Sophie’s recommended Japanese art museums

Why not turn your weekends into delightful immersions in the world of art? To guide you on these journeys, here are Sophie’s top five favorite museums for art lovers.

First on the list is the Japan Folk Crafts Museum in Tokyo, which is home to an extensive collection of folk crafts used in people’s daily lives. Enoura Observatory in Odawara is close to Tokyo. The museum stands on land that was once a tangerine orchard and overlooks the magnificent ocean. The design and structure of the museum reflect traditional Japanese architectural techniques. On a picturesque island in the Seto Inland Sea, you will find the Inujima Seirensho Art Museum. It ingeniously integrates the industrial heritage of the site into its architectural design, operating solely on natural energy without electricity. The Kan Yasuda Sculpture Museum, located within a repurposed closed elementary school in Hokkaido, offers a beautiful setting for appreciating the works of Kan Yasuda. And lastly, we have the Byodoin Museum, situated within the grounds of the Byodoin Temple, which holds a legacy that spans almost 1,000 years. This museum showcases a remarkable collection of national treasures and cultural assets in an environment that employs advanced restoration techniques.

Embark on a journey of inspiration and enlightenment as you discover the beauty of Japanese art. Unveil the hidden gems, appreciate the masterpieces and embrace the beauty that awaits at every turn.

Sophie’s comment
The brainchild of Hiroshi Sugimoto, this is a singular and inspiring destination that embodies all the artist’s passions and creative ambitions. Not far from Tokyo, in an idyllic site by the sea, there is a gallery with his seascape photographs, sculptures and gardens designed by him, a tea room, a cave with his collection of fossils, ancient stones and traditional architectural elements he carefully gathered, a breathtaking noh stage made of translucent glass, and many other wonders to admire.

Sophie’s comment
Soetsu Yanagi designed the museum, which was established in 1936 and is incredibly atmospheric. The vast collection is a wonderful illustration of the significance of the Japanese folk craft movement and the creative role of the “unknown craftsmen” celebrated by Yanagi. The presentation is elegant and uncluttered, with extensive use of wood. Curators rearrange the displays four times a year, and for me each visit is always a delight.

Sophie’s comment
Forming part of Benesse Art Site Naoshima, the Inujima Seirensho Art Museum is located on the island of Inujima and blends architecture, art, environment and industrial heritage. An abandoned copper refinery has been ingeniously reconfigured and works by Yukinori Yanagi inhabit the space, which is run with minimal impact on the environment. Dismantled elements from the remains of Yukio Mishima’s house form a striking art installation in galleries that are illuminated solely by natural light.

Sophie’s comment
This museum, located within the grounds of the celebrated 11th-century temple, is a stylish modern structure built inside a natural hill so as not to impact the famous site. Founded to preserve the temple’s treasures and also to better display them to the public, the museum houses numerous National Treasures. Precious Buddhist sculptures and other works of art can now be admired at close range thanks to the excellent presentation and fine lighting.

Sophie’s comment
This enchanting open-air sculpture museum on the island of Hokkaido features the work of contemporary artist Kan Yasuda, who shares his time between Italy and Japan. Born in Bibai, he remains attached to the area and created this venue to help revitalize it. The 7-hectare site contains over 40 works by Yasuda. Their attractive abstract forms, made of either Carrara marble or bronze, can be found indoors or outside dotted within the beautiful mountainous landscape.

ゆっくりと芸術に浸る、そんな心躍るアートな週末を過ごしてみたい。そんな旅の参考に、日本に点在する数多くの素晴らしい美術館の中から、リチャード氏が特別に５つの美術館を読者のために選んでくれた。

神奈川県の小田原に位置する＜江之浦測候所＞は、相模湾を一望できる美しい場所に設立され、日本の伝統的な建築技術と美意識が反映された場所だ。＜日本民藝館＞では、民衆生活に使われた美しい工芸品が展示される。＜犬島精錬所美術館＞は産業遺産を活かしたアートサイトで、空調は自然エネルギーを利用している。＜平等院ミュージアム鳳翔館＞は平等院の敷地内にあり、国宝や文化財が先進的な収蔵環境の下に展示されている。最後に、＜安田侃彫刻美術館＞は、廃校となった小学校を再利用して設立された美術館だ。ここでは世界的な彫刻家・安田侃の作品を美しい風景の中で鑑賞することができる。

これらの美術館には、まだ出会ったことのない素晴らしいアート体験があなたを待っているはずだ。この夏は、ぜひ日本の美術館を巡る旅に出かけてみたい。

この記事の日本語記事を見る