The Mizunokuni Museum 104° is a new water-theme museum near Kawado in Shimane.
Set in a beautiful hillside location, the museum offers a series of contemporary art installations centered on the concept of water. Artists featured include Atsuo Okamoto, Masaaki Nishi and Kenzo Tabe.
One of the most interesting installations is a sound gallery where various sounds are produced using water. Mizunokuni also offers an echo dome, a video and light show and just past the entrance a quirky exhibition dedicated to local filmmaker Matsubayashi Shue, who produced a number of war blockbusters in the 1960s including "I Bombed Pearl Harbor," starring Toshiro Mifune. The director also churned out a series of light 1960s' comedies including something odd about romance at the All Japan Gateball Championships. Not to be missed.
Mizunokuni Museum 104° is virtually deserted during the week but gets busy at weekends. Lunch in the museum's restaurant is highly recommended with 12 special lunches prepared each day from local ingredients as well as a normal menu. Absolutely delicious.
Categories: Japan