Mitsuaki Iwago Photo Exhibition
"LOCAL HERO OF JAPANESE CATS" Commemorating the 60th Anniversary of Sano Art Museum and the 85th Anniversary of the City of Mishima
The beloved NHK program Mitsuaki Iwago’s World Cat Walk has long captured the hearts of cat lovers across Japan. Having met cats in all 47 prefectures, the show has now completed its journey throughout the entire country. This exhibition brings together these “local heroes” — the unique and charming cats of Japan’s many regions. Around 140 photographs will be on display, showcasing the expressive faces, gestures, and lively movements of cats living in the distinctive climates and landscapes of their hometowns.
A wide selection of items will also be available, including the latest photo books and original goods exclusive to the exhibition venue.
Join us on a journey to meet the cats of Japan — the local heroes Iwago encountered as he traveled across the country.
Outline
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Admission
Adults and University Students: ¥1,400
Elementary, Junior High, and High School Students: ¥700
*Free admission for elementary and junior high school students on Saturdays and on May 5 (Children’s Day)
* Groups of 15 or more receive a 20% discount on admission fees. -
Advance tickets (available until April 10, 2026)
Adults / University Students: ¥1,100
Elementary, Junior High, and High School Students: ¥550
Available at:
Sano Art Museum (until April 9)
Shizuoka Shimbun / Shizuoka Broadcasting (SBS) offices: Business Office, Hamamatsu Bureau, Eastern Bureau (available from March 13, weekdays 9:00–17:00)
Seven-Eleven (Ticket Pia / P-code: 687–396) -
Discounted Tickets (During the Exhibition)
Adults / University Students: ¥1,260
Elementary, Junior High, and High School Students: ¥630
Available at:
〇 Staffed stations on the Izuhakone Railway Sunzu Line
Seven-Eleven (Ticket Pia / P-code: 687–396)
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Opening Hours
10:00–17:00 (Last admission at 16:30) -
Closed Days
Thursdays -
Organized by
Sano Art Museum, Mishima City, Mishima City Board of Education, The Shizuoka Shimbun and Shizuoka Broadcasting System -
Supported by
Shizuoka Prefectural Board of Education -
Publicity Support
Izu-Hakone Railway Co., Ltd. -
Cooperation
NHK Enterprises, Inc. -
Planning and Production
Crevis Inc.
Profile
© Machi Iwago
Mitsuaki Iwago
Born in Tokyo in 1950, he is an animal photographer. He has been photographing familiar cats as his life's work for over half a century. In 2012, he began filming the program "Mitsuaki Iwago's World Cat Walk" (NHK). His books include "Cats," "Kittens," "Pantanal," "Mostly About Cats: Mr. Iwago's Mondays," "What a Wonderful World," "Mitsuaki Iwago's Local Cats," "Kawaii," and "Mitsuaki Iwago's World Cat Walk: Under the European Sky." He served as the film director for "Grandpa and the Cat" in 2019 and "Mitsuaki Iwago's World Cat Walk: As It Is, a Cat Family of Water and Earth" in 2021.
Official websitehttps://iwago.jp/
"Mitsuaki Iwago's World Cat Walk" is currently being broadcast on NHK BS and BSP4K.