TOP PAGE
  • Founder / Owner
    Wahei Aoyama
    1979　Born in Tokyo, Japan
    2001　BA, New York University (USA)
    2003　MA, University of Oxford (UK)
    　 　 Joins Yufuku Gallery
    2007　Starts Toku Art
    2011　Merges Toku Art and
    　 　 Yufuku Gallery
    2020　Renames gallery to
    　　 A Lighthouse called Kanata
  • Director of Finance and Gallery Operations
    Yoriko Takahashi
    2009　Joins A Lighthouse called Kanata
    　　　 In charge of Japan Operations and Finance, Artist Management
  • Gallery Director
    Kumiko Sunahara
    2008　BA, Central Saint Martins (UK)
    2011　 Joins A Lighthouse called Kanata
    　　　In charge of Art Fairs such as TEFAF and all International Exhibitions, Artist Management
  • Director of Website and PR
    Maho Fujino
    2015　Joins A Lighthouse called Kanata
    　　　 In charge of Kanata’s Website and Public Relations, Artist Management
  • International Manager
    Ami Nakano
    2018　Joins A Lighthouse called Kanata
    　　　 In charge of Kanata’s Artistic Design and all Publications and Publicity including SNS, Artist Management and Art Fairs
  • International Manager
    Takeshi Montero
    2016　BA, Aichi Prefectural University of
    　　　the Arts
    2018　Joins A Lighthouse called Kanata
    　 　 In charge of Kanata’s Art Logistics and Installation, Artist Management and Art Fairs
  • International Manager
    Yishu Yang
    2017　BA, Fudan University (China)
    2020　MA, The University of Tokyo
    　　　(Japan)
    　　　Joins A Lighthouse called Kanata
    　　　In charge of Kanata’s Chinese
    　　　Operations, Artist Management
    　　　and Art Fairs
  • International Manager
    Julia de Leon
    2022　BA, Waseda University (Japan)
    　　　Joins A Lighthouse called Kanata
    　　　
  • International Manager
    Akiho Matsuda
    2020　BA, Tokyo University of the Arts
    　 　 (Japan)
    2023　MA, Goldsmiths College (UK)
    　　　 Joins A Lighthouse called Kanata

The Team

About Us

About
the
Gallerykanata

A LIGHT HOUSE CALLED KANATA
THE KANATA AESTHETIC

Situated in the heart of Tokyo,
A Lighthouse called Kanata was established in 2007 by Wahei Aoyama
to introduce contemporary Japanese art and aesthetics to a global audience.

Focusing on both sculpture and painting,
our artists represent an emerging movement in Japanese aesthetics
wherein beauty, technique and materiality, elements that for centuries
have been essential to our understanding of art,
are reinstated for the 21st century.
Kanata embodies a “Return to Innocence” within contemporary art,
and our artists push the boundaries of their respective materials to brave new heights.

Kanata means “Beyond” or “Far Away”,
a quintessentially Japanese romanticism
imbued by the two characters that comprise it,
“Towards” and “You”.

And why a lighthouse?
A lighthouse symbolizes many ideals that we hold dear.
The night is dark and full of shadows,
and we will continue to shine a light at the vast ocean before us,
hoping to serve as a beacon of hope for not only our artists,
but for future generations.
Our gallery will shine the light of Japanese aesthetics far away and to the beyond.
Such is the meaning of A Lighthouse called Kanata.
Wahei Aoyama
Founder
A Lighthouse called Kanata

Access

  • Tokyo
  • A Lighthouse called Kanata
    Kasumicho Terrace 6F,
    3-24-20 Nishi-Azabu,
    Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan 106-0031

    11am to 6pm on Tuesdays to Saturdays,
    and by Appointment. Closed Sundays,
    Mondays and National Holidays.

    Approx. 10 minute walk from Roppongi, Nogizaka, and Hiroo stations, on the corner of Nishi-Azabu Crossing between Roppongi Avenue and Gaien-Higashi Avenue.
    By Toei Bus from Shibuya station East exit no.51 take RH01 Line or TO-01 Line and get off at “Nishi-Azabu” bus stop.

    Kanata can be found on the 6th floor of a tall green/white building located
    on the southeast corner of Nishi-Azabu Kosaten (crossing).
    Google MAP
    TEL+81-3-5411-2900