Otaru City Museum of Art

The Otaru City Museum of Art is a museum in this city that displays Japanese and international artworks in separate exhibition spaces. The building houses paintings, sculptures, and other pieces arranged so visitors can move through them room by room.

This art institution was founded in 1979 as the first municipal museum of its kind in the city. Its creation marked the beginning of a dedicated space for displaying regional and international art in Otaru.

The museum is where you can see oil paintings and sculptures that matter to people living in this region, especially works by artists from Hokkaido. Walking through the galleries, you sense how local creativity has become part of the city's identity.

The museum sits in a central location and you should plan for enough time to browse the galleries at a comfortable pace. The rooms are climate-controlled, making it pleasant to spend an hour or more looking at the works without feeling rushed.

The collection features a strong focus on oil paintings by Zensaku Nakamura, a local artist whose work has shaped the permanent displays. This emphasis on one artist gives visitors a deeper look at his artistic journey and how his work influenced the local art scene.

Location: Otaru

Official opening: August 19, 1979

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible

Website: https://city.otaru.lg.jp/docs/2020111300095

GPS coordinates: 43.19665,141.00030

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:44