Prepare yourself for the most unique art experience of your life at Otsuka Museum of Art. Located in Naruto city, this massive museum with almost 30,000m2 of floor space houses about 1,000 works of art from around the world. It is Japan’s largest permanent exhibition and has everything from medieval frescos to Renaissance masterpieces and beloved impressionist works.

How can Otsuka Museum of Art have access to such a wide range of precious art pieces? Through a combination of cutting edge technology, artistic excellence and traditional craftsmanship, anything is possible. Every artwork is actually a full-sized replica printed on ceramic boards and then retouched by hand to give the paintings the same texture as the original. It’s a unique concept that allows you to explore and discover art in an innovative way.

You’ll be enthralled by the sheer magnitude of almost perfect painting replicas — not to mention the dynamic historical reproductions of murals and chapels. Imagine walking up to Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa and feeling the brush strokes with your fingertips*. Or walking from the Vatican’s Sistine Hall to snap a photo of Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring and then strolling over to take in Picasso’s Guernica. You can do all that and more at Otsuka Museum of Art.

Whether your preferences lie with Baroque artists Rembrandt and Goya, impressionists Monet, Renoir and Degas, or Medieval murals, you’ll find most of the great Western works of art here. It’s a great chance to reunite with your favorites or discover artists and paintings you had never heard of before. If you’re traveling with kids, it also offers the opportunity to initiate them into the world of art without worrying about touching or breaking the artworks on display. In fact, kids are encouraged to interact with the art, making it more fun for the whole family*.

To make the most of this expansive museum, plan to spend at least half a day here. There are two cafes and one restaurant if you need a break and some sustenance to see you through your artistic world tour. Restaurant Garden on the first floor serves a selection of meals using local ingredients and often has themed menus connected to various artworks. Cafe de Giverny on the B2 floor looks out over a Monet-inspired pond with water lilies and offers light meals and seasonal desserts. For something a little lighter, Cafe Vincent on the B3 floor has several sandwich and salad options, as well as a real-life Artist’s Bedroom at Arles. Here you can literally step inside one of van Gogh’s most famous paintings and take photos as you please.

Whether you’re an art buff wanting a closer look at some of the world’s greatest artworks or you’re a novice wanting to learn more, Otsuka Museum of Art is a great place to explore the different genres at your own pace.

Otsuka Museum of Art
Where: 65-1 Tosadomariura Fukuike, Naruto-cho, Naruto City Tokushims Prefecture
More info: https://o-museum.or.jp/en/publics/index/

Note: Due to Covid-19 measures currently in place, visitors are advised not to touch the artworks. Under normal conditions this is not only allowed but encouraged so that people can experience art in a unique way.