Tomihiro Hoshino began painting with his mouth during a long-term hospital stay following a gymnastics accident in 1970.
The museum's structural design employs thin, reinforced concrete shells that eliminate the need for interior support columns.
The site was specifically chosen for its proximity to the artist's birthplace in Azuma Village.
The permanent collection includes thousands of original watercolor paintings and handwritten poems.
The museum's glass-walled cafe offers a 180-degree view of the Kusaki Dam reservoir.
Hoshino’s work is highly regarded in Japan for its themes of resilience and appreciation for small, natural details.
The Tomihiro Art Museum is housed in a distinctive, futuristic building designed by architect Toyo Ito, located on a plateau overlooking the Kusaki Dam in Midori, Gunma. The facility primarily exhibits the works of Tomihiro Hoshino, a Japanese artist and poet who painted by holding brushes in his mouth after a severe spinal cord injury. The architecture features a series of curved, shell-like roof structures that allow natural light to diffuse into the gallery spaces. Exhibits rotate periodically, focusing on Hoshino's delicate watercolor floral paintings paired with his original poetry. The site provides sweeping views of the surrounding mountains and the man-made Kusaki Lake. It serves as both an art gallery and a commemorative space for the artist's personal history and philosophy. The museum is integrated into the rugged landscape to create a seamless connection between the art and the natural environment.
The glass-enclosed walkway that frames the mountain landscape and the dam.
Bring a pair of binoculars to better appreciate the distant mountain scenery and dam structure from the observation deck.
Check the official website for rotating exhibition themes, as the selection of Hoshino's art changes throughout the year.
Visit the gift shop for high-quality stationary and postcards featuring Hoshino's paintings.
Do not attempt to walk to the museum from distant train stations, as the terrain is mountainous and not pedestrian-friendly.
Closed on Wednesdays.
