Art Museum Spots in Japan

Area

Japan
- Japan
- Hokkaido / Tohoku
  
  Hokkaido
  
  Aomori
  
  Iwate
  
  Miyagi
  
  Akita
  
  Yamagata
  
  Fukushima
- Kanto
  
  Ibaraki
  
  Tochigi
  
  Gunma
  
  Saitama
  
  Chiba
  
  Tokyo
  
  Kanagawa
- Koshinetsu / Hokuriku
  
  Niigata
  
  Toyama
  
  Ishikawa
  
  Fukui
  
  Yamanashi
  
  Nagano
- Tokai
  
  Gifu
  
  Shizuoka
  
  Aichi
  
  Mie
- Kinki
  
  Shiga
  
  Kyoto
  
  Osaka
  
  Hyogo
  
  Nara
  
  Wakayama
- Chugoku
  
  Tottori
  
  Shimane
  
  Okayama
  
  Hiroshima
  
  Yamaguchi
- Shikoku
  
  Tokushima
  
  Kagawa
  
  Ehime
  
  Kochi
- Kyushu / Okinawa
  
  Fukuoka
  
  Saga
  
  Nagasaki
  
  Kumamoto
  
  Oita
  
  Miyazaki
  
  Kagoshima
  
  Okinawa

Category

Travel / Tourism

History / Culture / Tour

Art Museum

Kagawa Prefectural Higashiyama Kai Setouchi Art Museum

4.0

81 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Kagawa Pref. Sakaideshi Shamijima Nantong 224-13

This art museum overlooks the Seto-ohashi Bridge and Hitsuishi-jima Island, the birthplace of Higashiyama Kai’s grandfather. It stores more than 270 lithographs donated by the Higashiyama family, and holds exhibitions of various themes. The view from the cafe overlooking the Seto Inland Sea and the Seto-ohashi Bridge is a magnificent.

This is a very select collection of incredible paintings, drawings, displays dedicated to the famous artist, Kai Setouchi. If you are a fan of his art, you will be quite pleased with the gallery. If...
Shoji Ueda Museum of Photography

4.5

65 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Tottori Pref. Saihakugunhoukichou Sumura 353-3

The Shoji Ueda Museum of Photography showcases the works of world-famous photographer Shoji Ueda, who was born in Tottori Prefecture. Ueda’s photographs of subjects set against the backdrop of the San’in region’s big skies and imposing sand-dunes won renown as the “Ueda-cho” (“Ueda style”). There is plenty to see at the Museum, including the pond, which reflects an inverted image of Mt. Daisen, and the Museum Cinema, which is decorated with the world’s largest camera lens. The Museum Shop sells an extensive range of souvenir gifts.

The museum design attracts us to place a visit. We saw many beautiful photos taken by Mr. Shoji Ueda. There is photo-shooting spots that attracts many visitors - the water reflection of Mt. Daisen.
Sogo Museum of Art

4.0

68 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Kanagawa Pref. Yokohamashi Nishi-ku Takashima 2-18-1 Sogo Yokohama Store 6F

The Sogo Museum of Art is located on the sixth floor of the Sogo Yokohama Department Store in Yokohama's Nishi Ward. It was the first department store based museum in Japan to be based on the Museum Law. Its holdings include about 200 oils and watercolors by the Western-style painter Shintaro Suzuki, and it exhibits art in a wide variety of genres, including Western-style art, traditional Japanese-style art, folk crafts, sculpture, prints, books, and photos from Japan and overseas.

I had a nice time checking out all the artwork on display. It was not all that big and ran through it pretty quick. Probably a bit expensive for the relatively small exhibit. I picked up a couple...
Isamu Noguchi Garden Museum

4.5

93 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Kagawa Pref. Takamatsushi Murechoumure 3519

This art museum lets you bask in the world of Isamu Noguchi, a leading 20th century sculptor. He worked on an enormous range of projects like landscape design involving monuments, gardens, and parks, interiors with furniture and lighting fixtures, and stage art. He was a singular artist, and this cosmopolitan space has a universality that transcends genres.

