We offer private, curator-led art experiences designed for culturally engaged luxury travelers seeking depth, discretion, and authenticity in Japan.
Rather than sightseeing, our programs focus on context — connecting contemporary art, architecture, and everyday life through thoughtful conversation and carefully selected spaces.
Experiences are led by internationally experienced art professionals and tailored for private clients, couples, and small groups.
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE
Kiyosumi-Shirakawa: Contemporary Art & Local Life
Kiyosumi-Shirakawa is one of Tokyo’s most quietly creative neighborhoods — a former warehouse district transformed into a hub for artists, galleries, architects, and independent cafés.
This private experience explores the area through selected contemporary art spaces and the surrounding urban fabric, offering insight into why this district became a center for creative activity.
The pace is relaxed and flexible, allowing for conversation, questions, and reflection. Each experience is shaped by guest interests and availability, ensuring no two visits are exactly the same.
This is not a guided tour, but a curated cultural dialogue.
EXTENSIONS
Naoshima & the Setouchi Region
For guests seeking to deepen their experience beyond Tokyo, we also offer curator-led programs in Naoshima and the Setouchi region.
These experiences are supported by a bilingual team with long-term gallery experience and local knowledge, ideal for repeat visitors to Japan or those interested in contemporary art in rural contexts.
Naoshima & Kurashiki: Art, Water, and the Rhythm of Japan
This private extension is designed as a natural counterpoint to the Naoshima art experience.
While Naoshima offers an intensive engagement with contemporary art and architecture, Kurashiki introduces a slower, more tactile rhythm through water, historical streets, and everyday life.
Rather than additional museum visits, Kurashiki is approached as a place to recalibrate — featuring a quiet river experience and a curated walk through the town during low-traffic hours.
Led by art professionals with long-term local experience in the Okayama region, this extension is particularly suited for travelers who have already absorbed a high volume of visual information and are seeking reflection rather than stimulation.
Kurashiki is positioned not as a sightseeing stop, but as a deliberate pause that allows the Naoshima experience to settle, making the overall journey more balanced, memorable, and personal.
WHO LEADS THE EXPERIENCE
Kana Kawanishi
Kana Kawanishi is a Tokyo-based gallerist, curator, and editor with over 20 years of experience bridging Japanese and Western contemporary art worlds.
Raised in London with exchange studies in New York, she has operated a contemporary art gallery in Tokyo for over a decade and has worked as an editor with Rizzoli for 20 years.
She has lived in Kiyosumi-Shirakawa for 10 years and was named by artnet News as one of the “7 Power Players Leading the Tokyo Art Scene.”
Kana has worked with leading destination management companies, including rogy and TOKI.
Team Continuity
When Kana is unavailable, experiences may be led by a senior bilingual curator from her team, ensuring continuity in quality, tone, and approach.
PRACTICAL DETAILS
Format: Private experience
Duration: 2.5–3 hours (Tokyo)
Group Size: 1–4 guests
Language: English
Location: Kiyosumi-Shirakawa, Tokyo
Extensions: Naoshima & Setouchi region available
*Exact venues vary depending on availability and guest interests.
FAQ
Q. Is this a guided tour?
No. This experience is not a conventional guided tour, but a curator-led cultural encounter.
Rather than following a fixed script or checklist, the experience is conversation-driven, focusing on context, ideas, and connections between contemporary art, architecture, and everyday life.
Q. What language is the experience offered in?
The primary language is English.
Additional language support may be available upon request, depending on scheduling and location.
Q. Is the experience suitable for senior guests or those with limited mobility?
The walking pace is generally relaxed, and the area is mostly flat.
Please advise in advance if there are specific mobility considerations so adjustments can be made where possible.
Q. Do you offer experiences outside Tokyo?
Yes.
Curator-led experiences in Naoshima and the Setouchi region are available as extensions, supported by a bilingual team with long-term local gallery experience.
Q. Who leads the experience?
Experiences are led by Kana Kawanishi, a Tokyo-based gallerist, curator, and editor with over 20 years of international experience.
When Kana is unavailable, the experience may be led by a senior bilingual curator from her team, trained to deliver the same tone, depth, and approach.
Q. What locations are visited?
The core experience takes place in Kiyosumi-Shirakawa, Tokyo.
Venues may include contemporary art galleries, architectural sites, and local spaces relevant to the area’s creative history.
Exact venues vary depending on availability and guest interests.
Q. Is the experience commercial or sales-oriented?
The experience is non-commercial in tone and does not involve sales or obligations to purchase artwork.
Guests interested in further discussion about collecting or the Japanese art market may ask questions informally.
Q. How far in advance should bookings be made?
Advance booking is strongly recommended, particularly for peak travel seasons and weekends.
Availability is limited to ensure quality and privacy.
Q. How private is the experience?
All experiences are fully private and designed for individual clients or small groups only.
There are no shared groups, and pacing can be adjusted to suit guest preferences, energy levels, and interests.
Q. Can specific galleries or artists be requested?
Guest interests are always considered; however, specific venues or artists cannot be guaranteed.
This allows the experience to remain flexible, current, and responsive to the evolving art landscape.
Q. Are food or drinks included?
Food and drinks are not included by default.
A curated café stop may be suggested as part of the experience, with costs paid directly by guests.
Q. What is the cancellation policy?
Cancellation terms vary depending on scheduling and location.
Details will be provided at the time of confirmation.
Q. How many guests can join?
Experiences are designed for 1–4 guests per group. For larger private groups, arrangements may be considered upon request.
Q. Is this experience suitable for first-time visitors to Tokyo?
Yes.
The experience is designed to complement first-time visits by offering cultural depth without requiring prior knowledge of Japanese art or history.
Q. Can the experience be customized?
Yes.
While the overall structure remains consistent, pacing, thematic focus, and depth of discussion can be adjusted to suit guest interests.
Q. How can we make an inquiry or booking?
For inquiries or collaboration requests, please contact us directly or through your preferred travel advisor or destination management company.
CONTACT US
Each experience is designed to feel personal, unhurried, and intellectually engaging — offering access not just to places, but to perspective.
For inquiries or collaborations, please contact us through the form below, or email us at curation [at] kanakawanishi.com.