Kakuya Oishi Museum of Art-yama

Kakuya Oishi Museum of Art-yama is located on a small hill on the east coast of Awaji Island. It is a handmade art space created by Western-style painter Kakuya Oishi, artist Shoko, and volunteers. Various artworks are displayed in harmony with nature, and regular events are held in the facility.

Based on the message of painter Kakuya Oishi, "The joy of creating is the joy of living, and I want to express my admiration and longing for eternity," this art museum on Awaji Island is full of excitement and tickles the creativity of its visitors.

This article describes the inside of the museum as well as the charms of visiting Kakuya Oishi Museum of Art-yama.

Terrace in the shade of trees" with a spectacular view of Osaka Bay

Upon entering Kakuya Oishi Museum of Art-yama, one is greeted by a shaded terrace with a spectacular view of Osaka Bay below. Unfortunately, the weather was cloudy that day, so the view was not as spectacular as it could have been, but it was open and the scenery was as beautiful as if it were a painting.

There is also a café where you can order a drink and sit back and relax.

A healing space "boardwalk" in harmony with nature

Continue along the pathway while looking at the large hand sculpture, and you will find the reception desk of Kakuya Oishi Museum of Art-yama. This pathway, dotted with wonderful artworks in harmony with nature, is part of Kakuya Oishi Museum of Art-yama's walking trail.

This is a view of the reception entrance on the first floor of the main gallery of Kakuya Oishi Museum of Art-yama. The staircase and gate made of piled stones against the backdrop of Osaka Bay is a nice touch.

After paying the admission fee at the Main Gallery reception desk, you will be given a tour of the facility. We were informed that photography is not allowed on the second floor of the Main Gallery or in the East Gallery, which will be introduced later.

The trail continues below the main gallery of Kakuya Oishi Museum of Art-yama.

There are many objects throughout the museum that you may want to take pictures of, so we recommend that you allow plenty of time for your visit to the Art Museum.

Kakuya Oishi Museum of Art-yama, completed in 2005, was created with the help of 200 volunteers. One cannot help but feel that each and every object is filled with a variety of thoughts and feelings.

The "Main Gallery" looks like a white sailboat

It was late summer when I visited, and the trees were thick, but this white building is the main gallery of Kakuya Oishi Museum of Art-yama.

The first floor of the main gallery has an exhibition room and a café, while the second floor exhibits paintings and objet d'art by artist Kakuya Oishi.

This is the exhibition room on the first floor of the main gallery. On this day, the "My Friends" exhibition was being held, in which students of painter Kakuya Oishi brought their works to the gallery.

Sixty-five paintings and sculptures were on display, and the exhibition was said to be an annual show of works that has continued since the artist Kakuya Oishi passed away in 2018 (at age 94).

East Gallery, the first small exhibition room completed

The construction of Kakuya Oishi Museum of Art-yama started in 1999, and the East Gallery was the first to be completed.

Currently, it is used as an exhibition room for works by painter Shoko Oishi. On this day, an artwork featuring seashells was on display. Photography is also prohibited in the East Gallery. Please visit and see for yourself.

"Art Toilet" with fun objects and sunlight coming through the trees

The Art Toilet is located next to the East Gallery of Kakuya Oishi Museum of Art-yama. I rarely take pictures of the inside of restrooms, but I couldn't help taking pictures of the cute and fun objects on display.

The sun was not shining on this day, but I imagine the restroom would be a wonderful space when the sun shines through the trees.

Other Art "Tower of the Goddess of Beauty, Jomon Hut, Wooden Boat"

There are many other objects at Kakuya Oishi Museum of Art-yama.

The "wooden boat," said to be a boat that brings happiness, is signed by many people. I thought it was strange that there was a boat on a small hill, but it seems that there was a story about a "boat that climbed up the mountain. In the photo, it is hidden behind the left center.

The "Jomon hut" was made using soil from when the place where the wooden boat was placed was scraped and trees that were cut down. It is interesting to see the playfulness of modern people creating a primitive hut and the idea of using surplus materials. In the photo, it is on the left of the center.

The "Tower of the Goddess of Beauty" is a 5.5-meter-high tower made of bricks and stones. I had an image that there were many objects made of piled up stones and bricks in the facility. Perhaps there is a message in the process of piling them up together with many people.

Facilities around Kakuya Oishi Museum of Art-yama

Sightseeing Spots

• Awaji Yumebutai
• Awaji Green Pavilion
• National Akashi Kaikyo Park

Gourmet Spots

• waSTEP AWAJISHIMA

Overview of Kakuya Oishi Museum of Art-yama