Sebastian Masuda Exhibition “KAWAIITOPIA -GO TO HEAVEN (HELL)-” (English)

March 14 (Sat) – August 30 (Sun), 2026
Sebastian Masuda Exhibition
“KAWAIITOPIA -GO TO HEAVEN (HELL)-”
Museum of Contemporary Art “Hyper Museum Hanno”

Sebastian Masuda is a leading figure in the Japanese pop culture genre “KAWAII,” with fans all over the world, presents an exhibition at Hyper Museum, a contemporary art museum in Hanno. This exhibition marks his first large-scale exhibition in five years, and comes at a milestone moment in his career: the 30th anniversary of the opening of his Harajuku base, 6%DOKIDOKI.

Exhibition Concept

The exhibition’s title “KAWAIITOPIA” is a term coined by Sebastian Masuda himself, combining the words “KAWAII” and “UTOPIA”. Embedded in this vision is a powerful message from Masuda, who has elevated the power of KAWAII into art during a time he describes as a “difficult era to live in.”

Masuda states: KAWAII is a small universe that belongs only to you, untouched by anyone else. If there are 100 people, there are 100 kinds of KAWAII. The power of KAWAII lies in accepting each other’s tiny universes—in recognizing one another’s values. KAWAII is an action toward peace.

Rather than reducing KAWAII to superficial “cuteness,” this exhibition presents it as a movement of the spirit that travels between HEAVEN and HELL—a kind of journey, or pilgrimage. Grounded in Masuda’s own experiences, this perspective is a central element of the exhibition’s concept, through which KAWAII is articulated as art.

Artist Statement

A truth that sounds like a joke, we once believed humanity would perish with Nostradamus.
Many in my generation truly believed it would.
After the last, strangely carefree decade ended with real catastrophes: disasters and a pandemic.
Yet we are still here.
We have survived three times.
When the future finally arrived, it wasn’t the one I had imagined.
Still, we must go on living in this mad world.
Still, we believe—
No, we KNOW that beyond it lies a utopia.

GO TO HEAVEN (HELL.)
Where does tomorrow lead?

— Sebastian Masuda

Exhibition Structure & Highlights

1: Seven Areas Exploring “KAWAIITOPIA”(Six Rooms of KAWAII Heaven (Hell) and One Reality)

Inside the Hyper Museum Hanno, a series of small, theme-based rooms and areas unfold. Guided by the concept GO TO HEAVEN (HELL)—like a pilgrimage through “KAWAII Heaven (Hell)”—visitors follow signposts leading toward KAWAIITOPIA.

Rooms & Areas:

● Room 1 — Sweets Hell
● Room 2 — Plushie Hell
● Room 3 — White Hell
● Room 4 — Materials Hell
● Room 5 — Words Hell
● Room 6 — Colorful Rebellion – Seventh Nightmare
● Real or Hell? — KAWAII-CORE

In addition, artworks appear outside the main gallery spaces. Beneath the museum staircase stands the approximately 6-meter-tall tower sculpture Polychromatic Skin – Gender Tower, while at the exhibition entrance visitors are welcomed by Express Yourself, a face-shaped installation composed of video contributions from members of Kawaii communities around the world.

2: A colossal artwork, “The Heart Protected by Thorns,” and a pink island emerge on Lake Miyazawa!

“KAWAII-CORE ISLAND”

After passing through the Metsä forest and arriving at Lake Miyazawa, visitors encounter a striking sight: a pink island known as KAWAII-CORE ISLAND. Instantly commanding attention is the monumental sculpture “The Heart Protected by Thorns,” measuring 6 meters high × 7.5 meters wide. This massive work embodies KAWAII-CORE, the symbolic icon of the exhibition KAWAIITOPIA.

Visitors can actually enter the core itself, where a final question from the artist awaits you. Set foot on this sacred island of KAWAII and experience it for yourself.

Landing requires a separate boat ticket (same-day purchase only). Trips may be canceled in case of strong winds or severe weather.

3: Pop-Up Store at the Exhibition Venue: “THE KAWAII WORLD SHOP”

Located in the museum’s free-admission area, the pop-up shop “THE KAWAII WORLD SHOP” offers a wide selection of KAWAII items that transcend the boundaries between art and fashion, including popular Harajuku kawaii goods and exclusive goods only available here! A special photo booth where visitors can take pictures with Masuda’s artworks will also be set up. Be sure to stop by and explore!

[Exhibition Information]

Title: Sebastian Masuda “KAWAIITOPIA -GO TO HEAVEN (HELL)-”
Dates: March 14 (Sat) – August 30 (Sun), 2026
Hours: 10:00–17:00 (Last admission 30 minutes before closing)
https://metsa-hanno.com/hypermuseumhanno/

Venue:
Hyper Museum Hanno
Metsä Village, 327-6 Miyazawa, Hanno, Saitama 357-0001, Japan
Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/XJRhScpaKQpzm8j78

Tickets:
Advance Adults ¥1,000 / Children (ages 4–high school) ¥500
Same-day Adults ¥1,200 / Children (ages 4–high school) ¥700

Advance Ticket Sales:
Please check each ticket provider’s website for details.
Asoview! — https://www.asoview.com/channel/ticket/6UpKVvgDWW/ticket0000048520/
ArtSticker — https://artsticker.app/events/119363
Lawson Ticket — https://l-tike.com/event/mevent/?mid=777064 (Sales begin Feb 19)
Seven Ticket — https://7ticket.jp/sc/fmox (Sales begin Feb 20)

Same-day tickets are available at the museum ticket booth (10:00–16:30).

Supported by: Hanno City / Hanno City Board of Education / FM NACK5 Co., Ltd. / Television Saitama, Inc.
Special Cooperation: Sign Artech Co., Ltd.