A photo that catches your eye, a photo that makes you feel nostalgic, a landscape that makes you want to take a picture yourself...the feeling when you actually see a photo that captivates you is especially strong. You want to go on a trip or go out for a little while, but you can't decide on a destination. Of course, it's good to decide what you want to do and then look for a destination, but it's also exciting to choose the scenery you want to see and then head to your destination. In such cases, Instagram is very useful. In this article, we will introduce art museums and museums that operate official Instagram accounts that are worth seeing, along with photos that have actually been posted. Why not first enjoy the beautiful art in the frame through your eyes through the screen, and then use your five senses when you arrive at the site?
"Yokohama Doll Museum"
The first place we will introduce is the Yokohama Doll Museum, located about a 3-minute walk from Motomachi-Chukagai Station on the Minatomirai Line. It is within walking distance of famous areas of Yokohama, such as Motomachi, Chinatown, and Yamashita Park. On the Instagram account of this museum specializing in dolls, you can see the dolls from all over the world that are on display in the museum.
This museum, which has been in operation since the late Showa period, has a collection of over 10,000 items. Dolls from over 100 countries and eras are gathered in one place, making it a facility that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.
From dolls brought to life by Living National Treasures to new members who represent modern "Cool Japan," a unique cast of characters ranging from traditional to avant-garde, cute to surreal will be waiting to greet you!
You can also check their Instagram for information on special exhibitions and projects. Currently, you can get a peek at the special exhibition "The Magic of Light: An Enchanted Dollhouse," which began in April.
From intricately crafted items that look like they've been cut straight out of the scenery of good old Japan, to fantastic dollhouses that look like they've jumped out of a storybook, you won't be able to stop scrolling through the photos! Be sure to visit the site and be amazed by the size of the actual items.
[Yokohama Doll Museum]
Address: 18 Yamashita-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, 231-0023
TEL: 045-671-9361
Official website: https://www.doll-museum.jp/
Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yokohamadollmuseum/
"Yokosuka Museum of Art"
From Maborikaigan Station on the Keikyu Main Line, take a bus bound for Kannonzaki for 10 minutes. We would like to introduce you to the Yokosuka Museum of Art, where you can enjoy the fusion of nature and art. Opened in 2007, the museum is a facility surrounded by the nature of Yokosuka.
From the outside, the stunning contrast between the white of the building, the blue of the sky and sea, and the lush greenery is a visual delight.
This is a view that can only be seen in this perfect location, surrounded by Prefectural Kannonzaki Park and Tokyo Bay.
The special exhibition room in the main building hosts a wide variety of special exhibitions, including modern and contemporary Japanese art. Light pours in through the circular windows throughout the building, allowing visitors to enjoy the blessings of nature and the fusion of art and nature even while indoors. (This photo is from the currently ongoing special exhibition, "Stories Drawn with Threads.")
At the Taniuchi Rokuro Museum in the annex, you can see the works of Taniuchi Rokuro, who had an atelier in Kamoi, Yokosuka. The collection of his representative work, "Weekly Shincho Cover Illustrations," posted here is a must-see.
Don't miss the spectacular view from the rooftop plaza! With the scenery reflected on the glass, it's worth taking photos from any angle. After enjoying the art created by human hands, be sure to enjoy the art created by the power of nature.
[Yokosuka Museum of Art]
Address: 4-1 Kamoi, Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture, 239-0813
TEL: 046-845-1211
Official website: https://www.yokosuka-moa.jp/index.html
Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yokosuka_moa/
Hakone is famous for its hot springs and relay races, but it also has an artistic side with many art galleries and museums. From here, we will introduce three art museums in Hakone in succession.
"The Hakone Open-Air Museum"
First, there is the Hakone Open-Air Museum, Japan's first open-air museum, which was built taking advantage of the natural surroundings of Hakone. Here you can see sculptures by Auguste Rodin, Henry Moore, and others.
In the lush garden, which spans an area of 70,000 m2, there are about 120 sculptures on permanent display, including interactive art pieces that children will love.
The most popular of these is the "Symphony of Happiness" sculpture by Gabriel Loire. You wouldn't know it from the outside, but the inside of the 18m-tall tower is completely surrounded by stained glass, and when you step inside, a flood of colors washes over you, creating a truly fantastical experience.
