Shimane Art Museum: Art in Harmony with the Waters of Lake Shinji
Shimane Art Museum (Shimane Kenritsu Bijutsukan) in Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, stands on the shores of Lake Shinji (Shinji-ko), with harmony between art and water as its theme.
The museum holds around 1,600 works by Katsushika Hokusai and is also known as a place to watch Lake Shinji's sunsets, selected among Japan's 100 Best Sunsets, from inside the building.
Alongside the artworks in the galleries, enjoy the lobby opening toward the lake and the outdoor sculptures to appreciate what makes this location special.
Compare Paintings of Water with the Scenery of Lake Shinji
In harmony with the scenery of Lake Shinji, the museum focuses on collecting paintings that feature water.
Its collection includes Gustave Courbet's The Wave, Claude Monet's The Rock Needle and the Porte d'Aval, and Katsushika Hokusai's The Great Wave off Kanagawa (Kanagawa-oki Nami Ura) from Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku Sanjūrokkei).
Comparing the lake outside with the water depicted in the paintings can draw your attention to different ways of portraying landscapes.
You do not need specialist art knowledge; start with whatever catches your eye, such as the colors of the light or the shapes of the waves.
Works in the collection rotate on display, so if you want to see a particular piece, check what will be exhibited on your visit date.
See Kiyonori Kikutake's Architecture from the Lakeside and Lobby
Architect Kiyonori Kikutake designed the building, drawing inspiration from suhama, the gently raised sandy contours at the water's edge.
Completed in 1998 and opened in March 1999, the building features a bright, fully glazed entrance lobby and a gently sloping, expansive roof expressing the openness of ancient Izumo.
After viewing the building's outline from the lakeside, enter the glass-walled lobby to explore the connection between its architecture and the scenery.
Before heading straight to the galleries, look toward the lake, then enjoy the same view again after seeing the art.
Matsue also has the Shimane Prefectural Library, completed in 1968, and the Shimane Prefectural Budōkan martial arts hall, completed in 1970, both designed by Kikutake; architecture enthusiasts may also want to look at their exteriors.
Shimane Art Museum's Hokusai Collection and Exhibition Highlights
If Hokusai's works are the reason for your visit, check the Hokusai Gallery's display information before coming.
Not every work in the collection is on display on any given day.
Check the Hokusai Gallery's Monthly Display Changes Before Visiting
Shimane Art Museum holds around 1,600 works by Katsushika Hokusai, with approximately 40 on display at any time in the Hokusai Gallery within the second-floor collection galleries.
The Hokusai Gallery displays woodblock prints and original brush paintings by Katsushika Hokusai, replacing all the works about once a month.
At the heart of the Hokusai holdings is the Nagata Collection, formerly owned by Hokusai scholar Seiji Nagata of Tsuwano Town and donated in its entirety in fiscal 2017.
The ukiyo-e collection of traditional Japanese prints and paintings also includes The Great Wave off Kanagawa, Fine Wind, Clear Morning, and Thunderstorm Beneath the Summit from Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji, but if you want to see a specific print, check its individual display dates.
Check the exhibition information for your actual visit date rather than relying on photographs of past exhibitions.
Lighting in the ukiyo-e galleries is kept low to protect paper and pigments that are sensitive to light.
Few museums in Japan or overseas display Hokusai's works on an ongoing basis, making this a valuable chance to see ukiyo-e masterpieces while sightseeing in Matsue.
Know the Difference Between Special Exhibitions on the First Floor and the Collection on the Second
The museum's collection includes paintings, prints, photographs, sculptures, and crafts, totaling around 7,700 works.
The first-floor special exhibition galleries present works from Japan and overseas, while the second-floor collection galleries feature traditional Japanese paintings, Japanese Western-style paintings, Western paintings, prints, crafts, photographs, and sculptures.
Special exhibitions and the collection exhibition are separate categories, so choose your ticket by matching its coverage to what you want to see.
If your time is limited, deciding what to prioritize will help you spend unhurried time in front of the works that interest you.
As a guide, allow around 1–1.5 hours to focus on the collection and Hokusai Gallery, or around 2–2.5 hours to include a special exhibition, adjusting to your own viewing pace.
- If Hokusai is your priority, focus on the second-floor Hokusai Gallery.
- If a special exhibition is your priority, start in the first-floor special exhibition galleries.
- For a broader visit, choose the fields that interest you and explore those areas.
How to Enjoy the Art Even If You Cannot Read All the Japanese Labels
Rather than trying to understand every explanation, you can start by looking at the whole picture, then seek out details that interest you.
An audio guide for the collection exhibition is available through the Pocket Curator smartphone app.
The app provides information about the museum and around 120 works in Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean, with audio guides in Japanese and English; downloading it before your visit makes things easier.
When sharing your impressions with companions, discuss what first caught your eye rather than simply whether you liked a work.
