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Experiencing Kansai’s Architectural Treasures – Part 2

Museums Where Architecture Itself Becomes Art

Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art

Photo by Mitsuo Matsuoka

The Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art, designed by world-renowned architect Tadao Ando, is a masterpiece of modernism overlooking Kobe’s waterfront. Its concrete façade and the interplay of light and shadow elevate the art within, while Ando’s geometric precision ensures the building itself becomes part of the artistic narrative.

Among its architectural highlights, the circular staircase stands as a symbolic centerpiece. This open, spiral design is more than just a passageway—it’s an architectural statement. Ando's hallmark of blending form and function is on full display here. The staircase’s circular structure embodies fluidity and connection, seamlessly linking the museum's interior and exterior spaces.

Photo by Shigeo Ogawa

This museum stands as a testament to Kobe’s resilience, built in the aftermath of the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake. It is not just a cultural hub but also a symbol of renewal and restoration. As the largest museum in Western Japan, it is beautifully situated between Mt. Rokko to the north and the Seto Inland Sea with Kobe Port to the south. Outdoor sculptures, scattered throughout the museum’s interior and exterior, add a sense of adventure, inviting visitors to explore and discover their locations.

Photo by Shigeo Ogawa

One of the museum's most captivating features is the Ando Gallery, a space that immerses visitors in the life and works of Tadao Ando himself. Stepping into this gallery feels like entering the architect’s world, where his sketches, models, and philosophies come alive. Original drawings and models of Ando’s most renowned works, including the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art, are displayed, offering an intimate glimpse into the meticulous thought process and unwavering vision that define his iconic designs.

©Nobutada Omote

The Ando Gallery, the circular staircase, the sculptures, and the light-filled corridors come together to create a space that’s both inspiring and transformative. Ando’s design invites you not just to observe but to experience, engage, and connect

Related article: Top 4 Famous Japanese Architects—Modernism and Its Successors

Yokoo Tadanori Museum of Contemporary Art

While at the museum, consider also visiting the nearby Yokoo Tadanori Museum of Contemporary Art. Designed by Togo Murano, its bold and eclectic style contrasts beautifully with Ando’s minimalist approach, making the two museums a compelling duo for architecture enthusiasts.

Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art

Transitioning to Kyoto, the Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art seamlessly blends modernity with tradition. Walking into the museum feels like stepping into a conversation between the past and the present. Originally completed in 1933, this historic gem, the oldest existing public art museum in Japan, radiates timeless elegance with its Crown Imperial Style architecture—characterized by a fusion of Western European classical design and traditional Japanese roofing, a style popular during the early 20th century. However, it’s the recent renovation by architects Aoki Jun and Nishizawa Tezzo that truly transforms the museum into an experience where architecture itself becomes art.

The renewal honors the building’s storied history while introducing modern touches that are seamlessly integrated. The new glass ribbon housing the café and shop adds a sense of lightness, reflecting Kyoto’s harmony of tradition and innovation. The restored Japanese garden, where nature and design meet in quiet dialogue, and the Atrium, flooded with natural light, are equally captivating.

As I explored, the museum’s thoughtful details continually drew me in. The grand staircase leading to the Central Hall, flanked by the glass-covered north courtyard, and the open Sky Courtyard on the south creates spaces that invite reflection and connection.

The addition of a sleek spiral staircase in the Central Hall is both functional and mesmerizing, gracefully connecting different levels of the museum and allowing visitors to transition between spaces effortlessly.

For anyone visiting Kyoto, this museum offers more than a collection of art—it offers a journey through time, a space to marvel at how history and innovation can coexist so beautifully. It’s a prime example of how architecture can evolve without losing its roots. It’s a place where you don’t just see art—you feel the artistry in the very walls and spaces.

Part 1: Japan's Traditional Techniques in Cultural Architecture (Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum, Hakushika Memorial Museum of Sake (Sakagura-kan)
Part 3: Journey Through Kyoto’s Architectural and Design Legacy (HOSOO GALLERY, ShinPuhKan)