In addition to films, plays, and exhibitions from 48 programs in over 15 countries, a limited-time card rally will be held to discover sign language while walking around the city [Tokyo International Deaf Arts Festival 2025]
Japan Deaf Arts Association (General Incorporated Association) Press Release: October 2, 2025 In addition to films, plays, and exhibitions from over 15 countries and 48 programs, the Tokyo International Deaf Arts Festival 2025 will also feature a limited-time card rally where you can discover sign language on a walking tour of the city. The Japan Deaf Arts Association
(Representative Director: Eri Makihara), a general incorporated association, will present a total of 48 programs, including films, plays, and exhibitions from over 15 countries around the world, at the “City of Sign Language Tokyo International Deaf Arts Festival 2025,” to be held from Thursday, November 6th to Sunday, November 9th, 2025. As Japan’s only international deaf performing arts festival, we will promote the appeal of deaf culture through a diverse range of works. In addition, this time we are holding a participatory “Sign Language Card Rally,” where you can encounter various sign languages while touring the shopping district of Koenji, Suginami Ward. Furthermore, in response to visitor requests, we are now selling additional one-day passes, which allow for easier participation.
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improvisational skills and expressiveness will be put to the test, allowing you to experience the breadth of deaf culture through a variety of expressions. Background 2025 marks a milestone year, as Japan will host the Deaflympics (Olympics for the deaf and hard of hearing) for the first time. This marks an accelerating movement to spread understanding of sign language and deaf culture throughout society. This arts festival will go beyond the scope of performing arts, offering a card rally, market, and social space where people can experience sign language while walking around Koenji. Expanding from “appreciation of performing arts” to a “participatory cultural experience integrated with the community,” the festival will unite art, the community, and society to embody a “town of sign language,” providing a place for mutual interaction between hearing, deaf, and hard of hearing people. Details of the “Sign Language Card Rally” around Koenji Period: Wednesday, October 15, 2025 – Sunday, November 30, 2025 Location: Participating stores around Koenji Station (12 stores) Content: When you shop at participating stores, you will receive an original card featuring a “sign language illustration” and “sign language video” for each store. Benefits: Collect all 12 cards and display your “emerging sign language” at the ticket booth at Za Koenji to receive a special clear file featuring 12 sign language illustrations! The illustrations are by Jacob Campbell, an
Australian-based deaf visual artist who also created the key visual for this art festival. Experience his dynamic and energetic world of street art through the sign language cards.
Details:https://shuwanomachi.jp/cardrally.html
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/127269/7/127269-7-3a57cd5380155b7e0f2bc9a841ff8be7-1141×1600.jpg “One-Day Pass” Details This new option was created in response to requests for people who want to participate for just one day. It allows for more diverse participation styles and expands opportunities to participate in the art festival. Applicable Dates: November 6th (Thursday) – 9th (Sunday) Price: Adults from 6,000 yen, children from 3,500 yen **Prices vary by day and apply only to selected works. Please see the website for details. Details and
application:https://shuwanomachi.jp/ticket.html “Sign Language Town” Tokyo International Deaf Arts Festival 2025 Event Overview Event Period:Thursday, November 6th – Sunday, November 9th, 2025 Venue:Za Koenji (2-1-2 Koenjikita, Suginami-ku, Tokyo) and others
Website:https://shuwanomachi.jp/ Ticket
page:https://shuwanomachi.jp/ticket.html Organizers:Japan Deaf Arts Association (General Incorporated Association) / Agency for Cultural Affairs Partnerships:NPO Theater Creation Network / Za Koenji Co-organizers:Suginami Ward / Suginami Ward Association of the Hearing Impaired / Social Welfare Corporation Tot Fund / NPO Theater Accessibility Network / Igengo Lab. (General Incorporated Association) / IMAGINUS (Congress Co., Ltd.) Sponsors:All Japan Federation of the Deaf (General Incorporated Foundation) / Tokyo Support Organization for the Deaf, Tokyo Federation of the Deaf / Participant Research Division, Center for Advanced Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo Cooperation:NPO Tokyo Koenji Awa Odori Promotion Association / Shizuoka x Cannes x Film Project Executive Committee Supported by:Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture, Arts Council Tokyo [Grant for Creating Arts and Culture’s Appeal / Grant for Supporting Tokyo Arts and Culture Appreciation] / Agency for Cultural Affairs commissioned project “FY2025 Project to Promote Cultural and Artistic Activities by People with Disabilities and Others” *This project is in support of the “All Welcome TOKYO” campaign, which aims to create a Tokyo that everyone can enjoy, regardless of whether they have a disability or not, or what language or cultural differences they have. Comment from General Director Eri Makihara The
commemorative first “Tokyo International Deaf Arts Festival, City of Sign Language” will finally begin in 2025. This arts festival is co-hosted by Suginami Ward and will be held mainly at Za Koenji. It will serve as an international stage for promoting deaf arts and culture from Suginami Ward, Tokyo, and will bring together artists from Japan and abroad to deepen their connections. We aim to create new chemistry and connections between local communities and art, and between deaf/hard of hearing people and hearing people. This year, we’ve gathered a diverse range of works from Japan and abroad, spanning genres including theater, performance, and film. Each work is sure to offer participants and audiences a new perspective. Art born from the bodies and senses of deaf people, images of deaf and hard-of-hearing people and sign language seen from the perspective of hearing people—these diverse perspectives are sure to offer new discoveries for visitors. To be honest, when I first launched this project, I was worried about whether Suginami Ward would accept this art festival. However, once I got started, I encountered many events that made me realize that “accepting new cultures is the very essence of Suginami’s culture.” I was impressed by the generosity of Suginami Ward and the warm welcome that so many people extended to the “City of Sign Language, Tokyo International Deaf Arts Festival.” Furthermore, I was deeply touched by the passionate words of those who said, “This art festival shouldn’t end here. We must make sure sign language takes root in Suginami Ward.” This year’s art festival will also feature a new initiative: a “Sign Language Card Rally” involving the Koenji shopping district from October 15th to November 30th. This project involves collecting cards featuring illustrations and sign language videos by Jaycob Campbell, the Australian deaf artist who created the key visuals, by shopping in the shopping district. In addition, during the art festival, we have prepared a number of free satellite events so that anyone can drop in and experience deaf culture firsthand. This November, during the Deaflympics, Suginami Ward will become “the city of sign language” for four days. I’m very excited to see what kind of chemical reactions will emerge as a result of this art festival. I hope we can all join together to make this festival a success!
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