Tatsuno, a Hyogo Prefectural town known for its soy-sauce production, is also home to much traditional and historical architecture, including many centuries-old soy-sauce warehouses that once thrived during the Edo Period (1603-1868).
The Tatsuno Art Project, an annual show that is being held for its third time, takes place within these soy-sauce warehouses, as well as at other historical sites such as Tatsuno Castle. It aims to use these traditional spaces in new and imaginative ways with a set of exhibitions that celebrate the preservation of the buildings. The town hopes that it will also tempt more visitors to venture outside of the big city to see contemporary art.
Featuring workshops, contemporary music and artwork by more than a dozen artists from both Japan and abroad, the shows brings big-city avant-garde culture to the intimacy of a small traditional town; Nov. 15-24.
Usukuchi Tatsuno Soy Sauce Museum (and other venues); 54-1 Ote, Tatsuno-cho, Tatsuno, Hyogo. Hontatsuno Stn. 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. daily. ¥600 (for a passport to all sites). Closed Nov. 18. 0791-63-3555; www.tatsuno-art-project.com