Toyo Ito Museum of Architecture, Imabari

The Toyo Ito Museum of Architecture, Imabari (TIMA) is a museum on Omishima island (Omishima-cho Urado) in Imabari, Ehime Prefecture, dedicated to the work of the architect Toyo Ito. It opened on July 30, 2011. Although it sits on an island along the Shimanami Kaido, it is a destination for people who come specifically for architecture and art.

The museum began when Atsuo Tokoro, who donated the Tokoro Museum Omishima on the island, suggested the idea to Ito. It was funded by the city of Imabari and by donations from Ito, Tokoro and others, and both buildings were designed by Ito himself.

There are two buildings. The Steel Hut displays Ito's drawings, architectural models and buildings. The Silver Hut is a re-creation of Ito's former residence and includes a workshop space, giving a sense of the architect's home and working life.

The museum is open from 9:00 to 17:00 and is closed on Mondays (the following day if Monday is a holiday) and from December 27 to 31. According to the official site, admission is 840 yen for adults and 420 yen for students, and free for high school students and under, and anyone under 18. Holders of a disability certificate and one companion also enter free. Combined tickets for the "Omishima Art Tour" are available. Exhibitions change, so check the official site before you go.

By car, it is about 25 minutes from Omishima IC on the Shimanami Kaido, but there are only seven parking spaces. By public transport, take an express bus from Matsuyama-shi Station or Imabari Station to Miyaura Port, then a local island bus to the Tokoro Museum stop, about a three-minute walk away. You can also take a boat from Imabari Port to Munakata Port.

Other museums nearby include the Tokoro Museum Omishima, the Imabari City Iwata Ken Mother and Child Museum, the Murakami Sanshima Memorial Hall and the Imabari City Omishima Museum of Art. Oyamazumi Shrine (about 6 km), Okunoshima (about 11 km) and the Shimanami Kaido (about 11 km) can be combined with a visit. Allow about an hour inside to see the models and drawings at a relaxed pace.