Shimane Art Museum – 島根県立美術館

This art museum opened in 1999 and was designed by Kiyonori Kikutake, a prominent Japanese architect known as one of the founders of the Japanese Metabolist (architectural movement) group. It was built to look like a painter’s palette, and looks also like the setting sun.

The art museum houses collections of western and Japanese paintings, print, sculptures, modern art, photography, and crafts. Situated on Lake Shinji’s shore, Shimane Art Museum is one of the best spots for enjoying the beautiful sunsets. The museum stays open an extra half-hour past sundown (Click here for Lake Shinji sunset forecasts) from March through September so visitors can enjoy the setting sun. Both the standard and special exhibitions change periodically, and free local exhibits are sometimes held.

Most of the works in this museum are by artists born in or closely connected to Shimane Prefecture. The museum displays a collection of ukiyo-e woodblock prints.

Admission fee	Present a valid passport or Residence Card for 50% discount
Hours	Oct – Feb, 10:00 - 18:30 Mar – Sep, from 10:00 and until 30 minutes after sunset. Closed every Tuesday (except national holidays) and Dec. 28 - Jan. 01
URL	http://www.shimane-art-museum.jp/en/
Tel	0852-55-4700
Access	15 minutes from JR Matsue Station on foot. 6 minutes from JR Matsue Station by Matsue City Bus Southern Inside Loop or Lake Line Bus. Get off at Kenritsu Bijutsukan-mae Bus Stop. 3 hours of free parking for cars.