3. Museum Review: Taro Okamoto Museum of Art (Kawasaki)

Visiting this museum was an accident, it was beside the Minka-en (see previous blog), so we decided to check it out.

This museum is dedicated to the life and work of the artist Taro Okamoto, a native of Kawasaki. Mr. Okamoto's art pieces are displayed both inside and outside the museum, in unique settings.

The outside of the museum is really nice. I especially liked the outdoor tables at the cafe. The symbolic monument of the museum is the 30 meter tall 'Tower of Mother'. If you are unfamiliar with Taro Okamoto (as I was), you'll soon realize he is a fan of abstract (and of Picasso).











The museum itself is an interesting building, and if you like abstract art, you'll probably enjoy this museum. I am glad I visited it, but I won't visit again. One thing that really turned me off was the overselling of the artist himself. The displays reminded me of a museum Kim Jong Il might create for himself. It is obvious Taro Okamoto was very talented, it is unnecessary to promote him so heavily at a museum in his name. Too bad.
Address: 7-1-5 Masugata, Tama-ku, Kawasaki City
Phone: 044-900-9898

Hours of Operation: 9:30 -17:00 (last entry at 16:30)

Closed on Mondays (the next day if Monday is a holiday), and the New Year's holiday period.

Location: The museum is in the same park as Minka-en. It is a 17 minute walk from Mukogaoka-yuen Station of the Odakyu Line. See the Minka-en website for an English map.