A Collection Celebrating the Artists of Kishu
Tanabe City Museum of Art focuses particularly on artists connected with the Kishu region. Among the most important figures represented in its collection are Gion Nankai, Kuwayama Gyokushu, and Noro Kaisei, three artists regarded as leading masters of Kishu literati painting.
The museum was established around a collection entrusted by Reijiro Wakimura, a businessman and art collector from Tanabe. It also houses a collection of Japanese Western-style paintings assembled by economist Yoshitaro Wakimura.
With approximately 1,300 works in its collection, the museum regularly presents exhibitions featuring works from its permanent collection, small-scale special exhibitions, and exhibitions focusing on artists with connections to the region.
Masterpieces of Japanese and Western-Style Painting
The Beauty of Japanese Painting
The Japanese painting collection includes important works such as “Kannon Bodhisattva” and “The Old Man Laozi in a Cave” by Murakami Kagaku, “Autumn in Nara” by Nonagase Banka, and “Blue Wall” by Hieda Ippei.
The museum also displays historically valuable works of traditional Japanese art, including the anonymous folding screen “Scenes In and Around Kyoto: Gion Festival Procession”. These works offer visitors an opportunity to appreciate the delicate colors, seasonal imagery, and distinctive worldview of traditional Japanese painting.
Outstanding Works of Modern Western-Style Painting
The museum’s collection of Western-style paintings created by Japanese artists is equally impressive. Highlights include “The Saint” by Fujishima Takeji, “Girl Wearing a Hat” by Nakamura Tsune, and “Luxembourg Gardens” and “The Door” by Saeki Yuzo.
The collection also features works by artists such as Maeda Kanji, Kawaguchi Kigai, Shiraga Kazuo, and Motonaga Sadamasa. The wide-ranging collection allows visitors to explore the development of Japanese art from the modern period through the contemporary era.
A Warm Architectural Space Surrounded by Nature
The museum building was designed with harmony with its natural surroundings in mind. Wood is extensively incorporated into the interior, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere that contrasts beautifully with the works on display.
In addition to exhibition galleries, the museum has a library area and a salon where visitors can browse books related to art and spend time relaxing. A high-definition gallery is also available in the training room and is used for art education and local cultural activities.
As a result, the museum functions not only as a place to view art but also as a space for learning, cultural exchange, and community activities.
Temporary Closure for Renovation
Tanabe City Museum of Art is scheduled to be closed for an extended period for renovation and measures to address the aging of the building. The closure runs from June 9, 2025, through the end of September 2026.
Visitors planning a trip should check the latest opening information before visiting, as schedules may change.
Access to Tanabe City Museum of Art
By Public Transportation
The museum can be reached by bus from either JR Shirahama Station or JR Kii-Tanabe Station.
From JR Shirahama Station, take a Meiko Bus for approximately 10 minutes and get off at Shinjo General Park. The museum is about a five-minute walk from the bus stop.
From JR Kii-Tanabe Station, take a Meiko Bus for approximately 20 minutes to Shinjo General Park, followed by a walk of about five minutes.
The museum is also approximately five minutes on foot from the Shinjo Hospital-mae bus stop.
Nearby attractions include Wakayama Prefectural Information Exchange Center Big-U and Shinjo General Park, making it easy to combine a museum visit with a walk through nature and other local sightseeing activities.
Kumano Kodo Nakahechi Museum: Art in Harmony with Nature and Modern Architecture
Kumano Kodo Nakahechi Museum is a branch of Tanabe City Museum of Art located in Chikatsuyu, Nakahechi. Situated along the historic Kumano Kodo Nakahechi Route, the museum is surrounded by the peaceful scenery of a traditional mountain village.
The museum opened in 1998 as the former Nakahechi Town Museum of Art before becoming a branch of Tanabe City Museum of Art. It is particularly famous for its architecture by the internationally renowned architectural team SANAA, Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa.
The building is an important destination in its own right for architecture enthusiasts, while its location makes it an excellent cultural stop for travelers exploring the Kumano Kodo.
A Dreamlike Glass Architecture
The museum makes extensive use of glass, creating an open and light-filled interior. From the corridors and lobby surrounding the exhibition galleries, visitors can look out over the beautiful landscape of Nakahechi.
The mountains and village scenery change with the seasons and appear through the glass almost like paintings. This close relationship between architecture and landscape gives the museum a distinctive character.
At sunset, the glass building is softly illuminated by the fading light, creating a particularly atmospheric scene. In the early morning, visitors may also encounter mysterious river mist covering the village of Chikatsuyu, offering a glimpse of the otherworldly beauty for which the Kumano region is known.
Artists Connected with Nakahechi
The Kumano Kodo Nakahechi Museum focuses on works by two artists closely connected with the area: Nonagase Banka, a Japanese-style painter from Nakahechi, and Watase Ryoun, a master of nanga, a style of Japanese literati painting.
Nonagase Banka is known for establishing the Hakuen-sha group and contributing to the development of artistic activities outside Japan’s major urban centers. Watase Ryoun served as vice chairman and a judge of the Japan Nanga Academy and received the Wakayama Prefecture Cultural Achievement Award.
The museum also introduces works and materials connected with artists in their respective circles, allowing visitors to gain a deeper understanding of the artistic culture that developed in the Kumano region.
A Cultural Stop on a Kumano Kodo Journey
The area surrounding the museum is home to numerous attractions popular with Kumano Kodo hikers. One particularly useful destination is “Kodo-aruki no Sato Chikatsuyu,” a popular base for exploring the pilgrimage route.
The facility offers local specialties and meals as well as guide services for visitors who want to experience the Kumano Kodo. Because visitors can leave their cars there while walking the trail, it is also a convenient option for people who are new to long-distance pilgrimage walking.
Combining a walk along the Kumano Kodo with a visit to the museum offers a wonderful way to experience both the natural and historical landscape of Kumano and its artistic heritage.
Access to the Kumano Kodo Nakahechi Museum
From JR Kii-Tanabe Station, take a Meiko Bus or Ryujin Bus toward Nakahechi. The journey takes approximately one hour. Get off at the Nakahechi Museum of Art-mae bus stop, located directly in front of the museum.
The museum is also approximately five minutes by car from Roadside Station Kumano Kodo Nakahechi, making it an easy stop to include in a Kumano Kodo sightseeing itinerary.
A Journey into Art and the Culture of Kumano
Tanabe City Museum of Art and the Kumano Kodo Nakahechi Museum are more than places to see works of art. They are cultural spaces where visitors can encounter the history, traditions, natural environment, and spiritual heritage of Kishu and Kumano.
One museum stands peacefully on a hill overlooking Tanabe Bay, while the other sits quietly in the mountain village landscape along the Kumano Kodo. Each has a distinctive atmosphere, yet both play an important role in preserving and sharing the cultural heritage of the region.
Walking the Kumano Kodo, experiencing the surrounding nature and history, and then spending time appreciating art provides a rich and memorable way to explore Tanabe.
For international travelers seeking an experience beyond Japan’s major cities, these museums offer an opportunity to discover the artistic traditions and spiritual culture of the Kumano region in a peaceful and authentic setting.