Here are some ways to look at paintings without relying too heavily on words.
| Viewing Focus | What to Look At | Ask Yourself |
|---|---|---|
| Composition | Arrangement of the subject and background | What do I notice first? |
| Lines | Outlines and lines in the details | Do I sense movement? |
| Color | Light, shade, and color combinations | How does it make me feel? |
| Empty space | Areas left unfilled | Does it create a sense of openness? |
Lake Shinji Rabbits and Sunset Views over Lake Shinji
Combine the galleries with a lakeside walk to experience different ways of enjoying art indoors and outdoors.
There are 8 outdoor sculptures at the museum, 6 of them along the shores of Lake Shinji.
Even if sunset is your main goal, plan with the understanding that the view will depend on the weather.
Lake Shinji Rabbits: Compare the Poses of All 12
On the lakeside lawn stands Satoshi Yabuuchi's bronze sculpture Shinjiko Usagi (Lake Shinji Rabbits), created in 1999.
The 12 rabbits depict successive stages of a leap, so compare the positions of their backs and legs as well as their faces.
Look at the whole group against the lake, then focus on the individual forms to find movement within the still sculptures.
The second rabbit counting from the lake is said to bring happiness if you face west and touch it gently, and the sculpture is also introduced as a spot for good fortune in relationships.
When taking souvenir photos, do not climb on the sculpture or strike awkward poses, and leave room for others to approach.
Watch the Lake Shinji Sunset from the Lobby or Lakeside After Seeing the Art
Lake Shinji's sunsets are listed among Japan's 100 Best Sunsets, and on clear days you can watch them from the museum lobby or the lakeside in front of the building.
The first-floor lobby can be used without an exhibition ticket, so you can stop by for the sunset even on a day when you are not visiting the galleries.
From March through September, the museum stays open until 30 minutes after sunset, but gallery admission ends at sunset; to enjoy both the art and the sunset, visit the galleries first, then watch the changing sky.
From October through February, the museum closes at 18:30 and sunset is earlier, so on some days there is time to enter the galleries after watching the sunset, before admission ends at 18:00.
As a rough guide, sunset is around 19:27 from late June through early July and around 16:55 from late November through mid-December.
Rather than focusing only on the moment the sun disappears, watch how the colors of the water and sky change.
On days when rain or wind makes it uncomfortable to stay outside, you can enjoy the view from the lobby during opening hours.
Explore More Lake Shinji Sunset Spots near the Museum
The lakeshore in front of the museum forms Kishi Park, a waterfront park where you can enjoy the evening scenery alongside sculptures and lawns.
The Lake Shinji Sunset Spot (Torupa), along National Route 9 near the museum, is known for views of the sunset together with Yomegashima Island in the lake.
There are terraces and lakeside paths, and the silhouette of the Sodeshi Jizō stone statue is another highlight.
The ground becomes dark after sunset, so watch for steps and stay aware of the water's edge when walking along the shore.
How to Get to Shimane Art Museum and What to Check Before Visiting
When including the museum in a Matsue sightseeing itinerary, plan not only how to get there but also the last gallery admission time and your return journey.
About 15 Minutes on Foot or 5–7 Minutes by Bus from JR Matsue Station
The museum is about a 15-minute walk from JR Matsue Station.
By bus, take the Matsue City Bus Minami Junkan inner loop; depending on the service, the journey from JR Matsue Station to Kenritsu Bijutsukan-mae bus stop takes about 5–7 minutes.
From Matsue Shinjiko Onsen Station, the regular route of the Gurutto Matsue Lake Line sightseeing loop bus reaches the Kenritsu Bijutsukan stop in about 15 minutes.
Choose whether to walk or take the bus according to the day's weather and how much luggage you have.
If arriving by air, airport shuttle buses reach JR Matsue Station in about 35 minutes from Izumo Enmusubi Airport or about 45 minutes from Yonago Kitaro Airport.
By car, the museum is about 5 minutes from the Matsue-nishi off-ramp on the San'in Expressway.
General visitors can use the museum's 230-space parking lot, which is free for up to 3 hours and costs 100 yen for each additional hour; the overnight fee from 22:00 to 08:00 the next morning is 500 yen.
Signs direct visitors from the parking lot to the main entrance via an underpass.
If you plan to return by bus, check your return stop and departure times before watching the sunset.
Check Opening Hours, Closing Days, and Last Gallery Admission
Opening hours vary by season: 10:00–18:30 from October through February and 10:00 until 30 minutes after sunset from March through September, when closing time is tied to sunset.
Gallery admission ends before the museum closes, so also check the last admission time for your visit date.
Gallery admission ends at 18:00 from October through February and at sunset from March through September.
The museum is generally closed on Tuesdays and during the year-end and New Year period, December 28–January 1, although closing days may change to accommodate special exhibitions or other scheduling needs.
Check your visit date on the official website's opening calendar rather than relying only on the day of the week.
