The Isamu Noguchi Garden Museum Japan is located in Takamatsu city where the sculptor Isamu Noguchi (1904-1988) lived and worked in his later years. The museum itself is a work of art in the way the sculptures, the buildings, environment, and the surrounding scenery are coordinated.
The Isamu Noguchi Garden Museum Japan
The Isamu Noguchi Garden Museum Japan houses a huge number of stones and sculptures and looks very much as it did when the artist was living and working there.
Besides creating monumental sculptures, Isamu Noguchi's work also includes public spaces such as gardens and parks, set designs and furniture and lamps.
Highlights of The Isamu Noguchi Garden Museum Japan
There are four areas of the museum open to visitors - the studio workshop, the artwork warehouse, Noguchi’s house and gardens, and the sculpture garden. Guided tours with detailed explanation from staff are available. There is also a gift shop.
The Studio Workshop and Artwork Warehouse with Stunning Sculptures
The workshop is an open area surrounded by circular stone walls, where you can find as many as 150 stone sculptures, many unfinished, all harmoniously blending with the surrounding nature. Next to the workshop is the artwork warehouse where other stone sculptures, including Noguchi’s breathtaking masterpiece, “Energy Void”. This work is an eye-catching, massive piece of black granite, 3.6 meters high.
Isamu-ya & Sculpture Garden
'Isamu-ya (“Isamu’s House”), where he lived during the months he spent every year in Japan for the last 20 years of his life, is a renovated late Edo period merchant's home which was relocated. Walking up the stone steps to the house, you reach the large “Sculpture Garden” designed by Noguchi himself- elements like the small stone hill and the stone stage all contribute to make the spot itself a piece of spatial art.
Museum shop at reception
There is a gift shop at the museum's reception where you can find a lot of Isamu Noguchi-related souvenirs such the tote bag printed with Noguchi's preparatory sketches for sculptures, “AKARI” (lamps designed by Noguchi), and publications, etc.
Business Hours, Fees, and Application Method of the Isamu Noguchi Garden Museum Japan
It is important to note that visits to museum are by reservation only, and the number of visitors is limited. Remember to make a reservation in plenty of time if you want to visit!
Tour Dates and Times / Admission
The Isamu Noguchi Garden Museum Japan is open every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, for 1-hour guided tours at fixed times only: 10 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm. It is normally closed on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, and also in mid-August and at over the New Year (see Calendar on the website for exact dates: http://www.isamunoguchi.or.jp/museum/museum_e.htm)
Admission fees: 2,160 yen (adults), 1,080 yen (high-school students), free for junior high-school students and younger
Reservation
FAX and email reservation are both accepted. Your name, age, country of residence, number of visitors, and two preferred times to visit are required for the application. Please note that reservations should be made at least two weeks in advance.
Access
There are numerous ways to get to the museum, but probably the most convenient is to take the Kotoden Bus #73 bound for Aji Onsen from bus stop #7 at JR Takamatsu station. The ride takes around 30 mins, and the closest bus stop is “Inori Iwa, Yoichi Koenmae”. It takes another 7 minutes on foot from the bus stop to the museum
Information
Name: The Isamu Noguchi Garden Museum Japan (www.isamunoguchi.or.jp)
- Address: 3519 Mure, Mure-cho, Takamatsu-shi, Kagawa-ken 761-0121)
- Access: Takamatsu JR station→[Kotoden bus] approx. 30-mins→ “Onori Iwa Yoichi Koenmae” bus stop… approx. 7 mins walk
- Wi-Fi: Not available
- Language: English
- Ticket Purchase: At Reception
- Credit cards: No credit cards accepted for admission fee
- VISA, MasterCard, JCB, AMERICAN EXPRESS, Diners Club International, Union Pay (Only at the souvenir shop)
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