Find your Art Retreat in Resonance with Japanese Culture and Nature – Part 2
Fusion of Setouchi Blue and Contemporary Calm – MIMOCA
As Setouchi Triennale is just now being held in 2025, Setouchi, with lots of small islands, is one of the most artistic areas in Japan.
In this area, MIMOCA, the Marugame Genichiro-Inokuma Museum of Contemporary Art, was opened in 1991 with the cooperation of Genichiro Inokuma, an artist associated with Marugame City, in Kagawa prefecture.
His wish was simply to create a museum not just for exhibiting contemporary art, but for welcoming people like a kind of resort for mind and spirit. Today, MIMOCA continues that vision by offering a warm and open space for all.
Why you should visit
A Quiet Contemporary Escape in Japan’s scenic landscape
If you have ever dreamed of wandering through a light-filled museum designed by a master architect, set in a small city overlooking the sea, MIMOCA is calling you.
MIMOCA offers a uniquely tranquil retreat. It is not only just a place to view arts—it is a place to breathe, reflect, and connect with the calm rhythms of the Setouchi region. MIMOCA invites you to pause and see the world with fresh eyes.
Facing the Seto Inland Sea
Marugame City offers beautiful views of the Seto Inland Sea, genuinely Setouchi Blue. From Tokyo, fly to Takamatsu Airport (70 min), then take a direct bus to JR Marugame Station (75 min). MIMOCA is just a 1-minute walk from the station.
Genichiro Inokuma, a painter influenced by Matisse
He lived and worked in Paris and New York. In 1938, at the age of 35, he went to France and was influenced by the master Henri Matisse, who saw his own work and said, "Your paintings are too good". He took this as a warning that his paintings were not his own, and throughout his life he strove to "paint his true self”. Standing before his works, you may feel a spark of inspiration, and perhaps even a moment of self-reflection.
Bright and spacious space with natural light
The building itself is a work of art. The architect is Yoshio Taniguchi, who designed the new wing of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York.
Tips
- The exhibition “Shinro Ohtake: Retina” will run through Nov 24, 2025. Be sure to take advantage of the special common discount tickets and round tours offered during Setouchi Triennale 2025. The aim is to establish Setouchi as a premier art destination, especially with international visitors expected during Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai.
For more details - Kagawa Prefecture offers a wealth of artistic exploration. With 24 inhabited islands in the Seto Inland Sea, including Naoshima, renowned as an art island, you'll find plenty of opportunities for island hopping and art appreciation.
- Marugame is a hidden gem in the Setouchi—rich in craftsmanship, history, and scenic beauty. Immerse yourself on the breathtaking views of the Seto Inland Sea from Marugame Castle. Explore the city's craftsmanship, exemplified by the Marugame Uchiwa, a traditional Japanese hand fan continuously refined since 1633.
Visit MIMOCA – Official Website
Read more: A Museum Opened Toward the City