TOP PAGE
  • Founder / Owner
    Wahei Aoyama
    1979 Born in Tokyo, Japan
    2001 BA, New York University (USA)
    2003 MA, University of Oxford (UK)
    2007 Founds Toku Art
    2011 Combines Toku Art with Yufuku Gallery
    2020 Changes gallery name to A Lighthouse called Kanata
    2025 Moves Gallery to Omotesando
  • Director of Finance and Gallery Operations
    Yoriko Takahashi
    Born in Gunma, Japan
    2009 Joins A Lighthouse called Kanata
       Oversees Domestic Operations, Finance, and Artist Management
  • Executive Director
    Kumiko Sunahara
    Born in Nagano, Japan
    2008 BA, Textile Design, Central Saint Martins, UK
    2011 Joins A Lighthouse called Kanata
       International Art Fairs (incl. TEFAF) / Artist Management
  • Gallery Director
    Maho Fujino
    Born in Osaka, Japan
    2015 Joins A Lighthouse called Kanata
       Domestic and International Art Fairs / Artist Management
  • International Manager
    Ami Nakano
    2018 Joins A Lighthouse called Kanata
       International Art Fairs / General Affairs / Artist Management
  • Director of Logistics
    Takeshi Montero
    Born in Ibaraki, Japan
    2016 Aichi Prefectural University of the Arts, BMus
    2018 Joins A Lighthouse called Kanata
       Logistics / Exhibition Operations / International Art Fairs / Artist Management
  • Director of Asia
    Yishu Yang
    Born in Jiangsu, China
    2017  Fudan University, Shanghai
    2020 MA, The University of Tokyo
    2020 Joins A Lighthouse called Kanata
       China Market Operations / International Art Fairs / Artist Management
  • International Manager
    Julia de Leon
    Born in Chiba, Japan
    2022 School of International Liberal Studies, Waseda University
    2022 Joins A Lighthouse called Kanata
       Creative Design / Artist Management
  • International Manager
    Akiho Matsuda
    Born in Kyoto, Japan
    2020 BA, Tokyo University of the Arts
    2023 MA, Goldsmiths, University of London
    2023 Joins A Lighthouse called Kanata
       Logistics / Exhibition Operations / International Art Fairs / Artist Management
  • International Manager
    Go Lee
    Born in Zhejiang, China
    2022 BA, Kyoto Seika University
    2024 Joins A Lighthouse called Kanata
       China Market Operations / International Art Fairs / Social Media / Artist Management
  • Director of Design
    Aya Yoshizawa
    Born in Tokyo, Japan
    2018 BA, Waseda University
    2024 Joins A Lighthouse called Kanata
       Creative Direction & Design / Public Relations / Artist Management
  • International Manager
    Jikai Togami
    Born in Kanagawa, Japan
    2025 Joins A Lighthouse called Kanata
       Creative Design / Photography / Exhibition Operations / Artist Management
  • International Manager
    Eunseo Joo
    Born in Seoul, South Korea
    2025 BA, Waseda University
    2025 Joins A Lighthouse called Kanata
       Korea Market Operations / International Art Fairs
  • International Manager
    Karlla-Gabriela Pascu
    Born in Romania
    2021 BA, Heidelberg University
    2025 Joins A Lighthouse called Kanata
       Domestic & International Logistics / Exhibition Operations / International Art Fairs

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
    3-5-7 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan 150-0001

    ・Approximately 6 minutes on foot from Omotesando Station (Exit A2)
    ・Approximately 10 minutes on foot from Gaienmae Station (Exit 3)
    ・Approximately 12 minutes on foot from Meiji-Jingumae (Harajuku) Station

    A Lighthouse called Kanata is just a short walk from Omotesando Station.
    Take Exit A2 from Omotesando Station, and you will find the Apple Store directly in front of you.
    Turn right at the Apple Store and continue straight along Maisen Street of Tonkatsu Maisen fame.
    When you see BREIZH Cafe on your left, turn left at that corner.
    A Lighthouse Kanata is located just ahead to your right.
    Google MAP
    11am to 6pm on Tuesdays to Saturdays,
    and by Appointment. Closed Sundays,
    Mondays and National Holidays.
    TEL+81-3-5411-2900