The art photography festival 'Asama International Photo Festival 2026 PHOTO MIYOTA' will be held again this year in Miyota Town, a popular destination for relocation in Nagano Prefecture. The main venue is 'MMoP', a cultural complex housing the 'Miyota Museum of Photography'. The festival will run for about two months, from Saturday, August 1 to Sunday, September 27, 2026. This year, the program aims to enhance visitor flow by utilizing various areas within Miyota Town for exhibitions.

The event is organized by the Asama International Photo Festival PHOTO MIYOTA Executive Committee, comprising Miyota Town (Mayor: Takushi Kozono) and Amana Inc. (Headquarters: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo; President: Takeaki Kaneko).

Marking its 7th edition, the festival has seen growing attendance, surpassing a record 33,000 visitors last year.

The main venue, MMoP, underwent a tenant renewal this spring and is attracting attention as a popular spot among locals and tourists, gathering unique shops.

In 2026, under the theme 'After the Image', distinctive works by photographers from around the world will be assembled. Visitors can enjoy the festival with all five senses, strolling through the nature of Miyota, a highland town, experiencing large-scale outdoor exhibits unique to the festival and creative display methods utilizing the expansive grounds.

About 'Asama International Photo Festival' The 'Asama International Photo Festival' is an art photography celebration offering diverse photographic experiences amidst the beautiful nature at the foot of Mount Asama. Starting in 2018, it has been co-hosted with local governments and businesses at multiple venues, including 'PHOTO MIYOTA' in Miyota Town, 'PHOTO KITAKARUIZAWA' in Naganohara Town, and 'PHOTO KOMORO' in Komoro City.

Curated by Mutsuko Ota, Editorial Director of the art photo magazine 'IMA' published by Amana, works by outstanding domestic and international photographers are displayed indoors and outdoors. On weekends, experiential events like workshops and photography classes, as well as markets featuring Nagano-style food and crafts, are also held.

Exhibitions Expand from MMoP to the Entire Town While previous editions focused on the grounds of the main venue 'MMoP', this year will feature multiple exhibition sites outside MMoP, aiming for a festival where visitors can enjoy touring Miyota Town.

Photographic works will be displayed at various locations, such as 'Ecole Miyota' (a cultural complex with a library and the Asama Jomon Museum), the coworking space 'Gokalab', and the local community center.

The exhibited works include not only those by art photographers but also creations by creators living in Miyota, conveying the breath of the people and the town.

About the Theme 'After the Image' A photograph is not complete the moment the shutter is released. It continues to exist in the time 'after' being taken—being seen, shared, remembered, forgotten, and sometimes misread—constantly changing meaning, amplifying, and updating. 'After the Image' focuses on events that occur 'after' a photograph is born. In Miyota, photographs intersect with landscapes, architecture, and daily routines, emerging as an 'experience' beyond a mere visual encounter.

About the Key Visual Artist Henriette Sabroe Ebbesen Born in 1994 in Odense, Denmark, and based in Copenhagen. While educated as a medical doctor, she is self-taught in photography, creating works at the intersection of science and art. Her artwork 'Growing Up' reinterprets old family album photos through collage, confronting past images and tracing childhood memories to discover one's essence, reflecting the theme 'After the Image'.

Event Overview Dates: August 1 (Sat) - September 27 (Sun), 2026 Closed: Tuesdays (Open on Aug 11 & Sep 22) Time: 10:00 - 17:00 (Last entry 16:30) Venue: MMoP and various locations in Miyota Town Admission: Partially paid Organizer: Asama International Photo Festival 2026 PHOTO MIYOTA Executive Committee Website: https://asamaphotofes.jp/

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  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: Event