Mugonkan, Art museum in Koaso, Japan
Mugonkan is a memorial museum in Koaso dedicated to the art of young students who died during World War II. The collection includes drawings, watercolors and paintings from their final years before they were called to military service.
Seiichiro Kuboshima opened this museum in May 1997 after collecting and preserving works by art students who died in the war. His initiative grew from a desire to protect this final artistic legacy and make it accessible to the public.
The Japanese name means house without words, because these works speak for themselves and need no explanation. Visitors move quietly through the rooms, viewing sketches, watercolors and oil paintings made by young people who had their lives ahead of them.
This museum sits about 30 minutes from Sakaki Interchange in a quiet area. The rooms are small and invite visitors to take their time and pause before each work.
Many works bear personal notes or dedications on the back, offering glimpses into the thoughts of the young artists. Some show landscapes from their home regions, others abstract compositions or portraits of friends and family.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
