Known for Creativity and Culture: Explore Japan’s Oldest Art Gallery at Shiseido Gallery in Ginza
Discover a world of elegance, culture, and imagination at the Shiseido Gallery, Japan’s oldest art gallery that has been a leader in promoting innovative artistic talents and ideas since 1919. Located in the heart of Tokyo’s dynamic Ginza district, this non-profit gallery, owned by the world-renowned cosmetics company Shiseido, is a haven for both art enthusiasts and curious tourists.
For over a century, the gallery has been a vital part of the Japanese art scene, offering a platform for more than 3,100 artists, many of whom have emerged as significant figures in Japanese art. In the 1990s, the gallery’s focus shifted to contemporary art, showcasing the distinctive blend of avant-garde contemporaneity and simple purity that characterised the era.
In 2001, the gallery found a new home in the underground level of the Tokyo Ginza Shiseido Building, featuring a five-meter ceiling, making it the tallest exhibition hall in the district. Since then, it has become a premier exhibition venue, attracting domestic and foreign artists alike.
The gallery’s collection features striking contemporary art by both Japanese and international artists, celebrating the elegance and culture of creativity. The shiseido art egg competition is one of the highlights of Shiseido Gallery, displaying the work of emerging artists. The gallery also hosts Tsubaki-kai, a group exhibition of established artists, as well as artist talks, workshops, and online content.
Housed in the basement of the iconic Shiseido Building, a historic landmark designed by Shinichiro Okada in 1937, the gallery’s elegant interior with white walls and wooden floors provides a perfect contrast to the building’s striking red-brick façade and clock tower.
Admission to the gallery is free, and it’s open until 7 pm on weekdays and 6 pm on weekends and holidays. To get there, take the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, Marunouchi Line, or Hibiya Line to Ginza Station and exit at A12 or B6, or the JR Yamanote Line or Keihin-Tohoku Line to Yurakucho Station and exit at Ginza Exit. It’s just a short walk from either station.
Shiseido Gallery has played a significant role in the development of modern and contemporary art in Japan and beyond, fostering a dialogue between art and society that aligns with Shiseido’s philosophy of creating beauty through harmony. Don’t miss the chance to immerse yourself in the vibrant art scene of Ginza and witness the elegance and culture that Shiseido Gallery has to offer.
