Adachi Museum of Art in Shimane Prefecture
There are many reasons the Adachi Museum of Art’s garden lands at the top of so many “best Japanese garden in the world” lists. Its classic manicured vistas…
draw the eye to ideal waterfalls…
and its pristine rock gardens…
lie alongside sparkling streams and pillowy moss.
Ponds are lined with perfectly-placed rocks…
and crossed by stone bridges.
There are artfully landscaped koi ponds filled with colorful fish…
pleasing water features that dish up musical freshness…
and countless stepping stones that beckon us deeper inside to see what delights lie ahead.
But this garden is exceptional for another reason—no one is allowed to walk in it. It can only be viewed from inside the museum. Sparkling glass windows frame the views like a series of living woodblock prints (which is a godsend to those of us who prefer our photos sans people, but does make you slightly wistful at the missed chance to follow those pathways and cross those bridges and see the garden up close and personal).
That’s not because the shrubbery would be subjected to wear and tear or there would be people in orange jackets taking selfies in the middle of the view you so desperately want to experience all by yourself. Allowing you to walk through this garden would actually destroy the illusion.
Because the Adachi Museum garden is not what it seems. Its fame depends on being the best example in the world of all the tricks Japanese garden designers use to make visitors feel that this small, perfect world is a much bigger one.
Read more here, to discover the magic tricks that make this garden feel vast, when it’s actually quite small!
But wait, there’s more…
Even though the garden is the reason most people make the trek all the way out to Shimane Prefecture, that’s not all there is to this lovely museum. It actually has a stunning collection of Japanese nihonga paintings by Yokoyama Taikan and his followers, many of whom became famous in their own right.
In addition, the Museum Annex across the street (included in the price of admission) is two stories of spacious galleries devoted to new nihonga works by contemporary artists, and is well worth seeing.
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Adachi Museum of Art
Open: Every day
Hours: 9:00 – 17:00 (17:30 in April-September)
Admission: Adults, ¥2500
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Here’s where the Adachi Museum of Art is:
The closest train station is Yasugi Station. There is a free shuttle bus going between the station and the museum—you can catch it right outside the station exit. Line up under the bus shelter to the right of the exit. There are also several traditional onsen inns within a block of the museum.
To figure out how to get to the Adachi Museum from where you are, use the Japan Navigation phone app, plugging in your location, travel date and preferred arrival/departure time. Here’s where to get the app and how to use it.
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Jonelle Patrick writes novels set in Japan, produces the monthly Japanagram newsletter, and blogs at Only In Japan and The Tokyo Guide I Wish I’d Had
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