Rias Ark Museum of Art

Rias Ark Museum of Art is a three-story art museum perched on a hillside overlooking Kesennuma Bay. The exhibitions feature regional artworks and local cultural material presented across its gallery spaces.

This museum opened in 1994 as part of regional cultural development efforts in Kesennuma and surrounding areas. Over time, it expanded its focus to include documentation of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami and how the community responded.

The name references the rias, the distinctive coastal inlets that shape this region and define local identity. You can see artworks displayed here that reflect this landscape and the lives of people connected to it.

The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday, and the hilltop location is accessible to visitors with various mobility needs. Wear comfortable shoes, and visit in the morning when it tends to be less crowded.

The building features a remarkable glass observation platform that juts out over the hillside edge. This cantilevered design gives visitors an unobstructed view out over the bay in a way that feels almost like floating.

Location: Kesennuma

Architects: Osamu Ishiyama

Official opening: October 25, 1994

Opening Hours: Wednesday-Sunday 09:30-17:00

Phone: 0226241611

Email: riasark.m@nifty.com

Website: http://rias-ark.sakura.ne.jp/2

GPS coordinates: 38.88103,141.55011

Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:47