KOBE ART MARCHÉ 2026, Planned and Operated by TODOROKI, Concludes with Record Attendance and Sales

KOBE ART MARCHÉ 2026, a hotel-style art fair focused on contemporary art, planned and operated by TODOROKI Inc. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo / Representative Director: Masaya Inoue, hereinafter TODOROKI), has concluded, recording an all-time high of approximately 5,000 visitors and total sales of approximately 47 million yen.

IPPUKU Booth

Kawata Gallery

KOBE ART MARCHÉ 2026 is a hotel-style art fair organized by the General Incorporated Association Kobe Art Promotion Association and planned and operated by TODOROKI. The event, held in the open atmosphere unique to Kobe, surrounded by beautiful sea and mountain scenery, marked its 17th year.

This year, held from Friday, May 22 to Sunday, May 24, 2026, at the Kobe Meriken Park Oriental Hotel, the event brought together 43 galleries and approximately 250 artists from across the country, with a total of 48 booths utilizing guest room spaces.

The total number of visitors over the three days was approximately 5,000, and total sales reached approximately 47 million yen, both record highs. This follows steady growth from 2024 (approx. 3,000 attendees / 32 million yen in sales) and 2025 (approx. 4,000 attendees / 45 million yen in sales).

In a post-event visitor survey, 88.3% of attendees expressed satisfaction*, with 58.3% responding that it was their "first time attending." This indicates success in reaching new audiences beyond existing art enthusiasts.

*Based on 204 valid responses / Combined "4. Somewhat Satisfied" and "5. Satisfied" on a 5-point scale)

◆ New Initiatives This Year

This year, while leveraging the appeal of a hotel-style fair where works can be viewed in an environment close to a living space, we aimed to create an open art fair that would be easily accessible even to those unfamiliar with art, and planned and operated new initiatives accordingly.

New Regional Collaboration Initiative "KOBE SUBWAY MUSEUM"

As a new initiative, we implemented "KOBE SUBWAY MUSEUM," held within the Kobe City Subway Kaigan Line stations. By incorporating art into the everyday space of the station, we created an opportunity for citizens and visitors to casually encounter art and experience the unique culture and charm of the area while exploring the city.

KOBE SUBWAY MUSEUM

"Live Painting" at the Kobe Flea Market

As a pre-event leading up to the main exhibition, a live painting session was held at the "2nd Kobe Flea Market" (held February 28 - March 1) by artist Mayu Kunihisa, a past award winner of the fair's open call exhibition "Artist meets Art Fair." All production processes, from assembling the wooden frame on-site at the venue's Midori no Oka Hall to stretching the canvas and completing the artwork, were showcased.

First "AI ART meets Art Fair" Held

In addition to the regular 11th "Artist meets Art Fair" open call exhibition, the first "AI ART meets Art Fair" was held. This new exhibition broadly solicited works that incorporate AI into the creative process, and by judging them from the perspective of contemporary art, we presented an art space that demonstrates new creativity and possibilities beyond the realm of technology.

*Details of award winners: https://art-marche.jp/news/20260424/

◆ Event Overview and Results

Name: KOBE ART MARCHÉ 2026

Dates: May 22 (Fri) - May 24 (Sun), 2026

Organizer: General Incorporated Association Kobe Art Promotion Association

Venue: Kobe Meriken Park Oriental Hotel, 7th Floor

Number of Visitors: Approx. 5,000 (Total over 3 days - All-time high)

Total Sales: Approx. 47,000,000 yen (All-time high)

Number of Booths: 49 total (Galleries: 43 / Collaboration: 1 / Special Project Booths: 5)

Number of Participating Artists: Approx. 250

Official Website: https://art-marche.jp/

Actively Hiring: "Creating Scenery No One Has Ever Seen"

TODOROKI is currently recruiting new members. We aim to create scenery no one has ever seen by pursuing both our Art Ecosystem (AE) business, centered on the DX of the art industry, and our Art Transformation (AX) business, which promotes the social implementation of art. We want to draw the future together with you, who will jump in with a smile saying, "That sounds interesting."

Recruitment Special Site: https://tdrk-inc.notion.site/TODOROKI-2ef5a9e4e0e1431788cd3c61977960bc

Wantedly: https://www.wantedly.com/companies/company_4627777

About TODOROKI Inc. https://tdrk-inc.co.jp/

TODOROKI Inc. is a creative company that aims to "translate the value of art and provide new perspectives to people and society" as its purpose, working to create systems that connect art with society and the economy. We engage in a wide range of businesses as translators, delivering the value of art to society, including planning and producing projects that connect art with diverse fields, artist support, art fair operations, and co-creation projects with corporations and government agencies. We aim to expand the potential of people, regions, and companies through art and contribute to the sustainable development of culture and industry.