The First Museum Designed by SANAA
The Kumano Kodo Nakahechi Museum is particularly notable as the first museum designed by Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa, the internationally acclaimed architectural team known as SANAA.
The museum opened in 1998 as the former Nakahechi Town Museum of Art. It was designed around the idea of presenting artworks in a new architectural environment while creating a place where people could meet and interact through art. The building was carefully planned so that architecture and the surrounding natural environment would feel like part of the same experience.
In 2010, Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa received the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize, often described as the “Nobel Prize of architecture.” Their international recognition also brought renewed attention to this distinctive museum in the mountains of Kumano.
A Beautiful Glass Architecture Surrounded by Nature
One of the museum’s most striking features is its open, glass-filled architectural design. Large glass surfaces extend through the lobby and corridors surrounding the exhibition spaces, allowing visitors to enjoy views of the mountains and countryside of Nakahechi almost as though they were looking at a series of changing paintings.
The scenery changes throughout the year. Visitors may see green mountains illuminated by gentle sunlight, fresh foliage wet with rain, autumn landscapes, or the soft and mysterious light of evening. In this sense, nature itself becomes part of the museum experience.
At dusk, the glass museum appears to glow against the landscape of Chikatsuyu, creating an especially atmospheric scene. In the early morning, river mist sometimes settles over the village, creating a mysterious landscape that captures the quiet and spiritual atmosphere for which Kumano is famous.
Artworks by Artists Connected with Nakahechi
The museum’s collection focuses particularly on artists associated with Nakahechi and the surrounding Kumano region. More than 1,000 artworks and related materials are held in the collection, with an emphasis on Japanese-style paintings and regional artistic heritage.
Banka Nonagase
Banka Nonagase was a Japanese-style painter born in Nakahechi. He helped promote artistic activities in the region and founded the Hakuen-sha, contributing significantly to the development of local cultural and artistic life.
His works sensitively express the beauty of nature and the distinctive emotional qualities of traditional Japanese aesthetics. His artistic vision also has a strong connection with the landscapes and atmosphere of Kumano.
Ryo’un Watase
Ryo’un Watase was a Japanese-style painter associated with the Nanga tradition, a style of painting influenced by Chinese literati art. He served as vice chairman and a judge of the Japan Nanga Art Institute and received the Wakayama Prefecture Cultural Achievement Award.
Through works by these and other artists, the museum introduces the artistic heritage of the region while offering visitors a deeper understanding of the culture and landscapes of Kumano.
Experience Art Along the Kumano Kodo
The Kumano Kodo Nakahechi Museum is more than simply an art museum. It is a cultural destination closely connected with the experience of walking the Kumano Kodo.
The museum was designed to welcome pilgrims and travelers exploring the historic route. Visitors can take a break in the quiet lobby and rest areas before or after walking, while also enjoying the exhibitions in a peaceful setting.
The Kumano Kodo has long been regarded as a path of healing and renewal. The museum, located along this historic pilgrimage route, provides travelers with a place to pause, reflect, and enjoy a moment of artistic and spiritual enrichment.
Nearby Attraction: Chikatsuyu, the Gateway to the Kumano Kodo
Near the museum is Kodo-aruki no Sato Chikatsuyu, a popular base for travelers exploring the Kumano Kodo.
The facility offers souvenirs, meals, and places to rest, as well as support for visitors planning their Kumano Kodo walks. Travelers can receive information and watch guide videos before setting out. Transportation services can also help walkers reach their starting point while leaving their vehicles at the facility, making it easier to enjoy the pilgrimage route at their own pace.
Local produce shops and restaurants serving regional ingredients also provide an opportunity to discover the flavors of the Kumano area.
Museum Facilities and Architecture
Main Facilities
Exhibition spaces: Located from the basement level to the second floor
Library: A resource area related to art and the local region
Salon: A relaxing space for visitors
Architectural Details
Architects: Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa / SANAA
Site area: Approximately 4,000 square meters
Building area: Approximately 752.30 square meters
Structure: Reinforced concrete
Completed: March 1997
Visitor Information
The museum’s usual opening hours are 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with last admission at 4:30 p.m.
Regular closing days include Mondays (or the following day when Monday is a national holiday), the day following national holidays, and the year-end and New Year holiday period.
Please note that the museum is currently closed for an extended period due to renovation and measures to address the aging building. The closure is scheduled from June 9, 2025 through the end of September 2026. Because reopening schedules and visitor information may change, travelers should check the latest official information before planning a visit.
How to Get There
By Train and Bus
From JR Kii-Tanabe Station, take a Ryujin Bus bound for Hongu Taisha-mae and get off at the Nakahechi Museum-mae bus stop, which is located close to the museum.
From JR Shin-Osaka Station, the limited express Kuroshio takes approximately 2 hours and 24 minutes to reach Kii-Tanabe Station. From there, the bus journey takes approximately one hour.
From JR Shingu Station, the Meiko Bus Rapid Kumano Kodo-go service takes approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes.
By Car
From Nanki-Shirahama Airport, the museum can be reached by taking National Route 311 eastward for approximately 50 minutes.
The museum is also approximately five minutes by car from Roadside Station Kumano Kodo Nakahechi, making it convenient to combine with a road trip through the Kumano region.
Tanabe City Museum of Art: A Cultural Center for Kishu
The Tanabe City Museum of Art is located within Shinjo General Park in Tanabe City. Opened in 1996, the museum stands on elevated ground overlooking Tanabe Bay.
Its collection contains approximately 1,300 artworks, including Japanese paintings, literati paintings, and modern Western-style paintings by artists connected with the Kishu region.
Particular highlights include works by the three great Kishu literati painters—Gion Nankai, Kuwayama Gyokushu, and Noro Kaisei—as well as important modern Western-style paintings by artists such as Yuzo Saeki and Takeji Fujishima.
The museum itself is also notable for its warm architectural atmosphere, with wood used effectively throughout the building. Its quiet interior provides an ideal setting for enjoying art at a relaxed pace.
Discover the Cultural Heritage of Kumano and Kishu
Visiting the Kumano Kodo Nakahechi Museum together with the Tanabe City Museum of Art offers a deeper introduction to the artistic and cultural heritage of the Kumano and Kishu regions.
From the ancient pilgrimage traditions of the Kumano Kodo to the region’s distinctive landscapes and artistic heritage, these museums offer travelers a different way to experience Wakayama. For those exploring the Kumano Kodo, the Nakahechi Museum is especially appealing as a place where architecture, contemporary museum design, local art, nature, and the spiritual atmosphere of the pilgrimage route come together.