[Special]Culture and Art Stroll in Ota City Vol.1　3 selected galleries for easy visits

Art Factory Jonanjima is an art facility located on Jonanjima, an artificial island in Tokyo Bay. This unique space was created in 2014 by transforming a 3,000-square-meter warehouse that was originally used by Toyoko Inn Co., Ltd.



The facility is provided by Toyoko Inn as part of its social contribution efforts to promote art and culture. Operated by Gallery 1045 Co., Ltd., a member of the Toyoko Inn Group, Art Factory Jonanjima features a striking brick exterior reminiscent of the warehouse art spaces found in Brooklyn, New York, evoking a sense of creative excitement.

A unique art experience

Our first stop was the POP-UP Exhibition, held in the spacious first-floor exhibition hall. During our visit, works by contemporary artist Kimiyo Mishima (1932-2024) were on display.

At first glance, this exhibit appeared to be a metal basket filled with empty cans.



However, these were actually ceramic works. Mishima used a printmaking technique combined with hand-painting to achieve an incredibly realistic texture.



Another of her works on display, was also made entirely of ceramic.

Mishima was renowned for her innovative pieces that used everyday objects like newspapers, cardboard, and cans as motifs. Initially focusing on flat works such as collages, she transitioned to three-dimensional creations after being inspired by a rolled-up newspaper in her workspace.


Her ceramic works featuring stacked newspapers, demonstrate her distinctive style.
Mishima often explored themes of waste and media saturation, expressing her concerns about society’s overwhelming flow of information and environmental issues. Her choice to use fragile ceramic material heightened these messages.

Over time, her artistic expression evolved into large-scale installations. One particularly memorable piece, presents towering stacks of polyester newspapers.



Visitors can navigate the maze-like structure, encountering forks in the path and dead ends. Dim lighting and scattered bulbs create an eerie yet captivating atmosphere, evoking the feeling of being lost in a labyrinth of information.

The POP-UP Exhibition continues to showcase diverse works by various artists.
*For details on upcoming exhibitions, please contact the facility directly.

Next, we visited the Japanese Paper “Edo” Installation, a permanent exhibit on the third floor.

Here, iconic ukiyo-e prints by renowned Edo period artists like Katsushika Hokusai, Utagawa Hiroshige, and Kitagawa Utamaro are displayed as enlarged prints on washi paper. These enlarged reproductions allow visitors to appreciate intricate details that may go unnoticed in the original-sized artwork.

For example, Utagawa Hiroshige’s One Hundred Famous Views of Edo: Asakusa Rice Fields and Torinomachi Festival (Reproduction) depicts a cat gazing out from a window with vertical slats in the Yoshiwara red-light district.



The following photo shows the enlarged image printed on a huge piece of washi paper like a tapestry.



What we want you to pay attention to are the figures depicted outside the window.



In fact, the cat’s gaze is hidden by the bustle of people heading to the shrine’s Torinoichi festival. The delicate depiction is so subtle that it would be overlooked in the original size, showing the high level of skill of the carvers at the time.

Another enlarged print, Utagawa Kuniyasu’s Prosperity of the Fish Market at Nihon-bashi, brings the bustling Edo marketplace to life.



The vivid details of craftsmen at work, women returning from the bathhouse, and samurai strolling the streets are far more immersive in the larger format.



When enlarged, ukiyo-e prints take on even greater depth and vibrancy. Be sure to visit and imagine what life was like in Edo through these intricate works.

To support artists’ creative activities, Art Factory Jonanjima offers dedicated production and processing studios. Currently, about 20 groups of painters and sculptors actively create in these spaces.

For many artists, securing a suitable workspace is a major challenge. To address this, the facility provides studio space at a discounted rate with a three-year usage limit.

During our visit, we were given a special tour of the studio area.


Individual production booths (top photo) and a shared processing space for crafting three-dimensional works (bottom photo)
At the time of our visit, resident artist and oil painter Misato Nonaka was holding an exhibition titled Inochi no Shikisai, Tsunagaru Fukei (Colors of Life, Connected Landscapes).

Nonaka’s captivating works blend colors and shapes to create dreamlike, interconnected scenes—a beautiful reflection of her artistic vision.



ART FACTORY Jonanjima regularly hosts exhibitions featuring resident artists’ creations. Be sure to visit and experience these inspiring displays filled with creative energy.

Located on a spacious 1,322m² plot in a quiet residential area of Denenchofu, Mizoe Art Gallery, Tokyo Denenchofu offers a serene space to enjoy art.

Operated by the Mizoe Group, a company specializing in architecture and housing design, this gallery has been hosting special exhibitions for over a decade.

The unique Japanese-style house provides a peaceful environment where visitors can appreciate artworks illuminated by natural light, giving them a distinct ambiance compared to typical gallery displays.


*Exhibits may vary depending on the time of your visit.

Step into TEAL GREEN in Seed Village, a bookstore filled with warmth and charm. Specializing in picture books and children’s literature from Japan and abroad, this cozy store houses around 4,000 carefully selected titles.

Unlike traditional bookstores, TEAL GREEN avoids stacking books flat, encouraging visitors to discover hidden gems alongside popular titles. This thoughtful curation creates an inviting space where both children and adults can rediscover the joy of storytelling.

The owner of this shop is Yumiko Tanemura, who discovered her love for picture books while raising her four children. Inspired by their charm, she took over the shop from its previous owner. The shop also hosts exhibitions of original picture book illustrations, storytelling sessions, and craft workshops.

At the back of the shop, you’ll find a cozy tea room with seating for ten. Here, you can unwind with tea, coffee, and cookies while enjoying a peaceful view of the courtyard.

This charming spot is perfect for families with children, as well as anyone looking for a special book for themselves or as a thoughtful gift.

Ota City is full of cultural and artistic gems waiting to be discovered in everyday life. Why not visit a place where you can enjoy such a rich and fulfilling experience?

Ota City promotion website “Unique Ota” delivers information about the appeal of Ota City with the keywords “a town where you can encounter unique locations unlike anywhere else, which can only be found in Ota City.”

We encourage you to dig deep to find the contents you are interested in. Check back soon for the next edition!