Museum of Modern Art, Wakayama｜Access, visitor information, highlights, cafés and lunch information.
- nrak3461
- Aug 20, 2024
- 9 min read
About the Museum of Modern Art, Wakayama
The Museum of Modern Art, Wakayama is located in the Fukiage area of Wakayama City, close to the whitewashed keep of Wakayama Castle, and was originally the Wakayama Prefectural Museum of Art, which opened inside Wakayama Castle in 1963. It later moved to its current location in 1994. Since its opening, the museum has actively collected works by artists associated with Wakayama and has enhanced its modern and contemporary collection. In particular, the museum boasts one of the best collections of modern and contemporary prints in Japan.
As well as providing opportunities for exposure to art and culture, it also supports school education and lifelong learning in cooperation with local communities and schools, and promotes the development of human resources for culture and the arts. Various events are organized for children and adults to enjoy art, including exhibitions, events, workshops and practical training, which can be experienced by people of all ages.
Museum of Modern Art, Wakayama Access and visitor information
Highlights of the Museum of Modern Art, Wakayama
Collection
The Museum of Modern Art, Wakayama began in 1963 when it took over 83 works from the collection of its predecessor, the Museum of Fine Arts, Wakayama, and has since amassed a collection of approximately 13,000 works through its activities over the past half century (as of 2024).
Since its opening in 1970, the museum has built up a local collection of artists associated with Wakayama, including the Western-style painter KAWAGUCHI Kigai, the Japanese-style painter NONAGASE Banka, and the printmakers HAMAGUCHI Yozo and TANAKA Kyokichi. Since around 1980, the museum has made efforts to collect and introduce modern and contemporary prints, not only from Japan but also from important overseas artists such as Pablo Picasso and Odilon Redon.
It has also strengthened its collection of works focusing on the avant-garde art movements that flourished in the post-war Kansai region, such as Sodeisha and the Gutai Art Association, and has worked to form a contemporary art collection.
Architecture
The Museum of Modern Art, Wakayama was designed by KUROKAWA Kisho, an architect who was active in Japan and abroad. Kurokawa is widely known for his architecture, including the National Art Centre, Tokyo (Minato-ku, Tokyo), and in Osaka, the National Museum of Ethnology (Minpaku) (Suita, Osaka), Osaka Prefectural International Convention Centre (Grand Cube Osaka) (Osaka, Osaka) and Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art (Hiroshima, Hiroshima).
Kurokawa's architecture is characterized by the architectural philosophy of ‘Metabolism’, which he advocated together with KIKUTAKE Kiyonori and others. His architecture, which evokes a sense of aggregation and continuity, represents the ‘symbiosis’ of the part and the whole. The Museum of Modern Art, Wakayama also adopted this basic concept based on the image of Wakayama Castle as a counterpart to its historical existence.
The museum has an eye-catching design with a huge lantern at the front of the building welcoming people and a large roof on the north side of the building inspired by a sword. The three-tiered eaves, a feature of the east side of the building, are constructed to combine in a negative-positive relationship with the roof of the castle tower of Wakayama Castle. The spacious grounds include a pond, waterfalls and walking paths inspired by the Kumano Kodo path, providing a place where visitors to the museum can relax and enjoy themselves.
The architecture of the adjacent Wakayama Prefectural Museum was also designed by KUROKAWA Kisho . Both facilities were designed together with the surrounding environment to create a beautiful symbiosis with the city of Wakayama, which has a rich history and Wakayama Castle as its symbol. In addition to the artworks, the architecture is also worth paying attention to.
One of Kurokawa's capsules, A908, which was taken out of the Nakagin Capsule Tower following its demolition, is currently on display in front of the museum entrance (as of 2024).
Representative past exhibitions
The Museum of Modern Art, Wakayama features and exhibits works from a wide variety of genres, mainly from the collections of artists and prints associated with Wakayama. The museum also focuses on educational activities, such as the ‘Natsuyasumi no MUSEUM’ (Art Museum for the Summer Holidays), which is held every year during the summer holidays to allow children to become familiar with art together with adults.
<Main exhibitions>.
