The Aomori Museum of Art is worth visiting not only for its artworks, but also for the architecture itself. Designed by Jun Aoki, the white building echoes the nearby Sannai-Maruyama Site. Inside, highlights include Yoshitomo Nara's 8.5-meter-tall Aomori-ken and The Child of the Forest in the Octagonal Hall. This guide covers transportation, tickets, photography rules, and souvenir information to help first-time visitors plan their trip with ease.
The Aomori Museum of Art opened on July 13, 2006, next to the World Cultural Heritage-listed Sannai-Maruyama Site. Designed by Jun Aoki, the building was inspired by the archaeological excavation site next door. Trench-like spaces were dug into the ground, with white architectural volumes inserted into them to create the museum's distinctive appearance. The collection includes works by Aomori-related artists such as Yoshitomo Nara and Shiko Munakata, as well as enormous stage backdrops painted by Marc Chagall for a ballet. It is one of Aomori City's most representative art museums.
Transportation to the Aomori Museum of Art
Getting to the Aomori Museum of Art by Bus
You can reach the Aomori Museum of Art by bus from either JR Aomori Station or Shin-Aomori Station, getting off at the “Kenritsu Bijutsukan-mae” stop. The “Nebuta-go” bus from Shin-Aomori currently accepts transportation IC cards, but services are not very frequent, so it is best to check the timetable in advance, especially for the return trip. During the Aomori Nebuta Festival, traffic restrictions and congestion may cause significant delays, while winter snow can also affect services. If you have a Shinkansen or another scheduled activity afterward, allow extra travel time.
| Departure Point | Bus | Travel Time |
|---|---|---|
| JR Shin-Aomori Station East Exit Bus Stop No. 3 | Nebuta-go | Approx. 10 minutes |
| JR Aomori Station Bus Stop No. 6 in Front of the Station | S51 Prefectural Museum of Art Line Toward “Sannai-Maruyama Site” | Approx. 20 minutes |
※ For the direction of the Nebuta-go service and shared bus stop arrangements, please refer to the official Aomori City website.
Driving to the Aomori Museum of Art
If driving to the Aomori Museum of Art, it takes about 5 minutes from the Aomori IC and about 10 minutes from the Aomori Chuo IC. It is about a 10-minute drive from Shin-Aomori Station and around 20 minutes from Aomori Station or Aomori Airport. Free parking is available directly in front of the museum, with space for about 350 passenger cars. Note that the parking gate is closed from 20:30 until 8:15 the following morning, so take extra care if parking in the evening.
Aomori Museum of Art Tickets, Opening Hours, and Closed Days
Aomori Museum of Art Tickets and Admission Types
Tickets for the Aomori Museum of Art are mainly divided into the permanent collection exhibition and special exhibitions. The content and prices differ between the two. The permanent collection focuses on works owned by the museum, including Yoshitomo Nara's Aomori-ken and The Child of the Forest, as well as works by Shiko Munakata, though the displayed works change depending on the exhibition period. Special exhibitions are limited-time shows with different themes and dates, and ticket prices vary by exhibition. Whether admission includes the permanent collection also depends on the current exhibition, so check the latest ticket price and coverage before purchasing.
【Aomori Museum of Art Permanent Collection Admission Fees】
| Adult | ¥700 |
|---|---|
| University Student | ¥400 |
| Age 18 and Under and High School Students | Free |
※ Visitors aged 18 and under and high school students must obtain a free admission ticket at the ticket counter before entering (excluding preschool children).
※ In addition to cash, the ticket counter accepts credit cards (VISA, Mastercard, JCB, AMEX, UnionPay, etc.), transportation IC cards, and mobile payment services such as PayPay.
※ Permanent collection admission fees are based on information on the official website as of September 2026. Please check the official website for the latest prices.
Aomori Museum of Art Opening Hours and Closed Days
The Aomori Museum of Art does not have a fixed weekly closing day. Closed dates vary each month, and during exhibition changeovers the museum may close for several consecutive days or even more than ten days, so it is best to check the official calendar before visiting. The museum shop, café, and library also close on museum closure days, and their opening hours usually end earlier than the museum itself. Café and library hours are listed below, while shop information can be found in the museum shop section later in this guide.
Opening Hours: 9:30–17:00 (Last admission at 16:30)
Café Hours: 10:30–16:30 (Last order at 16:00), Lunch 11:00–14:00
Library Hours: 10:00–16:00
Closed Days: Please refer to the official website calendar
Exhibition Changeover Closures from 2026 to March 2027:
2026/4/13～4/17
2026/6/22～6/26
2026/9/28～10/9
2026/12/24～2027/1/1
2027/2/13～2/24
Yoshitomo Nara Works at the Aomori Museum of Art
Aomori-ken
Yoshitomo Nara's Aomori-ken, created for the Aomori Museum of Art, is installed in a sunken outdoor trench and can be viewed through glass from inside the museum. In winter, snow collecting on its head makes it look as if it is wearing a white hat, creating a seasonal appearance unique to snowy weather. When conditions allow, visitors can follow the passageway to get closer to the work. The passage is open from 9:45 to 16:30. It may be closed after snowfall, but the sculpture can still be viewed through the glass from inside the museum.
The Child of the Forest and the Octagonal Hall
On the “floating island” south of the museum stands an octagonal hall personally designed by Yoshitomo Nara, housing the approximately 6-meter-tall bronze work The Child of the Forest. The octagonal building itself is a commissioned work by Nara. Its roofless design allows visitors to look directly up at the sky while experiencing natural elements such as wind, birdsong, and snow, allowing the artwork to blend with its surroundings.
