Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of Modern Art, Hayama

Overview

The Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of Modern Art, Hayama, is located in Hayama-machi, Miura-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture. Completed in March 2003 and opened in October of the same year, it occupies the former site of the Takamatsu Palace's villa. Situated along the coast, the museum's architecture incorporates many experimental elements, such as the use of natural light and scenery within the exhibition spaces. In addition to exhibition rooms with varying ceiling heights and lighting, the museum boasts a library aiming to collect materials and disseminate information, an auditorium with audio-visual equipment, and a state-of-the-art storage facility. The museum showcases the ever-evolving world of modern art, and its breathtaking location overlooking Mount Fuji and the sea is a major draw. Visitors can enjoy art in a spacious, relaxing atmosphere. The museum also features a courtyard, a restaurant, and a museum shop, offering dining and shopping options. To encourage everyday engagement with art, the entrance hall, courtyard, restaurant, museum shop, garden, and even the art library on the lower ground floor are all accessible without admission fees. The surrounding area abounds with natural beauty, including the sea and mountains, making a post-museum stroll a highly recommended activity.