Echigo Tsumari Art

Every three years there is the Echigo Tsumari Art Festival. Artists from around the world are invited to contribute with the aim of revitalizing the region. Anywhere is fair game for an installation with the outdoors, old buildings, town streets and schools hosting works of art.

The next big year is 2012 but this summer there is plenty on display with 160 works of art dotted around the region that can be viewed as well as festivals held in the different towns in the Tokamachi and Tsunan regions.

That's a lot of art to see but if you are looking for a quick taster, there is a handy beginners guide put together by the organizers that takes you round a few different routes.