Art Museum Spots in Nagano Area

  • Chihiro Art Museum Azumino
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    4.5
    182 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nagano Pref. Kitadumigunmatsukawamura Nishihara 3358-24
    This art museum located inside of the Azumino Chihiro Park in the Matsukawa Village district of Kita-Azumi County, Nagano Prefecture collects and displays works by picture book artists from around the world including Chihiro Iwasaki. In addition to displays about Chihiro’s representative works, related items, and career, the museum also introduces the history of picture books and a collection of original pictures from picture books around the world. The museum is complete with facilities sure to delight children such as a reading room where they can read their choice from approximately 3,000 picture books as well as a play area for small children. There is also a picture book café where visitors can relax while gazing out at Japan’s Northern Alps (Hida Mountains).

    The grounds here are lovely, in a perfect park setting, completely wonderful for children to play and explore with their families. Chihiro loved children, as evident in her art and exemplified in...

  • Hiroshi Senju Museum Karuizawa
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    4.5
    168 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nagano Pref. Kitasakugunkaruizawamachi Nagakura 815
    Located in Karuizawa Town, Kitasaku County, Nagano Prefecture, this private art museum exhibits the works it owns created by artist Hiroshi Senju, a modern Japanese painter who is active around the world. The building was designed by architect Ryue Nishizawa and has large glass windows that give it a bright and spacious atmosphere. It also has a beautiful garden with various trees and plants, and is a creative space that achieves harmony with nature. The museum holds exhibitions that introduce Senju’s works as well as special exhibitions according to different themes. There are also a bakery café and shop, and guests can relax and enjoy art and nature.

    A unique approach to defining a building, well worth the visit. Unfortunately the art, while well-executed, is not cohesive and sometimes derivative. I tried to imagine the experience of the building...

  • “Mugonkan” Memorial Art Museum for Fallen Art Students
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    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。

  • Rokuzan Art Museum
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    4.0
    88 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nagano Pref. Aduminoshi Hotaka 5095-1
    This facility was opened in 1958 with the goal of preserving the works of Rokuzan Ogiwara, nicknamed the “Rodin of the East.” In addition to his masterpiece carvings such as “Woman” and “Despair,” the museum also displays the works of Kotaro Takamura, who was deeply connected to Rokuzan. The impressive building, covered in ivy and church-like in appearance, is beloved as a symbol of the Azumino region. A 10-minute walk from JR Hotaka Station.

    安曇野を訪問した際、最も行きたかった美術館。まず、今井兼次設計の赤レンガの美術館そのものが見所満載。ドアの取っ手や、暖炉など細かいところも興味深い。館内の展示も素晴らしい。碌山の代表作、女をはじめとして、時間を忘れてしまいます。美術ファン、建築ファンには強くおすすめです。

  • Karuizawa Picturebook Museum (Forest of Muse)
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    4.0
    48 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nagano Pref. Kitasakugunkaruizawamachi Nagakura 182
    "This museum is in Nagakura, Karuizawa Town. They display items related to picture books, including Peter Rabbit. The First Exhibition Hall showcases the research of honorary adviser Mr. Shinichi Yoshida, a researcher of British and American children's literature, and has a permanent display called ""Peter Rabbit's Secret Room."" Planned exhibits occupy the Second Exhibition Hall. They also have a picture book library with primarily Western works where you can browse 1,800 volumes. There is also a museum shop and a conference room where various events are held."

    2020年10月9日から2021年1月11日まで軽井沢絵本の森美術館でやっている『グリム童話の裏話』を旅行ついでに行ってみました。こじんまりした展示ではありましたが、なかなか興味深い内容で、グリム童話に潜むもの、兄弟・家族観、キリスト教、過激な表現、社会・道徳・世相、ジェンダー等に分けて展示してありました。ちなみに10時〜16時(10/9-12は9時半から17時らしいが時期により時間が違う可能性あ...

  • Mayumi Takahashi Museum of Doll Art
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    4.5
    52 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nagano Pref. Iyamashi Iyama 2941-1
    This art museum which opened in 2010 displays 100 works of Iiyama City resident doll maker Mayumi Takahashi. It is a popular spot where visitors can enjoy recalling their hometowns, the expressions of the grandma and grandpa dolls—looking like they are about to chatter—bringing back nostalgic memories. On weekends and holidays there is often a queue to get inside. The dolls on display are changed around twice a year. The nearest station is Kita-Iiyama Station.

