Kumamoto City is not only a treasure trove of historical sites like Kumamoto Castle, Suizenji Jojuen Garden, and Reigando Cave, but also a vibrant hub of artistic expression. Much of Kumamoto’s historical art culture is influenced by the Hosokawa family, a samurai family that ruled over Kumamoto from the mid-17th century until the late 19th century. The Hosokawas were deeply involved in a variety of arts, including tea ceremony, poetry, gardening, and bonseki (arrangement of stones on a lacquer tray to recreate famous landscapes). Whether you’re a fan of samurai legends, avant-garde installations, or something in-between, you’ll find something that will inspire you.
Here are three museums that offer a glimpse into the diverse and rich art culture of Kumamoto.
The Shimada Museum of Art
The Shimada Museum of Art is a cozy museum that lies just on the outskirts of downtown Kumamoto City. It takes about 10 minutes by car/taxi from Kumamoto Castle or Kumamoto Station. The museum was founded to exhibit items from the personal collection of a man named Matomi Shimada, a collector of art and artifacts related to the Hosokawa family, Kato Kiyomasa, and Miyamoto Musashi. The collection includes swords, armor, paintings, written documents, and more.
The museum has three main sections: a permanent exhibition of items related to Miyamoto Musashi, the legendary swordsman and philosopher who spent his last years in Kumamoto; a temporary exhibition of a selection of items from the Shimada collection that changes 3-4 times a year; and an exhibition space for featuring the work of modern artists.
The Shimada Museum of Art is a must-see for Musashi fans, as it displays his paintings, calligraphy, writings, and personal belongings. You can also enjoy a relaxing café offering a variety of sweet treats, coffee, and matcha. The museum is a great place to stop by on your way to Reigando Cave, where Musashi wrote his famous Book of Five Rings.
Shimada Museum of Art
Address: 4-5-28 Shimasaki, Nishi-ku, Kumamoto City
Hours: 10AM-5PM (last entry: 4:30PM)
Closed: Tuesdays, 2nd & 4th Wednesday of every month, New Year's holidays (open Tuesdays and Wednesday when public holidays)
*Also closed during exhibit changes or due to unforeseen circumstances
Tel: 096-352-4597
Contemporary Art Museum, Kumamoto
The Contemporary Art Museum, Kumamoto is a compact and conveniently located museum right in the middle of downtown Kumamoto City. To find the entrance, take the escalator outside in front of the News department store next to the entrance to the Kamitori Arcade. The museum is on the third floor.
The main attraction of the museum are its large-scale temporary exhibitions that typically run for about three months. The exhibitions are expertly curated and presented, immersing you in a world of artistic experience. Past exhibitions have featured both local artists and artists from around the world and explore a wide range of themes. Globally renowned artists like Marina Abramović and Takashi Murakami have also held exhibitions here.
The museum also features a large free admission area that includes a library and reading room, kids play area, auxiliary galleries, and permanent installation art pieces by artists like Yayoi Kusama and James Turrell. There is also the new Art Lab Market, which acts as both a museum shop and community space for creating art.
Contemporary Art Museum, Kumamoto
Address: 2-3 Kamitori-cho, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City
Hours: 10AM-8PM (last entry for exhibits: 7:30PM)
Closed: Tuesdays, New Year's holiday (if Tuesday is a holiday, the museum will be open that Tuesday and closed the following weekday)
Tel: 096-278-7500
Kumamoto Prefectural Museum of Art
If you are visiting Kumamoto Castle, don’t miss the opportunity to explore the Kumamoto Prefectural Museum of Art, which is situated on the same premises. The museum comprises three distinct buildings: the main building, which houses the museum’s core collection, the Eisei Bunko Hosokawa Collection, which displays the cultural heritage of the Hosokawa clan, and the Chibajo branch, which offers rental spaces for exhibitions and events.
The main building was built in 1976 by the architect Kunio Maekawa, a former student of Le Corbusier. It boasts two impressive main galleries, a grand lobby with various sculptures, and a permanent exhibit that reveals the ancient history of Kumamoto through its ornate tombs.
Kumamoto Prefectural Museum of Art
Address: 2 Ninomaru, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City (park at Ninomaru Parking Lot)
Hours: 9:30AM-5:15PM (last entry: 4:45PM)
Closed: Mondays (if Monday is a holiday, the museum will be open that Monday and closed the following weekday)
Tel: 096-352-2111
