Hoki Museum

The first thing that catches your eye when you arrive at the art museum is the innovative exterior that looks like part of the building is floating in mid-air! The museum's architecture, which has won numerous awards such as the Japan Architecture Award, is attractive because the building itself is like a work of art. The long rectangular space that appears to be floating in mid-air is a corridor-type gallery that spans 500 meters, and various ideas have been incorporated into the lighting and flooring materials to create an environment where viewers can immerse themselves in the artwork. Not only art and painting enthusiasts, but also those interested in art and architecture can enjoy it!

"Realistic paintings" are paintings that faithfully depict what is seen. At the Hoki Museum, the world's first museum to exhibit only realistic paintings, many art experts from overseas also visit. The techniques used by painters vary, using paints, pencils, brushes, and more. There are over 500 realistic works of art that look like they could start moving at any moment. Everyone will be captivated by the depth that goes beyond photography!

The museum's interior is divided into eight galleries mainly by painter or theme for the "permanent exhibition," and a "special exhibition" where carefully selected works are displayed for a limited time. The interior is a corridor type spanning one above-ground floor and two underground floors, making it easy to compare and concentrate on each work as they are displayed according to their respective concepts, such as portraits, landscapes, and still lifes. As there are works that can only be seen during special exhibitions, you won't get bored even if you visit repeatedly!

On the first floor of the museum, there is a restaurant called "Hanau" where you can enjoy authentic Italian cuisine while overlooking the Showa Forest. It's recommended for lunch or dinner before or after art appreciation. Lunch is a set menu that includes appetizers, soup, dessert, and more, priced at around 3,800 yen. Dinner is a course meal that requires a reservation and costs around 7,000 to 10,000 yen. The view of the fresh greenery from the window and the quality of the food are both excellent, making it perfect for treating yourself or for a date.

On the basement floor, there is a cafe where you can enjoy drinks, light snacks, and desserts. On the ground floor, there is a shop that sells museum goods, where you can easily buy goods and enjoy lunch or take a break. The shop has a variety of original goods that can only be purchased here, such as catalogs, postcards, and plates of the works, which would be appreciated as gifts or souvenirs for art lovers, as well as for personal use at home!

Right next to the Hoki Museum is the lush "Showa no Mori Park," where you can take a walk, enjoy athletics, sports, camping, and more. The park is very spacious, so we recommend renting a bicycle at the cycling center near the parking lot and going for a ride. In addition, at the "Dinosaur Kingdom," which opened in the park in 2022, you can encounter powerful dinosaurs, and the seasonal flowers such as cherry blossoms, azaleas, and irises are also beautiful. Why not visit the park in addition to enjoying the museum?