Ōhara Museum of Art

What a pleasant surprise to visit here and view the paintings of Paul Gauguin, Camille Pissarro, Claude Monet, Paul Signac, Pablo Picasso, Jackson Pollock and many more.

Very nice museum and definitely worth a visit. Also the surrounding area is very beautiful with cute stores.

A very interesting collection of artworks ranging from Renoir, Degas, Pollock, and artists like Fujishima Takeji, Aoki Shigeru, Kishida Ryūsei that I didn't know but have created beautiful artworks!

The Japanese are often too humble and reserved when it comes to their cultural institutions. There’s more than enough for a movie in the story of the friendship between industrialist, Ohara, and a masterful artist and stylist, Kojima, who bought priceless masterworks directly from European artists to build the first museum of western art in Japan. Rodin’s sculptures were in trade for Japanese woodblock prints. Monet sold his haystacks directly. These stories could be better told. I learned them from a stray book sitting in the gallery.

In wartime before local Japanese soldiers were set to deploy, it is written that many came to the gallery and stood in contemplation of the art. To be at once inspired by western achievement and, by honor, set to fight the descendants of that legacy is a profound contradiction, and I find it enormously to the credit of the museum that they kept the art on view as best they could throughout the war years. It gives some small insight into the Japanese character to not toss the art despite conflict, and especially that the gallery purchased several significant works of American art in the immediate postwar years.

The design of the galleries and the annex are architecturally interesting. It is true that there is some need of small renovations in places but the museum is not at all shabby, as some reviews have implied. This gallery is a must see. One also encounters the work of Kojima, who was a stylistic genius capable of creating art in several European styles he had mastered. He should be famous in the west and it is perhaps only due to his very short life that he is not. One can see why famous French artists were willing to deal with him directly. His talent is hard to overstate.

I can't recommend this museum highly enough. It is a wonderful place to visit. One of those galleries that blows your mind

Didnt have the chance to go in, but the person at the entrance gave a very good introduction and overview of the place in English.

Its exhibitions were very nice, but too crowded.

Highly recommended visit if you are in the area, mostly known for having the best collection in Japan for art work from the turn of the 19th century but also includes some modern surprises.
Well worth the visit for art enthusiasts

It is the beginning of Japanese western art. A great place for people what a rich man can do to enrich other people.s life.

It was a beautiful museum which has a small amount of art although they are all worth seeing. It is very nice to see that an art lover can add so much to the future of a city. Kurashiki owes a lot to Ohara-san and also Kojima-san ☺

One of the Best Art Museum that I have ever visited..

Small but filled with great pieces. This is a return visit and will be back again in the future.

Very broad collection of artists! I was pleasantly surprised by the collection. The facility is wheel chair accessible with the exception of about three rooms in the craft and Asian gallery.

Had no idea there were so many good art in there, because can’t take photos inside!

Lets you have a flavor of European Art and also some Japanese art as old as of 19th century. It felt like being in France and Japan at the same time. A very experience.

good

Oh my goodness. Could not believe the incredible collection of art. A national treasure for Japan

This museum is a pleasant surprise. Exhibits are interesting and I have an enjoyable afternoon here.

From Impressionist to modern artist, this museum holds a small treasure, not to be missed.

It's worthy to appreciate those masterpiece of arts in Mikan, Kurashiki.