Honma Museum of Art

Honma Museum of Art (本間美術館, Honma Bijutsukan) blends refined architecture with a peaceful garden setting. The Edo-period villa was once a retreat for the Honma merchant family, known for their influence and wealth in the region. Inside, visitors find wide tatami rooms, delicate wooden details, and views that unfold toward a strolling garden designed with a central pond and gentle pathways. Seasonal foliage, from spring blossoms to autumn colors, creates different atmospheres during each visit, and a small café in the villa offers a calm place to enjoy the surroundings.

Established in 1947 as the first privately operated art museum in postwar Japan, the museum presents rotating exhibitions that draw from local history and broader cultural traditions. Displays may include regional artifacts, elegant crafts, and a popular collection of traditional dolls held at various times throughout the year. The villa’s second floor has large windows that overlook the garden, offering scenic perspectives ideal for photography or quiet reflection while experiencing the estate’s historic character.