Japanese title: IMAGINE大学祭 2026

Details ↓Kyochika’s take · what it is · getting there

Good to know

The festival of the liberal-arts school IMAGINE University at Spiral in Aoyama. On Nov 7 the hall (3F) hosts a 7-category competition awards, a report on the Milan international children's architecture model show, a talk by film director Naomi Kawase and principal Kenichiro Mogi, and a talk & party until 18:00. Finalist works and children's architecture models are on show at Spiral Garden (1F) Nov 6–8.

Date

Nov 7 (Sat)

Time

12:30–19:00

Price

Hall program by application (100 YouTube subscribers invited free by lottery; members plus one guest)

Venue

Spiral (Spiral Hall 3F / Spiral Garden 1F)

Nearest station

Omotesando Sta.

Check closed days and last admission on the official page before you go.

🎧 Nearby: free guideShibuya Scramble CrossingFree English audio guide →

About this event

A liberal arts festival bringing together film director Naomi Kawase and neuroscientist Kenichiro Mogi for a special lecture, alongside a report on an international architecture project featuring Toyo Ito and Sou Fujimoto. Under the theme of 'Heart and Mind,' young creators present their work in seven competition categories, including photography, spatial design, sweets and games. Exhibitions feature architectural models created by children and universities from five countries for Milan Design Week, plus a full-scale reconstruction of a 28-square-metre 'Room of the Heart.' A relay of conversations between Mogi and around 15 invited guests completes the programme.

Highlights

• 3:00 pm: Naomi Kawase and Kenichiro Mogi discuss cinema, life, nature and creativity.
• 12:30 pm: Presentations from seven competition categories, followed by awards at 1:55 pm.
• 2:30 pm: Toyo Ito, Sou Fujimoto and Manabu Chiba report on the Milan International Children's Architectural Model Exhibition.
• See the full-scale 28 m² 'Room of the Heart' and architectural models from five countries.
• 4:00 pm: Talks with around 15 guests, including Herbie Yamaguchi and Asami Kiyokawa.

Good for

For architecture, design and film enthusiasts, and anyone curious about creative ideas from established artists and emerging talent.

Good to know

• Advance registration is required for the hall programme. A lottery offers 100 free invitations to subscribers of the IMAGINE University YouTube channel.
• YouTube membership holders may attend with one guest. Applications must be submitted using the dedicated form.
• The programme, speakers and timings are subject to change.

Summarized from the official page and press materials.

What is IMAGINE University, and why is its festival held at Fumihiko Maki's Spiral?

IMAGINE University is a social initiative supporting young creative talent, with neuroscientist Kenichiro Mogi as its president. Drawing on DESIGN ASSOCIATION's creative network, it organises lectures and competitions. It treats the liberal arts as 'the skills to become free,' encouraging people to ask their own questions rather than simply accept prescribed answers. Its 2025 festival in Aoyama brought together art, architecture, music and dance.

Spiral, the festival's setting, opened in October 1985 as a cultural complex established by Wacoal, a Japanese apparel company seeking to develop culture as a business. Designed by architect Fumihiko Maki, the building connects galleries, a café, an atrium and a hall through circulation spaces. Visitors encounter art while becoming both observers and participants in the surrounding scene. Spiral received the Japan Institute of Architects' 25 Year Award for 2011.

Spiral's philosophy of integrating art into everyday life has much in common with IMAGINE University's interdisciplinary approach to learning. That is why the students' 'Room of the Heart' is not the only thing worth seeing: look closely at Maki's architecture and how it brings people and creative work together.

IMAGINE University — About the University (Japanese) · IMAGINE University — 2025 Festival Overview (Japanese) · IMAGINE University Festival 2026 — Official Information (Japanese) · Spiral — About Spiral (Japanese) · Maki and Associates — Spiral Project (Japanese) · Japan Institute of Architects — 2011 JIA 25 Year Award Winners (Japanese)

Nov 7 (Sat), also nearby

Still open after this closes (around 19:00)

After this · until 20:00InSitu2 – IbashoOmotesando · 0.4 km, about 7 min on foot from here · 12:00–20:00

After this · until 20:00Hello Kitty's LoungeOmotesando · 0.5 km, about 8 min on foot from here · 11:00–20:00

