A Cultural Destination Surrounded by Nature
The museum stands in the southern part of Tokushima City, surrounded by the wooded hills and walking paths of Bunka-no-Mori General Park. The park is also home to the Tokushima Prefectural Library and Tokushima Prefectural Museum, making it an important center for art, history, and learning. Visitors can combine an art exhibition with a leisurely walk through the grounds, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere and natural scenery.
Discover Masterpieces of 20th-Century Art
The museum’s central collection explores how artists portrayed human beings and their experiences during the 20th century. Works by internationally renowned artists such as Pablo Picasso, Paul Klee, Henri Matisse, and Marc Chagall offer insights into changing ideas about human identity, emotion, and society. Through paintings and sculptures, visitors can trace the diverse ways artists responded to the world around them.
Artists Connected with Tokushima
The museum also celebrates artists with strong ties to Tokushima and the development of modern Japanese art. Its collection includes works by Usaburō Ihara and Kōho Hiroshima, as well as watercolour pioneer Katsumi Miyake. These works provide a regional perspective on Japanese art, reflecting the landscapes, culture, and artistic history associated with Tokushima.
Explore Contemporary Printmaking
Contemporary prints form another important part of the collection. The works showcase a wide range of techniques and approaches, from experimentation with materials and printing methods to innovative forms of visual expression. For visitors interested in how traditional printmaking has developed into a modern art form, this collection offers an opportunity to discover its variety and creative potential.
Selected Works in the Collection
Among the museum’s notable holdings are Pablo Picasso’s Portrait of Dora Maar (1937), Paul Klee’s Child and Aunt (1937), and Jules Pascin’s Nude in Underwear (1926). Japanese works include Katsumi Miyake’s Hampstead Heath, London (1930), Kōho Hiroshima’s Woman in Red (1941), Usaburō Ihara’s Two People (1930), and Kanji Maeda’s Carpenter (1927).
The sculpture collection includes Aristide Maillol’s Pomona in Drapery (1921) and Morie Ogiwara’s Worker (1909). Together, these works illustrate the diversity of artistic styles and subjects represented in the museum.
Rotating Exhibitions and Special Shows
The museum regularly changes the presentation of its collection, allowing visitors to encounter different works on repeat visits. In addition to its collection exhibitions, it hosts special exhibitions throughout the year, featuring a variety of Japanese and international artists and themes. These temporary shows provide fresh perspectives on art and complement the museum’s core collection.
An Inclusive Museum for Everyone
The Tokushima Modern Art Museum promotes the concept of a universal museum, aiming to make art accessible and enjoyable for people of different ages, backgrounds, and abilities, including visitors with disabilities and those from overseas. Exhibition explanations are designed with accessibility in mind, and selected experiences engage both sight and touch. These initiatives help a wider range of visitors appreciate art in ways that suit their needs.
Exhibition Spaces and Facilities
First floor: The complex includes gallery space associated with the Tokushima 21st Century Hall, where exhibitions introduce regional culture and other themes looking toward the future.
Second floor: The main exhibition area contains three rooms for different types of displays: collection exhibitions, focused presentations on selected subjects, and special exhibitions.
Third floor: Lecture rooms and art studios provide space for workshops, educational programs, and lectures. These activities encourage visitors to deepen their understanding of art through learning and creative participation.
Outdoor exhibition area: Large-scale sculptures are displayed amid the surrounding greenery, allowing visitors to appreciate artworks in an open-air setting where art and nature complement one another.
Walk Through the Forest of Creativity
The green area around the museum, known as the Forest of Creativity, offers walking paths and quiet spaces for relaxation. Take time to explore the grounds before or after viewing the exhibitions and enjoy the combination of contemporary art, woodland scenery, and the wider cultural atmosphere of Bunka-no-Mori General Park.
How to Get There
From JR Tokushima Station, take a bus bound for Bunka-no-Mori or a bus to Ichihara via the bypass. The journey takes approximately 25 minutes, and you should get off at the Bunka-no-Mori bus stop.
Alternatively, take a bus bound for Shirasagidai, Ichinomiya, Amanohara, or Sanagōchi and get off at the Sonose Bridge bus stop. From there, the museum is approximately a 10-minute walk.
You can also travel on the JR Mugi Line to Bunka-no-Mori Station, followed by a walk of approximately 35 minutes. Another option is to take a bus bound for Ichihara from the Bunka-no-Mori Station East bus stop and get off at Bunka-no-Mori.
Enjoy Art and Culture in Tokushima
The Tokushima Modern Art Museum offers an engaging introduction to 20th-century art, the achievements of artists connected with Tokushima, and the evolving possibilities of contemporary printmaking. With regularly changing exhibitions, educational programs, accessible experiences, and a peaceful natural setting, it is a rewarding stop for art lovers and curious travelers alike. Combine your visit with the neighboring cultural facilities and walking paths to experience another side of Tokushima’s rich cultural life.