Nerima Art Museum

In short

Nerima Art Museum is a municipal art museum located near Nakamurabashi Station on the Seibu Ikebukuro Line. Opened in 1985, it has hosted exhibitions offering innovative perspectives, centered on modern and contemporary Japanese art. Its collection exceeds 7,500 pieces. In front of the museum lies the "Art Forest Green Space," which is lined with animal sculptures and popular with families.

• ​Artists with Local Ties​​: Focuses on collecting works by artists with ties to the area, such as Aimitsu and Nomiyama Gyoji
• ​Art Forest Green Space​​: 32 fantastical sculptures of 20 varieties are placed across the natural lawn
• ​4-Meter Bear​​: A 4-meter-tall bear sculpture greets visitors in the green space

History and Highlights

​Nerima Art Museum​ opened in October 1985 (Showa 60) as an art museum under the Museum Act. Centering on modern and contemporary Japanese art, it has held numerous special exhibitions with innovative perspectives and approaches. In recent years, it has also planned exhibitions that reach beyond its usual eras, regions, and genres, such as ukiyo-e, Western painting, and picture books.

The collection exceeds 7,500 pieces. It broadly collects works of modern and contemporary Japanese art, centered on artists with local ties such as Aimitsu and Nomiyama Gyoji. The painter Nomiyama Gyoji (1920–2023) maintained an atelier in Nerima Ward for a long time. He is also an honorary citizen of the ward. Exhibitions utilizing the collection are also held regularly.

In front of the museum lies the "Nerima Art Forest Green Space." This green space was renovated and reopened in April 2015 (Heisei 27). Across the grounds covered with natural lawn, 32 fantastical sculptures of 20 varieties are installed. Familiar animals have turned into art that no one has ever seen before. When it opened, the ward introduced this green space as "what could be called a fantasy art zoo."

Viewing and Experience Points

• ​Artists with Local Ties​​: The core of the collection consists of works by artists with ties to the region, such as Aimitsu and Nomiyama Gyoji. You can encounter them in exhibitions that make use of the collection.
• ​Sculptures of the Art Forest Green Space​​: The animal sculptures are art pieces you can enjoy by looking, touching, and letting your imagination wander. Families can be seen holding onto the long legs of the giraffe to take photos.
• ​4-Meter Bear​​: In the green space, a 4-meter-tall bear sculpture welcomes visitors. Comparing it with the other animal sculptures as you stroll is another enjoyable experience.

Visiting Tips

It is about a 3-minute walk from Nakamurabashi Station on the Seibu Ikebukuro Line. The Art Forest Green Space serves as the front garden of the museum. It is a relaxing place where greenery and animal sculptures harmonize, and it is popular with families. It is a good idea to first stroll through the green space to view the sculptures one by one, and then enter the museum. The ward's Nukui Library is annexed to the museum.