The museum architecture incorporates a 'corridor' design that uses natural light to transition between the urban exterior and the interior gallery spaces.
The institution actively collects works by artists who lived in or depicted the scenic Shonan coastline.
The exterior plaza is designed to mimic the aesthetic of a sculpture garden, often displaying large-scale installations.
The museum building was designed to be earthquake-resistant while maintaining a high ceilings profile for large art displays.
The Hiratsuka Museum of Art is a municipal gallery focused on art associated with the Shonan region of Japan. Its permanent collection emphasizes works by artists connected to Hiratsuka and contemporary Japanese art since the post-war period. The building features an expansive, glass-fronted lobby and a distinctive red-brick facade designed by architect Susumu Takasuga. It hosts a rotating series of special exhibitions ranging from historical prints to modern installations. The museum is integrated into a landscape featuring reflective water features and manicured garden spaces. It serves as a central hub for cultural workshops and local educational programs within Kanagawa Prefecture.
The wide, glass-walled lobby atrium looking out toward the reflective water pools.
Check the official website's exhibition calendar before visiting to see if you prefer the permanent collection or a temporary retrospective.
Visit the museum library to access specialized catalogs of Japanese modern art that are often unavailable elsewhere.
Allocate time to walk the immediate outdoor perimeter, as the surrounding public park contains several integrated outdoor sculptures.
Assuming all exhibitions are included in one ticket, as temporary special exhibitions often require separate entry.
Closed on Mondays, or the following day if Monday is a national holiday; closed during exhibition installation periods and the New Year holidays.
Maintain silence in gallery spaces; do not use flash photography; keep a distance from artworks.
