🗺️ MIHO Museum (Bishu Museum)MIHO MUSEUM

MIHO MUSEUM is an art museum located in the Shigaraki area of southern Shiga Prefecture, nestled in a mountainous region surrounded by greenery. The collection boasts around 3,000 items, including 250 permanent exhibits. These include artworks from ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, West Asia, South Asia, and China, as well as Buddhist art and Japanese tea ceremony utensils. In addition to the opportunity to appreciate precious artworks, MIHO MUSEUM is also widely known for its architectural beauty, resembling a paradise on earth. The pathway from the reception building to the museum building is a 500-meter-long valley tunnel, and the vast space, covering approximately 900,000 square meters, feels like a "utopia," transporting visitors into the ideal paradise depicted in "Tao Hua Yuan Ji" (The Peach Blossom Spring). The architectural design of MIHO MUSEUM was created by the renowned Chinese-American architect I. M. Pei. He is famous for designing notable buildings such as the glass pyramid of the Louvre in Paris and the East Building of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. To protect the surrounding natural environment, nearly 80% of the museum's structure is built underground. Upon entering the entrance, visitors are immediately captivated by the dazzling light pouring in from the glass roof and the spatial landscape that seems to blend seamlessly with the surrounding mountains. Walking from the reception building to the museum building, visitors first pass through a path where weeping cherry blossoms bloom in spring, before entering the tunnel. The curves at the bends of the tunnel are softly designed, and the silver-gray stainless steel panels embedded in the tunnel's inner walls reflect the pink of the cherry blossoms, the green of the mountains, and the orange glow of the sunset, creating a dreamlike space that changes with the seasons and time. After passing through the tunnel, there is a 120-meter-long suspension bridge, which leads directly into the museum building. After enjoying the artworks, visitors can also dine and relax at the attached restaurant and café. The meals offered at the restaurant and café are made using organic produce cultivated through natural farming methods. Additionally, visitors can purchase unique souvenirs at the museum's gift shop.

There are 250 permanent exhibition pieces, including artworks ranging from ancient Eastern art to Japanese art. The design concept themed around "Tōgenkyō" (桃源郷) is highly captivating. The architectural design was personally crafted by Mr. I. M. Pei, who also designed the glass pyramid at the Louvre in Paris. The museum restaurant offers meals made with ingredients cultivated using natural farming methods, such as pesticide-free practices. Whether inside or outside the museum, visitors can enjoy the beautiful natural scenery of all four seasons.