Yokohama Art Museum: A Beautiful Museum with history of 30 Years

Photo: KASAGI Yasuyuki

The Yokohama Art Museum is a famous place in Yokohama's Minato Mirai 21. There is a broad collection of works, ranging from works by renowned foreign painters to Japanese artists deeply connected to Yokohama.

About Yokohama Museum of Art

Photo: KASAGI Yasuyuki

Opened in 1989, the Yokohama Museum of Art is one of Japan's biggest art museums. You can admire modern and contemporary art from the port's opening through numerous exhibitions as an art museum in an international city where the port of Yokohama is situated.

By the manner, three kinds of exhibitions are primarily held by the Yokohama Museum of Art. Under a particular theme, the "themed exhibitions" shows works and reference materials.

The "planning exhibitions" exhibits works and reference materials loaned to the museum by Japanese and aboard art museums and collectors. Finally, "New Artist Picks" is a tiny exhibition that shows up-and-coming young artists their ambitious works.

Highlights of Yokohama Museum of Art

Photo: KATO Ken

Not only does the Yokohama Art Museum have a lovely exterior, there are appealing places inside such as the Grand Gallery, seven exhibition rooms, an art data and media center with over 110,000 books, a cafe and a museum store.

The Museum's Large Collection

Photo: TANAKA Yuichiro

In the thematic exhibition, from over 12,000 items gathered from Japan and overseas, 200-300 works are thoroughly chosen for each theme. The collection involves works from over the centuries, such as works by renowned painters Dali, Cezanne, Picasso, and works by artists deeply associated with Yokohama.

There is also a wide collection of photos. It is associated with the rise of photography in Yokohama along with Nagasaki, and from that point onward, photography had spread throughout the country.

Museum's Architecture

Photo: KASAGI Yasuyuki

The Yokohama Art Museum is renowned for its stone structures that are beautifully symmetrical. It is designed by the leading Japanese architect, Kenzo Tange. A laterally lies a 180m-long corridor, creating an open room.

Café Ogurayama

Photo: TANAKA Yuichiro

After viewing the exhibitions, it is recommended to take a break at Café Ogurayama which faces the square. There is an extensive menu from drinks to snacks. The cafe even has special menu tailored to the exhibition offered.

Access from Sakuragicho Station to Yokohama Museum of Art

You can go to Yokohama Museum of Art on foot or by bus from Sakuragicho Station of JR and Yokohama Municipal Subway. The sidewalk from the station connects to Landmark Plaza. It takes about 10 minutes to walk through Landmark Plaza to arrive at Yokohama Museum of Art. You can also take a municipal bus to get to "Yokohama Art Museum" bus stop in about 3 minutes. The nearest station to the museum is the Minatomirai Station of Minatomirai Line. Go out from Exit 3 and walk through the adjacent shopping mall "MARK IS Minatomirai" and you will arrive in about 3 minutes.

Spot information

  • Spot name: Yokohama Museum of Art
  • Street address: 3-4-1 Minatomirai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture 220-0012
  • Access: About 10 minutes on foot or 3 minutes by municipal bus from JR Sakuragicho Station; About 3 minutes on foot from Minatomirai Line "Minatomirai Station"
  • Wi-Fi: Available
  • Language: English, Chinese, Korean
  • Ticket Purchase: At counter, official website and convenience stores
  • Credit cards: VISA, MasterCard, UnionPay (Counter)

Index

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