Lacquer Landscapes

Look for shelves decorated with Yoshino Mountain and the Tatsuta River, and inkstone boxes featuring Sakurabashi and Hamamatsu. The exhibition lets you follow a landscape across the surfaces of a functional object, then compare it with furnishings decorated with flowers, butterflies, birds and lions. The techniques reward close looking: gold and silver decoration contrasts with black lacquer, carved surfaces create another kind of detail, and mother-of-pearl changes the effect of colour and light. Comparing these approaches makes the visit especially worthwhile for visitors interested in decorative arts, materials and the relationship between useful objects and images.

Reservation

Not confirmed

Tickets / booking

General admission, including high-school students, is ¥600; middle-school students and younger children enter free. Groups of 20 or more and holders of disability or rehabilitation certificates pay ¥500, and one accompanying caregiver enters free. Groups must apply in advance. Cash and PayPay are accepted, with some PayPay exceptions. The 27 September restoration lecture costs an additional ¥600, the 24 October matcha session an additional ¥700, and the 7 November cello concert an additional ¥2,600; each requires a separate online reservation and exhibition admission.

Price note

General admission ¥600, including high-school students; middle-school students and younger free. Eligible groups and certificate holders ¥500; one caregiver free. Reserved programmes cost extra.

Access

The museum is at 2-7-15 Marunouchi, Kita-ku. Walk about 25 minutes from JR Okayama Station, three minutes from the Kencho-mae bus stop, or seven minutes from Kencho-dori on the Higashiyama-bound tram. A wheelchair lift and ramp provide entry with staff assistance; use the intercom just inside the gate to request help.

Rain

The exhibition is indoors, with an outdoor approach from the gate and transport stops. Kencho-mae has a shorter published walk than Kencho-dori or JR Okayama Station. For wheelchair entry, staff operate the lift before visitors continue into the museum by ramp.

Crowds

Reserved programmes have small capacities: 30 people for the 27 September lecture, 20 for the 24 October matcha session, and 45 for the 7 November concert. Places and programme arrangements may change, so confirm your reservation before travelling for a particular activity. Gallery talks are scheduled every Saturday at 14:00 during the exhibition.

Nearby spots

The museum’s Marunouchi location fits a walk around the nearby Okayama Castle area. Keep the museum’s 16:30 last entry in mind; any castle visit has separate admission and opening arrangements.

Itinerary hint

See the lacquer objects first, comparing a landscape scene on a shelf with the smaller surface of an inkstone box. If attending Shigeru Kitamura’s restoration lecture on 27 September, plan around 13:30–15:00 at Nagase Viita Gallery within the grounds. The 24 October matcha session runs 10:00–14:00. On 7 November the cello concert opens its doors at 18:00 and starts at 18:30; those evening times do not extend the exhibition’s 17:00 closing time.