The only textile art festival in Japan!? Undercover report on “FUJI TEXTILE WEEK,” which aims to revitalize the region through local industry!

Hello everyone! I am Kotsubo from the Social Relations Department of the Public Relations Business Division.

As tourists from overseas return, one of the most iconic Japanese spots drawing attention is, of course, Mount Fuji! The sight of Mount Fuji covered in snow is so beautiful it takes even a Japanese person’s breath away.

In Fujiyoshida City, Yamanashi Prefecture, where you can experience the great power of Mount Fuji, the textile art festival “FUJI TEXTILE WEEK 2023” is currently being held from November 23 (Thursday) to December 17 (Sunday), 2023!

At SUNNY SIDE UP, we are involved in PR consulting, including media strategy design and the planning of press tours and opening ceremonies, with the desire to have as many people as possible learn about the event and visit Fujiyoshida City.

To further convey its appeal, we would like to introduce a portion of “FUJI TEXTILE WEEK 2023” to our SUNNY DAYS readers!

＜Fujiyoshida City and Mount Fuji＞

What is “FUJI TEXTILE WEEK 2023,” Japan’s only textile art festival?

FUJI TEXTILE WEEK is a textile art festival held in Fujiyoshida City, Yamanashi Prefecture, a textile production center with a history spanning over 1,000 years.

The theme for this third year is “BACK TO THREAD”! The event consists of an Art Exhibition and a Design Exhibition.

Repurposing vacant houses as exhibition venues!

Fujiyoshida City once had a thriving textile industry, to the point where it was said that “one click of the loom brings ten thousand yen in profit.” However, with the changing times, many shops and factories fell into disuse. A background of this art festival is to have visitors appreciate the charm of these retro buildings by turning these vacant houses into exhibition spaces.

A new addition to the exhibition venues for this third year is a site called “Former Yamakano,” which was once the site of a weaving loom factory.

＜The former Yamakano factory, now an exhibition venue＞

The large-scale works using fabric in the vast factory space are powerful and have forms that are somewhat reminiscent of Mount Fuji. The sound playing in the venue is based on the motif of water, allowing visitors to feel the rich water resources that bless Fujiyoshida City.

＜Nelly Agassi, “mountain wishes come true”＞

Another venue is an exhibition space utilizing a vacant former tea room, creating a space that allows visitors to feel a connection with time past.

One of the participating artists, Tsu-tsu, performs using a method called “documentary acting,” where she researches real people and events and performs them herself. For this exhibition, she portrayed the life of a woman known as an “Orihime” (weaver princess) who worked in the textile industry in Fujiyoshida in the past.

＜tsu-tsu, “unsound dresser”＞

A fabric exhibition supporting Fujiyoshida’s local industry!

In this festival, Fujiyoshida City aims to draw attention back to the textile industry by promoting the theme of “textiles.”

Fujiyoshida City developed as a textile production center because its climate was not suitable for growing crops. However, as times changed, textiles were replaced by products from other regions and overseas, and the textile industry declined. This is why such a theme was chosen for this event.

Therefore, in addition to the art exhibition, a fabric exhibition called “MEET WEAVERS SHOW 2023” is also being held, where visitors can be matched with local weavers.

The fabric exhibition features high-quality and attractive textiles created by craftsmen. Visitors can view a wide variety of materials, with a particular focus on apparel fabrics.

＜The fabric exhibition＞

By creating a place for interaction between weavers and the general public, the organizers aim to make textiles feel more familiar to visitors and revitalize the industry.

Seeing the fabrics lined up feels like a fun shopping experience, and everyone can find a fabric that suits their personal taste.

＜Various fabrics displayed as samples＞

Charming spots beyond the exhibition venues while exploring the city!

Furthermore, in this festival, the city itself serves as the art venue. By scattering exhibition venues throughout Fujiyoshida City, the event aims to showcase the charm of the entire city, including spots where Mount Fuji can be seen from retro shopping streets.

The retro buildings you encounter while wandering through the city are something you cannot see in Tokyo.

＜A retro building in the Nishiura area＞

The area introduced here is Nishiura, where many deep-rooted bars are concentrated. In the past, this was a bustling entertainment district, but it gradually lost its vitality with the decline of the textile industry.

However, new restaurants and bars have opened thanks to many newcomers moving to the area, and it is regaining its energy. Walking through the area, you can hear the sound of lively laughter, and there is a frank atmosphere that makes you feel welcome to drop in even if you are a stranger to the town.

We also recommend “bar hopping” to compare the “Nishiura Highball,” a new local specialty with a different recipe at each establishment.

＜The Nishiura area, lined with bars＞

“JAZZ HOUSE NOW,” a relaxing spot for adults>

＜The local specialty “Nishiura Highball,” which tastes different depending on the establishment＞

Additionally, there is an initiative to disperse tourists by placing “LAIMO,” an original character by the artist Cherng who is popular among Asian tourists, throughout Nishiura. LAIMO is hidden in 10 locations in the Nishiura area, each with a design related to that specific spot, so please look for them carefully!

＜LAIMO characters scattered throughout Nishiura＞

We invite you to visit “FUJI TEXTILE WEEK 2023,” which offers many attractions that even those not typically interested in art can enjoy.

“FUJI TEXTILE WEEK 2023” Official Website: https://fujitextileweek.com/