Pop-upsLove Live! Superstar!! POP UP SHOP (Kiddyland Harajuku)Meiji-jingumae · 0.8 km, about 12 min on foot from here · 11:00–20:00

Pop-upsSAKAMOTO DAYS DJ GROOVE CAFE at Share Cafe (Harakado)Harajuku · 0.8 km, about 13 min on foot from here · 11:00–23:00

Distance from major stations

From Omotesando

0.2 km, about 2 min on foot

From Meiji-jingumae

0.8 km, about 13 min on foot

From Gaiemmae

0.9 km, about 15 min on foot

From Harajuku

1.1 km, about 17 min on foot

Distances are straight-line; times are rough estimates.

Other events nearby

• Art Week Tokyo Kids & Youth Workshop: 'Detectives, Collect Everyone's Discoveries!'AWT BAR (emergence aoyama complex 1F) (Omotesando Sta.) · right there from here · Nov 7 (Sat) – Nov 8 (Sun)
• The Dynamism of BlackTaro Okamoto Memorial Museum (Omotesando Sta.) · 0.4 km, about 6 min on foot from here · Jul 17 (Fri) – Nov 23 (Mon, holiday)
• InSitu2 – IbashoEspace Louis Vuitton Tokyo (Omotesando Sta.) · 0.4 km, about 7 min on foot from here · Oct 24 (Sat) – Nov 27 (Fri)
• 50th Anniversary: Tamura Shigeru Solo ExhibitionPinpoint Gallery (Omotesando Sta.) · 0.5 km, about 7 min on foot from here · Nov 3 (Tue, holiday) – Nov 20 (Fri)
• Hello Kitty's LoungeOmotesando Hills Main Building B3F, Space O (Omotesando Sta.) · 0.5 km, about 8 min on foot from here · Oct 28 (Wed) – Nov 8 (Sun)
• Special Exhibition: Bugaku Costumes – The Inherited Beauty of Dyeing and WeavingNezu Museum (Omotesando Sta.) · 0.5 km, about 8 min on foot from here · Oct 24 (Sat) – Nov 23 (Mon, holiday)

Food and cafes nearby

Search places around the venue on Google Maps.

Tours and tickets nearby

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FAQ

What is IMAGINE University Festival 2026?

A liberal arts festival bringing together film director Naomi Kawase and neuroscientist Kenichiro Mogi for a special lecture, alongside a report on an international architecture project featuring Toyo Ito and Sou Fujimoto. Under the theme of 'Heart and Mind,' young creators present their work in seven competition categories, including photography, spatial design, sweets and games. Exhibitions feature architectural models created by children and universities from five countries for Milan Design Week, plus a full-scale reconstruction of a 28-square-metre 'Room of the Heart.' A relay of conversations between Mogi and around 15 invited guests completes the programme.

When is IMAGINE University Festival 2026?

Nov 7 (Sat)

What are the opening hours of IMAGINE University Festival 2026?

12:30–19:00 Check the official page for closed days and last admission.

How much does IMAGINE University Festival 2026 cost?

Hall program by application (100 YouTube subscribers invited free by lottery; members plus one guest)

Where is IMAGINE University Festival 2026 and what is the nearest station?

It is held at Spiral (Spiral Hall 3F / Spiral Garden 1F). The nearest station is Omotesando Sta..

Where to next

Nearby, within the next week

Art exhibitionsThe Dynamism of BlackOmotesando · 0.4 km · Jul 17 (Fri) – Nov 23 (Mon, holiday)

Art exhibitionsSpecial Exhibition: Bugaku Costumes – The Inherited Beauty of Dyeing and WeavingOmotesando · 0.5 km · Oct 24 (Sat) – Nov 23 (Mon, holiday)

Art exhibitionsKirin Solo Exhibition "Bunga & Hana" (Design Festa Gallery Harajuku)Harajuku · 0.8 km · Nov 2 (Mon) – Nov 4 (Wed)

Art exhibitionsKatsushika Oi’s “Night Scene in the Yoshiwara” and the Lineage of Night ViewsHarajuku · 0.9 km · Oct 6 (Tue) – Dec 6 (Sun)

All Art →Today →This weekend →

The photo shows the venue or its surroundings, not the event itself.

Checked against the official page on October 30, 2026. Titles and descriptions are our own translations.