Yayoi Kusama Museum, Art museum in Bentenchō, Japan
Yayoi Kusama Museum is a five-story building in a residential neighborhood that displays rotating exhibitions of paintings, sculptures, and installations created throughout the artist's career. The structure, designed by architects at Kume Sekkei, presents different works on each floor, moving through various periods of artistic development.
Development of the building began in 2014, with the museum officially opening to the public on October 1, 2017. This opening marked a significant moment for art enthusiasts, as it was the first museum dedicated entirely to the artist's work in Japan.
The museum's rooms each tell a different part of the artist's creative journey, showing how her ideas evolved from early experiments to recent works. Visitors walk through spaces that reflect her personal artistic world and her place in modern Japanese art.
Entry requires advance online reservation for specific 90-minute time slots, which become available on the first day of each month for exhibitions in the following month. It is wise to book ahead since spaces are limited and visitor numbers are controlled.
The top floor holds a reading room filled with publications about the artist, while the exterior walls are decorated with characteristic polka dot patterns. These visual signatures are recognizable from the street and define the building's appearance.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
