Over thousands of years, Japanese art has evolved through many phases and genres — from pottery to sculpture, ink paintings to woodblock prints, manga to anime and much more. Although contemporary art is often thought of as conceptual and difficult to comprehend, it hasn't stopped the public from enjoying exhibitions. But when it comes to collecting art, it's usually only the privileged who are invited to buy works.

This Friday, 3331 Arts Chiyoda, a hub for artistic development in Tokyo and its surrounding regions, is inaugurating its very first exhibition cum art sale, and it's inviting everyone, not just collectors, to enjoy and consider purchasing works.

The "3331 Arts Fair — Various Collectors' Prizes" exhibition, which starts on March 7 and continues until March 16, features more than 200 works, all of which will be available for purchase. They are being presented as a collaboration of around 80 artists and artist groups, and include sculptures, paintings and multimedia pieces by some of Japan's young, up-and-coming contemporary artists.

Those who want to learn more about the works exhibited should join the event on Saturday when artists, collectors, exhibitors and critics will be available to introduce visitors to the works. As many as 50 well-known collectors will attend the show to select exhibits for their own collections, and artists whose work is chosen will be awarded prizes.

Visitors can also join Collectors' Night on March 10 through March 15, where they can enjoy art and good conversation over a glass of wine. And if you're interest in Japanese art is particularly fired up by all this, why not attend the symposium on trends in the contemporary art, which will be held on the last day of the event.

"3331 Arts Fair — Various Collectors' Prizes" at 3331 Arts Chiyoda, Tokyo, is open to the public from March 8 through March 16 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Entry is ¥1,000, which will be refunded to those who make purchases. Chiyoda Ward residents can enter for free. For more information, call 03-6803-2441, email [email protected] or visit artfair.3331.jp.