The beginning of 2026 marks the continuation of cultural exchanges between Italy and Japan. Design , Ancient Rome, contemporary artists, manga and opera , a rich and diverse universe of exhibitions and concert showing mutual appreciation and understanding between the two countries.

Exhibitions

Learning from Design Maestros

Where: 21_21 Design Sight (Tokyo)
When: December 13 2025 – March 8 2026
Price: Adults ￥1600 (reductions available)
Link: https://www.2121designsight.jp/en/

Johannes Bosisio “Afterlight”

Where: 104Galerie (Tokyo)
When: 2025 – January 24 2026
Price: Free
Link: https://104galerie.com/en/exhibitions/afterlight/

The world of YAMAZAKI Mali

Where: Museum “Eki” Kyoto (Kyoto)
When: February 21 – March 30
Price: Adults ￥1,100 (reductions available)
Link: https://www.mistore.jp.e.az.hp.transer.com/store/kyoto/museum/event_list/event14.html

Ritratto/Autoritratto dell’Italia Contemporanea dall’Archivio Acta International

Where: Istituto Italiano di Cultura (Tokyo)
When: January 24 – February 19
Price: Free
Link: https://www.mistore.jp.e.az.hp.transer.com/store/kyoto/museum/event_list/event14.html

Concerts

Rigoletto

Music by Giuseppe Verdi
Sung in Italian with English and Japanese surtitles
Conductor: Daniele CALLEGARI

Where: The National Theatre Tokyo (Tokyo)
When: February 18 – March 1
Price: Adults ￥1,650 – 29,700
Link:https://www.nntt.jac.go.jp/english/productions/opera/rigoletto.html

Don Giovanni

Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Sung in Italian with English and Japanese surtitles
Conductor: IIMORI Norichika
Italians in cast and creative team

Where: The National Theatre Tokyo (Tokyo)
When: March 5 – March 12
Price: Adults ￥1,650 – 26,400
Link:https://www.nntt.jac.go.jp/english/productions/opera/dongiovanni.html

La Traviata

Music by Giuseppe Verdi
Sung in Italian with English and Japanese surtitles
Conductor: Leo HUSSAIN
Italians in cast and creative team

Where: The National Theatre Tokyo (Tokyo)
When: April 2 – April 12
Price: Adults ￥NA
Link:https://www.nntt.jac.go.jp/english/productions/opera/latraviata.html

L’elisir d’amore

Music by Gaetano Donizetti
Sung in Italian with Japanese and English supertitles
Conductor: Sebastiano ROLLI
Italians in cast

Where: ROHM Theatre Kyoto (Kyoto)
When: January 18
Price: Adults ￥3,000 – 13,000
Link:https://rohmtheatrekyoto.jp/en/event/134534/

Cavalleria Rusticana / Pagliacci

Music by Pietro Mascagni / Ruggero Leoncavallo
Sung in Italian with Japanese (and English) supertitles
Conductor: Andrea BATTISTONI
Italians in creative team

Where: Tokyo Bunka Kaikan (Tokyo)
When: February 12 – February 15
Price: Adults ￥10,000 – 21,000
Link:https://nikikai.jp/en/lineup/cava_pagli2026/

Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra
Subscription Concert No. 1032

Music by Brahms, Rimsky-Korsakov, Respighi
Conductor: Daniele RUSTIONI
Violin: Francesca DEGO

Where: Suntory Hall (Tokyo)
When: January 15
Price: Adults ￥3,500 – 7,500
Link:https://www.suntory.com/culture-sports/suntoryhall/schedule/detail/20260115_M_3.html

Movies

Modi：Three Days on the Wing of Madness

Director: Johnny Depp
Starring: Riccardo Scamarcio, Al Pacino

Where: TOHO Cinemas
When: From January 16
Price: NA
Link: https://longride.jp/lineup/modi/