Nice: The Museum Of Asian Arts Is Brimming With Japan: Sumo Photography, Exceptional Bonsai, And Bizen Craftsmanship.
Amidst ancient struggle, visual poetry, and living art, the Departmental Museum of Asian Arts in Nice breathes a breeze from Japan into our lives. How about booking your ticket for a timeless immersion?
A Japanese autumn on the Promenade des Anglais
Looking for a change of scenery without leaving the French Riviera? Head to 405 Promenade des Anglais, where the Museum of Asian Arts is rolling out a 100% Japan program until February 1, 2026. On the agenda: two major exhibitions (including the highly anticipated "Sumo, The Absolute Balance"), dance performances, tea ceremonies, and a host of creative workshops. The institution, which welcomed over 85,000 visitors in 2024 (source: Department 06), thus confirms its role as a cultural driving force on the Azurean coast.
"Body to Body": The Aesthetic Shock According to Philippe Marinig
In 2007, French photographer Philippe Marinig walked into a heya, a sumo wrestlers' training hall, and experienced a revelation. Eighteen years later, his series "Corps à corps" reveals striking silver gelatin prints: oblique lighting, skin grains beaded with sweat, suspended gestures. Neither folklore nor cliché: the artist captures the intimacy of these extraordinary athletes and subtly questions our own relationship with the body, discipline, and balance.
Sumo, a sport... and a millennia-old ritual
Did you know that the Nihon Sumo Kyokai (National Association) has about 700 professional rikishi and that the Tokyo tournaments, always sold out, gather nearly 11,000 spectators per day? More than a competitive sport, sumo remains a Shinto ritual, intertwined with daily ascetic practices: waking up at dawn, training in the dohy?, meditation...
The exhibition situates these codes (the sand-throwing gesture, palm strikes to salute the spirits) within their spiritual context through Edo period prints, a trophy signed by Pierre Soulages given to Jacques Chirac, and a whole array of popular objects.
When the photo converses with the painting, "The Absolute Balance"
Echoing Marinig's clichés, the canvases of painter Kinoshita Daimon drape the rooms with a meditative aura: large ink washes, massive silhouettes outlined in gold. The East-West encounter takes effect: between the documentary eye of the Frenchman and the calligraphic touch of the Japanese, the scenography plays on contrasts to better reveal the poetry of the struggle.
Bonsai & Bizen Ceramics: Miniature Japan Comes to Nice
From November 8 to 10, the focus is on plants and terracotta. More than just "potted trees," the bonsais on display, some over 120 years old, embody patience and harmony with the elements. In contrast, the works of Master Togaku Mori tell a story of eight centuries of ceramic tradition in Bizen, a small town in Okayama where red clay meets wood-fired kilns reaching up to 1,250°C.
- Free admission
- Lectures, demonstrations, tea ceremony
Innovation & Heritage: Kazuya Ishida Conference
On November 12th at 3 PM, the prodigy Kazuya Ishida, aged 36 and already a star in New York galleries, will come to decipher ten major pieces from his anagama kiln. It will be an opportunity to understand how young Japanese artists infuse contemporary design and ecological concerns into an ancient art.
Hervé Koubi: Dance as a Bridge Between Cultures
On November 29, two time slots (2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.) will offer the Azurean public an in situ performance by Hervé Koubi and Fayçal Hamlat. Ten Korean dancers will take over the glass atrium for a choreographic journey mixing martial arts, hip-hop, and Sufism. Limited seating to 30 people: don't wait to reserve!
Fun Workshops: Printmaking, Calligraphy, and Manga
Because learning as a family remains the best way to retain information, the museum offers a variety of participatory formats: printmaking (November 5), calligraphy workshop (November 15), or creating a manga storyboard (November 22). These activities are designed for 8-15 year-olds, but let's face it: adults have just as much fun.
Breathe, move: tai chi, qigong, and tea ceremony
Every other Saturday, the square turns into an open-air dojo. Tai chi followed by qi gong encourage slowing down, a health benefit endorsed by the World Health Organization, which lists these disciplines as promoting balance and fall prevention among seniors. On November 30th, Marina Icho will share the way of tea (chado) according to the Ura-senke school. Silence, the scent of matcha... and gratitude.
Practical Information & Tips
Opening Hours: 10 am-5 pm, closed on Tuesdays.
Admission Fees: Free access to the museum; guided tours €5, workshops ranging from €5 to €30 depending on duration. Payment methods: cash, credit card, checks, holiday vouchers (ticket office).
Access: Lignes d'Azur bus lines 9/10 stop "Musée des Arts Asiatiques", parking available at Parc Phoenix nearby, bicycle path and blue bike stations.
Good to Know: Groups are limited to 20 people to ensure a comfortable visit. Advance booking required for all paid activities.
Why is it THE cultural highlight of the fall?
1/ **Total Immersion**: hard to find a more comprehensive panorama of sumo elsewhere in France, from the stereotype of the giant in mawashi to the societal issues of contemporary Japan.
2/ **Accessibility**: free general admission, ideal for families and students.
3/ **Tourist Attraction**: according to Insee, 38% of off-season overnight stays on the Riviera are motivated by the cultural offerings. This event could well boost your autumn getaways.
Nota Bene
The term heya refers to both the building and the community of wrestlers. As for Bizen pottery, it is recognizable by its rust hues and the absence of glaze: the magic comes solely from the flame and the ash.
One last word before closing the shoji door...
Whether you're a photography enthusiast, a miniature garden aficionado, or just someone curious about new experiences, don't miss this Japanese event in the heart of Nice. You may come away with a desire to master the shiko stance or to nurture a small tricolor maple! (Consider yourself warned.)
