Ohara Museum of Art

Japan’s oldest museum of western art, the Ohara Museum of Art opened its doors in 1930 to commemorate the death of local artist Kojima Torajiro, whose western influences had inspired local businessman Ohara Magosaburo to import a varied collection of French paintings and sculptures. 
Today, the museum remains an important cornerstone of western art in Japan, expanding its collection to include an impressive selection of 17th- to 20th-century Dutch, Flemish and Italian works, Greek and Roman classical artworks, ancient oriental art and a series of paintings from the Japanese Mingei Movement. Highlights of the museum’s three galleries include El Greco’s “Annunciation,” Monet’s “Water Lilies” and Foujita’s “Avant le bal,” as well as works by Gauguin, Picasso, Matisse, Cezanne, Warhol and Chagall, to name just a few. 

Practical Info

The Ohara Museum of Art is located in the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter in central Kurashiki and is open Tuesday-Sunday from 9am-5pm. Adult admission is 1300 Yen.