Ohara Museum of Art

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OkayamaKurashiki City

Ohara Museum of Art

Japan's first private museum of Western art, set in the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter. Enjoy world-renowned masterpieces by El Greco, Monet and others in a stately building styled after a Greek temple.

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About this spot

The Ohara Museum of Art is an iconic sight in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture. Founded in 1930 by the businessman Magosaburo Ohara, it was Japan's first private museum of Western art. Even among the white-walled streets of the Bikan Historical Quarter, the main building's colonnade, reminiscent of a Greek temple, stands out and leaves visitors awestruck. The collection includes treasures known even to those who are not art enthusiasts, such as El Greco's "The Annunciation" and Claude Monet's "Water Lilies." Beyond the main building, the Craft and Asian Art Annex lets you see works by Japanese masters such as Shiko Munakata and Kanjiro Kawai, offering a well-rounded artistic experience. Spending time with great paintings in a calm setting is ideal for a solo trip for adults, a date with someone special, or an educational family trip to encounter genuine art. Why not enjoy a luxurious moment, feeling the harmony between the green of the garden and the masterpieces?

Last updated March 29, 2026

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