What this is
The Hokusai Plus Exhibition is a permanent collection at The Sumida Hokusai Museum in Tokyo, dedicated to the life and work of Katsushika Hokusai (1760–1849), one of Japan's most celebrated ukiyo-e artists. The exhibition features high-resolution reproductions of Hokusai's Sumida River Landscape Scroll and his encyclopedic Hokusai Manga series, alongside approximately 10 original instructional art books. A single original woodblock print rotates monthly, drawn from iconic series including the Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji — the series widely regarded as Hokusai's colour-print masterpiece, produced when he was in his seventies. The museum sits in Sumida, the very neighbourhood where Hokusai spent much of his life, lending the experience an authentic sense of place. The exhibition also contextualises how Hokusai's work sparked the global Japonisme movement, influencing Western artists from Monet to Van Gogh.
Who should go
Art lovers, printmaking enthusiasts, and anyone curious about the roots of modern graphic design will find this exhibition deeply rewarding. The hands-on element — where visitors can physically handle around 15 full-size replica copies of Hokusai's art books — makes it unusually engaging compared to standard gallery visits, and particularly well-suited to those who want to understand his instructional techniques up close. The monthly rotating original print gives dedicated Hokusai fans a genuine reason to return across different visits or seasons. Families with older children interested in art history will also appreciate the tactile, accessible format. Arrive when the museum opens to enjoy the interactive replica books before tour groups arrive.
Good to know
Tickets are purchased at the museum box office on arrival — no advance reservation is needed for the permanent exhibition, and the low admission price means queues are rarely an issue. The Sumida Hokusai Museum is a compact, purpose-built facility designed by architect Kazuyo Sejima; it holds a modest number of visitors at any one time, so the atmosphere is generally calm and unhurried. Foreign credit cards are accepted at the ticket counter, and the museum has English-language signage and exhibit descriptions throughout. Photography policies vary by gallery section — check signage on the day, as reproduction displays are often photographable while original works may not be. Plan for 60–90 minutes to explore the permanent collection comfortably, and note that the museum is closed on Mondays (or the following Tuesday if Monday is a public holiday).
This event was sourced and translated from Japanese by What's On Japan. Details may change — verify with the official source before attending.