Close to 70 international and local galleries from around the world gathered at Pacifico Yokohama over the first weekend of July for the sophomore edition of Tokyo Gendai.

From 5 to 7 July, collectors, artists, connoisseurs, gallerists, and art lovers from 40 countries and territories congregated to witness a diverse showcase of contemporary collections that featured the likes of Lois Weinberger, Roby Dwi Antono, Ozaki Satoru, Tsujimura Shiro, Ando Miya, and Robert Longo, whose new set of drawings, presented by Pace Gallery, was among the most expensive lots that found placement with buyers.

For its second year, the fair welcomed notable private collectors, museum directors, patrons, and curators, and even a few art-loving celebrities. Reporting robust sales, Tokyo Gendai 2024 marks an ambitious step forward in its bid to promote and expand the contemporary art market in the country. Local gallery A Lighthouse called Kanata secured sales for six seminal pieces, while a pair of works titled Waterfall on Colours by Senju Hiroshi went for US$570,000 (HK$4.44 million) and US$385,000 (HK$3 million). Trevor Shimizu’s Water and Branches (2) was sold by Misako & Rosen for US$85,000 (HK$663,360).

Blum fetched US$160,000 (HK$1.24 million) for a canvas by Okazaki Kenjiro. Beijist artist Xu Ning—featured in Tomio Koyama Gallery’s booth in the fair’s Hana section—experienced a sell-out show for her pieces. Both contemporary and traditional mediums found success with collectors during the fair, from large-scale works, tapestries, ceramics, and paintings to drawings, sculptures, and photography.

In addition to the fair sectors, Tokyo Gendai offered attendees the opportunity to participate in special VIP events, openings, and exhibitions, in collaboration with Artizon Museum, Mori Art Museum, the Tokyo National Museum, Kiyoharu Art Colony, Pola Art Museum, Enoura Observatory, and more to showcase Japan’s art scene.

Kojima Reiri, general manager of Tokyo Gendai, says, “It was incredible to feel the energy and enthusiasm from both returning and new visitors alike. While the art market in Japan is still growing, we were very encouraged to hear that visitors were delighted by the galleries’ presentations, as well as the public and VIP programmes that connected Japan’s many cultural institutions to the global art world.”

Similarly, co-founder Magnus Renfrew adds that “the second edition of Tokyo Gendai built on the solid foundations laid last year. We were thrilled by the response to the fair by both the Japanese art community and international collectors. Consensus is emerging that Japan has the potential to play a much bigger role in the global art market and we are honoured to be playing an important role in both putting the spotlight on the incredible art scene in Tokyo and connecting Japan to the global art world. We are excited to have secured new autumn dates that will allow the potential for greater participation from galleries, collectors, and international visitors.”

Following feedback from attendees and gallerists, the upcoming third edition of the Tokyo Gendai fair will return next year in autumn, with dates set for 12 to 14 September 2025, while the preview and vernissage will take place on 11 September 2025. Stay tuned for more information.