‘New York Art Scene’ (2019)
‘Another History of Japanese Art: Masterpieces of Modern and Contemporary Prints 2020’ (2020)
‘The Sublime Art of Modern and Contemporary Art in Wakayama’ (2021)
‘Hieda Kazuho Exhibition’ (2022)
‘Natsuyasumi no MUSEUM 13 feat. Tomonari Hashimoto’ (2023)
‘Transborder: Immigration and Art in Wakayama and the USA’ (2023)
Museum shop
The museum shop is located in the entrance hall of the museum. It features books and goods related to each exhibition. The museum's original goods, such as hand mirrors featuring the works of NONAGASE Banka, beautiful stationery with designs by TANAKA Kyokichi, and silver accessories by HASHIMOTO Kazuaki, are also very attractive. Past publications of the Museum of Modern Art, Wakayama are also available.
Opening hours: Following museum opening hours
Closed: According to museum closing days.
Café and restaurant information
On the 2nd floor of the Museum of Modern Art, Wakayama, there is a book café, ‘BRING BOOK STORE’. The natural and open shop is well stocked with design and art books and offers a relaxed atmosphere with a café menu including espresso, cakes and curry. There is also a wide range of limited-edition menu items, such as seasonal pasta, cookies and cinnamon rolls. Events in connection with the museum are also held on an irregular basis, so be sure to check them out when you visit.
Opening hours: 11:00-17:00 (last order 16:30) *Subject to change.
Closed: According to the museum's regular closing days.
Recommended places around the Museum of Modern Art, Wakayama
Wakayama Prefectural Museum
The Wakayama Prefectural Museum, formerly the Wakayama Prefectural Museum of Art, was established in 1971 as a public museum on the site of Ninomaru, Wakayama Castle, and moved to its current location in 1994, opening together with the Museum of Modern Art, Wakayama.
The museum collects, stores, researches and exhibits a wide range of cultural assets and documents, including paintings, crafts, classics and archives related to Wakayama Prefecture. The museum has a wealth of materials and cultural assets that can deepen understanding of Wakayama's history, such as materials related to the Koya and Kumano faiths and cultural assets related to the Kii Tokugawa family. Early modern literati paintings and ceramics from the three major Kishu kilns are also part of the museum's main collection.
The museum's permanent exhibition introduces the 30,000-year history of Wakayama Prefecture, from primitive and ancient times to modern times, while outdoor and gallery exhibitions show the history and lifestyle and culture of the ‘Kinokuni’ region from various perspectives.
Wakayama Castle
Heading north from the Museum of Modern Art, Wakayama, you can see Wakayama Castle, the symbol of Wakayama City. Wakayama Castle was first built by HASHIBA Hideyoshi, who conquered Kishu in 1585, for his younger brother Hidenaga, and since TOKUGAWA Yorinobu entered the castle in 1619, it has carved a long history as one of the three Tokugawa families, along with Mito and Owari.
Wakayama Castle has a large three-storey white chalk castle tower rising above Mt Torafushi, from which the city can be seen in all directions. In addition to the Okaguchimon Gate, designated as an Important Cultural Property, and the earthen walls on the north side, there are many historical viewing spots such as the Gobashi corridor connecting Nishinomaru and Ninomaru, the famous Nishinomaru Garden ( Fullmoon Maple Valley Garden), Wakayama Castle Park Zoo, which was opened in the Taisho era (1912-1926), the Benisho-an tea house, which was built in 1974 with a donation from Wakayama businessman MATSUSHITA Konosuke, a native of Wakayama Prefecture There are many attractions within the castle. It is also known as a famous cherry blossom viewing spot, with around 450 cherry trees in full bloom in spring, attracting many visitors.
Wakayama Prefectural Government Office
The Wakayama Prefectural Government Office, located within walking distance of the Museum of Modern Art, Wakayama, is also known as a famous building from the Showa period. The building, which is still in use, offers a different experience from that of appreciating art. Take a short trip to discover it more.
The main building of the Wakayama Prefectural Government, completed in 1938, has a particularly long history. The building, which retains much of its original appearance from the time of its completion, including the exterior and the governor's office, was inscribed on the national register of tangible cultural properties in 2013 in recognition of its historical value.
Learning from the Great Kanto Earthquake, the main building was designed to be functional and earthquake-resistant. The design is based on simplicity, and in the terracotta reliefs, the durability of the material was taken into account in addition to its decorative significance.
Residents of Wakayama Prefecture, as well as commuters, are welcome to visit the interior of the building on prior application. For more information, please contact the Wakayama Prefectural Public Relations Department.
