Tanabe Art Museum

Tanabe Art Museum is an art museum in Matsue spanning roughly 850 square meters and housing a collection of Japanese craft objects of exceptional quality. The building features a dynamic roof design inspired by traditional ironworking heritage.

The Tanabe family built their regional presence through iron production beginning in the 15th century and grew into a major industrial power. These roots in metalworking shaped the family's identity and continue to influence the museum's design today.

The museum displays tea ceremony objects tied to local craftsmanship traditions and regional artisans. Visitors encounter works from Izumo makers who have maintained traditional techniques across generations.

The building is easy to reach and located in a central area of Matsue with good accessibility. Plan for about 1 to 2 hours to explore the exhibits comfortably at your own pace.

The building deliberately incorporates steel elements in its structure to reflect the Tanabe family's industrial history. This architectural choice directly connects the family's craft heritage with modern form.

Location: Matsue

Inception: 1979

Founders: Tanabe Chuemon

Architects: Kiyonori Kikutake

Official opening: November 3, 1979

Website: https://tanabe-museum.or.jp

GPS coordinates: 35.47920,133.05000

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:04