The exhibition "Design Ah Exhibition neo," based on the popular NHK E-TV program "Design Ah neo," brings the show’s core concept to life, offering children and adults alike a chance to experience the fun and depth of design firsthand. The exhibition runs from Friday, April 18 to Tuesday (public holiday), September 23, 2025, at TOKYO NODE in Toranomon Hills. This marks the first new edition in about four years since the previous installment, which attracted a total of 1.16 million visitors. The theme of this year’s exhibition is "Action (Verbs)," featuring 35 works that reinterpret everyday actions, such as walking, eating, sitting, and holding, through the lens of design. In this report, we’ll guide you through the highlights and how to best enjoy the ongoing "Design Ah Exhibition neo."

The venue, TOKYO NODE, is a hub for information and cultural exchange located at the very top of the Toranomon Hills Station Tower, which opened in 2023. Upon entering the building, visitors are greeted by a massive round balloon marking the entrance to the "Design Ah Exhibition neo." The building is directly connected to Toranomon Hills Station on the Hibiya Line, allowing easy access even on rainy days without getting wet.

The "Design Ah neo TV program" focuses on discovering the mechanisms and charm of everyday design from multiple perspectives, often inspiring moments of surprise and realization, expressed as a spontaneous "Ah!" The exhibition evokes that same feeling, with oversized installations such as a giant tapestry cat prompting those very same reactions from visitors.

Reception is located on the 8th floor entrance, and admission is by advance reservation with designated time slots in 30-minute increments. While same-day tickets may be available at the counter or ticket machines if there are openings, no on-site sales will take place if online tickets are sold out. If you know your desired visit date, it's best to purchase your tickets early via the official website.

Once inside, take the elevator to the 45th floor to start touring the exhibition. Upon arrival, you'll be greeted by an enormous floating balloon shaped like the character "あ" (Ah) - an eye-catching and powerful visual.

At the start of the exhibition, the "Introduction: Garden of Verbs" welcomes visitors. This installation reflects the exhibition’s theme of "Action (Verbs)," featuring everyday objects that move freely, without even being touched.

All 35 works on display are created by a team of creatives led by graphic designer Taku Sato, the general director of the exhibition. According to Kentaro Masuda, producer at NHK Promotions (one of the organizers), "During the planning phase, many ideas were contributed by various creators, and through repeated discussions, the content of the exhibition was gradually shaped."

The exhibition opens with a section themed around "walking." One of the highlights is "Arukikata Log" (Walking Style Log), where visitors strike walking poses as instructed within the booth and their movements are projected onto a massive screen. The venue itself spans approximately 1,500 square meters, with a maximum ceiling height of 15 meters, allowing for large-scale, open-ended displays that make full use of the space. "Some ideas had to be adjusted, like those that didn’t fit the venue or align with the floor plan, but since this is our third time hosting it, most of the ideas from creators were relatively feasible," says Masuda.

Another compelling piece is "Nobody Bumps Into Anyone," which visualizes the flow of people at Shibuya’s famous Scramble Crossing using strings. Each thread represents a pedestrian’s movement, and despite the heavy crowding, the threads pass by one another without touching, highlighting the coordination of the crowd.

In "Which One Is the Crosswalk?", visitors must guess the correct spacing of crosswalk stripes from three options, A, B, or C, based on intuition. It’s deceptively difficult, precisely because it’s something we rarely think about. (You’ll have to visit the venue to find out the answer!)

Many of the exhibits are hands-on and encourage direct participation. "Which One Is the Crosswalk?" in particular was enjoyed by people of all ages, who eagerly walked around trying to find the answer. Masuda adds, "While our main audience includes families with children who watch the program, on weekdays we also see many couples and groups of friends. And we have a good number of repeat visitors - people who enjoyed the past exhibitions and came back for more."

The next floor continues the exhibition’s core theme of "Actions (Verbs)," with interactive exhibits centered around verbs like "eat," "sit," "hold," "search," and "discard." Visitors are free to explore whichever installations pique their interest first.

In "Hitokuchi A–n (Say Ah - One Bite)", a series of displays showcase different ways people bring food to their mouths, using spoons, forks, chopsticks, or even hands. Each slight variation in movement and tool use highlights the subtle complexity of the act of eating.

Onomato-piece invites participants to match onomatopoeic sound fragments, like "fuwa" (fluffy), "saku" (crispy), or "juwa" (juicy), with foods such as rice balls, hamburgers, or rice bowls. Visitors enthusiastically experimented, freely mixing both familiar and unexpected combinations like building blocks.

