Designed with our younger audience in mind, yet fun and fascinating for all ages, this exhibition goes on a colorful, atmospheric exploration through Japan to show how popular stories have shaped the country’s art, design, and technology across the centuries. Divided into four thematic sections—Sky, Sea, Forest, and City—it presents over one hundred historic and contemporary objects, ranging from animated movies, origami, and ukiyo-e woodblock prints to photography, robots, and youth fashion.
To spark more creativity, activities inspired by the exhibition will be offered in both the Upper-Level and the Martin ArtQuest galleries. Journey through Japan: Myths to Manga celebrates the spirit of playfulness and imagination that the Japanese never outgrow.
Created by the V&A – Touring the World
Supported in part by the Sandra Schatten Foundation
Supported in part by
Exhibition gallery
Katsushika Hokusai. Under the Wave off Kanagawa, from the series Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji, ca. 1831. Woodblock print; 9 3/4 x 36 3/4 in. V&A: Given by the Misses Alexander, E.4823-1916
Epoch Co. Ltd for Tomy. Sylvanian Families camping set and animal figurines, 1987–95. Flocked plastic; dimensions variable. Given by Tomy UK Ltd. V&A: A: B.67-1998; B: B.78:1-1998; C: B.70:1-1998; D: B.85:1-1998; E: B.69:1-1998. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Studio Ghibli, directed by Hayao Miyazaki. Still from My Neighbor Totoro, 1988. Running time: 2 minutes and 40 seconds. © 1988 Studio Ghibli
Sakar International, Inc. Hello Kitty rice cooker, 2014. Plastic, metal, and electrical components; diameter: 8 5/8 in. V&A: FE.19-2015. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Tamayama Takayasu and Fukuda Ko for Dentsu Inc., for the Conference for the Utilization of Earthquake Early Warning. Yurerun mascot logo for the Earthquake Early Warning System, 2007. Printed image on card. V&A: PROV.115-2023
Utagawa Hiroshige. Treasure Ship, 1847–52. Woodblock print; 10 3/8 x 14 7/8 in. V&A: E.3461-1886. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Events and programs
Making Memories: A Dementia Social Engagement Program
