Shiga Museum of Art: A Living Room in the Park

Nestled within the lush Biwako Cultural Park in the Seta area of Ōtsu, the Shiga Museum of Art offers a refreshing model of what a museum can be: not a grand reception hall, but a “living room in the park.” Following its 2021 renovation, the museum now blends high-quality exhibitions with the relaxing atmosphere of a local retreat—a place where both locals and travelers can slow down, reflect, and engage with art in comfort.

Opened in 1984 as the Museum of Modern Art, Shiga, it drew attention for appointing Japan’s first female museum director. Following its 2021 renovation, the museum added a café, kids’ space, and enhanced universal design features, transforming into a place that is welcoming and accessible to everyone.

Photograph by Yosuke Ohtake

A Collection Rooted in Shiga, Resonating with the World

The museum holds a collection of over 2,700 works, including some of Japan’s most notable modern Nihonga (Japanese-style painting) and postwar art. Highlights include the serene yet bold portraits of Yuki Ogura, a native of Ōtsu and a trailblazer in the Japan Art Institute, and the richly textured kimono textiles of Fukumi Shimura, a master dyer from Ōmihachiman.

In addition to works by international icons like Mark Rothko and Kazuo Shiraga, the museum collects and presents a wide range of genres, from postwar American and Japanese contemporary art to seminal examples of Art Brut. Its holdings include more than 500 Art Brut works donated by the Nippon Foundation, a collection that has attracted international attention.

Art Brut—literally “raw art”—refers to creative expressions by people who exist outside established cultural frameworks. In Shiga, such activities began shortly after World War II under the guidance of figures like Kazuo Itoga, who pioneered art support programs for people with disabilities. Continuing this tradition, the museum today preserves works by artists active in local welfare facilities, integrating their voices into the broader story of art.

A Building That Feels Like Home

Originally designed by the architectural firm Nikken Sekkei, the museum underwent a major interior renovation in 2021 led by the Osaka-based creative unit graf, which reimagined the spaces into a warm and welcoming environment. Shigaraki-ware ceramics are used not only for the exterior cladding but also for interior signage, reinforcing the museum’s deep connection to Shiga’s regional identity.

To the north, a Japanese garden created by landscape and environmental designer Kunie Itō unfolds, where the changing seasons awaken visitors’ senses and offer moments of quiet reflection between galleries.

Café, Craft, and Local Flavor

Just inside the entrance to the right, shop & café Kolmio in the museum offers a refined space that extends the museum experience into everyday life. The name Kolmio—Finnish for “triangle”—embodies the philosophy of the Ōmi merchants: “good for the buyer, good for the seller, good for society.”

Here you’ll find exhibition catalogues, thoughtfully designed goods, and original Japanese confections crafted by Shirohei rouho, a long-established wagashi maker in Shiga, along with seasonal drinks and light refreshments. It’s a special place to savor local flavors and design while lingering in the afterglow of the art.

Designed for Comfort and Inclusion

The Shiga Museum of Art provides facilities that are comfortable for everyone and support the well-being of all visitors:

• Family rooms with changing tables and nursing stations

• Kids’ areas for relaxed visits with children

• Accessibility features including barrier-free restrooms and wheelchair-friendly routes

• Calm down/cool down space

The “Room with Sofas” along the gallery path is especially beloved, allowing visitors to rest while gazing out at the garden—a rare blend of hospitality and curatorial excellence.

📍 Practical Information

Address
1740-1 Setaminamiogaya-chō, Ōtsu, Shiga 520-2122, JAPAN

Hours
9:30 AM – 5:00 PM (last admission 4:30 PM)
Closed Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a holiday), year-end holidays, and for exhibition changes

Admission (Collection Exhibition)
Adults: ¥570 (Group: ¥460)
University students: ¥340 (Group: ¥280)
Free for: high school students and younger (under 18), residents of Shiga aged 65+, and persons with official disability certificates (plus one caregiver).

Photograph by Yosuke Ohtake

Access:
From JR Seta Station (approx. 17 min from Kyoto Station), take a local bus to

• “Kenritsu Toshokan Bijutsukan-mae” or

• “Bunka Zone-mae” bus stop (approx. 10 min), then walk 5 min through Biwako Cultural Park

Website: https://www.shigamuseum.jp/