Enjoy photography while strolling through the streets of Tokyo! “T3 PHOTO FESTIVAL TOKYO 2026” is coming soon

The name “T3” comes from the three Ts: Technology, Talent, and Tolerance. Based on the idea that “new culture is born where different technologies, talents, cultures, and perspectives intersect,” the festival aims to establish Tokyo as a hub for photographic culture.One of the festival’s greatest attractions is the opportunity to engage with a wide range of artistic expressions and values centered on photography, thanks to the participation of the world’s top artists and curators from the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Centre Pompidou, and the Art Institute of Chicago.

This year’s theme is “to (&).” By reconnecting things we tend to think of separately—such as the self and others, or nature and the city—using the small conjunction “to,” we explore new ways of seeing the world through photography.

At the main exhibition held at Tokyo Midtown Yaesu, American photographer Lucas Foglia presents “Constant Bloom,” which superimposes the flight paths of the small copper butterfly—known for the world’s longest migration—onto images of people crossing borders. The work examines the connections between nature and humanity, as well as between ecosystems and political boundaries.

In addition, a variety of special exhibitions will be held throughout the area, including “Depth of Time” by Sarah van Lai, which features works that overlay fragments captured from various places and moments to evoke a sense of the depth of memory and time.

Of particular note is “Trace Layers,” an exhibition curated by independent curator Kaho Ikeda, which will be held at Tokyo Square Garden.Ikeda researches collectives and DIY cultures that have emerged from indigenous cultures and social conditions—primarily in Southeast Asia—and engages in curatorial work that spans exhibitions, performing arts, and educational programs.

“Trace Layers” introduces two artists: Hiroyoshi Kodama and South Ho.Hiroyoshi Kodama’s “BLOCK CITY” explores the changing face of the city amid social events, while South Ho’s “Work Naming Has Yet to Succeed” focuses on the traces left behind after events—such as protests, social movements, repairs, and erasures.Held at Tokyo Square Garden, this exhibition offers a chance to view the familiar cityscape from a slightly different perspective.

It’s perfect whether you’re heading out specifically to take photos or just happen to stop by while strolling through the city. As you walk through Tokyo while viewing the works, you might discover something new within the familiar scenery. Why not visit the “T3 PHOTO FESTIVAL TOKYO 2026” as a fall outing?