The Ohara Museum of Art is Japan’s first private museum to make Western art widely accessible to the public.
It opened in 1930, during the early Showa period. Magosaburo Ohara, a businessman from Kurashiki, supported the Western-style painter Torajiro Kojima and collected numerous masterpieces from Europe. These included works by El Greco, as well as paintings by then-contemporary artists such as Monet and Matisse.
In addition, he actively collected ancient art from regions such as Egypt and China, while also assembling an outstanding collection of modern Japanese paintings. Together, these works form the foundation of the museum’s collection today.
When visiting the museum, be sure to notice not only the artworks themselves, but also the carefully designed floors, walls, and lighting, all created to enhance the viewing experience.
Another distinctive feature of the museum is its active collaboration with contemporary Japanese artists.
Encountering contemporary art that may shape the future also offers visitors an opportunity to experience new perspectives and sensibilities.
Admission tickets are issued separately for the Main Building, the Crafts and Oriental Art Gallery, and the Torajiro Kojima Memorial Hall. If you are unable to visit all of them in one day, you may return on another day to see the remaining facilities.
In addition, “Shinkei-en*,” located between the Main Building and the annex, was once the Ohara family’s private villa. Visitors can freely enjoy its grand Japanese-style hall and beautiful garden free of charge.