Some of the exhibits are hands-on. The "Star Garden" is a maze where you can experience, learn, and enjoy art.
The Picasso exhibition, which opened in 1984, 15 years after the museum's opening, features Picasso's works, including not only sculptures but also paintings and gold and silver objects.
On this Instagram page, we regularly introduce photos taken by our customers, so you can enjoy a variety of photos taken from different perspectives. The day when your photo will be added to this collection may not be far away! If you take a photo, please post it with the hashtag #Everyone's Sculpture or @thehakoneopenairmuseum.
[The Hakone Open-Air Museum]
Address: 1121 Ninohira, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture, 250-0407
TEL: 0460-82-1161
Official website: https://www.hakone-oam.or.jp/
Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehakoneopenairmuseum/
"Hakone Glass Forest Museum"
Following on from the "Hakone Open-Air Museum," we will introduce the "Glass Forest." The "Hakone Glass Forest Museum" is located in Sengokuhara, Hakone, and is Japan's first museum specializing in Venetian glass. In the experience studio within the facility, you can create your own original work using two types of glass: sandblasting and fusing.
In the garden, modeled after the mansion of a European aristocrat, you can enjoy the atmosphere of the water city and the panoramic view of Owakudani at the same time. The "Corridor of Light" seen in the back right is a 9-meter-high, 10-meter-long crystal glass arch. Approximately 160,000 crystal glass beads sparkle in the sunlight.
This garden is a place where you can enjoy seasonal plants, but in autumn you can enjoy "Pampas grass" made of crystal glass! Red dragonflies are also attracted to the sparkle of the crystal.
The indoor museums include the gorgeously decorated "Venetian Glass Museum" and the "Contemporary Glass Museum," which exhibits modern glass sculptures from the 20th century. Special exhibitions are also held from time to time.
This is a facility that can be enjoyed throughout the year, but we recommend visiting during Christmas! During the Christmas period, large and small Christmas trees made of crystal glass shine with sparkling lights. These trees, named "Romeo" and "Juliet," are lit up in the evening, making them very romantic.
The Hakone Glass Forest Museum will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2021. Why not visit to commemorate this anniversary year?
[Hakone Glass Forest Museum]
Address: 940-48 Sengokuhara, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture, 250-0631
TEL: 0460-86-3111
Official website: https://www.hakone-garasunomori.jp/
Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hakonegarasunomori/
"Okada Museum of Art"
The last place we would like to introduce is the Okada Museum of Art in Kowakudani, which opened in 2013. It is a facility where you can enjoy the beautiful nature of Kowakudani and oriental art.
On this Instagram page, you can enjoy not only information about the facility, but also the surrounding natural scenery throughout the seasons.
The symbol of the Okada Museum of Art is the large mural of the wind god and thunder god, "Kaze-Toki," painted by Fukui Kotaro. This work, which is 12 meters long and 30 meters wide and made up of 640 gold panels, is even more impressive when viewed in its actual scale. You can also view it while enjoying the foot bath cafe, which uses 100% natural hot spring water.
The museum has around 450 exhibits, mainly from Asia, including Japan, Korea, and China. This is a facility where you can enjoy a wide range of works, from early modern and modern Japanese paintings to Oriental ceramics, clay figurines, and Buddhist statues. (This photo is from the "DOKI Earthenware! Clay Figurines and Bronze Ware" exhibition held in 2020.)
The garden was designed with the concept of "A garden space where you can feel the blessings of nature - the vitality of spring water and trees", and the lush greenery and water features create a tranquil and comfortable space.
At the museum shop, you can purchase original Okada Museum of Art chocolates that are so beautiful you'll feel bad eating them. The Okada Museum Chocolate "Waves and Fuji" is a bonbon chocolate that comes in eight different flavors.
[Okada Museum of Art]
Address: 493-1, Kowakudani, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture, 250-0406
TEL: 0460-87-3931
Official site: https://www.okada-museum.com/
Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/okada_museum/
*This time, we have reproduced the photos posted on the official Instagram account (with permission from each facility).
Please refrain from taking photographs in areas of the facility where photography is not permitted.
