Spring in Japan is synonymous with cherry blossoms, but the season also marks the launch of some of the year's most ambitious art exhibitions. In 2026, two very different but equally captivating shows anchor the Kanto region's cultural calendar: The World of Pixar Exhibition in central Tokyo and Rene Lalique: Japan-France Kawaii Cultural Exchange in the forested hills of Hakone. Together, they make a compelling case for a spring art pilgrimage that spans digital animation, Art Nouveau glass, and everything in between.
The World of Pixar Exhibition -- Tokyo
Opening March 20 and running through May 31, 2026, The World of Pixar Exhibition at CREVIA BASE Tokyo is a deep dive into the creative process behind some of the most beloved animated films ever made. From Toy Story to Inside Out, from Finding Nemo to Coco, the exhibition reveals the art, technology, and storytelling craft that make Pixar's films resonate across cultures.
This isn't a simple gallery of movie posters. The exhibition features original concept art, character sculptures, storyboard sequences, and interactive installations that let visitors step inside Pixar's creative universe. Color scripts -- the painted guides that map the emotional arc of each film through color -- are particularly stunning to see in person, revealing the meticulous planning behind every frame.
What to expect:
- Original artwork and sketches from Pixar's 30+ year archive
- Life-size character installations and photo opportunities
- Behind-the-scenes looks at the evolution of computer animation technology
- Interactive zones where you can experiment with animation principles
- Limited-edition Pixar merchandise available only at the exhibition
Practical info:
- Venue: CREVIA BASE Tokyo
- Dates: March 20 - May 31, 2026
- Hours: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM (last entry 6:30 PM)
- Tickets: Pre-booking recommended via the official website, especially for weekends
- Tip: Weekday afternoons tend to be less crowded; allow at least 90 minutes
Rene Lalique: Japan-France Kawaii Cultural Exchange -- Hakone
In the lush highlands of Hakone, the Lalique Museum presents a year-long exhibition (March 20 - December 6, 2026) exploring an unexpected cultural thread: the concept of "kawaii" as a bridge between Japanese and French aesthetics. Rene Lalique (1860-1945), the master of Art Nouveau and Art Deco glass and jewelry, was deeply influenced by Japanese art -- and this exhibition traces how that influence flowed both ways.
The show presents Lalique's dragonfly brooches alongside Meiji-era Japanese metalwork, his opalescent glass vases beside traditional Japanese ceramics, and his nature-inspired jewelry designs next to ukiyo-e prints that share the same motifs. The curators argue that the Japanese sense of finding beauty in small, delicate things -- what we now call "kawaii" -- had a profound effect on French decorative arts, and vice versa.
Exhibition highlights:
- Lalique's iconic dragonfly and serpent jewelry pieces, rarely displayed together
- Side-by-side comparisons of Japanese and French decorative arts showing mutual influence
- The museum's permanent Orient Express car -- an actual 1929 Pullman dining car decorated with Lalique glass panels, where you can enjoy tea service
- Seasonal garden views that change with Hakone's spring blooms
Practical info:
- Venue: Hakone Lalique Museum
- Dates: March 20 - December 6, 2026
- Hours: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- Admission: Adults 1,500 yen; Orient Express tea experience is an additional 2,200 yen (advance reservation recommended)
Building Your Art Itinerary: Tokyo + Hakone in 3 Days
These two exhibitions pair beautifully for a spring getaway. Here's a suggested 3-day itinerary that balances art, nature, and relaxation:
Day 1: Pixar & Tokyo Art Scene
Morning: Start at The World of Pixar Exhibition. Arrive when doors open at 10:00 AM to beat the crowds. The exhibition deserves unhurried attention -- plan for at least 2 hours.
Afternoon: Cross the city to the Mori Art Museum in Roppongi Hills for whatever contemporary exhibition is on display. The observation deck offers panoramic Tokyo views. Alternatively, head to the National Art Center, Tokyo -- its undulating glass facade is an artwork in itself.
Evening: Stroll through Roppongi or Aoyama for dinner. The Nezu Museum's garden, if you can catch it before closing, is a spring gem with irises and wisteria.
Day 2: Hakone Art Trail
Morning: Take the Romancecar limited express from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto (85 minutes). Transfer to the Hakone Tozan bus to the Lalique Museum area (about 30 minutes).
Late morning/Afternoon: Explore the Lalique exhibition. Don't miss the Orient Express tea experience -- sipping tea inside a genuine 1929 Pullman car surrounded by Lalique's glass panels is utterly unique. After Lalique, walk to the nearby Hakone Museum of Art for its moss garden and ceramic collection, or take the bus to the Hakone Open-Air Museum, where massive sculptures are set against mountain backdrops.
Evening: Check into a ryokan or hotel with onsen (hot springs). Spring evenings in Hakone are perfect for an outdoor bath surrounded by fresh mountain greenery.
Day 3: Hakone Nature & Return
Morning: Ride the Hakone Ropeway to Owakudani for volcanic views and the famous black eggs (said to add 7 years to your life). On clear spring days, Mount Fuji dominates the western horizon.
Afternoon: Cruise across Lake Ashi on the pirate ship replica, enjoying the mountain scenery. Head back to Hakone-Yumoto for the Romancecar to Tokyo.
More Spring Art Worth Your Time
While in the area, consider these additional spring art experiences:
- The Silk Road Merchants Exhibition at the National Museum of Ethnology in Suita (Osaka) runs through June 2, featuring archaeological treasures from Samarkand and the broader Eurasian trade networks
- Adorned with Coral at Kochi's art museum (through May 24) explores the stunning world of coral jewelry in traditional Japanese fashion -- obi clasps and hairpins that rival any Western jewelry tradition
- Towada Art Center in Aomori continues its contemporary art installations in and around the town, including Kunimatsu Kineta's tactile sculpture exhibition
Practical Tips for Art-Hopping
Timing: Most Japanese museums are closed on Mondays (some close on Tuesdays instead). Always check before you go. The Lalique Museum is open daily.
Discounts: The Hakone Free Pass (from Odakyu) covers round-trip Romancecar fare plus unlimited local transport in Hakone for 2-3 days. It's excellent value if you're visiting multiple museums.
Luggage: If you're moving between Tokyo and Hakone, use coin lockers at Hakone-Yumoto Station or luggage forwarding services (takkyubin) to travel light.
Photography: Policies vary by exhibition. The Pixar exhibition may restrict photography in certain zones; the Lalique Museum generally allows non-flash photography. Always respect posted rules.
Language: Both exhibitions provide English signage and audio guides. The Pixar exhibition, given its global brand recognition, is particularly well-supported for international visitors.
Why Art Exhibitions Matter for Travelers
Japan's spring art season offers something that cherry blossoms, for all their beauty, cannot: a window into cultural dialogue. The Pixar exhibition shows how American digital storytelling absorbed Japanese animation sensibilities (Pixar's founders were deeply inspired by Miyazaki and Japanese animation traditions). The Lalique show reveals how French Art Nouveau grew from Japanese aesthetic principles that traveled west 150 years ago.
These aren't passive viewing experiences -- they're conversations across time and cultures, made physical through glass, light, and pixels. And experiencing them in Japan, where so many of these aesthetic traditions originated, adds a layer of meaning you simply can't get elsewhere.
This spring, let the blossoms be the backdrop, and let the art be the destination.
Image: Hakone Lalique Museum, Kanagawa Prefecture, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
