When people talk about going to an art gallery, an image of a wide space with viewers appreciating various paintings and artworks will most likely pop into your head. However, at Towada Art Center (十和田市現代美術館) in Aomori‘s Towada City, this is not the case. Inside each exhibition room, only one piece of artwork is displayed. Seeing the scale of the artwork in the art center, you will almost feel like your body has shrunk (or maybe everything has suddenly grown in size except you?).
The art center, established in 2008, is now the landmark of Towada City. The 38 permanent collections are the work of 33 renowned artists, such as Ron Mueck and Yayoi Kusama (草間 彌生).
Your trip to the world of contemporary art will start before you enter the art center. If something looks too unusual around the closest bus stop, there is a high chance it is one of the art center’s exhibits!
Exploring Towada Art Center
The stylish building of the art center was designed by Ryue Nishizawa (西沢立衛), who also designed The 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa (金沢21世紀美術館), which is why you might notice some similarities between the two art galleries.
One of the most fascinating artworks in the art center is the Standing Woman. The facial expression of this giant old lady changes as you walk around her. Apparently, it is due to how natural lighting is reflected on her face.
A few of the artworks are interactive. For example, the Sumpf Land is a piece of artwork that allows you to stick your head into the hole in the ceiling. Snap a photo of you doing so and show it to your friends later. It will definitely leave them wondering what sort of mischievous activities you got up to during your overseas trip (´▽｀*).
In the courtyard, don’t forget to write down your wishes on a piece of paper and hang it on the apple tree.
The tree is one of the art center’s permanent collections. The paper with your wishes written on it will eventually travel to the Imagine Peace Tower in Reykjavik, Iceland (^_-)-☆.
For a list of collections currently in the art center and an expansionary of the artworks, please refer to the official website HERE.
Tips:
☛ The art center should take around an hour to explore.
☛ Its cafe has a plant-based light meal option. Click HERE for the current menu.
Towada Art Center’s Opening Hours, Admission Fee, and Access Information
- The art center is open from 9 am to 5 pm daily except Mondays.
- If Monday is a public holiday, it will close on the next business day.
- The last admission is at 4:30 pm.
- It’s also closed from the end of December to the beginning of January.
- The admission fee is
- 1,800 yen for access to both special exhibition and permanent collections
- 1,000 yen when only permanent collections are on exhibit
- Free for high school students and younger
- If you are taking Towada Kankou Dentetsu’s bus, get off at Kanchogai-dōri (官庁街通) if you are coming from Hachinohe, and get off at Towada Art Center (Towada-shi Gendai Bijutsukan-mae, (十和田市現代美術館前) if you are coming from Shichinohe-Towada.
- If you are taking Oirase-gō, stop at Towada Art Center (Towada-shi Gendai Bijutsukan-mae, 十和田市現代美術館前).
Explore Other Parts of Towada City
Towada Art Center isn’t the only attraction worth checking out in the city. The city has rich, breathtaking scenery and a few of Aomori’s best natural destinations.
There are also a couple of good spots to visit if you only have time for its city center.
Refer to our Towada City article for more information!
