Shimane Art Museum
島根県立美術館
Art you look at slowly, in a building that is part of the exhibit.
What this place is
The Shimane Art Museum (島根県立美術館, Shimane kenritsu bijutsukan) opened in Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, Japan in 1999. Designed by Kiyonori Kikutake and with a total floor area of 12,500 square metres, it houses a collection of Japanese and Western art, including Momoyama folding screens and paintings by Corot, Sisley, Monet, and Gauguin.
Shimane Art Museum (島根県立美術館) is one of the standout places to visit in Shimane. Give yourself unhurried time for photos, seasonal views, and nearby food stops. IC cards such as Suica, Pasmo, or ICOCA cover most trains and city buses.
Background text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)
Why it is worth the trip
- A collection strong enough to draw visitors from outside the region, shown in generous, quiet space.
- Architecture treated as artwork — light, concrete, water and landscape used deliberately.
- Installations and outdoor works you can walk around, photograph, and sometimes step inside.
What you can do here
- Start with the permanent collection, then decide how much time the special exhibition deserves.
- Walk the outdoor sculpture area — often free and open longer than the galleries.
- Sit in the museum café or library; both are usually designed as part of the visit.
- Check the shop for artist editions and design goods you will not find elsewhere.
Photos
Photos from Wikimedia Commons — click any image for the photographer and licence.
Getting there by public transport
- Bus from Matsue Station to lakeside museum.
- Nearest station/stop: Matsue.
Good to know before you go
- Photography is often allowed for the collection but banned for loaned special exhibitions.
- Advance timed tickets are common for headline shows — book online before travelling.
- Large bags go in the free lockers at the entrance.
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