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Museum · Kagawa · Shikoku

Chichu Art Museum

地中美術館

An underground museum on Naoshima designed by Tadao Ando, with permanent works by Claude Monet, Walter de Maria and James Turrell shown in natural light.

Stone wall and Gate of Kiyama, Sakaide, Kagawa
Stone wall and Gate of Kiyama, Sakaide, Kagawa © 663highland, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Opening hours
Mon–Sun 10:00–17:00
Holidays 10:00–17:00
Admission
Standard
Adult ¥2,100
Links
Official website Japanese
Access
3449-1, Naoshima Town, Kagawa District, Kagawa
〒 761-3110
How to get there
Nearest stationUno Station
宇野
Uno Line97 min walk from the station
Nearest bus stop深井入口83 min walk from the bus stop

The Chichu Art Museum is a unique and fascinating museum that combines art and architecture in a seamless and harmonious way. The museum's location on the Naoshima island in Kagawa Prefecture is itself a work of art, with its beautiful natural scenery and stunning sea views. The decision to build the museum primarily underground was a clever one, as it allows visitors to appreciate the natural surroundings without being distracted by the museum's structure.

The architect of the Chichu Art Museum, Tadao Ando, is a world-renowned architect known for his use of simple geometric forms and raw materials such as concrete and steel. The museum's design reflects Ando's minimalist style and attention to detail, with its use of clean lines and natural materials. The result is a museum that is both striking and subtle, with a quiet elegance that allows visitors to focus on the art.

The three artists whose works are permanently displayed in the Chichu Art Museum - Claude Monet, Walter de Maria, and James Turrell - are all masters in their respective fields. Monet's Water Lilies series is especially well-suited to the museum's design, as the natural light that filters into the space creates a constantly changing canvas for the paintings. De Maria's outdoor installation, Time/Timeless/No Time, adds to the overall atmosphere of the museum with its use of natural materials such as granite, concrete, and brass. Turrell's perceptual installations, such as Open Sky, are a perfect match for the museum's architecture and use of natural light.

Getting There

Map: Getting to Chichu Art Museum. Legend: Uno Line; Bus from Uno. Labelled stations: Okayama, Takamatsu, Kawaramachi, Uno.

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At Hey Japan!, we strive to keep the places listed on our website as current as possible. However, location owners or management may alter opening times or modify admission requirements without prior notice. Check official websites before visiting.

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