Choose Admission Tickets to Match the Exhibitions You Want to See
Admission to the collection exhibition is 400 yen for adults and 260 yen for university students, with free admission for elementary, junior high, and high school students.
For groups of 20 or more, admission is 320 yen for adults and 200 yen for university students.
Special exhibition prices vary by exhibition, and combination tickets are offered for visitors seeing the collection on the same day.
Visitors presenting an eligible disability certificate, such as a physical disability certificate, receive free admission for themselves and up to 1 accompanying person; same-day ticket discounts are also available when eligible transport tickets or similar passes are shown at reception.
You can also buy tickets in advance through the e-tix online ticket service.
Check the exhibition name and what the ticket covers on the purchase screen or at reception to avoid choosing the wrong one.
You must show your ticket to re-enter, so keep it until you leave for the day even if you step outside during your visit.
Shimane Art Museum Photography Rules and Gallery Etiquette
Photography rules vary by gallery, so do not assume that the same conditions apply throughout the museum.
Check the Signs for Each Gallery and Artwork Before Taking Photos
Visitors are asked not to take photographs or videos in the first-floor special exhibition galleries, and photography of loaned works is also generally prohibited.
Photography is allowed in the second-floor collection galleries, but flash is prohibited and you cannot photograph works marked with a no-photography sign.
Check the signs near each work before taking photos, and ask staff if you are unsure.
Visitors are asked not to bring tripods, umbrellas, or large bags into the galleries, so keep photography equipment to a minimum.
Even where photography is permitted, avoid blocking other visitors' views or their route through the galleries.
Food, Note-Taking, Luggage, and Other Museum Etiquette
In the galleries, keep an appropriate viewing distance and do not step inside barriers in front of artworks.
Sound can carry inside the museum, so be mindful of how loudly you speak.
Here is a guide to common situations and what to do.
| Situation | What to Do | What to Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Eating and drinking | Use the designated dining areas | Candy or gum in the galleries |
| Taking notes | Use a pencil | Pens or mechanical pencils |
| Large bags | Use a locker or leave them at reception | Bringing them into the galleries |
| Mobile phones | Turn them off or set them to silent | Making sounds in the galleries |
Eating and drinking are permitted in the restaurant and café space, and visitors are asked to keep drinks inside a bag or similar container elsewhere.
The museum is entirely nonsmoking; smoking is allowed only in the designated area in the parking lot.
Temperature and lighting are controlled to protect the artworks, and the interior may feel different from outside, so wear layers that are easy to put on or take off.
Shawls are also available to borrow at the reception desk in front of the galleries.
Facilities and Services for Families and Visitors with Luggage
Sorting out your bags and mobility needs before entering the galleries makes it easier to devote time to the artworks.
Use Coin Lockers and Borrow Wheelchairs or Strollers
Refundable 100-yen coin lockers are located beside the main reception desk, and larger items that do not fit can be left at reception.
Wheelchairs, walking sticks, walkers, and strollers are available to borrow, and the museum also has elevators, multipurpose toilets, and a nursing room.
Public wireless LAN (Wi-Fi) is available inside the museum, and assistance dogs are welcome.
If you need a particular facility or loan item, ask at reception about its location and how to use it before heading to the galleries.
Follow Your Child's Pace and Make Use of Family Time
Hold hands with young children as you look around the galleries.
From 10:00 to 12:00 on open days, Family Time gives children from age 0 and their families a chance to view the art and talk about it without feeling self-conscious.
The collection exhibition is always free for high school students and younger; on Shimane Family Day, the third Sunday of each month, special exhibitions are also free for high school students and younger visiting with their families, with high school students required to show student ID.
Rather than trying to see every display in one stretch, choose works that interest you and plan to take a break if anyone gets tired.
There is also a children's library on the first floor, a useful place to pause when children need a change of scene.
The museum shop can be visited without an exhibition ticket, so it is also an option when arranging where to meet someone who is viewing the galleries.
Take a Break at the Restaurant and Museum Shop
Racine, the first-floor restaurant, serves casual French cuisine using seafood from Lake Shinji and the Sea of Japan, as well as local vegetables.
The café is open 10:00–18:00, lunch is served 11:00–15:00, and dinner is 17:00–20:30 (reservations required by the previous day).
The museum shop sells original merchandise and art-related goods, and its hours follow the museum's opening hours.
Closing time may be brought forward depending on reservations, so check opening hours in advance when planning a meal.
Planning Your Visit to Shimane Art Museum
At Shimane Art Museum, you can connect works by Hokusai and other artists with lake-facing architecture, lakeside sculptures, and sunset views over Lake Shinji.
Check the display dates for the works you want to see and the last admission time in advance, then adjust your plans on the day, moving from the galleries to the lakeside as the weather allows.
Observe photography signs and museum etiquette, and pause in front of the artworks or scenery that catch your attention to make the most of your time in Matsue.
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