A Landscape Museum Nestled in the Greenery East of Zenkoji — Nagano Prefectural Art Museum

Jan 27

A Reborn Museum Blending Seamlessly with Nature

Originally opened in 1966 as the Shinano Art Museum, the institution was reborn as the Nagano Prefectural Art Museum following a major renovation of its main building in April 2021. Designed by architect Hiroshi Miyazaki (Planets Associates), the museum stands adjacent to Joyama Park and Zenkoji Temple. With its use of changes in elevation, a water garden, and rooftop terraces, the building is conceived as a “landscape museum” that merges seamlessly with its natural surroundings.

Inside, visitors will find free-access zones that can be enjoyed without a ticket, making the museum an open space that feels almost like a park. The second floor features the Art Lab, a space designed to experiment with new ways of engaging the senses beyond sight. On the first floor, the Community Space hosts screenings of video works on weekends and holidays. The museum also includes facilities such as a museum shop and an art library, enriching visitors’ time spent on site.

Each May, the Love Stone Project-Nagano is held in front of the Exchange Space. This participatory artwork invites visitors to polish three large stones placed there, together with sculptor Atsuya Tominaga, using sheets of sandpaper. Open to everyone—from first-time visitors to returning participants—the project has become a beloved annual event.

Works Related to Shinshu and the World of Higashiyama Kaii

The museum presents not only its Collection Exhibitions, but also 4–5 special exhibitions each year. The collection exhibitions feature works by artists from Nagano and beyond, ranging from modern to contemporary art from both Japan and overseas. Building on a collection of approximately 4,600 works accumulated over more than 50 years, the museum continues to expand and enrich its holdings while refreshing the displays about four times a year, allowing visitors to encounter new works with each visit.

The museum holds approximately 980 works by the Japanese-style painter Higashiyama Kaii. In the adjacent Higashiyama Kaii Gallery, a wide range of his works—including the celebrated Vibrant Greens—are presented within a space designed by architect Yoshio Taniguchi. The gallery’s linear architecture, combined with the open courtyard and the shimmering surface of the pool, creates a setting that harmonizes beautifully with the serene world of Higashiyama’s art.

Architecture as Part of the Experience

The central entrance hall of the main building is open and airy, and a connecting bridge on the second floor links to the Higashiyama Kaii Gallery. From the rooftop “Wind Terrace,” visitors can enjoy panoramic views of Zenkoji Temple and the Shinshu mountains. The seamless integration of architecture and scenery is one of the museum’s defining features.

At the “Waterside Terrace,” the permanent installation – Dynamic Earth Series I – Fog Sculpture #47610 by Fujiko Nakaya is activated several times a day. The interplay of mist and architecture creates an immersive, sensory experience.

Access & General Information

Address: 1-4-4 Hakoshimizu, Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture (inside Joyama Park, east of Zenkoji Temple)
Opening hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (last admission at 4:30 PM)
Closed: Wednesdays (or the following weekday if Wednesday is a national holiday), and during the New Year holidays
Admission (Collection Exhibitions):
Adults ¥700 / University students & seniors ¥500 / Free for high school students and younger
Admission fees for special exhibitions vary.
Access:

Approx. 15 minutes by bus from JR Nagano Station (Zenkoji Exit); get off at “Zenkoji-kita” and walk 3 minutes
Approx. 15-minute walk from Zenkoji-shita Station (Nagano Dentetsu Line)

　※For more information, please visit the official website.

Why You’ll Want to Return Again and Again

A convenient location between Zenkoji Temple and Joyama Park
Artworks that reflect the natural beauty of Shinshu, paired with architecture that harmonizes with the surrounding landscape
An open spatial design and a wide range of exhibitions that offer year-round appeal
Rooftop terraces and water-based installations that provide experiences beyond the gallery spaces

Nagano Prefectural Art Museum (Main Building) exterior

Conclusion: A Museum That Exists as Part of the Shinshu Landscape

The Nagano Prefectural Art Museum is more than just a place to view art. It is a museum that exists as part of the landscape—through its setting, its architecture, and its integration with nature, learning, and cultural exchange. The space, where the scenery of Shinshu and the world of art come together, offers new discoveries and a sense of calm with every visit.