Celebrating Leica’s 100th Anniversary: Exploring the Centennial Exhibitions at Aoyama Spiral and Leica Gallery Tokyo-Omotesando

📸 Leica’s 100th Anniversary Exhibitions Now Open in Aoyama and Omotesando

In 2025, Leica celebrates its 100th anniversary. To mark this milestone, two special exhibitions are currently taking place in Tokyo.

At Aoyama Spiral, the comprehensive historical exhibition “100 Years of Leica: Witness to a Century (1925–2025)” traces the evolution of Leica cameras over the past century.

Nearby, at Leica Gallery Tokyo (Omotesando), a two-person exhibition titled “In Conversation: A Photographic Dialogue Between Elliott Erwitt and John Sypal” presents the work of the legendary photographer Elliott Erwitt alongside contemporary photographer John Sypal.

Both exhibitions offer unique perspectives on Leica’s century-long impact on photography and visual culture, making this a must-see opportunity for photography enthusiasts and Leica fans alike.

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Elliott Erwitt × John Sypal – A Timeless Photographic Dialogue

Leica Gallery Tokyo (Omotesando)

The first stop was Leica Gallery Tokyo in Omotesando, hosting the two-person exhibition featuring Elliott Erwitt and John Sypal.

As the title “In Conversation” suggests, the works of the two photographers engage in a silent dialogue across time and culture. Erwitt’s refined humor and human insight harmonize with Sypal’s contemporary perspectives on Tokyo life, creating a captivating conversation through photography.

For longtime fans of Erwitt like myself, seeing his original prints in person was an extraordinary experience.

Even works familiar from books or online took on new depth when seen in print — the subtle tonal gradations, the richness of blacks and whites, and the gentle interplay of light and shadow revealed the true power of his photography.

Sypal’s images also echo Erwitt’s vision, capturing modern Tokyo with a warmth and sensitivity unique to Leica. Together, the two photographers demonstrate how Leica cameras transcend generations and cultures.

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Tracing Leica’s History and Craftsmanship

― Aoyama Spiral: “100 Years of Leica: Witness to a Century (1925–2025)”

Next, a short walk brought us to Aoyama Spiral, where the official Leica 100th Anniversary Exhibition is on display.

This exhibition showcases the entire history of Leica, from Oskar Barnack’s original Ur-Leica prototype to the latest models, offering an unparalleled look at the brand’s evolution.

Highlights include rare historical artifacts rarely seen by the public: a charred Leica recovered from the Hindenburg disaster and the Leica body famously struck by a bullet that saved a photojournalist’s life.

These exhibits demonstrate that each Leica is not merely a camera, but a witness to history and human experience.

The exhibition also features a hands-on area for trying Leica’s latest cameras, including the M11, allowing visitors to experience the technical evolution and enduring craftsmanship of the brand firsthand.

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Experiencing 100 Years of Leica Within Walking Distance

From Omotesando to Aoyama — both exhibitions are within walking distance, allowing visitors to experience Leica’s past and present in a single visit.

Erwitt and Sypal’s work highlights the “continuity of photography,” while the Spiral exhibition conveys the brand’s century-long craftsmanship.

Together, they reveal that Leica is more than a camera brand — it is a creator and guardian of photographic culture.

Even after 100 years, Leica continues to convey one fundamental message: the joy of seeing the world.

Visiting these exhibitions is a unique opportunity to reconnect with that timeless essence.

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🗓 開催情報（2025年10月現在）

100 Years of Leica: Witness to a Century (1925–2025)

Venue: Spiral Garden, 5-6-23 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Dates: October 18 (Sat) – October 26 (Sun), 2025

Hours: 11:00 – 20:00

Admission: Free

Official Site →

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In Conversation: A Photographic Dialogue Between Elliott Erwitt and John Sypal

Venue: Leica Gallery Tokyo (Leica Store Omotesando 2F)

Dates: October 1 (Wed) – November 30 (Sun), 2025

Hours: 11:00 – 19:00 (Closed Mondays)

Admission: Free

Official Site →