Ōtsuka Museum of Art, Art museum in Naruto Park, Japan
Ōtsuka Museum of Art is an art museum in Naruto-chō Tosadomariura Park that specializes in reproductions of European paintings. The exhibition rooms extend across several underground floors and display works from ancient times to the 20th century on printed ceramic panels.
The museum opened on March 21, 1998, as the first Japanese gallery based exclusively on ceramic image reproduction. Sakakura Associates' design uses the natural topography of the hill for a multi-story underground building.
The displayed artworks come from museums and churches worldwide and were reproduced at original size using special ceramic printing techniques. Visitors can study paintings without experiencing the restrictions that apply in the original collections.
From JR Naruto Station, you can reach the building in about 15 minutes by local bus. The site lies near the coast and offers enough space for a visit lasting several hours with many seating areas along the route.
The ceramic panels resist moisture, mold and fading over centuries, enabling permanent viewing. Some reconstructions show works in colors and details that have long faded on the originals.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