To visit the garden museum you have to reserve a date and time in advance. It is an expensive visit, large group and nothing much to see in the garden (lawn with few stones arranged by the...
Kanmon Kaikyo Museum (Kaikyo Dramaship)

3.5

89 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Fukuoka Pref. Kitakyushushimojiku Nishikaigan 1-3-3

"A five-minute walk from Mojiko Station, this museum introduces the history, culture, and nature of the Kanmon Straits, including the ""Straits Atrium"" where visitors can experience history through fantastic sound and light, the ""Straits Historical Corridor"" where dolls from historical dramas such as the Battle of Dannoura and the Duel at Ganryujima are on display, and the ""Straits Retro Street"" that recreates Taisho-romantic buildings and streetcars. From the exhibition room on the 4th floor, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the Kanmon Straits."

出先の遅い午後、時間の空きができたので、門司港周りを探索しようと走っていて発見。広い駐車場があるから、先ずはクルマを停めて散策しようと思ったら、このミュージアムが目に止まって入館。お茶とか飲めそうだったしね。結果、時間に余裕があれば、まったりと過ごせる素晴らしい施設を楽しめたし、お薦めスポットですね。ちなみに当施設は、自治体の共同運営だそうな。その為か、平日の空いた時間でも、結構な人員が配置さ...
Shunkaen Bonsai Museum

4.5

66 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Tokyo Edogawa-ku Nihori 1-29-16

Located in the Niihori district of Tokyo’s Edogawa City this is an art museum dedicated to bonsai founded by bonsai artist Kunio Kobayashi which has won various awards such as the Prime Minister’s Award. As a facility to spread the appeal of bonsai with the world, it has bonsai pines standing in a row in the Japanese garden that is complete with a pond. The beautiful bonsai adorning the tokonoma and reception rooms in the Japanese-style house are a must-see. The museum also holds a bonsai experience classroom available for a fee, and this is also one sightseeing spot that is often frequented by non-Japanese.

I was told by Mr. Kobayashi that my life will never amount to anything because I am a girl and an only child. I tried to go here for an apprenticeship program. I left after 4 days due to feeling...
Kitaichi Venetian Art Museum

3.5

136 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Hokkaido Otarushi Sakaimachi 5-27

The exterior of the building is modeled on the Palazzo Grassi in Venice while the second, third and fifth floor exhibition rooms, styled on the 18th century palace rooms, house an elegant museum. The museum hosts many special exhibitions in addition to the Venetian displays of interior design throughout the seasons and permanent displays of Murano Glass. You can also get dressed up in aristocratic or carnival-style clothing and have your photograph taken for posterity! The museum is a 10-minute walk from JR Minami-Otaru Station and a ten minute drive from Otaru interchange.

This shop sells lots of different coloured glass items produced locally. They are beautiful and intricate. Reminded me of Murano glass.
Japan Traditional Crafts Aoyama Square

4.5

54 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Tokyo Minato-ku Akasaka 8-1-22

This place typically displays and sells approximately 3,500 items of traditional craftsmanship from around Japan that have received special designation from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, including textiles, pottery and Japanese washi paper. In addition to the usual exhibits, they host special exhibitions that change every two weeks. Popular features include the performance corner where one can watch craftsmen use their artisanal techniques up close, and the corner that allows visitors to try making their own crafts. It’s an excellent place not only to find everyday items but also souvenirs that are unique to Japan.

A lovely selection of beautifully hand crafted items in many traditional materials. Yes, the items are not cheap but they are high quality and I found easy to pack textile items for everyone on my...
Hasegawa Machiko Art Museum

4.0

74 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Tokyo Setagaya-ku Sakurashinmachi 1-30-6

This is a private art museum exhibiting works of art which Machiko Hasegawa, the author of the comic, “Sazae-san”, and her older sister Mariko collected during their lifetime. The museum showcases about 700 artifacts starting with paintings by Japanese and Western artists, glass and ceramics. The exhibitions are changed several times a year. There is also a corner exhibiting ceramics and watercolor works produced by Hasegawa Machiko, and original drawings such as “Sazae-san” and “Ijiwaru Baasan”. The “Sazae-san Anime Exhibition” is held every summer. Bronze statues of the characters which appear in Sazae-san are lined up on “Sazae-san-dori Street” which continues on from Sakurashinmachi Station.