Oishisou!? (Looks Tasty!) is an interactive station where visitors can adjust variables like the texture, thickness, or doneness of dishes to create their ideal-looking meal. The menu includes rice, hamburger steak, sandwiches, and pudding. One try with the sandwich resulted in a surprisingly appetizing creation!

On a raised platform, "Erasou na Isu" (The Pompous Chair) lets you feel like an important person just by sitting down. It's a popular photo spot, constantly surrounded by camera-ready visitors. "The sloped access ensures that wheelchair users can enjoy it too," notes Masuda.

Mochite no Mure (The Herd of Handles) showcases a striking collection of everyday handles - scissors, screwdrivers, doorknobs, and more. The sheer number of items is overwhelming, and the exhibit underscores how the form and size of each handle varies depending on its purpose.

In "Mochigokochi" (The Feel of Holding), visitors can explore how hand size and shape affect how tools feel in the hand. Try out various objects in different sizes to discover the subtle differences in grip and comfort.

The "Mochihakobi Trial" (Carry-It Trial) adds a thrill: move items like frying pans or guitars without touching the surrounding pipes. The rules are simple, but the tension is addictive. It’s a hands-on challenge of focus and dexterity.

In "Jikkuri Shikkuri" (Just Right Fit), guests match sheets of various shapes with holes into pins that fit perfectly. It’s unexpectedly engrossing. Kids, in particular, were absorbed in finding just the right match. "We honestly didn’t know which exhibit would become the most popular until the exhibition started. Some people stay at a single display for quite a while. It really varies by person," says Masuda.

A playful twist on the concept of discarding, "Rutesu" flips expectations: instead of throwing trash downward, visitors toss bags upward into ceiling-mounted bins. The installation evokes the fun of a school sports day game, like tamaire (game in which two teams throw as many balls as possible into a basket atop a high pole).

In "Dessan Ah" (Ah Sketch), participants closely observe objects such as a moped from different angles and sketch them. The finished drawings are projected on a large screen inside the venue. It’s a chance to sharpen observation and expression skills while appreciating the diverse perspectives of others. A special website also allows visitors to browse sketches submitted from across Japan during the exhibition period.

The exhibit also includes audiovisual works from acclaimed creatives such as video director Yugo Nakamura and music director Shuta Hasunuma. A standout is "The Ah Tune", where rhythmic music and cascading visuals of the character "あ" fill the screen, creating an immersive experience where visitors feel as though they are being showered.

Design Docchide Show is a participatory debate show. On familiar topics like "Is milk better in a bottle or a carton?", characters Bouya and Anchan argue their sides, and the audience votes on which opinion they agree with. The whole venue gets involved, deepening everyone’s understanding of design in a fun, interactive way.

Design Ah Exhibition neo was bustling with visitors on this day as well. The exhibition runs until Tuesday (national holiday), September 23, but when is the best time to go? Masuda says, "We’re working to add more time slots, but tickets sell out quickly on weekends. Weekdays are definitely the best time. Especially weekday mornings, when visitors can enjoy the exhibition at a more relaxed pace."

One of the joys of visiting "Design Ah neo" is shopping for original merchandise. The special shop offers a wide range of souvenirs, with particularly popular items being the original T-shirts and keychains. Also recommended is the analog record produced by Shuta Hasunuma, which includes all 24 songs used in the program.

A fun and unique item is the "Ame-burera", an umbrella featuring the characters "あ" (A) and "め" (Me). You’re sure to attract attention on rainy days!

At the 8th-floor TOKYO NODE CAFÉ and other restaurants and cafés in Toranomon Hills, 15 special menu items are being offered to commemorate the "Design Ah Exhibition neo." The photo below shows the "Place it, Sandwich it, Eat it Burger," along with sandwiches and pudding created in collaboration with the "Oishisou!?" exhibit.

During the exhibition period, the entire Toranomon Hills complex takes on the "Design Ah Exhibition neo" theme. All around, you’ll spot the character "あ" and promotions related to the theme of "Actions (Verbs)."

Design Ah Exhibition neo isn’t just about looking at design. It invites visitors to move their bodies, use their minds, and laugh, as they rediscover the design found in everyday life. It’s an exhibition anyone can enjoy, whether child or adult. Masuda says confidently, "Feel free to speak out loud, and apart from a few restricted areas, photography is allowed. We’ve created a space where people can truly have fun. Because Toranomon Hills is a business district, some may feel it's a bit intimidating, but that’s absolutely not the case. Please feel free to drop by." Design isn’t something special - it’s a part of life itself. Why not come and experience that realization for yourself? For details on opening hours and how to purchase tickets, please check the official website below.

[Design A Exhibition NEO]
https://exhibition-ah-neo.jp/