© 1994 Reversible Destiny Foundation. Reproduced with permission of the Reversible Destiny Foundation
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A pioneering museum in Japan, renowned for its immersive, interactive art experiences.
Opened in 1994, the Nagi Museum of Contemporary Art is located in Nagi, Katsuta District, Okayama Prefecture—a town known for its harmonious coexistence of nature and art.
Popularly called NagiMOCA, this pioneering museum is one of Japan’s first experiential museums, uniquely designed to create a lasting integration between artwork and architecture.
The museum comprises three distinct galleries, each named after elements of nature: "Sun," "Moon," and "Earth." Each space is carefully aligned to correspond with local geographical and astronomical phenomena—the "Sun" gallery follows a north-south axis; the "Moon" gallery’s flat wall points toward the position of the harvest moon at 10 PM during mid-autumn; and the "Earth" gallery's central axis is directed toward the summit of Mt. Nagi, located between Nagi Town in Okayama Prefecture and Chizu Town in Tottori Prefecture. Visitors can experience subtle daily and seasonal shifts within each space, engaging all senses in the appreciation of art.
The museum also houses a café overlooking a pond, offering serene views through glass walls to Aiko Miyawaki’s artwork, "Utsurohi." Additional spaces, including the South Wing Gallery (Community Gallery) and North Wing Gallery, regularly host special contemporary art exhibitions featuring drawings, models, sketches, and more, adding even greater depth to the museum experience.
Artists and architects collaborated closely to create an integrated museum environment.
"Earth" Gallery: Features Aiko Miyawaki's artwork "Utsurohi."
"Moon" Gallery: Showcases Kazuo Okazaki's artwork "HISASHI—Supplement."
"Sun" Gallery: Presents Shusaku Arakawa + Madeline Gins’ "Site of Reversible Destiny—Nagi’s Ryoanji—Architectural Body." © 1994 Reversible Destiny Foundation. Reproduced with permission of the Reversible Destiny Foundation
South Wing (Community) Gallery: Hosts around 10 contemporary art exhibitions annually.
North Wing Gallery: Exhibits drawings, models, sketches, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions have been vetted and answered directly by each listing.
Q
Do you have signs or pamphlets in foreign languages? (If you do, which languages are available?)
English pamphlets available.
Q
Is free Wi-Fi available in the area?
Yes, it is.
Q
Are coin lockers available?
Yes.
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Is it possible to re-enter the premises?
Yes, it is.
If the original text is in another language, the AI will automatically translate and display it.
The entire museum building feels like a work of art. The three permanent exhibits are integrated with the architecture, so it feels like you're stepping right into the artwork. The space with the changing light and shadows is especially impressive and peaceful—I couldn't help but stay there for a while. It's not a big museum, but every corner invites you to slow down and take it all in. If you love art or photography, you'll fall in love with this place. The atmosphere is calm and inspiring.
