Simose Art Museum

In short

Simose Art Museum stands on the seaside facing the Seto Inland Sea in Otake City, overlooking Miyajima on the opposite shore, and opened in March 2023. The building was designed by architect Ban Shigeru, and in 2024 it received the top prize in the museums category, newly established that year, of the "Prix Versailles" architecture awards.

• ​Movable Exhibition Rooms Floating on Water​​: Eight exhibition rooms covered in colorful glass are arranged over a water basin, and their arrangement can be changed using the buoyancy of water
• ​Mirror Glass Screen​​: The surrounding scenery is reflected in glass 190 meters long and 8.5 meters high, diminishing the presence of the large structures
• ​Collection of About 500 Works​​: Beginning with hina dolls and gosho-ningyo (palace dolls), it expanded to modern Japanese and Western paintings and crafts. In Western crafts, glassworks and furniture by Émile Gallé form the core

History and Highlights

​Simose Art Museum​ is an art museum facing the Seto Inland Sea in Otake City, which opened in March 2023. It was conceived by Marui Sangyo Co., Ltd., a building materials manufacturer headquartered in Hiroshima City, on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of its founding in 2018. Standing on the seaside overlooking Miyajima on the opposite shore, the building was designed by architect Ban Shigeru.

The collection, comprising approximately 500 works, was built up over more than half a century by Shimose Yumiko, former representative director of Marui Sangyo, carrying on what she inherited from her parents, the company's founders. Beginning with hina dolls (traditional display dolls) and gosho-ningyo (palace dolls) from the Maruhei Oki doll store in Kyoto, which were collected with prayers for children's growth and a peaceful world, the collection expanded to include modern Japanese and Western paintings and crafts. In the realm of Western crafts, glassworks and furniture by France's Émile Gallé form the core.

On December 2, 2024, at the award ceremony for the "Prix Versailles" architecture awards held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, it received the world title (top prize) in the museums category, which was newly established that year.

Viewing and Experience Highlights

• ​Movable Exhibition Rooms Floating on Water​​: Eight exhibition rooms covered in colorful glass are arranged over a water basin. Inspired by the islands of Setouchi, Ban Shigeru designed them so their arrangement can be changed using the buoyancy of water. It is said that an exhibition room weighing about 42 tons could be moved by the power of a single person.
• ​Mirror Glass Reflecting the Scenery​​: The entrance building, special exhibition building, and administrative building, which stand parallel to the coastline, are connected in a continuous row by a "mirror glass screen" that is 190 meters long and 8.5 meters high. The surrounding scenery is reflected in the glass, spreading the view of the Seto Inland Sea and diminishing the presence of the large structures. The columns in the entrance building, resembling large trees spreading their branches, are also impressive.
• ​Gallé Garden and Boyo Terrace​​: In the "Émile Gallé Garden," you can see the plants and flowers that served as motifs for Gallé's works and enjoy seasonal blossoms throughout the year. From the rooftop "Boyo Terrace," you can take in a panoramic view of the islands of Setouchi.

Tips for Exploring

By car, it is about 5 minutes from the Otake Interchange on the Sanyo Expressway. On Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays, a shuttle bus runs from the East Exit of JR Otake Station to the museum, taking about 10 minutes. Works from the diverse collection are exhibited in accordance with the themes of special exhibitions. About 4 kilometers to the northeast lies Miyahama Onsen, and about 7 kilometers away is Imose Falls, both of which can be visited together.