KYOTOGRAPHIE 2026: Exploring the “EDGE” of Photography
© Fatma Hassona
The city of Kyoto will once again transform into a vast gallery during KYOTOGRAPHIE International Photography Festival, one of Asia’s leading photography events. The 2026 edition will feature 16 exhibitions across 17 venues, including several newly added locations, along with masterclasses, portfolio reviews, and a wide range of satellite programs.
Founded in 2013 by photographer Lucille Reyboz and lighting artist Yusuke Nakanishi, KYOTOGRAPHIE was created to connect Japanese and international photography communities while showcasing the city’s rich cultural landscape. One of the festival’s distinctive features is its use of diverse exhibition spaces—from historic machiya townhouses and temples to modern museums—allowing photography to interact with Kyoto’s unique architectural heritage.
What I Do To Please You I Do, 1981-2008; Courtesy of the artist and Modern Art © Linder
The theme for 2026 is “EDGE.” The concept explores the idea of boundaries—physical, social, and psychological. An edge might suggest the tension of a cliffside, the instability of life on the margins, or a turning point in times of conflict and change. Photography itself has long existed on such edges, balancing between documentation and artistic expression, truth and interpretation.
One major highlight is “South Africa In Focus,” which brings together three generations of South African artists. Their exhibitions offer a compelling perspective on the country’s visual history, while a special photobook display curated by Sean O’Toole provides deeper cultural and political context.
Beyond the exhibitions, KYOTOGRAPHIE also hosts talks, workshops, and participatory events across the city, making Kyoto itself a vibrant classroom for photography. For visitors exploring Kyoto in spring, the festival offers a rare opportunity to see how contemporary photography engages with the city’s timeless surroundings.
Learn more about event details, tickets, schedules and more: https://www.kyotographie.jp