Equine Museum of Japan, Horse museum in Negishidai, Yokohama, Japan
The Equine Museum of Japan is a museum in Negishidai, Yokohama, dedicated to horses, racing history, and equestrian sports. It sits inside Negishi Forest Park and holds several galleries spread across a large green site.
The museum opened in 1977 next to the former Negishi Racecourse, which ran from 1867 to 1942 and is considered Japan's first Western-style horse racing track. After the racecourse closed, the land gradually became a public park, giving the museum its green setting today.
The galleries bring together paintings and objects from many countries, all centered on the horse as a subject, including works by Manet and Picasso. Seeing how Japanese and Western artists have depicted the same animal side by side gives the visit a clear visual contrast that is easy to appreciate.
The museum is inside Negishi Forest Park, which is reachable by public transportation, though the walk through the park from the entrance adds some time. Plan enough time to see both the indoor galleries and the surrounding park grounds.
Next to the museum is a Pony Center where visitors can get close to horses during events like Horse Riding Day and Carrot Time. This side of the visit tends to be a surprise for those who come only expecting to see galleries.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