桜新町駅から徒歩7分ほど。 1985年開館。長谷川町子と姉・毬子が蒐集した美術品を展示する個人美術館。入館料は900円(長谷川町子記念館と共通)で、記念館喫茶部の100円券が付く。館内撮影不可。展示室は1階と2階に1部屋ずつ。訪館時は収蔵コレクション展「日本の四季」が開かれており、東山魁夷や加山又造などの作品を展示していた。また2階には「アニメの部屋」もあり、サザエさんの制作過程の紹介、昔放送した...
Aichi Prefectural Museum of Art

4.0

84 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Aichi Pref. Nagoyashi Higashi-ku Higashisakura 1-13-2 Aichi Arts Center, 10th Floor

This art museum in Nagoya City's Higashi Ward is located on the 10th floor of the Aichi Arts Center, and is the successor to the Aichi Prefectural Culture Hall and Museum of Art which opened in 1955. Primarily featuring 20th century art from Japan and abroad, the museum is home to many masterpieces including works by Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Ryuzaburo Umehara, and Sotaro Yasui. In particular, there is a complete collection of works leaning towards German Expressionism and Surrealism, and also postwar art of the USA. The special collection donated by Nagoya art collector Teizo Kimura has more than 3,000 works including modern Japanese-style paintings, Chinaware, and Buddhist images, and these works are displayed in the Teizo Kimura Collection Room and in some of the special exhibitions.

I took my two young kids there for their first ever visit to an art museum. Both were very excited to see the Klimt, which I had shown then pictures of from the website. We planned our trip...
Shizuoka City Museum of Art

4.0

77 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Shizuoka Pref. Shizuokashi Aoi-ku Kouyamachi 17-1 Aoi Tower 3F

This art museum in Aoi Ward, Shizuoka City is an urban art museum that does not focus on any particular genre of art and throughout the year hold many special exhibitions and events. Along with appreciating the pieces of art there is a cafe and a multi-purpose room almost the same size as the gallery. It is used for all variety of events. On rainy days you can get to the museum from Shizuoka Station without needing to get wet.

I was surprised to see this directly across from the train station, but what was better they had an exhibit that was outstanding, though a visiting exhibit, if this is their quality, then check it...
Shibuya Municipal Shoto Art Museum

4.0

64 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Tokyo Shibuya-ku Shoto 2-14-14

津田青楓の展覧会に行きました。夏目漱石が現役の頃の作品の表紙絵を沢山作った方です。決っして広い敷地ではないですが居心地良い空間でゆっくり過ごせました。
Iwate Museum of Art

4.0

67 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Iwate Pref. Moriokashi Motomiya Matsuhaba 12-3

This art museum that opened in 2001 is located in Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture. Paintings and sculptures by artists related to Iwate Prefecture, such as Tetsugoro Yorozu, Shunsuke Matsumoto and Yasutake Funakoshi are on display. In addition, in the permanent exhibition, commentaries by volunteers, collection talk events and other events are regularly held, drawing many tourists to the museum.

This is a beautiful museum. I was impressed when I stepped into the lobby. When I went there was barely anyone there so I had the museum to myself. There are many exhibits of local artists...
Eisei Bunko Museum

4.0

78 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Tokyo Bunkyou-ku Mejirodai 1-1-1

An art museum located close to Higo Hosokawa Garden in Mejirodai, Bunkyo City, Tokyo. The museum is housed inside the former home of the Hosokawa marquis family on the grounds of a former Hosokawa estate. The museum's collection consists of historical materials and works of art passed down in the Hosokawa family which were donated by Moritatsu Hosokawa and Morisada Hosokawa, the 16th and 17th respective heads of the family. The museum holds a variety of themed public exhibitions each year in spring, summer, autumn, and winter.