    とても人気があります。 平田ますみ先生の和紙創作品が際立ってます。 期間限定ですので是非お立ち寄り下さい。 価値観のある作品です。

  • Iida City Kawamoto Kihachiro Puppet Museum
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    4.0
    25 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nagano Pref. Idashi Honmachi 1-2
    "This art museum located in Iida City, Nagano Prefecture exhibits works by the puppet artist Kihachiro Kawamoto. There are over 200 puppets on display that were donated by Mr. Kawamoto, mostly of which were used in the NHK puppet theater series ""Sangokushi"" (Annals of the Three Kingdoms) and ""Heike Monogatari"" (The Tale of Heike). Each of the exhibits are replaced after a set period of time."

    見事な人形ばかりで、衣装もすばらしかったです。訪問者は自分ひとりでした。子供の頃見ていた番組が川本先生のお作と知り、感慨深かったです。三国志がクローズアップされていましたが、自分は三国志を見たことがなかったのでその点残念でした。平家物語のお人形もすばらしかったので、映像も見てみたかったです。最後に15分間の作品を見せていただきましたが、私が出ようとした途端に職員の方がすぐにアルコールを持って席を消...

  • Trick Art Museum Karuizawa
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    4.0
    24 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nagano Kitasaku-gun Karuizawamachi Kyukaruizawa 809
    "A museum situated along the Old Karuizawa Ginza Street in Karuizawa, Karuizawa Town, Kitasaku County, Nagano Prefecture. The museum displays around 100 pieces of ""trick art"" such as images which appear to jump out at the viewer depending on the viewing angle, and works of art which make use of forced perspective. Visitors can also use some of the works on display to take amazing photos. Pets are allowed in the museum and can even be brought into the adjoining cafe."

    入口が狭いのと入場が高いので、気にはなってたけど中々入れなかった美術館。いざ入ってみると三階建てで奥行きもあったのと、インスタ映えするので、けっこう長い時間写真撮ったりして、楽しめました。

  • Obuse Museum / Nakajima Chinami Kan
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    4.0
    36 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nagano Pref. Kamitakaigunobusemachi Obuse 595
    The Obuse Museum / Nakajima Chinami Kan opened in 1992, and they store and display collections by modern Japanese painter Chinami Nakajima in the “Nakajima Chinami Kan” building, as well as traditional “matsuri yatai (festival stalls),” Obuse cultural artifacts. The trees in the area display the beauty of the four seasons, and the “Hanasaku Burari Art Museum” certainly lives up to its name. It’s about 12 minutes on foot from Obuse Station on the Nagano Line and about five minutes from the Obuse Smart Interchange on the Joshin-Etsu Expressway.

    今年 こちらは開館30周年[開館;平成4年(1992)10月22日]で こちらでは 9月23日-12月6日迄 《中島千波の世界展 千波の昔と今(東京藝術大学在学中の作品から現在の作品を展示)》が開催されています。 [中島千波館][第一展示室][第二展示室][キャラリー]に展示されている作品は 写真撮影禁止なので 写真で紹介出来ませんが 屏風《樹霊淡墨櫻》のような作品は 絵に関して素人である私のよ...

  • Tateshina Teddy Bear Museum
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    4.0
    34 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nagano Pref. Kitasakuguntateshinamachi Ashitahatsukano 1522
    "This museum is on the Daimon Highway in Ashidahatsukano, Tateshina Town, Kitasaku County. It has 11,000 teddy bears from Japan and abroad on view, with enormous dioramas and special manufacturer collections. Their ""Teddy Bear Plaza"" shop is the largest of its kind in Japan. You can visit it without entering the museum."

    宿泊していたホテルの向かい側にあるので、チェックアウト前に見学しました。館内は可愛いテディベアがいっぱい。ウエディングや世界の街角などのセットにいろいろなスタイルをしたテディベアがお出迎えしてくれます。多種多様なシーンを見て楽しめるのが最高です。お土産コーナーも充実。どのテディベアを選ぼうか迷うくらい。小さいお子様連れのファミリーにはオススメのスポットです。

  • Komoro City Koyama Keizo Art Museum
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    4.0
    30 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nagano Komoro-shi Tei 221
    A 10-minute walk from Komoro Station and a 10-minute drive from the Komoro Interchange. This art museum is located close to Kashima Shrine on the northwest side of Komoro Castle Park. The museum displays the works of Western-style painter Keizo Koyama, an honorary citizen of Komoro City who has also been awarded the Order of Culture. Established by the artist in 1975, the museum and the artwork inside it have been donated to the city. The museum's wide-ranging collection, spanning an array of periods and genres, also includes water colors, sketches, and depictions of Mt. Asama and a summertime forest the artist created while a junior high school student. The museum also holds special exhibitions and exhibitions of works submitted by the general public.

