A quiet and relaxing space in a department store
Enter an artistic space!
YOKOHAMA ART SPOT FILE
You might come across some inspiring art in between your shopping!
Sogo Museum of Art
Did you know that there is a quiet and relaxing art museum on the 6th floor of the Sogo Yokohama store at the east exit of Yokohama Station? The Sogo Museum of Art opened in September 1985, at the same time as the department store opened, as a full-scale art museum of unprecedented scale, aiming to become a cultural facility that would serve as a base for disseminating information on lifestyles, culture, and culture. It is also known for its collection of approximately 160 oil paintings and watercolors by Suzuki Shintaro, a painter who was active in the Western-style painting world of the Showa era. In addition to exhibitions of Western paintings, Japanese paintings, sculptures, and prints, the museum also hosts exhibitions of a wide range of genres, including unique special exhibitions themed on science fiction movies and girls' manga. Another appealing point is that you can casually drop in during your shopping trip and experience the world of art.
The ticket booth is located next to the entrance of the museum. Admission fees vary depending on the exhibition. The opening hours are basically the same as the Sogo Yokohama store, from 10:00 to 20:00 (entry is allowed until 30 minutes before closing).
* Closing time may be earlier on the final day of special exhibitions, etc.
Once you have purchased your ticket, you can leave your luggage and coat in the lockers. The lockers are coin-returnable (100 yen), so you can get your 100 yen back when you take out your luggage after viewing the exhibits. Of course, there is also an umbrella stand opposite.
After showing my ticket, I found this sign before entering the building.
If you want to take notes on what you feel and learn while appreciating art, please use this free simple pencil and pegcil rental service. Normally, in art galleries and museums that handle important works of art, it is considered good manners to avoid using pencils or mechanical pencils that may break, or ballpoint pens or fountain pens that may splash ink. Please ask the staff and borrow one.
When I visited for this article, the exhibition "Trends in Painting: Japanese and Western-style Paintings from the Showa to Meiji Periods" (Saturday, March 4th, 2017 - Sunday, April 9th, 2017) was being held. I was given special permission to take a few photos inside the museum. As soon as I stepped inside, I was greeted by a quiet space that was a different world from the bustling department store I had just been to.
Depending on the special exhibition, there may be a video corner where you can watch the exhibits while sitting in a chair.
Now, after enjoying your fill of wonderful art, head to the museum shop attached to the art museum. There are a variety of art and design goods available, including original goods based on the works in the current exhibition. Browse the museum shop after viewing your art, which is also part of the fun.
In one corner of the museum shop, you can find original museum goods designed by Minami Fukuoka, which are based on the work of the aforementioned painter, Shintaro Suzuki! There are lots of stylish and cute designs that are perfect for the current mood.
From the currently popular masking tape to mugs, tote bags, pins, clear files, stickers, postcards, etc. Of course, you can purchase them even if you are not visiting the museum, so please stop by and take a look.
Sogo Museum of Art
[Location] Sogo Yokohama
[TEL] 045-465-5515 (direct line to the museum)
