You can see the art making process of shohekiga paintings and interact with young artists in the Takehara Townscape Preservation District on Tour A (1 Feb-6 Feb). On Tour B (21 Feb-26 Feb), you can see the newly created shohekiga paintings by young artists that are exhibited in historical buildings. You will feel the power of art breathing new life into the historical townscape. Shogekiga are large paintings on sliding doors or folding screens seen in traditional Japanese architecture. Some shohekiga paintings are treated as important art pieces and collected by renowned overseas museums such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY. In the Takehara Townscape Preservation District, known as a `Little Kyoto’ town in Hiroshima Prefecture, you can see the historical transition of architectural styles from the Edo period (17th century) to Showa (1926-1989) eras. In the District, there are stores, cafés and restaurants renovated from old houses and stores.