    懐古園のずっと奥にある美術館です。浅間山の溶岩が点在する庭を歩いていくと美術館に着けます。展示室内は撮影不可になっています。遠目で雰囲気がわかる撮影ならOKとのこと。念のため、撮影済みの写真をその場で見てもらって了解を得ました。フランスやスペインの街並み・浅間山や姫路城の絵画などが展示されています。どの絵画も見ごたえがあり、あたかもその場にいるかのような錯覚を覚えます。高輪プリンスホテルに展示され...

  • Mizuno Museum
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    4.0
    29 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nagano Pref. Naganoshi Wakasato 6-2-20
    "An art museum standing on Prefectural Route 372 in Wakasato, Nagano City. Specializing in Nihonga Japanese paintings, the core of the museum's collection consists of pieces assembled by businessman Masayuki Mizuno over many years. The museum houses many pieces by master modern Nihonga painters such as Yokoyama Taikan. Designed to be a facility where visitors can take their time and fully experience the beauty of Nihonga paintings, the museum is stylishly designed inside and out. A 2,300 square meter, fully fledged Japanese garden stands in front of the museum and is planted with the Kiso Goboku, ""Five Trees of the Kiso Valley"" -hinoki cypress, hiba, umbrella pine, Japanese arborvitae, and sawara cypress. "

    生誕135年記念「川端龍子」展が目的で初めて訪れた。作品は5つのテーマに沿って100点ほどが2.3階に展示されアトリエまで復元されていた。龍子の作品を纏めて観られたのは龍子記念館だったが今回も展示の殆どが記念館所蔵のものだった。「会場芸術」と称して制作された大作には「草の実」の優作があったが「鳴戸」や「筏流し」の名品はなかった。ただ敗戦直後に描かれた「爆弾散華」や2曲二双の「南飛図」、また青龍展の...

  • Iida City Museum
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    4.0
    29 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nagano Pref. Idashi Outemachi 2-655-7
    This art museum located in the Iida Castle ruins collects and exhibits many pieces by Hishida Shunso, a painter who was born in Iida City. The museum holds periodic lectures on the arts, nature and folklore of the city and also permanent and special exhibits. The museum also has a planetarium where they offer programs with contents that change every season.

    美術館としては飯田出身の画家菱田春草の作品、博物館としては伊那谷の文化を示す展示物やなぜか恐竜模型がフィーチャーされています。飯田長姫高校の跡地利用ということでそこそこ広大、敷地内に「柳田邦男館」「日夏耿之介記念館」などの付帯施設が充実しています。

  • Ueda City Museum of Art
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    4.0
    9 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nagano Pref. Uedashi Tenjin 3-15-15
    An art museum located in Tenjin, Ueda City. The museum's collection consists primarily of works by artists deeply connected to Ueda City such as Western-style painter Kanae Yamamoto, sculptor Tsuruzo Ishii, and photographer Harry K. Shigeta. In addition to displaying this collection, the museum also holds special exhibitions. In addition, the museum has a studio and gallery available for use by residents as well as a children's studio.

    複合的な文化施設サントミューゼの一角にある美術館。 歴史が浅いらしく、館内はとても綺麗。あと美術館らしく、個性的な作り。 日曜日に行ったが、入館者はとても少なかった。 モネ、ムンク、ピカソらの作品を紹介する展覧会を開催していたのに! 地方の美術館らしく、すいている。 でも、他人に気兼ねすることなく、名画を鑑賞する。 もったいないけど、入館者には都合が良い。

  • Karuizawa New Art Museum
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    3.5
    28 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nagano Pref. Kitasakugunkaruizawamachi Karuizawa 1151-5
    Artworks from the postwar period of Japan to the present day are exhibited here. The art museum was created with the intention to publicize outstanding artworks both domestically and internationally. Exhibitions display works not only from Japanese contemporary artists but from overseas artists too. The museum has invented itself to appeal to the expectations of art fans from all over the world. The museum houses a restaurant, café and shop where you can get some KaNAM original goods which can only be purchased here.

    After missionary Alexander Croft Shaw’s building a chapel in Karuizawa, this town has been a sought-after fairyland for wedding. My wife and I visited the Museum on a sunny morning. Turns out there...

