🗺️ Nagano Prefectural Art Museum長野県立美術館

The Nagano Prefectural Art Museum not only preserves a valuable collection donated by the Japanese painter Higashiyama Kaii (1908–1999), who had a deep affection for the landscapes of Shinshu, but also collects and displays over 5,500 works depicting the landscapes of Shinshu by local artists. Its open and bright structure faces a park, making it a popular "landscape museum" that integrates with the surrounding environment. In 2021, the museum underwent renovations, and the updated Higashiyama Kaii Pavilion was renamed from Nagano Shinano Art Museum to "Nagano Prefectural Art Museum," becoming an art museum open to citizens and tourists. Visitors can not only appreciate the artworks but also enjoy a free open area outside the exhibition rooms. The designer of the museum is Hiroshi Miyazaki. Highlights of the architecture include the "park with a roof" facing Shiroyama Park, a waterfront terrace located between the main building and the Higashiyama Kaii Pavilion, and ceilings reflecting the shimmering water. The museum showcases modern and contemporary artworks themed around "nature" and "nature and humanity," as well as works by artists and sculptors related to Nagano Prefecture, such as Risshidan Shunsō, Ogihara Rokuzan, and Kusama Yayoi. The Higashiyama Kaii Pavilion houses over 970 works by Higashiyama Kaii and related books. The exhibits are changed every two months, conveying the charm of Higashiyama's art, which reflects the idea that "landscape is like a mirror in the heart."

A free space where anyone can easily access art and appreciate many works. The public space also frequently hosts concerts and other events.