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Museum · Shiga · Kansai

Sagawa Art Museum

佐川美術館

Art museum in Moriyama with Japanese-style paintings and sculpture, a water garden, and a historic temple bell (bonsho) designated a National Treasure.

Sagawa Art Museum in Moriyama
Sagawa Art Museum in Moriyama © 663highland, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Opening hours
Mon–Sun 09:30–17:00
Holidays 09:30–17:00

Closed on Mondays

Admission
Standard
Adult ¥1,000
Senior ¥600
University Student ¥600
Junior High School Free
Links
Official website English · Japanese
Access
2891-44, Mizuhocho, Moriyama City, Shiga
〒 524-0102
How to get there
Nearest stationKatata Station
堅田
Kosei Line50 min walk from the station
Nearest bus stop佐川美術館2 min walk from the bus stop

The Sagawa Art Museum is located in the picturesque town of Moriyama within the historic Omi district, surrounded by lush natural scenery and overlooking Lake Biwa. It opened on 22 March 1998 to mark the 40th anniversary of Sagawa Express and features a collection of works by Japanese-style painter Ikuo Hirayama and sculptor Churyo Sato. On 2 September 2007, a new building was added to the site that displays the ceramic works of the Raku Kichizaemon XV - Jikinyu. The museum also boasts a National Treasure, the Bonsho temple bell, as a notable attraction. A large portion of the museum's grounds is comprised of a water garden (artificial pond), and the two-gabled roof exhibition hall, which appears to float on the water, is highly regarded for its visually stunning design.

Churyo Sato Exhibition Room

Ikuo Hirayama Exhibition Room

Bonsho bell - National Treasure

The Bonsho bell is the sixth oldest (Ten’an 2 (858) in the country and has a unique inscription within its bell family. It is noteworthy due to its rare combination of high height and wide opening at the rim."

Tea room

The Tea room is designed by Raku Kichizaemon XV - Jikinyu. The tea room is only open on designated days, and prior booking is required for a visit.

Getting There

Map: Getting to Sagawa Art Museum. Legend: Kosei Line; Shinkansen; Bus from Katata. Labelled stations: Kyoto, Otsu, Katata.

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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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"Floating Temple" - Mangetsu-ji

Heian-period temple on Lake Biwa in Otsu, the Floating Temple, built for Amida Butsu and the lake's safety, with an Important Cultural Property statue.

Otsu · Shiga
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