All Reviews of Hirosaki Museum of Contemporary Art

If you like Yoshitomo Nara, you definitely have to come!
Paying to see the exhibitions is also well worth it. It’s a truly impressive place, and it’s even more spectacular during cherry blossom season!
Yoshitomo Nara is a well-known Japanese contemporary artist who was born in Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture. There are several places in Aomori Prefecture where you can see his work, with the main exhibition venues being the Aomori Museum of Art and the Hirosaki Museum of Contemporary Art.
Main locations featuring his work
Aomori Museum of Art:
The museum has a collection of more than 120 works by Yoshitomo Nara, including paintings and sculptures.
The most famous work is the large outdoor installation **Aomori Dog**, a white dog sculpture about 8.5 meters tall that faces the sky and has become an iconic symbol of the museum.
The museum’s architectural design was inspired by the nearby Sannai-Maruyama Jomon Site and is itself a major highlight.
Hirosaki Museum of Contemporary Art (formerly the Yoshii Sake Brewery Brick Warehouse):
This contemporary art facility in Nara’s hometown of Hirosaki was converted from a century-old sake brewery warehouse.
The museum focuses on a collection rooted in local history and culture, featuring works by local artists, including Yoshitomo Nara.
Towada Art Center:
Works by Yoshitomo Nara are also displayed in the museum’s outdoor exhibition area.
Yoshitomo Nara’s connection to Aomori
Yoshitomo Nara grew up in rural Aomori Prefecture, and this childhood experience had a profound influence on his artistic style. He has said that because his parents were busy with work when he was young, he was often home alone and would talk to characters in picture books or to his toys. This sense of loneliness and imagination nurtured his artistic sensitivity. To him, Aomori is like his “starting point” (The Beginning Place), and he is happy to exhibit works that represent the beginning of his creative journey in his hometown.
If you’re a fan of Yoshitomo Nara, the Aomori Museum of Art is a must-visit where you can fully experience his deep connection to his hometown.

This museum has exhibited works by Yoshitomo Nara, whose art is full of pet dogs, sheep, and vivid colors. The portraits have such unique expressions—definitely worth seeing. Plus, the museum itself is really special, since it's a renovated Meiji-era warehouse with historical and cultural significance. In Japan, you can really feel the sense of history and tradition everywhere. It's definitely worth a visit.