Fukushima Prefectural Museum of Art
Tohoku Region
The Fukushima Prefectural Museum of Art, located in Fukushima City at the base of Mount Shinobu, occupies a spacious campus shared with the Fukushima Prefectural Library but maintains its own distinct grounds and gardens. Established in July 1984, the museum houses an extensive collection of nearly 4,000 artworks featuring both local and internationally renowned artists. Its collection includes masterpieces by French Impressionists such as Claude Monet and Paul Gauguin, alongside important modern Japanese painters like Sekine Shoji and Kishida Ryusei. The museum also features 20th-century American realism, prints, earthenware, ceramic art, and textiles. Notably, it holds a significant portion of Ben Shahn's "Lucky Dragon" series, which poignantly depicts the story of the Japanese fishing boat Daigo Fukuryū Maru affected by a hydrogen bomb blast. Over the years, the museum has hosted major exhibitions attracting tens of thousands of visitors, including shows dedicated to Picasso, Studio Ghibli, and historical themes like ancient Egypt. Despite temporary closure due to the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, the museum remains a cultural centerpiece in the region, blending historical significance with diverse artistic expressions.
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Tip: Visitors are advised to check the museum's official website for current opening hours and special exhibition schedules. The best time to visit is during major exhibitions, which draw large crowds, so purchasing tickets in advance is recommended to avoid queues. The museum offers discounts for seniors, students, and groups. Accessibility is good, and the museum grounds provide a pleasant environment for exploration beyond the galleries.
Interesting facts
- •The museum owns a significant part of Ben Shahn's "Lucky Dragon" series, which depicts the tragic story of the Daigo Fukuryū Maru fishing boat affected by a hydrogen bomb test.
- •In April 1998, a Pablo Picasso exhibition attracted over 67,000 visitors, one of the museum's highest attendance records.
- •The museum held a popular "Art of Star Wars" exhibition in 2004, drawing more than 77,000 visitors.
- •Following the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, the museum closed temporarily but surpassed three million visitors shortly after reopening in May 2011.
- •Exhibitions featuring works by Itō Jakuchū in 2013 and 2019 attracted over 100,000 visitors each time.
History
The museum's origins trace back to a 1977 citizen meeting aimed at promoting prefectural culture, followed by reports and planning committees through 1979 and 1980.
Construction began in July 1982 on the former site of Fukushima College Economics Department and was completed by March 1984.
The museum officially opened on July 22, 1984.
It has since hosted numerous significant exhibitions and surpassed milestones of one, two, and three million visitors by 2011.
The 2011 Tōhoku earthquake caused temporary closure, but the museum quickly recovered and continued to serve as a vital cultural institution.
Place Guide
French Impressionist Collection
This section showcases masterpieces by Claude Monet and Paul Gauguin, highlighting the museum's strong representation of European Impressionism.
Modern Japanese Paintings
Featuring artists such as Sekine Shoji and Kishida Ryusei, this gallery presents important developments in 20th-century Japanese art.
Ben Shahn's "Lucky Dragon" Series1950s
A poignant collection depicting the aftermath of the hydrogen bomb blast affecting the Daigo Fukuryū Maru fishing boat, reflecting historical and political themes through art.
Ceramics and Textiles
Exhibits include traditional and modern earthenware, ceramic art, and textiles, representing regional craftsmanship and artistic diversity.
Contact
Phone: 024-531-5511
