In front of Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre, white parasols shade tables and booths where people eat, chat, and browse displays. Food trucks and pop-up stands line the plaza. The background includes office buildings and leafy street trees under bright daylight.

Cast and Staff Profile

Satsuki Imai

Raised in Kanagawa Prefecture. Creates interactive artworks that people can play with. Aims to create spaces where people engage with one another, discover their own unique qualities, and enrich each other through interaction.

Rena Isono

Born in 1996 in Ibaraki Prefecture. Art Manager / Art Coordinator. Currently engaged in planning, management, and public relations at the secretariat of various art projects.

Saki Sahara

Born in Chiba Prefecture. Aspiring “Happy Space Creator,” always ready to travel anywhere in Japan when called, working in a jack-of-all-trades style with teammates skilled in languages and design to support art projects. Whenever savings allow, rents a hall and hosts an annual birthday festival as a signature event.

Mari Fujita

Born in Oita Prefecture. As an art communicator, involved in planning and managing workshops at exhibitions and elementary schools. Interested in connecting people and communities through art.

Minae Tanaka

Born in Chiba Prefecture. Has been involved in organizing exhibitions focusing on artists with diverse backgrounds, as well as projects exploring the theme of care and art. Since 2025, has launched “mesow,” an herb brand centered on phytotherapy, with the theme of “reconnecting with one’s mind and body.”

Tommo

Having spent part of childhood abroad, graduated from Sophia University and completed the Graduate School of Global Art Practice (GAP) at Tokyo University of the Arts. Also studied in Münster, Germany. Based on the idea that “there are streets even between different fields,” engages in artistic expression across disciplines, ranging from DJ/VJ and musical performance to sculpture and painting.

ff

From Hong Kong and raised in London, she began her artistic journey there, where analogue music became a central influence in her creative process. After completing her master’s program at Geidai, she continued to explore and deepen her artistic practice in Japan.

DJ wRl

Born in 2001, a DJ based in Matsudo, Chiba Prefecture. In self-organized projects, always pairs the title with a written text that offers an interpretation of the words in ways not bound to their literal meaning. Aims to establish a mode of expression through eclectic, wide-ranging selections that draw on diverse cultural references.

Chisato

Born in Chiba Prefecture. After gaining experience in product planning and public relations at a manufacturer, now works as a freelancer. At the same time, serves as a staff member at “Nishi-Chiba Workshop,” a makerspace where they support and advise others on their projects while also enjoying hands-on making themselves.

Zhai Qiutong

Zhai Qiutong is an artist and researcher whose interdisciplinary practice spans installation, writing, and socially engaged art. She studied at Yale-NUS College in Singapore and is currently pursuing her master’s degree at Waseda University. Her work explores deep sensing of natural phenomena and the multiplicity of temporalities within the more-than-human world.

Chad

Born and raised in America. Currently studying Japanese in Tokyo at a Japanese Language School. Chad started playing kendama in 2010 and now is the owner of two leading kendama brands, as well as the host of the largest annual kendama event in the USA. This year there were 600 attendees from all over the world who joined the event. Chad aspires to introduce kendama to as many people as he can, as well as integrate his Japanese studies into his work and passion for kendama around the globe.

Kaoru Takeda

Born in Tokyo, currently based in Asahikawa. After working as a social worker, now involved in running Machinaka Bunka Goya, an event space. Interested in creating spaces where people with diverse values can coexist, and in exploring practices of gift exchange.

Chie Orihara

While presenting work as an artist, also works as an installer and production consultant. In creating artworks, seeks out the craftsmanship behind the materials, learning techniques and handling them with an awareness of preserving their legacy. Currently, as an extension of artistic practice, is cultivating rice.

Hiroyuki Funayose

After working at an apparel manufacturer and a publishing company, now active mainly as a writer and editor, while also engaging in public relations and exhibition planning.

Staff

Planner

Keijirou Okumura, Satsuki Imai, Rena Isono

Members

Saki Sahara, Mari Fujita, Minae Tanaka, Tommo, ff, DJ wRl, Chisato, Zhai Qiutong, Chad, Kaoru Takeda, Chie Orihara, Hiroyuki Funayose, Ayumu Haitani

Inquires

Contact information

Tokyo Festival Executive Committee Office

+81-3-6812-1663

• • Weekdays (except venue holidays) 11:00am - 5:00pm

Organizer

Tokyo Festival Executive Committee [Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre (Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture)]

Support

Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan Japan Arts Council

Sponsor

Asahi Group Japan, Ltd.

Media Partner

Tokyo Art Beat

Endorsed by

Toshima city