Find your Art Retreat in Resonance with Japanese Culture and Nature – Part 1
Immersive Encounters with Art and Serenity in Atami - MOA Museum of Art
Have you ever taken an art retreat—not just to view art, but to feel deeply renewed by it?
Art retreat programs sometimes involve painting or drawing in peaceful settings, encouraging personal reflection. But even simply viewing art—especially when surrounded by natural beauty like the sea, forests, or blooming gardens—can become a deeply restorative experience.
An art retreat could be a journey where art and nature provide a space to slowly connect with oneself.
While Tokyo is home to many of Japan's finest museums, galleries, and performance venues, sensational encounters with art can be found far from the city.
This series introduces three destinations where travelers can enjoy world-class art in tranquil surroundings—ideal for guests seeking a slower, more meaningful journey.
MOA Museum of Art blends harmoniously with nature, located on a vast hillside overlooking the sea and mountains. As of August 18, 2025, the museum houses about 3,500 works of art, including 3 National Treasures, 67 Important Cultural Properties, and 46 Important Art Objects. Furthermore, visitors can gain a deeper understanding of Japanese culture through various cultural experiences.
Why you should visit
A perfect harmony of fine art, architecture, garden, and Japanese culture
Imagine gazing at fine arts in a serene hall designed by a world-renowned contemporary artist. Outside, the ocean glistens in the distance, and cherry blossoms sway in the breeze. You sip matcha in a tea room and stroll through a vast garden rich with seasonal flowers. It is the experience awaiting you at the MOA Museum of Art.
If you are a traveler seeking moments of quiet inspiration and beauty, this cultural retreat offers both a deep encounter with Japanese aesthetics and a soothing connection to nature, promising profound healing and renewed inspiration.
Excellent location
Visitors can easily reach MOA Museum of Art with a short 7-minute bus ride from Atami Station, which is about 35 minutes from Tokyo Station by Shinkansen.
Collection of 3,500 Japanese and oriental antiquities
The museum's exhibition will feature a diverse range of themes, including national treasures. Among these, Ogata Korin's masterpiece, Red and White Plum Blossoms (18th century), will be exhibited from January 30 to March 18, 2026, just in time for plum blossom season. Ogata was a renowned Japanese artist from the Edo period.
Contemporary space with traditional Japanese materials
The lobby area and galleries were redesigned in 2017 by contemporary artist Sugimoto Hiroshi and architect Sakakida Tomoyuki. The new design integrates traditional materials such as centuries-old timber, black plaster, and tatami mats.
Authentic Noh theater
The museum features a full-scale Noh stage, where traditional Noh performances are regularly held. The stage also occasionally hosts other performances, such as classical and pop concerts.
See upcoming events
Golden tea room
There is a restored exhibit of the glittering golden tea room built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, one of Japan’s most important historical figures, known as the military leader of the Sengoku (Warring States) period.
Tea house "Ippaku-an"
Visitors can enjoy matcha green tea made from 100% certified organic tea leaves and Japanese sweets at tables and chairs while admiring the tea ceremony implements displayed in the grand tea room.
Japanese restaurant “Hana-no-chaya”
Enjoy a Japanese-style lunch in a beautiful Japanese garden with more than 150 trees in vibrant seasonal foliage.
Natural scenery and Japanese garden
The view of the ocean, islands, and city from the hill 250 meters above sea level is said to be the best view of Atami. The Japanese garden is filled with seasonal flowers, and you can enjoy strolling and admiring the vast garden with a plum orchard and azalea hill.
Tips
- The vast site is approximately 23 hectares, or about 32 soccer fields. It is a much wider place than you can imagine. Please take more time to visit here.
- Don’t miss the museum shop where many select items of Kogei crafts for affordable prices.
- Atami is a captivating destination, perfect for a day trip from Tokyo or an extended stay. This resort town boasts relaxing hot springs, beautiful beaches, bustling shopping streets, and the warm hospitality of its locals. For an unforgettable experience, consider spending a night at a ryokan (Japanese-style inn).
Plan Your Visit – MOA Museum of Art
More Stories: A Journey to the MOA