Kyoto Okazaki Tsutaya Books is hosting the solo exhibition "FRIEND" by illustrator Akinori Nishio, running from June 4 (Thu) to June 30 (Tue), 2026, at the GALLERY EN Wall inside the store. The show centers on his latest group portrait works depicting the everyday moments shared among young people living in the present day.
Within the world of illustration—a medium fundamentally built on communication—Nishio has been capturing fleeting slices of everyday life through simple, clean lines. His natural-feeling portrayals of contemporary youth have appeared on food packaging and in a wide range of other contexts, earning broad resonance with audiences.
His works, rendered in fluid, effortless brushstrokes, quietly convey the relationships between figures and the mood of each scene, evoking diverse personal narratives that touch viewers' own memories and emotions.
Artist's Statement
I want things, I want to know things, I want to touch things.
When I channel all those desires into illustrations,
it feels as though I've already obtained them.
I can't stop.
— Akinori Nishio
Portrait Drawing Event
Akinori Nishio will draw portraits for visitors on-site. Participation is open to individuals, families, and groups.
Sign-ups are taken on a first-come, first-served basis at the store's register counter on the day of the event.
Date: June 28 (Sun), 11:00 AM–5:00 PM
Fee: ¥2,200 per person (¥3,850 for 2 people; ¥5,500 for 3 people) *Tax included
Venue: Kyoto Okazaki Tsutaya Books, GALLERY EN Wall
Capacity: First 15 participants (20 minutes per slot)
Time Schedule:
① 11:00–11:20 AM / ② 11:20–11:40 AM / ③ 11:40 AM–12:00 PM / ④ 12:00–12:20 PM / ⑤ 12:20–12:40 PM
⑥ 12:40–1:00 PM / ⑦ 2:00–2:20 PM / ⑧ 2:20–2:40 PM / ⑨ 2:40–3:00 PM / ⑩ 3:00–3:20 PM
⑪ 3:20–3:40 PM / ⑫ 3:40–4:00 PM / ⑬ 4:00–4:20 PM / ⑭ 4:20–4:40 PM / ⑮ 4:40–5:00 PM
Artwork Sales
Works on display will go on sale in-store from June 4 (Thu) at 10:00 AM.
Some pieces will also be available on the online art marketplace OIL from June 6 (Sat) at 11:00 AM through June 30 (Tue) at 11:59 PM.
About the Artist
Akinori Nishio
Born in Gifu Prefecture. Illustrator. After graduating from Kuwasawa Design School, Nishio began his career as an illustrator in 2017. That same year, he opened "Surome," a shop where anyone can enjoy silk-screen printing, which he continues to run today. He works on commissions for magazines, books, and product packaging.
Selected Exhibitions:
- 2017 "KOTEN," Small House (Gifu)
- 2018 "Anata-ten," Retro Insatsu JAM (Osaka)
- 2019 "Nishio Tee," THE LOCAL (Tokyo)
- 2019 "SOCKS," Omotesando ROCKET (Tokyo)
- 2021 "Ugoke," THE LOCAL (Tokyo)
Exhibition Details
Akinori Nishio Solo Exhibition "FRIEND"
Dates: June 4 (Thu) – June 30 (Tue), 2026
Note: Closed June 8 (Mon) due to a temporary closure
Hours: 10:00 AM–8:00 PM
Venue: Kyoto Okazaki Tsutaya Books, GALLERY EN Wall
Tel: 075-754-0008
Official Page: Event Details
