Iida City Museum, Art museum in Iida, Japan
The Iida City Museum is a combined art and local history museum in Iida, Nagano Prefecture, built on the site of the former second bailey of Iida Castle. Its architect was Hiroshi Hara, and the sawtooth roof is designed to evoke the Southern Alps. The museum holds a permanent display of a Spinosaurus skeleton, the only one in Japan.
The building was designed by architect Hiroshi Hara and opened in 1989. Hara is known for his research into urban structures and designed several public buildings in Japan, including Kyoto Station.
The museum holds a dedicated collection of works by Hishida Shunso, a painter born in the Iida region who became one of the leading figures of modern Japanese painting. His works, known for their delicate rendering of animals and nature, form the heart of the permanent display.
The museum is in central Iida and easy to reach on foot from the surrounding streets. It is a good idea to check opening days in advance, as the museum closes on certain days throughout the year.
The museum organizes a photography competition for children named after Fujimoto Shihachi, a photographer from the region. The submitted photos show how young people see the landscape and everyday life around them, and are displayed at the museum.
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