ART TOUR IN KAGAWA: HIGASHIYAMA KAII SETOUCHI ART MUSEUM

Kagawa Prefectural Higashiyama Kaii Setouchi Art Museum is located on beautiful Shamijima, surrounded by the magnificent view of the Seto Ohashi Bridge, which connects the main islands of Honshu and Shikoku, and the rich nature of the Seto Inland Sea. This museum is dedicated to Higashiyama Kaii, one of the most prominent Japanese style painters of the modern era. His lively expression of the ever-changing nature of forests, mountains and the sea still attracts many admirers.

The museum was built at this location because Kaii’s grandfather hailed from Hitsuishijima, on the other side of the sea from Shamijima. The museum's collection of 350 pieces is based on the lithographs that Kaii’s family donated after he passed away. The museum was designed by Yoshio Taniguchi, an architect known for having designed some of the most beautiful museums in the world and who also designed the Inokuma Gen’ichiro Contemporary Art Museum in Marugame-shi, Kagawa.

Kaii’s works are definitely worth seeing, but the magnificence of the museum building and the landscape surrounding it should not be missed, either. There is a good panoramic view of the Seto Inland Sea and the Seto Ohashi Bridge from the museum. The scenery is different depending on the season, weather or time of day. Incidentally, the gray color of the Seto Ohashi Bridge was chosen on Kaii’s recommendation as a color that will not disturb the scenery.

On a sunny day, relaxing on the grass outside or strolling around Shamijima is recommended. The view of the islands in the sea, the sound of ships' steam whistles and surrounding nature can be a healing experience.

[Address] 224-13, Aza Minamidori Shamijima Sakaide, Kagawa
[Phone] 0877-44-1333
[Open Hours] 9:00 - 17:00 (Last entry 16:30)
[Closed] Mondays (or Tuesday, if Monday is a national holiday)
[Admission]
Special exhibitions: Adults/University student: ¥610Exhibitions from Museum Collections: Adults/University student: ¥300
[Access]
By bus: 20 Minutes from Sakaide Station heading for Higashiyama Kaii Setouchi Art Museum
By car: 15 Minutes from Sakaide IC or 25 minutes from Sakaide Kita (North) IC