Hiratsuka is located in the center of the Sagami Bay coast facing the Pacific Ocean, 50 km southwest of Tokyo, the capital city. During the Edo period, it flourished as one of the post towns on the Tokaido road. Currently, the city has a total area of 67.88 square kilometers and a population of approximately 260,000. Blessed with a mild climate and abundant nature, it is a core city where various industries maintain a balance, and is also popular as a resort destination.
The area known as "Shonan," which includes Hiratsuka, has been home to many artists and has fostered artistic movements since the Meiji era (late 19th century). For example, the magazine "Shirakaba," which had a great influence on modern Japanese art and literature, was based in Kamakura, while Kishida Ryusei's Sōdosha, which pursued a new style of oil painting, was based in Kugenuma. Many artists have continued to be active in the area since then.
The idea for building an art museum in Hiratsuka City was initiated shortly after the end of World War II. At the heart of the movement were local artists who had been independently holding exhibitions amidst the city's reconstruction following the air raids. In the early 1960s, they began a movement to donate one work by one artist to the city, and following the construction of schools, community centers, and libraries, the Hiratsuka City Museum opened in 1976, with an art department established there. Subsequently, in line with the nationwide movement for lifelong learning and art museum construction, a research committee for the construction of an art museum was established in Hiratsuka in 1984, and concrete steps toward opening began. In 1986, the Hiratsuka City Museum of Art Basic Concept was formulated, followed by the Hiratsuka City Museum of Art Construction Basic Plan. Construction work and business preparations then commenced, and the museum opened in March 1991.
Since its opening, as an art museum located in the heart of the Shonan region, the museum has adopted "Art and Light of Shonan" as its main theme and has implemented various projects with the major objective of deepening citizens' understanding of culture and stimulating their desire for creativity and learning by providing people with an excellent environment to appreciate outstanding art from Japan and abroad.
We will continue to play a part in the maturation of culture in the Shonan region and strive to enrich our museum activities so that it can be enjoyed by many people.
