Hiroshima Prefectural Art Museum
Hiroshima Prefectural Art Museum 広島県立美術館
The Hiroshima Prefectural Art Museum looms over the entrance to Shukkeien garden in downtown Hiroshima
Hiroshima Prefectural Art Museum in Hiroshima is quite a large art museum located adjacent to the Shukkeien Garden.
It holds a collection that includes Japanese and Western art primarily from the modern period but with some historical pieces as well as Japanese crafts.
The lobby in the Hiroshima Prefectural Art Museum
2nd floor galleries at the Hiroshima Prefectural Art Museum
History
Built in 1968, the museum (Hiroshima Kenritsu Bijutsukan) underwent extensive remodeling and modernization in 1996.
Artwork by Alexander Calder (1898-1976) in the permanent collection of Hiroshima Prefectural Art Museum
Exhibits
The museum's collection includes more than 3,500 artworks, though they are not all on display at the same time. However there is a study area where you can look at any artwork in the collection in more detail.
Pride of place must go to the massive surrealist painting Dream of Venus by Salvador Dali with its iconic melting watches.
Other modern masters from the West in the collection include Georgio de Chirico, Alexander Calder, Max Ernst, Rene Magritte, Ben Nicholson, Barbara Hepworth and Henry Moore.
Japanese modern masters are represented by Isamu Noguchi and Okada Kenzo. The collection of Nihonga style paintings leans heavily towards artists having a connection with Hiroshima. These include Ikuo Hirayama, who has a museum devoted to his work on his home island of Ikuchijima, and Katzuso Entsuba who likewise has a museum in his hometown of Onomichi.
One gallery is devoted to crafts and features early 20th century Japanese Mingei as well as crafts from other countries in East Asia including China and Korea.
Another gallery is often used by a variety of local art organizations to put on shows.
The displays all have information in Japanese only, but most galleries have a pamphlet that includes some detailed information in English.
The Hiroshima Prefectural Art Museum looms over the entrance to Shukkeien garden in downtown Hiroshima
Special Exhibitions
As well as the permanent collection, the museum has special exhibitions all year round. These cover a wide diversity of art styles and forms from traveling exhibitions from European collections to thematic exhibitions on modern Pop culture such as anime and manga. It is worth checking the schedule to see if something you are interested in is showing.
The large lobby area has an atrium that offers views into the neighboring Shukkeien Garden and there is plenty of seating on all floors where you can sit and enjoy the view of the garden as well as the art.
Facilities
There is a cafe, an Italian restaurant, and a museum shop. A joint ticket for the museum and the garden is available at a cheaper rate, and the Shukkeien Garden can be entered directly from the museum.
The museum hosts different events throughout the year, most notably something called English Kagura Experience.
In the mountains of northern Hiroshima is a type of folk entertainment called Hiroshima Kagura. A variation of Iwami Kagura from the other side of the mountains in Shimane, it is dynamic, colorful, and very exciting.
On Saturday nights the kagura performance includes a screen next to the stage which explains the story in English as it is being performed.
After the performance you can chat with the performers through an interpreter as well as try on the fantastic masks and costumes.
This is a rare opportunity to see a unique folk art. If you are not able to visit on a Saturday, performances are also held on Wednesday evenings, though without the English assistance.
Exciting performances of Hiroshima Kagura with English language interpretation at Hiroshima Prefectural Art Museum
Access & Hours
Hiroshima Prefectural Art Museum
2-22 Kaminoboricho, Naka-ku, Hiroshima-shi, Hiroshima 730-0014
Tel: 082-221-6246
www.hpam.jp (in Japanese)
Hours
Open 9 am to 5 pm except Fridays when the museum is open until 8 pm. Closed Mondays.
Entry for adults is 510 yen, 610 yen including the garden.
Under 18's free.
The museum is just one kilometer from Hiroshima Station either by the Hakushima Line of the tram, or by the orange route of the sightseeing loop bus.
Nearby
Some recommended places to stay in Hiroshima are:
Near the station area: Oriental Hotel Hiroshima; Hotel Flex Hiroshima; Ark Hotel Hiroshima.
Other attractions in Hiroshima include Hiroshima Castle and Yuka-en Garden.
Books on Japan & Japanese Gardens
Hiroshima Prefectural Art Museum is quite a large art museum located adjacent to the Shukkeien Garden with displays of Japanese and Western art.
