Setouchi Industrial Arts Festival 2026 to Hold First Event in October; Seven Operating Factories in Okayama and Ehime Become Venues; Kazuya Oshima, Yuko Hasegawa, and Others Supervise
The Setouchi Industrial Arts Festival 2026 will debut in October across seven factories in Okayama and Ehime, featuring supervision by Kazuya Oshima and Yuko Hasegawa.Summary
The Setouchi Industrial Arts Festival 2026, organized by the Japan Industrial Arts Foundation, will debut from October 3 to 31 at seven operating factories and plants in Okayama and Ehime. The venues span diverse industries—including salt production, school uniforms, denim, shipbuilding, battery storage, and resource recycling—highlighting the festival’s unique focus on active industrial sites rather than heritage sites. The concept, supported by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s “Regional New Legacy Formation Project,” evolved after a 2025 pilot tour in Tamano City. Executive Director Masahiro Ito noted the four-year preparation period, trials, and extensive discussions that led to the launch. Architect Kazuya Oshima, a council member, emphasized the historical and ongoing connection of the Setouchi Sea region to the festival’s theme, aiming to showcase continuity through this event.
(Source：Tokyo Art Beat)