Nakanojo Biennale 2025 10th Anniversary Special Tour: A One-Day Tour with Mr. Takeshige, the Artist behind the Background Paintings of Classic Anime Films

[Nakanojo Biennale 2025] 10th Anniversary Special Tour: A One-Day Tour Experience Report with Mr. Takeshige, Artist of the Background Paintings of Classic Anime Films ​
Nakanojo Town Tourism Association Press Release: October 2, 2025 [Nakanojo Biennale 2025] 10th Anniversary Special Tour: A One-Day Tour Experience Report with Mr. Takeshige, Artist of the Background Paintings of Classic Anime Films Hot springs. Abundant nature. And art. A report on an original tour that only a tourist association with a deep love for the local area could offer. Be drawn into the world of this classic anime!
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Nakanojo Town is located in the northwestern part of Gunma Prefecture, in the mountains bordering Nagano and Niigata. Known as the “town of flowers and hot springs,” Nakanojo boasts abundant natural beauty, including the Ramsar-registered Yoshigahira Wetlands and Chatsubomi Moss Park, as well as Nakanojo Gardens and Hanaraku no Sato, where visitors can enjoy flowers. It also boasts a variety of hot springs, including Shima, Sawatari, Hanashiki, and Shiriyaki. Nakanojo Town is also known as a “town of art.” The Nakanojo Biennale is a contemporary art festival held every two years for one month, turning the entire town into a vast art museum. Many artists from Japan and abroad visit Nakanojo, experiencing the local area and creating art based on the intuition and experiences they gain through interactions with the local people. The artworks exhibited throughout Nakanojo, amidst natural scenery, abandoned schools, hot spring resorts, and more, capture the hearts of viewers. This year marks the 10th and 20th anniversary of the event, making it a special occasion. The Nakanojyo Town Tourism Association, with the cooperation of the Biennale Executive Committee and the town government, wanted to create a tour unlike any other. With an introduction by Tetsuo Yamashige, general director of the Nakanojo Biennale since its inception, we invited Yoji Takeshige, an animation art director based in Gunma Prefecture who has worked on Studio Ghibli films, to be our guest instructor. We created a tour where participants could tour the Biennale venue and draw pictures together. The tour will run for two days only, on Thursday, September 18th and Friday, September 19th.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/20872/19/20872-19-54e116327f807d5735c573dda7ce7270-720×480.png On September 18th, the tour bus departed Nakanojo Station and headed for the Isama district of Nakanojo Town. Imasan is a member of the “Most Beautiful Villages in Japan Association,” and is known for its beautiful, traditional rural scenery. It’s a vibrant area, home to many popular venues for the Nakanojo Biennale, including the Jimbo House (commonly known as Yamase), designated an Important Cultural Property of Gunma Prefecture, Isama Village, and Isama Studio.
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/20872/19/20872-19-eafd1e840997d50caa4a6c408fad1908-1477×1108.jpg Visiting the Nakanojo Biennale Venue After lunch, the afternoon finally began with Professor Takeshige’s workshop. Using professional art supplies, we learned about background art for animation. The venue was Isamamura. The atmosphere was perfect, set in a classroom in a closed elementary school!
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/20872/19/20872-19-1d99c39026dd7e634aae3064d275ee54-1477×1108.jpg As the participants returned to their childhood in the classroom, their eyes were full of seriousness. One man participating in the tour said: “I never thought I’d have the opportunity to learn art from someone who draws backgrounds for the anime I’ve watched since I was a child. It will be a great memory.” A woman who participated in the group also said: There are many places said to have served as inspiration for “Spirited Away,” and Shima Onsen in Nakanojo Town is said to be one of them. I’m staying at Shima Onsen now. I’m looking forward to it.”
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/20872/19/20872-19-7d393bc3109b87ee0966d099bb6f8ae3-570×380.png Nakanojo Biennale 2025 will continue until Monday, October 13th (national holiday). Works created by Takeshige-sensei and tour participants on this tour are on display at the Isamamura venue. A “passport” is required to view the Nakanojo Biennale. We especially recommend going on weekdays to avoid the crowds. Nakanojo Biennale 2025 https://nakanojo-biennale.com/ Nakanojo Town Tourism Information https://nakanojo-kanko.jp/ “Nakabito” is a website that focuses on the people living in Nakanojo Town. https://nakabito.com/ Cooperation Nikka Paint Co., Ltd. Nakanojo Town Nakanojo Biennale Executive Committee Contact Information (One company) Nakanojo Town Tourism Association info@nakanojo-kanko.jp For more information about this release