The Nanjo Art Museum, currently in pre-opening (as of January 2022), is located on a hill overlooking Kudaka Island in Chinen Azama, Nanjo City, Okinawa Prefecture.
As the first art museum in Nanjo City, I'm sure many people are curious about it.
I recently went to the "Rio Matsumoto Exhibition" which is currently being held.

Nanjo Art Museum's unique exhibition style, which it calls a "scene-type art museum," allows visitors to feel closer to art and engage with it in a relaxed manner.
Furthermore, the entire museum, including the terrace with its refreshing view of the sea, is filled with a relaxing atmosphere, making it the perfect place to unwind.
In this article, I would like to share the highlights and attractions of the Nanjo Art Museum based on my visit report.

1. You'll be greeted by Shisa statues made by Mitsuo Arakaki, the master craftsman of "Yachimun-ya".

At the entrance to the Nanjo Art Museum, we were greeted by two Shisa statues created by Mitsuo Arakaki, the master craftsman of the Yachimunya workshop in Yomitan town.

While Shisa are believed to have been introduced from ancient China, the Shisa at Nanjo Art Museum are slightly different from the Shisa commonly found in the streets of Okinawa, as they strongly reflect Chinese culture.
There are two differences between this and a typical Shisa; can you spot them?

The first difference is that the female Shisa has a child.
It is said that some Chinese Shisa statues feature a baby lion, symbolizing "education and inheritance."

The second point is that the base of the Shisa statue is decorated with "waves and clouds," which are considered auspicious in China.

This Shisa statue is said to embody the owner's wish that the Nanjo Art Museum be a place to showcase and pass on the splendor of art and culture, and to create something new while preserving tradition.

2. Artworks displayed in a way that blends seamlessly into everyday life.

What surprised me about the permanent exhibition was the realistic design, including features like a shower, toilet, and bedroom.

This exhibition method reflects the owner's desire to make art feel more accessible and to help people recognize the presence of art in their daily lives.

A painting displayed in the alcove.
You are free to sit on any of the chairs or sofas.

Mitsuhiro Ikeda/MITHUHIRO IKEDA
Birthplace: Hokkaido
Title of work: Unititled

Bedroom and artwork.

Pixy Liao
Birthplace: China
Title: Relationships

The close connection between daily life and art is perhaps one of the unique charms of the Nanjō City Museum of Art.

The cityscape and Kudaka Island viewed from the terrace are like works of art in themselves.

3. Studios where artists can stay overnight.

Nanjo Art Museum is not only a place to exhibit art, but also a place to install artworks.
The graffiti in the photo is apparently the work of an artist who stayed at the hotel between November and December 2021.
I'll be keeping a close eye on the works that will be created in Nanjo City from now on.

4. Access to Nanjo Art Museum

Nanjo Art Museum is located about 30 minutes by car from Naha.
Located just a 5-minute drive from the World Heritage site of Saijo Utaki, the route offers stunning views of places like Nirai Bridge and Kanai Bridge, making it a popular driving destination.

Final thoughts

The Nanjo Art Museum is currently in its pre-opening phase.
The official opening is scheduled to coincide with the completion of the attached cafe.

Due to the impact of the infectious disease, construction on the cafe has been delayed, and the completion date is still uncertain, but the exhibitions are scheduled until February and March.

Even though it's a pre-opening, it's open to the general public, so why not visit and experience a space where you can feel art in your everyday life?

Okinawa-based reporter/writer: Chicken

Born in 1989, I am a freelance writer based in Okinawa Prefecture. My work concept is to "write articles that serve the purpose of delivering products and services to 'those who need them'," using a combination of interviews, SEO, and copywriting to deliver information.

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