Tokyo Streets X is back, and the hot photography and art show is as exciting a chance as any to immerse yourself in the world of Japan-based creatives. Born in 2023 as a space for emerging and established photographers in Tokyo to share their work, with a particular focus on street and documentary photography, it has quickly expanded to become a creative hub for interaction between photographers, visual artists and DJs from across Japan.
The latest iteration began on April 21 and is taking place until April 26. Ahead of the exhibit’s opening, we took a look and talked to founder and curator Adam Benedicto about how Tokyo Streets X came to be – and where he plans to take it next.
A view of Tokyo’s creative scene from its very centre
Photo: Keisuke Tanigawa
Talking with Adam, who grew up in West London’s vibrant and multicultural Ladbroke Grove, it was easy to see how he was inspired by his native neighbourhood in his decision to pick WPÜ Gallery as the festival’s home turf. The raw, warehouse-like space, complete with scaffolding from the now closed Commune in Shibuya, is reminiscent of the vibrant chaos that can be experienced at Portobello Market and Notting Hill Carnival, Europe’s largest street party.
Similar to how those street-level festivities are inclusive, eclectic and alive, Tokyo Streets X brings together the perfect mix of up-and-coming artists, musicians, DJs and an ever-growing audience for creative collaborations to happen organically.
Photo: Keisuke Tanigawa
Reflecting on the importance of building connections within the creative community, Adam brought up New York street photographer Vivian Maier, now widely considered one of the greatest photographers of the 20th century. Without recognition and a network of artists, her work was relatively unknown until shortly before her death – after a historian had purchased the negatives and uploaded them online.
‘One of the main reasons I started hosting these events is because I was so sick of looking at my photos on a screen,’ Adam says. ‘It doesn’t do justice to what people spend a long time crafting.’ The realisation prompted him to create something more tangible – something with cool music and good lighting.
He adds that it took him around 15 years of shooting street photography for himself before recognising the value of sharing the work more publicly through physical events. By 2023, he had begun hosting the recurring exhibition series, initially centred on street and documentary photography, which by 2025 expanded into a more mixed-media format – that of Tokyo Streets X.
Photo: Keisuke TanigawaFounder and organiser Adam Benedicto
His wife also played a significant role in the journey, Adam notes, with her background in graphic design and ability to translate into Japanese helping to get the event off the ground through designing the key visuals and producing the bilingual exhibition magazine (¥3,000).
Curation through encounters
When asked about how he curates the show, Adam said that much of the process comes from meeting new artists at the show. He selects those who he feels have got ‘something interesting to say or someone I want to know a little bit more of’.
One of the headlining artists from the previous February show, Michael Harris, for example, was interviewed for the magazine after the exhibition, driven by Adam’s personal interest in his work and a desire to have it seen and understood by a wider audience.
Photo: Keisuke Tanigawa
While larger exhibitions can lean commercial or institutional, Tokyo Streets X occupies a unique middle ground – remaining accessible for up-and-coming artists while featuring highly skilled and sometimes established photographers and visual artists.
This April edition’s roster includes over 40 photographers, and just so happens to showcase more local Japanese artists than ever before, among them Yuki Hamaguchi, Joji Shimamoto and Yusuke Nagata. Featured photographers and visual artists from abroad include Cody Miles, Eijiro Hamada and Heret Frasthio, just to name a few.
Photo: Keisuke TanigawaFounder and organiser Adam Benedicto
If you want a fast track to understanding Tokyo’s creative energy, Tokyo Streets X provides exactly that. Time your visit for the reception on Saturday April 25 (from 6pm; ¥500 entry), when the exhibit’s resident DJs (including Adam’s son) and special guests come together for a lively closing-weekend celebration.
Tokyo Streets X runs daily at WPU Gallery until April 26.
More from Time Out Tokyo
Editors’ picks: 5 events you really don’t want to miss over Golden Week
Martin Margiela’s first major Japan solo show lands at Kudan House
Try playing the taiko in the heart of Tokyo with this beginner-friendly class
Shibuya Sky is opening its rooftop bar for a limited time from April 29
Get to know Tokyo through its buildings at the Tokyo Architecture Festival in May
Want to be the first to know what’s cool in Tokyo? Sign up to our newsletter for the latest updates from Tokyo and Japan.
