If you visit Matsumoto in Shinshu, you should definitely stop by the Matsumoto City Museum of Art.
The museum exhibits works by Yayoi Kusama, a world-famous artist from Matsumoto!
In this article, I will share our impressions of our visit to the Matsumoto City Museum of Art. This is a museum I recommend to anyone who wants to see Yayoi Kusama’s works, art lovers, and those who want to enjoy sightseeing in Matsumoto.
- Those who want to enjoy art in Matsumoto
- Those who are looking for sightseeing spots in Matsumoto other than Matsumoto Castle
- Those who want to enjoy Yayoi Kusama’s art works
Access to Matsumoto City Museum of Art
Matsumoto City Museum of Art is located about a 15-minute walk from JR Matsumoto Station.
It takes about 7 minutes from JR Matsumoto Station on the East Course of the Town Sneaker (city tour bus). If you can time it well, I recommend taking the bus, but it was also within walking distance from Matsumoto Station.
Another great thing about Matsumoto in Shinshu is that Matsumoto Castle and Matsumoto City Museum of Art are both within walking distance of Matsumoto Station!
I arrived in no time as I walked and enjoyed the atmosphere of Matsumoto city. Just walking around the city and looking at the Shinshu Alps was refreshing!
Overview of Matsumoto City Museum of Art
Matsumoto City Museum of Art opening hours and closing days
Matsumoto City Museum of Art is open from 9:00 to 17:00, with last admission at 16:30.
The Matsumoto City Museum of Art is closed on Mondays (if a public holiday falls on a Monday, the next first weekday is closed) and over the New Year holidays (December 29th to January 3rd).
According to the Matsumoto City Museum of Art’s official website, it is open every day in August.
Opening hours may change, so please check in advance.
Matsumoto City Museum of Art admission feeThe admission fees for the Matsumoto City Museum of Art’s collection exhibition are as follows.
For details, please check the Matsumoto City Museum of Art’s official website.
Collection Exhibition
410 yen for adults (310 yen for groups)200 yen for university and high school students (100 yen for groups)
- Group rates are for groups of 20 or more
- Free for Matsumoto residents aged 70 or older and junior high school students and younger (certificate must be presented)
- Free for those with a disability certificate and up to one caregiver
- Other discounts are available.
The exterior of Matsumoto City Museum of Art
The first thing you see when you arrive is polka dots! Polka dots! Polka dots! A world of polka dots!
The world of Yayoi Kusama spreads out from the entrance!!!
The huge objects and buildings are polka dot, and the museum is filled with Yayoi Kusama’s worldview.
I was excited even before entering the museum!
Outside the building, there are polka-dot vending machines and benches. It’s nice to see such attention to detail and a sense of unity!
The whole building is filled with the world of Yayoi Kusama.
Yayoi Kusama Permanent Exhibition “The Place of the Soul”
I will be visiting “The Place of the Soul” in the permanent exhibition room!
You can see many works by Yayoi Kusama, who was born in Matsumoto in 1929.
Photography is not permitted inside the museum, but I was able to take a photo of the “Great Giant Pumpkin” in the last exhibition room!
It’s colorful and looks great in photos!!!
There’s even a signature by Yayoi Kusama!
It was a Sunday, but perhaps because I visited just before closing time, it wasn’t too crowded and I was able to look around at my own pace.
I was very satisfied to be able to look at the works that caught my eye at my own pace! It was like my soul was purified◎
People are interested in different works of art and have different paces at which they can look around, so I personally recommend looking around at the works by yourself!
Summary: Let’s go to Matsumoto City Museum of Art!
At Matsumoto City Museum of Art, you can see many works by Yayoi Kusama, one of the world’s most famous contemporary artists!
The time required will depend on the pace at which you view the exhibits, but since it’s not a very large museum, 30 minutes to an hour should be enough. When I visited, it wasn’t crowded, so I was able to look around in about 30 minutes.
There was a message from Yayoi Kusama inside the museum, and I was able to feel her anguish and conflict, which was very moving.
I felt some energy even from the actual paintings! This is the power of the real thing.
At Matsumoto City Museum of Art, you can see the works of Yayoi Kusama, one of Japan’s leading contemporary artists. If you have a chance to go to Matsumoto in Shinshu, please visit us♪