Karuizawa New Art Museum is a private museum of contemporary art in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture. Since opening in April 2012, it has presented innovative works by artists from Japan and around the world, adding a distinctive contemporary dimension to Karuizawa’s rich cultural landscape.
The museum was designed by architect Rikuo Nishimori. Its sophisticated glass exterior and predominantly white interior create a striking modern atmosphere, while the building’s many white columns were inspired by the Japanese larch forests of Karuizawa. The architecture provides a thoughtful connection between contemporary art and the natural environment.
The museum is within walking distance of Karuizawa Station, served by the Hokuriku Shinkansen and Shinano Railway. It stands along the main road leading toward the Old Karuizawa Ginza area, just beyond the Shinano-Oiwake intersection.
Its convenient location makes it easy to include in a sightseeing itinerary, allowing visitors to combine a walk through Karuizawa with an exploration of contemporary art.
The museum has six exhibition rooms and presents approximately two or three major special exhibitions each year. Its exhibitions take a broad view of contemporary artistic expression, extending beyond conventional fine art to include calligraphy, manga, design, ukiyo-e, and shunga.
This wide-ranging approach explores the possibilities and boundaries of art from different perspectives, offering visitors an opportunity to encounter forms of expression that may not usually be displayed together in a traditional art museum.
Past exhibitions have featured major and influential artists including Yayoi Kusama, Yuichi Inoue, and artists associated with the Gutai Art Association. The museum has presented many experimental and challenging works that encourage visitors to reconsider familiar ideas about art.
Notable exhibitions have included “The Wind of Karuizawa: Japanese Contemporary Art 1950–Present” in 2012, “Yuichi Inoue: Daily Final Works – Avant-Garde Art of Calligraphy” in 2012, and “I Love Me!! Yayoi Kusama – Self-Love That Moved the World” in 2013.
Other major projects have included Jean-Michel Othoniel’s “DNA of Love” from 2014 to 2015, “Gutai Artists in Karuizawa: The Standard of the Avant-Garde” from 2015 to 2016, “Shozo Shimamoto: The Shock of the Avant-Garde” in 2016, and “Art Is Science” from 2017 to 2018.
The museum’s activities extend beyond conventional exhibitions. It has actively presented live art, performances, and other dynamic forms of artistic expression, creating opportunities for visitors to experience art as something happening in the present moment.
Artists associated with the Gutai Art Association, including Shozo Shimamoto and Yasuo Sumi, have presented action painting performances and live demonstrations. In 2014, artist Shuji Mukai created the installation “Symbolized Toilet”, demonstrating the museum’s willingness to blur the boundaries between art and everyday life.
Through close collaboration with artists, these projects create experiences in which visitors can become more directly involved with the creative process rather than simply viewing finished works.
In 2016, the museum held a Mail Art Show, inviting mail art from artists around the world. Meetings were also organized to encourage exchange and communication among participating artists.
These international activities demonstrate the museum’s approach of remaining rooted in Karuizawa while connecting the local cultural scene with a broader global network of contemporary artists.
Some of the works presented in Jean-Michel Othoniel’s “DNA of Love” exhibition are now displayed as part of the museum’s permanent collection in Exhibition Room 4.
Videos and reference materials relating to Othoniel’s previous works and creative process are also presented, allowing visitors to explore the ideas and background behind his artistic world in greater depth.
Contemporary artworks can also be found along the museum’s central passageways and outdoor areas, creating an open environment where art becomes part of the building and its surroundings.
One notable feature is “Kaze Tooru Shirakaba to Koke no Mori,” a chapel designed by architect Kengo Kuma. The chapel incorporates the outdoor sculpture “kokoronomon” by Jean-Michel Othoniel, creating a distinctive collaboration between architecture and contemporary sculpture.
The chapel can also be used as a wedding venue, offering a setting where art, architecture, nature, and everyday life come together.
One of the museum’s most unusual installations can be found in the shared restroom on the second floor. “Symbolized Toilet” by Shuji Mukai was created during the “Gutai Artists in Karuizawa” exhibition and remains permanently installed.
Because the installation is an actual functioning restroom, it offers a memorable example of how contemporary art can transform an ordinary everyday space into an artistic experience.
The museum includes the Karuizawa New Art Museum Gallery and the Whitestone Gallery Karuizawa, where works by emerging and established contemporary artists are available for purchase.
The museum shop also offers a selection of original merchandise, books, postcards, and other art-related items, making it a convenient place to find a memorable souvenir after exploring the exhibitions.
The museum also houses Ristorante Pietrino, a restaurant with a calm and elegant atmosphere. It serves authentic Italian cuisine incorporating local ingredients, providing a pleasant way to extend the museum experience over a meal.
Enjoying a carefully prepared dish after viewing contemporary art offers a relaxing moment to reflect on the works and experiences encountered throughout the museum.
Karuizawa New Art Museum is more than a place to view works of art. Through exhibitions, performances, artist collaborations, international projects, architecture, and public artworks, it creates a space where artists and visitors can encounter one another and engage with new ideas.
Set within the natural surroundings of Karuizawa, the museum offers a distinctive perspective on contemporary art while remaining connected to the character of the resort town. For art enthusiasts and curious travelers alike, it is a place where contemporary creativity, architecture, nature, and everyday life meet.