While many are aware that Karuizawa is a summer resort close to Tokyo, what you may not know about Karuizawa is that it is also a great destination to admire contemporary art. Particularly in the Naka-Karuizawa area, art museums and uncommon architecture are tucked inside the picturesque nature. So if you want a trip more than just eating and shopping, check out the below attractions to make your visit to Karuizawa more memorable!
- Sezon Museum of Modern Art (セゾン現代美術館)
- Tasaki Museum of Art (田崎美術館)
- The Museum of Contemporary Art, Karuizawa (軽井沢現代美術館)
- Hiroshi Senju Museum Karuizawa (軽井沢千住博美術館)
Sezon Museum of Modern Art (セゾン現代美術館)
If you like contemporary art, venture out to the Sezon Museum of Modern Art for its wide range of collections and its beautiful garden. Whether it is its world-famous permanent collection or seasonal exhibition, the artworks from the hands of world-famous masters of the first half of the 20th century to up-and-coming Japanese artists won’t disappoint! Although the number of works is not significant, it has a wide range of genres for you to enjoy!
In addition, the museum, tucked in a spacious forest-like garden, has a flowing stream and is dotted with sculptures, creating a wonderful harmony with nature!
Note that there is no vegetarian menu at the museum’s cafe.
Tip: Entry to Sezon Museum of Modern Art’s garden is free. So if you are only accompanying your art-passionate friends or family, waiting for them by the garden might be a good idea.
Sezon Museum of Modern Art’s Opening Hours, Admission Fees, and Access Information
- Sezon Museum of Modern Art is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm except for Thursdays from the 22nd of April to the 9th of October in 2023.
- The admission fee is:
- 1,500 yen for adults
- 1,000 yen for senior high school and university student
- 500 yen for elementary and junior high school students
- You can also take a bus bound for Manza Onsen or Kusatsu Onsen and get off at Karuizawa Sengataki Onsen Iriguchi (軽井沢千ヶ滝温泉入口). The museum is then a 7-minute walk.
Tasaki Museum of Art (田崎美術館)
Another museum that you can visit is the Tasaki Museum of Art. Tasaki Hirosuke (田崎廣助) was an award-winning painter who received the Order of Culture in 1975. Known as a painter who specialized in mountain paintings and his love for Karuizawa, the Vermilion Summit of Mt. Fuji (朱富士) and Mt. Aso (阿蘇山) are his representative works. In this museum dedicated to him, around 90 of his artworks are on display, including those on the theme of Karuizawa.
Aside from the art exhibits, the building, which won the Architectural Institute of Japan Award in 1986, is also worth some attention. You will be amazed by its striking cumulus-shaped roof and geometric wall composition.
The architect who designed the building is Hara Hiroshi (原広司). So if you find Kyoto Station a fantastic architecture, visit the Tasaki Museum of Art!
Tasaki Museum of Art’s Opening Hours, Admission Fees, and Access Information
- Tasaki Museum of Art is open daily from Golden Week in spring to Culture Day in autumn, except for Wednesdays.
- It is open from 10 am to 5 pm from the end of April to September, except for Wednesdays.
- From October to the beginning of November, it is open from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm.
- The last admission is 30 minutes before closing time.
- The admission fee is:
- 1,000 yen for adults
- 800 yen for senior high school and university students
- 500 yen for elementary and junior high school students
- Tasaki Museum of Art is around a 15-minute walk from Shinano Railway’s Naka-Karuizawa Station.
The Museum of Contemporary Art, Karuizawa (軽井沢現代美術館)
If you are a fan of Japanese artists such as Kusama Yayoi or Nara Yoshimoto, visit The Museum of Contemporary Art, Karuizawa. Located in a spot full of greenery, the trendy museum is filled with works of world-famous artists. Unlike the Sozen Museum of Art, which is more suitable for those with a deep passion for contemporary art, The Museum of Contemporary Art, Karuizawa, can be enjoyed by amateurs.
Just note that it can be tiring if you plan to cycle to the museum. The last 500 meters consist of a rather steep slope.
Tips:
☛ You can take photos of the artwork as long as you are in the photo. But note that you can’t use a flashlight. If you need help with taking a selfie, the staff should be more than happy to assist.
☛ The admission fee includes a cup of tea and a small biscuit for you to enjoy afterwards. If you don’t know what beverage to choose, apple juice is recommended.
☛ It takes around an hour to explore the museum.
The Museum of Contemporary Art, Karuizawa’s Opening Hours, Admission Fees, and Access Information
- The Museum of Contemporary Art Karuizawa is open from 10 am to 5 pm from late April to late November.
- The museum closes on Tuesdays and Wednesdays but opens daily during the Golden Week and in summer.
- The admission fee is:
- 1,000 yen for adults
- 800 yen for senior high school and university students and the elderly (65 years old and above)
- 500 yen for junior high school and elementary school students
- The Musem of Contemporary Art Karuizawa is around a 25 to 30-minute walk from Shinano Railway’s Naka-Karuizawa Station.
- You can also take the Town Loop Bus, East/South Line (町内循環パス 東・南廻り線) from JR Karuizawa Station’s north exit and get off at Toshokan-mae (図書館前). The museum is then a 5-minute walk.
Hiroshi Senju Museum Karuizawa (軽井沢千住博美術館)
If you want to spend time at a Japanese art museum but are not so familiar with the art, that’s okay! Hiroshi Senju Museum Karuizawa is a spot that everyone can enjoy (=ﾟωﾟ)ﾉ. The building blends in so well with the surrounding nature is another reason to visit Hiroshi Senju Museum Karuizawa.
The museum exhibits the artworks of Hiroshi Senju. Who is he? He is a contemporary artist known for his dynamic waterfall and cliff paintings. Hiroshi isn’t just a famous artist in Japan. His artwork is also exhibited worldwide, such as Brooklyn Museum in New York. In addition to traditional paintings, you can also enjoy digital artwork at Hiroshi Senju Museum Karuizawa. For five minutes, his famous artwork, The Fall, is projected on the white wall at one side of the museum!
Furthermore, the evocative architecture itself is an artwork designed by Nishizawa Ryūe (西沢立衛), who is also the designer of the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa. It has a bright space that doesn’t resemble your typical art museum. With the gently sloped floor, the trees planted in the impeccable courtyards as well as the layout, you will feel like you are examining the master’s works as if you were walking through a forest.
Tips:
☛ The museum’s bakery, Asanoya (ブランジェ浅野屋), serves delicious bread and pastries. It is a branch of one of the most famous bakeries in Karuizawa. Arrive early to avoid disappointment and long queues!
☛ Booklets in many different languages are available. Follow the order in the booklet to understand what the masterpieces are trying to convey.
Hiroshi Senju Museum Karuizawa’s Opening Hours, Admission Fees, and Access Information
- Hiroshi Senju Museum Karuizawa is open daily from 9:30 am to 5 pm except for Tuesdays from the 26th of December to February.
- The last admission is at 4:30 pm.
- If Tuesday is a public holiday or is between July and September, the museum will still be open.
- The admission fee is
- 1,500 yen for adults
- 1,000 yen for senior high school students and above
- Hiroshi Senju Museum Karuizawa is around a 20-minute walk from Shinano Railway’s Naka-Karuizawa Station.
Discover Other Attractions in Naka-Karuizawa
As you may have guessed, art museums isn’t the only spots in Naka-Karuizawa that you might be interested in. There are a few cafes and restaurants that serve mouthwatering cakes and vegetarian dishes, unordinary but amazing church buildings, hot spring facilities, and even a wild bird sanctuary!
So refer to our article on Naka-Karuizawa to plan your visit!
