Overview

Museum Overview

A municipal art museum serving as a cultural hub in eastern Hiroshima Prefecture, located within Fukuyama Castle Park. Since its opening in 1988 (Showa 63), it has been known for its collection focused on modern and contemporary art, while also emphasizing exhibitions on the history and samurai culture of Bingo Province (the present-day eastern Hiroshima Prefecture).

Sword and Blade Exhibitions

Bingo Province, as the neighboring province to Bizen Province (Okayama Prefecture), has long been a region of sword production. Among the sword smiths of Bingo, the Mihara School of the Kamakura period is particularly important, with master smiths such as Mihara Kunimitsu, Masaie, and Masahiro gaining prominence. The Mihara School is widely known by the name of Mihara Masaie and established a distinctive style in Mihara, Bingo. Their works were characterized by calm, straight blades influenced by the Yamato tradition, and their high practical quality made them favored by many samurai. The museum houses materials related to Bingo sword-smithing history and its masterworks.

Craft and Decorative Arts

Exhibitions of armor and blades passed down from the Abe clan, lords of Fukuyama Domain (a prominent hereditary daimyo house that produced heads of the Rōjū council), are held periodically. The Abe clan served as the principal hereditary daimyo in close attendance to the Tokugawa shogunate, and their family status is reflected in the exceptional quality of the armor and swords they inherited. Special exhibitions sometimes feature the Abe clan's daimyo furnishings and displays related to Fukuyama Domain's history in the late Edo period, offering a valuable window into the region's samurai culture.

Historical Materials

The museum is also known for its modern Italian art collection (including sculptures by Marino Marini) and offers a multifaceted perspective, allowing visitors to appreciate both Eastern and Western art in a single venue. The open spatial design of the entrance hall and exhibition rooms that incorporate natural light create a comfortable viewing environment.

Educational Functions

The adjoining Fukuyama Castle underwent major renovation and reopened in 2022 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of its construction. It is a rare castle in Japan located in close proximity to a Shinkansen station, and its north-facing iron plate cladding is noted as unique in the nation. Visiting the Fukuyama Castle Keep Museum alongside the art museum offers an opportunity to enjoy both castles and blades.

Cultural Development

Fukuyama is a warm city facing the Seto Inland Sea, with excellent access to nearby attractions such as Tomonoura (a picturesque port town that thrived as a port for waiting favorable tides, and is said to have inspired the setting for Hayao Miyazaki's film *Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea*) and Onomichi (famous as a city of hills and films). The Fukuyama Art Museum serves as an ideal waypoint for a journey that fully embraces Bingo's historical culture and the natural beauty of the Seto Inland Sea.

Highlights

Materials and works related to the Mihara School of Bingo sword smiths—the distinctive style of Mihara in Bingo established by Mihara Kunimitsu, Masaie, Masahiro, and others during the Kamakura period. Characterized by calm, straight blades influenced by the Yamato tradition

Armor and blades inherited by the Abe clan, lords of Fukuyama Domain—high-quality arms and swords that exemplify the status of this prominent hereditary daimyo house that produced heads of the Rōjū council. Displayed in special exhibitions

Adjacent location to Fukuyama Castle—enjoy both castles and blades by visiting alongside the Fukuyama Castle Keep Museum, which was renovated in 2022 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the castle's construction

Special exhibitions introducing regional samurai culture—exhibitions featuring regionally rooted themes such as Bingo history, the Abe clan's daimyo furnishings, and Fukuyama Domain in the late Edo period

Modern Italian art collection—multifaceted exhibition featuring sculptures by Marino Marini and other works, allowing visitors to appreciate both Eastern and Western art

* Image is for illustrative purposes only.

other

Fukuyama Art Museum

ふくやま美術館

Location

Fukuyama, Hiroshima Prefecture

Access

A 5-minute walk from the north exit of Fukuyama Station (JR Sanyo Shinkansen and Sanyo Main Line). The station is served by the Nozomi Shinkansen, with convenient access: approximately 3 hours 20 minutes from Tokyo, and about 1 hour from Osaka. Fukuyama Station is a rare station nationwide located directly adjacent to the castle—exiting the ticket gates, Fukuyama Castle rises immediately before you. The museum is situated on the western side of Fukuyama Castle Park. A recommended cultural walking route connects Fukuyama Castle Keep → Fukuyama Art Museum → Fukuyama Literature Museum. Tomonoura is accessible by bus in approximately 30 minutes, and Onomichi by JR in about 20 minutes. For local dining, be sure to try Fukuyama's signature tai-meshi (sea bream rice) and uzumi (a local specialty with hidden flavors).

Opening Hours

9:30–17:00（入館は16:30まで）

Admission

一般 310円（特別展は別料金）