Highland museums in Japan
Aug 19th, 2007 by Ad Blankestijn
What is better than combining a visit to a cool highland destination with a great museum? Here are some suggestions for fusing art and nature this summer.
[Niki Museum in Nasu - Photo © Ad Blankestijn]
1. Utsukushi-ga-hara Open-Air Museum
This sister facility of the Hakone Open-Air Museum (also not a bad choice for a summer destination, by the way) stands in the north-eastern part of the Yatsugatake-Chushin-Kogen Quasi-National Park in Nagano Prefecture and also features a great sculpture garden. The 2,000 meter high, green highland plateau affords a great view of Northern Alps and is ornamented by beautiful alpine flora. But the high elevation means the museum is only open from spring to early fall and even then weather conditions can be less than mild. Be prepared by taking warm clothes and check the weather conditions in the mountains in advance. The most important part is of course the sculpture garden; a full tour takes about one hour. The works very well fit the surroundings of the plateau lying high among snow-covered peaks.
0268-86-2331; 9:00-17:00; Open from about last week Apr to 3rd week November – check exact dates; 1.5 hr bus from Matsumoto (also but less frequent from Ueda and Shimo-Suwa); buses run everyday in summer and early autumn (mid-August – late Oct); from mid-May to mid-Jul only Sat, Sun and NH –check in advance with the bus company: 0263-32-0910 (Alpico Group).
2. Kiyosato Museum of Photographic Arts
A photography museum on the outskirts of Kiyosato, high in the Yatsugatake Mountains in Yamanashi Prefecture. The modern facility also houses a restaurant and member’s hotel. The museum consists of two galleries and a library with more than 300 international photo books. Collection and exhibitions are built around three themes: “Photographic art made in the affirmation of life,” “Classic and contemporary platinum prints” and “Young Portfolios,” work by young photographers. For this last category the museum issues an annual call for submissions (see the museum website). Kiyosato is a nice (not overly developed) resort town, with another museum, the Kitazawa Glass Museum, close to the station; on the way here from Kobuchizawa by Koumi line there are great views of Mt Fuji.
0551-48-5599; 10:00-18:00, CL Tue (except Aug); 10 min by taxi from Kiyosato St on the Koumi line (Kiyosato is 2 hrs 40 min from Shinjuku by express via the Chuo Line, with a change in Kobuchizawa to the small Koumi line)
3. Niki Museum of Art
The Niki Museum of Art opened in 1994 in Nasu, Tochigi Prefecture and is dedicated to the colorful sculptures and paintings of Niki de Saint Phalle, which probably need no further introduction. The museum sits tucked away in a forested area at the foot of Mt. Nasu. Along the entrance path lies a garden. The museum owns 470 pieces and exhibits about 100 of them, mostly works of large size. While in Nasu, also take the bus higher up the mountain and visit the Killing Stone that was the subject of a haiku by Basho.
0287-76-2322 230; 9:30 - 17:00 (Nov-Mar: 16:00), CL Wed (next day if NH); no closure in Golden Week, summer, NY; Nasu Shiobara is 75 min from Tokyo by Tohoku Shinkansen (note that not all trains stop here). From the W exit take a Toya bus for Nasu-Yumoto and get off at Ikkenjaya, then walk 5 min.
