The building was designed to look like a collection of individual 'houses' scattered across a site rather than a single massive structure.
The museum features a permanent, room-sized installation by Ron Mueck titled 'Standing Woman,' which stands over 4 meters tall.
The 'Flower Horse' sculpture by Choi Jeong Hwa is covered in thousands of colorful, artificial flowers.
The museum is strategically located on Kanchogai-dori, which was originally a historic street lined with cherry trees for the former Japanese Imperial Army base.
Some exhibition rooms feature glass walls that allow visitors to view the artwork from the outdoor public spaces.
The Towada Art Center is a contemporary museum designed by architect Ryue Nishizawa, consisting of a series of independent exhibition rooms connected by glass corridors. The facility is a cornerstone of the Arts Towada project, which aims to revitalize the city center through public art installations. Many exhibits are site-specific, designed to integrate directly with the building's white, minimalist architecture. The collection features prominent international artists, including Yayoi Kusama, Ron Mueck, and Choi Jeong Hwa. Large-scale outdoor works, such as the colorful Flower Horse, occupy the public square directly in front of the building. The museum maintains an open-air concept, allowing natural light to dictate the environment within the galleries. It serves as the primary cultural anchor for the Kanchogai-dori street, a former military site turned into a pedestrian-friendly art corridor.
The Flower Horse sculpture located in the plaza in front of the main entrance.
Check the museum's outdoor courtyard area, as some large-scale installations are best viewed from outside the main building.
Combine your visit with a walk down Kanchogai-dori to view the additional public art sculptures placed along the street.
Check the museum website for temporary exhibition changes, as they frequently update the artist lineup in the permanent rotation.
Do not assume all art is inside; missing the outdoor sculptures on the surrounding street is a common oversight.
Closed on Mondays. If Monday is a national holiday, it is typically closed on the following day.
Photography is permitted in most galleries, but specific restrictions apply for certain installations; always check signage before shooting.
