting on the impact of regional earthquakes.

The museum also features the Ghost Satellites installation by Gerda Steiner and Jörg Lenzlinger, which utilizes repurposed farming tools to highlight the heritage of abandoned local homes.

Cultural history takes center stage at the Matsudai History Museum, a 140-year-old traditional residence where guests can participate in the Yukimigozen dining experience, featuring authentic mountain cuisine served by local residents.

The festival program includes the Gift for Frozen Village, a major light and firework display designed by Takahashi Kyota that will illuminate the snowy slopes with approximately 35,000 LED bulbs.

Nature and architecture merge at the Kiyotsu Gorge Tunnel, where Ma Yansong’s Tunnel of Light offers visitors a series of artistic viewing points overlooking the volcanic rock formations and blue waters of the gorge.

Founded by Fram Kitagawa to revitalize a region facing population decline and the aftermath of the 2004 Chuetsu earthquake, the project continues to support community development through international art projects.

Travelers can reach the festival via the JR Joetsu Shinkansen from Tokyo to Echigo-Yuzawa Station followed by a local connection on the Hokuhoku Line to Tokamachi Station.

Additional transportation options include a three-hour drive from the capital or highway bus services that connect to the local transit network near Muikamachi.