  • Harmo Museum
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    4.0
    22 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nagano Suwa-gun Shimosuwamachi 10616-540
    15-minutes from the Chuo Expressway. This art museum, standing amidst the lush natural beauty on the bank of Lake Suwa, was opened on April 26, 1990 by industrial robot manufacturer Harmo's founder Tomio Hama and director Takako Seki. The museum's standing exhibition consists of works of Naive art which express a free sensitivity from a pure perspective, including nine rare pieces by Henri Rousseau. The museum has gained worldwide recognition for its distinctive concept. The museum also has a cafe where you can take a relaxing break and, on clear days, see all the way to Mt. Fuji.

    HPに年中無休とあり、念のため電話確認したうえで訪問しました。2F展示室は3つに分かれています。(一つは靴を脱いで入ります)アンリ・ルソーが目的でしたが他の作者さんたちの作品との出会いを楽しむことも出来ました。実は、1Fにも展示室があります。正面玄関入ってすぐにダリ、左奥の部屋で期間限定の展示、それとショップ&喫茶コーナーから望む諏訪湖。正月期間でありながら対応いただいているスタッフの方々に感謝で...

  • Matsumoto City Museum of Art
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nagano Pref. Matsumotoshi Chuou 4-2-22
    This is a private art museum in the center of Matsumoto City. The museum houses a collection of pieces by artists connected to Matsumoto City such as world-famous avant-garde artist Yayoi Kusama, calligrapher Shinzan Kamijo, and lifelong Shinshu (Nagano) natural vista painter Kazuo Tamura. Special exhibitions and exhibitions of works submitted by the general public are held at the museum several times each year. A 12-minute walk from JR Matsumoto Station.
  • Sunritz Hattori Museum of Arts
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    4.0
    21 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nagano Suwa-shi Kogan Dori 2-1-1
    This museum's diverse collection of over 600 pieces primarily focuses on ancient eastern art, particularly tea implements; as well as early modern Western paintings. The Fujisan tea bowl, a National Treasure which records state master potter Hon'ami Koetsu gave to his daughter when she was going to be married, is put on display several times a year. In addition to its exhibitions, the museum has a shop and tearoom, and visitors can take a relaxing break and enjoy the local scenery after viewing the museum's artworks.

    茶器の名品が揃う特別な美術館。服部セイコーの創業地である諏訪ならではの素晴らしい歴史を知ることのできる美術館だ。吸い込まれそうな冬季の世界、ぜひ観ていただきたい。

  • Azumino Jansem Museum
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    3.5
    23 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nagano Pref. Aduminoshi Hotakariake 4018-6
    This art museum is located along Prefectural Route 308 in Hotakaariake, Azumino City. It opened in 1993 as the first museum in the world to focus on the works of Armenian painter Jean Jansem, who did his work in France. The exhibitions feature Jansem’s oil paintings, watercolors, sketches, and woodblock prints, though sometimes works by other domestic and international artists are exhibited as well. The adjoining cafe offers a place to relax, and you can also enjoy a stroll through the verdant garden.

    バレリーナの絵で有名なジャンセンの作品を展示しています。バレリーナといっても華やかなイメージよりもさびしさ、生きる悲しみを後ろ姿に感じさせます。

  • The Museum of Contemporary Art, Karuizawa
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    4.0
    15 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nagano Pref. Kitasakugunkaruizawamachi Nagakura 2052-2
    This art museum collects and exhibits works with a theme of ''artists who crossed the oceans.'' Its primary collection features works by artists including Yayoi Kusama, Yoshitomo Nara, Shusaku Arakawa, Atsuko Tanaka, and Ayako Rokkaku. The museum also features a gallery where visitors can purchase artwork. Admission includes a complementary cup of tea and a snack, allowing visitors to soak up impressions of the artwork at a relaxed pace. The museum closes over the winter from late November to mid-April. It is a five-minute drive from JR Karuizawa Station.

    軽井沢の森の中にこれぞ軽井沢と言った感じの美術館である。 シニア料金は800円、昔は飲み物が出たらしいが、今はクッキー1ケがもらえる。 海を渡ったアーティスト展を開催中であった。 美術館の大きな窓からは、これぞ軽井沢と言った景色が見える。

Nagano Areas

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Nagano prefecture is an exciting mix of mountains, hot spring monkeys, and preserved Edo history. At the heart of the Japanese Alps, Nagano is one of the country’s most popular destinations, whether in winter for its snow sports and the much-loved Jigokudani Monkey Park or in the warmer months for discovering the undulating hills on foot. For fantastic Edo architecture, head to the Kiso Valley for a 60-kilometer stretch of quaint wooden buildings that marked the Nakasendo route 200 years ago.

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