Rias Ark Museum of Art

Overview

The Rias Ark Museum of Art stands in Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture. Opened on 25 October 1994, its distinctive design by architect Osamu Ishiyama earned the AIJ Prize (Architectural Institute of Japan). The name draws on the deeply indented “ria” coastline of the Sanriku region and on Noah’s Ark, the vessel that rides out the storm. Perched on a hill like a ship afloat, the building is itself a work of art, offering visitors a place where art appreciation and architectural experience meet in a setting unique to the Sanriku coast.

Highlights

• ●A ship-shaped building by Osamu Ishiyama, winner of the AIJ Prize
• ●A symbolic name drawn from the ria coast and Noah's Ark
• ●Views of the Sanriku sea and sky from atop the hill
• ●Exhibits that bring the region's nature and daily culture to life

History

The museum opened on 25 October 1994. Its design was the work of Osamu Ishiyama, an architect known for boldly original buildings. Infused with respect for the region's landscape and its relationship with the sea, the architecture won high acclaim and received the AIJ Prize for an outstanding work. The twin origins of its name, the ria coast and Noah's Ark, symbolize the memory of a land that lives alongside the Sanriku sea. Through its work conveying the area's nature and everyday culture, it has become a cultural landmark representing Kesennuma.

Map

38.8810, 141.5501 · Wikidata

Suggested itinerary

1. 1Head from central Kesennuma up to the hilltop museum
2. 2Take time to admire the ship-like exterior and architectural details
3. 3Tour the exhibits themed on Sanriku's nature and culture
4. 4Enjoy the hilltop views, then finish with Kesennuma's seafood

Did you know?

💡 The name “Rias Ark” is a coined phrase blending the ria coast of Sanriku, where inlets follow one after another, with the biblical Noah's Ark. It expresses the wish to be an ark that carries culture toward the future in a land that lives with the sea.

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