Otoroshii Mon: History and Art of Fear

The six sections move from the question of what feels frightening to scenes of hell, spirits connected with Sanuki, yokai, natural disasters and ways of overcoming fear. This gives the visit a clear progression: compare images intended to frighten with objects used for comfort or protection. The local material includes stories of Emperor Sutoku and the Heike, alongside works borrowed from Negoro-ji, Kotohira-gu and Kagawa University Library. The published highlights include Kikuchi Yosai’s 1873 portrait of Emperor Sutoku, Ishida Sekko’s 1808 image of the Ushioni and objects used in prayer or protection. Utagawa Yoshitsuya’s 1858 undersea scene, Yashima Dan-no-ura Kaitei no Zu, is specifically listed for the second phase. Some displays change between phases, including scenes from Ikuta Kyuichi’s Night Parade of One Hundred Demons; consult the current display information if one work is the reason for your visit.

Reservation

Not confirmed

Tickets / booking

General admission is ¥800; groups of 20 or more pay ¥650 each. The ¥650 advance-ticket sale ended on 31 July. Admission is free for high-school students and younger visitors, Kagawa residents aged 65 or over, and holders of the specified disability or medical certificates and their caregivers; bring the relevant proof. The special-exhibition ticket also admits you to the permanent collection. Related talks and workshops have their own participation rules, and some require a separate booking.

Price note

Adults ¥800; groups of 20 or more ¥650. Eligible visitors enter free. Includes the permanent collection. Advance sales ended 31 July.

Access

The museum is at 5-5 Tamamocho: 900 m east of JR Takamatsu Station, 800 m east of Kotoden Takamatsu-Chikko Station or 500 m north of Kataharamachi Station. East-side piloti parking and bicycle parking are restricted during earthquake-resistance work, planned through 22 December 2026. Use the temporary bicycle area on the north side; visitors requiring vehicle access should consult the museum’s construction notice before arrival.

Rain

The exhibition is indoors. If combining it with an outdoor walk, use the museum visit around the weather and check the museum’s latest notices before travelling. On 19–23 September it stays open until 20:00, with admission ending at 19:30.

Crowds

On 19 and 20 September, the library corner is unavailable from 09:00 to 20:00 and the learning room from 13:00 to 20:00 because of museum activities. These restrictions affect those facilities; the special exhibition follows its published opening hours.

Nearby spots

Tamamo Park is next to the museum. The museum’s access guide describes a route from the park’s east entrance to the museum’s west entrance, so the two can form a walking sequence. Check the park’s own hours and admission separately.

Itinerary hint

Start with the six exhibition themes, then use the same ticket for the permanent collection if time allows. On 19–23 September, the extended evening opening can help fit the museum around a daytime Takamatsu walk. Keep the 30-minute last-entry cutoff and remaining closures on 24 and 28 September in the plan.