Small museum and was totally packed with locals. We could see a snake of people forming before the museum opened and joined the queue. I believe we were one of the rare foreigners there. Every step...
The Museum of Art, Kochi

4.0

53 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Kouchi Pref. Kouchishi Takasu 353-2

This art museum opened in 1993 in Kochi City, Kochi Prefecture and is known for its over 1,200 items comprising a global collection of Marc Chagall’s works. There are also many other works of modern and contemporary art on display, as well as art by local artists. The collection-based exhibits regularly rotate works from among its massive collection. The building also includes a hall for the performance arts and a photography center showcasing the works of Kochi-born photographer Yasuhiro Ishimoto. Various exhibitions and workshops are held as well.

We particularly liked the pictures that the artist painted along the Silk Road. His use of vivid colors isa highlight of his work.
Tsukiyono Vidro Park

3.5

98 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Gunma Pref. Tonegunminakamimachi Gokan 737-1

Located in Minakami Town, Tone County, Gunma Prefecture, this glass theme park includes a hand-made glass workshop exhibiting Japan’s top-class techniques, a museum of glass art, and a retail shop. In the museum, you’ll find a variety of glass works—from ancient roman, to art nouveau, and works made by modern masters. In the workshop, you can take a free tour of how glass products are made. It is adjacent to a workshop for blown glass and stained glass, and to a restaurant that serves local beer.

This was one of my favorite stops on our tour. We stopped here for lunch and i tried the sampler of their own brewed beer (which was really good btw). After our quick lunch we were able to put...
Kagoshima City Museum of Art

4.0

68 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Kagoshima Pref. Kagoshimashi Shiroyamachou 4-36

This is a private art museum which is built on the ruins of Tsurumaru Castle Ninomaru which was once the castle of the Satsuma Lord Shimazu. The collection focuses on works by local writers and Western art since the 19th century. It also has oil paintings by Cezanne and a “Water Lily” painting by Monet. The collection of paintings depicting Sakurajima, the symbol of Kagoshima, is also spectacular. It is a 16-minute walk from Kagoshima Station.

First room is mostly European artists, some very famous. There were some works Id not seen before. 2nd room more Japanese artists. Not huge but ok for entrance fee of ¥300 for permanent collection...
“Mugonkan” Memorial Art Museum for Fallen Art Students

4.5

68 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nagano Pref. Uedashi Koaso 3462

Mugonkan was born when Seiichiro Kuboshima acquired half the Shinshu Dessan Building in 1997 to exhibit works left behind by art students who fell in battle. You can see exhibitions of fallen students’ art pieces and easels. It’s about 30 minutes by car from the Sakaki Interchange on the Joshin-Etsu Expressway.

長年訪問したかった「無言館」。日曜日だったので混雑していてじっくり見ることが出来ず、残念でしたが、やはり心に訴えるものがありました。戦争という悲しい歴史がなかったら、さぞやご活躍なされただろうと思う方の作品も多くあり、本当に残念な思いがしました。次回は、ゆっくりじっくり見学したいと思います。
WATARI-UM Watari Museum of Contemporary Art

3.5

74 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Tokyo Shibuya-ku Jingumae 3-7-6

A private art museum in Jingumae, Shibuya. It focuses on worldwide contemporary art and holds numerous exhibitions based on original concepts such as photography and designs. The building, with the impressive striped patterned outer wall, was designed by a Swiss architect, Mario Botta. The name of the museum comes from director and the curator of the museum, the Watari Family.

This is an art museum owned by an individual, mainly characterized by an exhibition of contemporary art. When I visited, an exhibition of famous Japanese musician Ryuichi Sakamoto was held. There...
Hosomi Museum

4.0

83 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Kyoto Kyoutoshi Sakyou-ku Okazakisaishoujichou 6-3

An art museum primarily dedicated to ancient Japanese art located in Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City. The museum first opened in 1998. The museum displays pieces collected by three generations of the Hosomi family, which was started by industrialist and Japanese art collector Kokoan Hosomi. The museum’s collection spans some 1,000 pieces and covers virtually every genre and period of Japanese art, including Shinto and Buddhist art, tea ceremony art, and Edo paintings. The museum holds a variety of special exhibits. It also houses a tea room and shop and is adjoined by a café, making it a popular place for art lovers.

Entry costs 1400 yen for an adult. You see a few very nice old paintings, and then some memology of them. Like a hokusai painting but with Atom Boy or Hatsume Miku painted in. Which is almost like...