In 1961, Hundertwasser accepted an invitation to exhibit at the Tokyo Gallery. It took place at the same time as the sixth Tokyo International Art Exhibition, at which Hundertwasser and four other artists represented Austria and received the Mainichi Prize. His solo exhibition at the Tokyo Gallery was a great success. During the six months of his stay in Japan, Hundertwasser painted in Hokkaido and travelled around the country. He met his future wife Yuko Ikewada and returned to Vienna with her via Siberia.