Isamu Noguchi Garden Museum

9 of 10 in Takamatsu

The Isamu Noguchi Garden Museum (イサム・ノグチ庭園美術館) in Mure, near Takamatsu, offers a unique glimpse into the life and work of the renowned Japanese American artist and sculptor, Isamu Noguchi (1904-1988). Although he spent most of his life in the United States, Noguchi maintained a deep connection with Japan, where he had a workshop in Mure, a town famous for stone masonry. After his passing, the workshop was transformed into a museum, allowing visitors to explore his creative process and artistic legacy. The museum can only be visited through guided tours by prior appointment.

The tour begins at Noguchi’s workshop, housed in a restored Edo Period storehouse displaying his tools as if he had just stepped away. Outside, nearly 150 stone sculptures—some unfinished—reflect his dedication to the craft. Visitors then proceed to a Meiji Period warehouse where a dozen completed works are displayed, including "Energy Void," a striking 3.6-meter sculpture made from black Swedish granite. The tour concludes with a visit to Noguchi’s home and a serene hillside garden designed for his 80th birthday, offering a fascinating blend of modern artistry and traditional Japanese aesthetics.

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Isamu Noguchi Garden Museum

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By Kotoden train:
From Takamatsu-Chikko Station, take a train to Kawaramachi Station (5 minutes), then switch to the Kotoden Shido Line to Yakuri Station (20 minutes). The trip costs 350 yen and takes about 30 minutes. Trains run every 10-20 minutes. From Yakuri Station, it’s a 20-25 minute walk to the museum, or a 5-minute taxi ride for around 850 yen.

By JR train:
Take a local train from Takamatsu Station to Furutakamatsu Minami Station (20 minutes, 260 yen). There’s one or two trains per hour. From the station, it’s a 30-40 minute walk to the museum or a 10-minute taxi ride for around 1200 yen.

By bus:
Take Kotoden Bus line 73 from Takamatsu Station to Inori Iwa Yoichi Koen-mae (35 minutes, 500 yen, about one bus per hour). The museum is a 5-10 minute walk from the bus stop.