Hiroshima Museum of Art is a stunning modernist museum set amid the geometric gardens of Hiroshima Central Park. Established in 1978, the museum aims to collect and display an excellent selection of modern European paintings, especially French impressionist works and Japanese oil paintings from the Meiji Period to the present day. Explore eight galleries of carefully curated exhibitions, ranging from rotating works in the permanent collection to special exhibitions.
The museum itself is housed within a splendid modernist structure, which features a magnificent circular building at its center. Take your time wandering around the museum’s artfully designed galleries, which separate artworks by artistic movement and geographic location.
In the first galleries, you’ll find artworks by the romantic, impressionist, neo-impressionist and post-impressionist masters, such as Delacroix, Courbet, Degas, Monet, Renoir, Cézanne, van Gogh, Gauguin and Munch. Fauvism is displayed in the next gallery, featuring works by Picasso, Matisse and Braque. Don’t miss the extensive galleries showing modern Japanese paintings in the Western style, which highlights the European-style painting movement that occurred in Japan in the 20th century. Temporary and special exhibitions are also on offer in the Hiroshima Museum of Art.
Before you leave, stop by the museum shop to pick up souvenirs, gifts or books relating to the artists and exhibitions. The Hiroshima Museum of Art also has an on-site teahouse, where you can relax with a hot cup of traditional Japanese tea. The museum is open daily, except for Mondays and between Dec. 29 and Jan. 2. There is an admission fee however, this is heavily reduced for students and children. Allow approximately an hour to explore the museum.
The museum is about a 6-minute walk from Kamiyacho-nishi and Kamiyacho-higashi tram stops. The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park is about 10 minutes’ walk away and the Shukkeien traditional Japanese garden is a 10-minute walk east from the museum. Nearby attractions include the Hiroshima Castle across the road, which has a recreated main keep and moat.