Other Works at the Aomori Museum of Art
Marc Chagall's Four Giant Stage Backdrops
The “Aleko Hall” was specially designed to display four enormous stage backdrops created by modern art master Marc Chagall in 1942 for the ballet Aleko. The works combine Russian folk traditions with romantic imagery, using expressive brushwork and dreamlike colors to convey themes of love and fate. The vast, high-ceilinged exhibition hall gives visitors an excellent view and creates an immersive setting for Chagall's poetic visual world.
Shiko Munakata Gallery
The Shiko Munakata Gallery is the only gallery in the Aomori Museum of Art named after an individual artist. A huge glass wall extends from floor to ceiling, naturally connecting the works with the museum's distinctive spatial design. Born in Aomori City, Shiko Munakata received Japan's Order of Culture in 1970 and became famous for his distinctive “hanga” woodblock prints. He also created Japanese-style paintings that he called “Yamato-ga.” The gallery's display themes change with different permanent collection exhibition periods.
Other Artists in the Collection
In addition to Shiko Munakata and Yoshitomo Nara, the Aomori Museum of Art holds works by Aomori-related artists such as Toru Narita, Gosei Abe, and Kojin Kudo, as well as international artists including Kandinsky, Matisse, and Picasso. However, works on display change with each permanent collection exhibition, so not every artist can be seen on every visit. If there is a particular artist you want to see, check the current exhibition information on the official website before visiting.
Aomori Museum of Art Souvenirs
You can enter the Aomori Museum of Art shop without purchasing an exhibition ticket, so it is easy to stop by even if you do not have enough time to see the galleries. The store has dedicated sections for different artists, with merchandise related to Yoshitomo Nara, Shiko Munakata, and Chagall, as well as museum-original items, tote bags, T-shirts, postcards, and crafts. If you do not buy everything you want on site, you can also shop through the official online store, although some products are available only at the museum. Below are several popular items from the official online store that are worth checking out if you are looking for souvenirs.
Aomori-ken Piggy Bank
If you like Yoshitomo Nara's Aomori-ken, the museum offers a Japan-made limited-edition “Aomori-ken Piggy Bank,” which makes a great souvenir. It is made from soft vinyl, and the head can be removed to take out the coins inside. The current price is ¥6,500, with four colors available: white, pink, light blue, and cocoa. It is also one of the popular items in the official online store.
LOVE FROM THE SEA
For a more unusual souvenir, take a look at the “LOVE FROM THE SEA” apple-crate postcard. Yoshitomo Nara's artwork is printed on a wooden board made from discarded apple crates, preserving the natural texture of the wood and giving the postcard a distinctive meaning. The item costs ¥1,700 and comes with a writable sticker, allowing it to be used either as a collectible or as an actual postcard.
Two Bodhisattvas and Ten Great Disciples
Fans of Shiko Munakata can check out the large-format “Two Bodhisattvas and Ten Great Disciples” postcard, based on his representative work Two Bodhisattvas and Ten Great Disciples of Shakyamuni. Measuring 105 × 230 mm, it is larger than a standard postcard and shows the details of the woodblock print more clearly. The item costs ¥2,200 and is well suited for collectors.
Opening Hours: 9:30–17:00
Closed Days: Same as the museum
Attractions Near the Aomori Museum of Art
Sannai-Maruyama Site
The Aomori Museum of Art is located next to the Sannai-Maruyama Site, a large Jomon-period settlement archaeological site registered as a World Cultural Heritage Site and an important source of inspiration for the museum's architecture. Walking through the excavation area first and then returning to the museum to view its white architectural volumes and trench-like spaces makes Jun Aoki's design concept easier to understand. Note that the two facilities do not have exactly the same closed days, so check the opening information for each before planning to visit both on the same day.
Address: 305 Maruyama, Sannai, Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture
Opening Hours: 9:00–17:00 (Extended to 18:00 from June 1 to September 30)
Closed Days: Fourth Monday of each month, December 30–January 1
Access: About a 10-minute walk from the Aomori Museum of Art
After visiting the Aomori Museum of Art and the Sannai-Maruyama Site, you can return to Aomori Station by bus in about 20 minutes and continue exploring nearby attractions such as Nebuta Museum WA RASSE. The guide below also covers food, attractions, and recommended itineraries in Aomori City for further trip planning.
Visiting the Aomori Museum of Art and the nearby Sannai-Maruyama Site on the same day lets you experience not only the artworks inside the museum, but also different sides of Aomori through architecture, space, and surrounding attractions. Check opening hours, current exhibitions, and transportation information before departure to make your museum visit smoother.
Aomori Museum of Art FAQ
1. Can Visitors with Limited Mobility or Strollers Use the Passageway to See Aomori-ken?
There are two staircases along the passageway to Aomori-ken. Visitors with limited mobility or those using strollers are advised to ask museum staff for assistance. The museum will provide appropriate guidance depending on the weather and conditions on the day. If you have accessibility needs, it is best to check with staff after arrival.
2. Is There Anywhere to Eat Inside the Aomori Museum of Art?
Yes. The museum has a café called “4 Cats,” which can be entered without an exhibition ticket and offers views of the Octagonal Hall where The Child of the Forest is displayed. The menu mainly uses ingredients from Aomori Prefecture. The café closes on the same days as the museum, so check its opening hours before visiting.
3. How Much Time Should I Allow for the Aomori Museum of Art?
If you want to fully explore the permanent collection, Aleko Hall, Aomori-ken, and the museum shop, allow about 3 hours. Combined with the nearby Sannai-Maruyama Site, this works well as a half-day itinerary. If you only want to see Aomori-ken and browse the souvenir shop, you can shorten your visit. The shop can be entered without an exhibition ticket, making it easy to adjust the visit if you are short on time.