The museum grounds feature a dedicated 'Chihiro Park' that contains a recreation of the artist’s former house and studio.
The museum was built to commemorate the artist's connection to the Nagano region where she spent her childhood.
The building is designed to be fully barrier-free to accommodate visitors of all ages.
The collection includes not only Iwasaki's work but also a significant archive of international picture book illustrators.
The building's design was supervised by architect Hiroshi Naito.
The museum maintains a 'Picture Book Library' where guests can read rare and international volumes on-site.
Chihiro Art Museum Azumino is a major facility dedicated to the life and works of Chihiro Iwasaki, an illustrator renowned for her watercolor depictions of children. It serves as the sister institution to the Chihiro Art Museum in Tokyo. The museum is located within the 5-hectare Matsukawa Village park, which features expansive lawns and wild-flower gardens. The architecture incorporates large glass walls to integrate the interior gallery spaces with the surrounding Nagano landscape. The permanent collection houses thousands of original illustrations and provides context regarding the artist's pacifist philosophy. Visitors can access a specialized picture book library featuring works from various international authors. The grounds include a memorial monument and a recreation of the artist's studio. It functions as both a memorial site and a research hub for children's literature.
The large glass corridor that frames the outdoor garden and the distant mountain peaks.
Bring a picnic to enjoy in the surrounding Matsukawa Village park grounds.
Allocate extra time to browse the on-site library, as it contains rare, out-of-print children's books.
Check the special exhibition schedule online before arriving, as the galleries rotate themes frequently.
Do not attempt to visit on a Monday unless it is a national holiday, as the museum is regularly closed.
Closed on Mondays (unless a national holiday) and during winter seasonal maintenance periods; check website for specific winter closure dates.
Maintain a quiet atmosphere in the galleries; photography is restricted in areas displaying original artwork.
