Watanabe Art Museum, Art museum in Tottori, Japan
The Watanabe Art Museum is an art museum in Tottori that houses around 30,000 works, including Buddhist sculptures, ceramics from China, Korea, and Japan, plus numerous folding screens. The collection also features a substantial selection of samurai armor and traditional weapons from different periods.
Doctor Hajime Watanabe founded the museum in 1949, converting a former bowling alley into an exhibition space. The facility opened its doors to the public officially in 1978.
The museum displays artifacts that tell the long story of Japan, including samurai armor and objects from the Ikeda clan that once ruled Tottori. These items help visitors understand how the warriors and noble families of the region lived and what role they played.
The museum sits about 46 minutes from Tottori Station and requires a short ride or walk from the city center. Visitors should know that opening hours can vary by season and a typical visit takes about 2 to 3 hours.
The collection features one of Japan's largest public displays of samurai armor, with over 100 complete sets on view at all times. This impressive assembly gives visitors a rare look at the craftsmanship and style of warriors from different periods.
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