Ishibashi Cultural Center

The Ishibashi Cultural Center is a cultural facility in Kurume that houses an art museum, performance hall, library, and botanical gardens with roses and camellias. The complex spreads across spacious grounds with multiple buildings designed to serve different cultural and educational purposes.

Shojiro Ishibashi, founder of the Bridgestone Corporation, donated this cultural facility to Kurume city in 1956 to advance arts and education in the region. This gift reflected his commitment to supporting local cultural development and public access to the arts.

The art museum within the center displays modern Western paintings by local artists and creators from across Kyushu, reflecting the region's artistic identity. Visitors experience how this collection connects Kurume's cultural life to broader Japanese artistic traditions.

The center is accessible by bus from JR Kurume Station or by car from the Kyushu Expressway nearby. Plan extra time to explore all areas since the grounds contain multiple buildings spread across a spacious property.

The performance hall features acoustic design developed by NHK Science & Technology Research Laboratories, making it highly sought after by musicians. This specialized acoustic engineering draws performers from across the region.