The Nagano Prefectural Art Museum is a major cultural institution in Nagano City, located within the green surroundings of Joyama Park just east of Zenkoji Temple. Designed to harmonize with the surrounding landscape, the museum offers an appealing combination of art, architecture, nature, and views.
The museum traces its origins to the former Shinano Museum of Art. Today, it serves as a cultural center rooted in the local community, introducing visitors to the artistic heritage of Nagano Prefecture as well as works connected with the landscapes and culture of Shinshu.
The museum is broadly divided into two main areas. The Main Building houses and exhibits works by artists connected with Nagano Prefecture, together with paintings and other works depicting the landscapes and scenery of the region.
These collections provide an opportunity to discover how artists have interpreted the mountains, forests, rural landscapes, and everyday life of Shinshu through different periods and artistic styles.
The second area is the Higashiyama Kaii Gallery, dedicated to the works of the renowned Japanese painter Higashiyama Kaii. Kaii had a deep affection for the landscapes of Nagano and created numerous paintings inspired by the region.
The gallery offers visitors an opportunity to explore his distinctive world of Japanese painting while learning about the connection between the artist and the natural scenery of Shinshu.
The Nagano Prefectural Art Museum was developed around the concept of a “Landscape Museum.” Its architecture and exhibition spaces are designed to exist in harmony with the surrounding natural environment and the historic landscape of Nagano.
Rather than functioning simply as an enclosed exhibition facility, the museum incorporates open spaces that can be enjoyed freely. Some areas can be entered without an admission fee, creating an atmosphere closer to a public park than a traditional closed museum.
This approach encourages visitors to combine a museum visit with a walk through Joyama Park and the historic area around Zenkoji Temple.
The story of the museum began in 1962, when local residents called for the creation of an art museum in Nagano Prefecture. The Shinano Museum of Art opened in 1966.
In 1969, the museum was transferred to Nagano Prefecture and became the Nagano Prefectural Shinano Museum of Art. It has continued to serve as the only prefectural art museum in Nagano Prefecture.
In 1987, the celebrated Japanese painter Higashiyama Kaii donated works and related materials to Nagano Prefecture. The Higashiyama Kaii Gallery opened in 1990 as a dedicated space for his work.
The gallery building was designed by architect Yoshio Taniguchi, the son of one of Higashiyama Kaii’s friends. Its design reflected Kaii’s own wishes and created an environment intended to complement his art.
After many years of operation, the museum faced challenges including aging facilities and limited curatorial resources. In 2017, the Main Building and Higashiyama Kaii Gallery were closed as part of a comprehensive redevelopment project.
The new museum was designed by architect Hiroshi Miyazaki and completed in March 2020. Its architecture has also received significant recognition, including the JIA Japan Architecture Award in 2021 and the BCS Award in 2022.
March 1965: The Shinano Museum of Art Foundation was established.
October 1966: The Shinano Museum of Art opened.
June 1969: The museum was transferred to Nagano Prefecture and became the Nagano Prefectural Shinano Museum of Art.
September 1987: Higashiyama Kaii donated his works to Nagano Prefecture.
April 1990: The Higashiyama Kaii Gallery opened.
May 2017: The Higashiyama Kaii Gallery closed as part of the redevelopment project.
October 2019: The renovated Higashiyama Kaii Gallery reopened.
April 2021: The renewed institution reopened as the Nagano Prefectural Art Museum.
From JR Nagano Station or Nagano Electric Railway Nagano Station, take an Alpico Kotsu bus, including routes 11, 16, or 17, and get off at the Zenkoji-kita bus stop. The museum is approximately a three-minute walk away.
Another option is the Binzuru-go sightseeing-oriented bus and other services traveling via Zenkoji. Get off at the Zenkoji Daimon bus stop, then walk through the area around Zenkoji with the temple on your right. The museum is approximately a 10-minute walk from the stop.
The museum does not have a general parking lot for visitors. A dedicated parking area on the north side of the Higashiyama Kaii Gallery is available for large buses and visitors with disabilities.
Visitors arriving by car should therefore use one of the general parking facilities in the surrounding area.
The museum stands within Joyama Park, a spacious urban park immediately east of Zenkoji Temple. Rich in greenery, the park provides a pleasant setting for walking and enjoying the area before or after visiting the museum.
The park was developed in 1900 to commemorate the marriage of Prince Yoshihito, who later became Emperor Taisho. The site also has a much older history and was once associated with Yokoyama Castle.
During the Meiji era, the area was also home to a time-signal cannon site and a meteorological observation station, reflecting its changing role through different periods of Japanese history.
Today, Joyama Park is used not only as the setting for the art museum but also as a venue for events and as a place of recreation. It is enjoyed by local residents and visitors alike.
The Nagano Prefectural Art Museum offers much more than an indoor art collection. Its location beside Zenkoji, its relationship with Joyama Park, and its landscape-oriented architecture make the surrounding environment an important part of the museum experience.
Visitors can explore the art of Nagano and the work of Higashiyama Kaii, admire contemporary museum architecture, and then continue into the historic streets and sacred spaces around Zenkoji.
For travelers interested in Japanese art, landscape painting, architecture, and the cultural heritage of Nagano, the museum provides an excellent introduction to the artistic character of Shinshu.