Contemporary Art Museum

The Kumamoto Contemporary Art Museum (熊本市現代美術館) seamlessly merges a world-class gallery with a welcoming community hub. Housed in a striking modernist building overlooking the Shirakawa River, its intimate permanent collection showcases luminous installations by Yayoi Kusama, immersive light environments by James Turrell, and daring performance documentation of Marina Abramović. Beyond the galleries, visitors can browse a well-stocked art library while enjoying live piano recitals, let children explore creativity in the dedicated playroom, or relax over coffee and light bites in the sunlit café.

Each year, the museum’s expansive main hall transforms for approximately five special exhibitions, drawing art lovers from across Japan and beyond. Recent highlights include original hand-drawn sketches from Studio Ghibli’s legendary animators, and vibrant paintings and sculptures by Takashi Murakami. With regular artist talks, family workshops, and evening events, the Kumamoto Contemporary Art Museum offers an ever-evolving program that invites the whole community to discover, learn, and connect through art.