Hayashibara Ichiro, whose collection makes up the Hayashibara Museum of Art, was one of Japan’s greatest private collectors. Having amassed more than 10,000 pieces of art before his death, he left his collection to the greater public. His great loves were swords and traditional Okayama Bizen ware pottery, but the collection includes everything from Noh costumes to calligraphy and lacquer work. Get a better understanding of Kyushu’s artistic heritage through both the museum’s collection and its remarkable building.
Stop first below the gate of the museum itself, a traditional nagayamon that once stood outside the castle.
Spend some time outside the building after stepping through the gate into the courtyard. Appreciate its form, designed by the renowned Maekawa Kunio, a disciple of Le Corbusier. The design mixes both Japanese traditional architecture and the Brutalist style Le Corbusier was known for. Admire the interior space, equally interesting, from the lounge area immediately next to the entrance.
Continue into the exhibition space, where a selection of the museum’s collection rotates through every couple of months. Look for one of the museum’s masterpieces, a set of samurai armor that Hayashibara acquired through the Ikeda clan that ruled Okayama in the 1500s and 1600s.
Appreciate the elegant simplicity of the Bizen ware and the fine metalwork of the swords. Watch for special exhibitions, which occasionally bring even more treasures into the museum.
Find the Hayashibara Museum of Art in the heart of Okayama’s tourist district. Walk to Okayama Castle or the Korakuen Garden in 8 minutes. Reach the museum in 17 minutes walking, 10 minutes by bus or 8 minutes driving from the Okayama Station. Parking can be difficult to find, but there are a few metered garages in the area. Public transportation is generally the most convenient.
The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from mid-morning to early evening. The last entrance is 30 minutes before closing. There is an admission fee, with discounts for students and children.
