Watanabe Museum of Art

Overview

The Watanabe Museum of Art is a registered museum located in Tottori, Tottori Prefecture. It houses and displays the more than 30,000-piece collection assembled by physician Dr. Hajime Watanabe, and is known for its rich holdings of Japanese swords, armor and other East Asian antiquities. It is run by the Watanabe Museum of Art public interest foundation.

Highlights

• ●Dr. Hajime Watanabe's collection of over 30,000 works
• ●Japanese swords from the 9th to 19th century, including odachi
• ●One of Japan's foremost collections of samurai armor and weapons
• ●About 15,000 pieces on permanent display

History

The museum opened in 1978 to make the collection public, became an incorporated foundation in 1987, and transitioned to a public interest foundation in 2012. Its permanent display centers on Japanese swords from the 9th to the 19th century (including large odachi) and armor, numbering about 15,000 pieces, one of the largest such holdings in Japan.

Map

35.5208, 134.2273 · Wikidata

Suggested itinerary

1. 1Arrive at the Watanabe Museum of Art and view the permanent exhibits
2. 2Study the Japanese swords and large odachi closely
3. 3Take in the collection of armor and weaponry
4. 4Finish by touring the East Asian antiquities

Did you know?

💡 Its armor and weapons are considered the largest collection in any museum in Japan, and the collector Dr. Hajime Watanabe, connected with Tottori, lived from 1911 to 2017.

Nearby spots