Museum & Galleries
MUSEUMS & GALLERIES
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Komatsu City Museum
If you want to learn more about Komatsu City, why not drop by the local city museum? The first museum of its kind in Ishikawa, it was established in 1958 to consolidate various materials about Komatsu, such as nature, history, and cultural exhibits into one facility, making it a convenient and interesting spot to visit!
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The museum is located within Rojo Park, and close to the historical districts of Komatsu. -
Honjin Memorial Art Museum
The repository of over 1000 pieces of art collected by Honjin Jinichi, the former president of Hokkoku Bank. His collection covers a wide range, including paintings, calligraphy, pottery, sculptures, glass works and many more. The building itself is a work of art, an Edo period warehouse reshaped into a modern cylinder block encircled by water, as designed by renowned architect Kurokawa Kisho .
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MIYAMOTO Saburo Art Museum
An art museum displaying the works of esteemed Komatsu-born painter, Miyamoto Saburo. The building itself is a work of art, comprising of one block held up by steel frames and another built into a former stone warehouse. The museum’s solid dignified presence boosts the beauty of the townscape both outwardly and from within.
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Kanjincho Museum
Given a fresh new look in July 2020, a museum about Kanjincho, a legendary historical episode which took place in the adjacent Ataka-no-seki Barrier Ruins and was turned into one of Japan’s “18 Best Kabuki Plays”. Now, you can not only read about both the history of the play and Komatsu’s vibrant kabuki tradition, but also admire the actual costumes, attend a virtual theater, and have fun at the interactive corner “trying” on costumes, make-up and your own kabuki poses!
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Significantly, the museum also sits within the Ataka port area where Kitamae-bune (Japan Heritage) merchant ships used to dock. A display of the hikifune ships that were used for loading is accompanied by narrative panels on Ataka’s Kitamae-bune trade, an important part of Komatsu’s history as well.
Related Pages:
Komatsu Share Cycle: A New Way to Explore Komatsu! -
Science Hills
Experience the wonders of science and the thrill of learning at Science Hills Komatsu.
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Learn scientific concepts through the various display and hands-on activities and broaden your horizons! It’s good fun for everyone. The distinctive facade also won the BCS award for its design. -
Ogoya Mine Museum & Mine Road
The history of the Ogoya Mine extends back to the Edo Period (17th~19th cen.).
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Despite its humble beginnings, it overcame all odds to rank 8th in national copper production by 1920. The Yokoyama family that run the mine even gained the nickname of “Copper Kings of Hokuriku”. While the eventual decline of the mining industry led to its inevitable closure in 1971, you can still relive their heydays through not just museum exhibits but an entire 553m stretch of the preserved mine tunnel. Life-sized models recreate the ambience and scenes of the busy operations. -
Archaeological Research Center
If you want an immersive learning experience of Komatsu’s stone heritage, this is the place! Apart from a gallery of stone artifacts, some of which can be freely touched, hands-on workshops such as magatama-bead making are regularly conducted…for free!
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Related Pages:
Mountain Road to Recovery (Part 2) -
Kodayama Old Burial Mounds Museum
Since clusters of burial mounds from the ancient eras were discovered in Komatsu, extensive excavation works and research has been poured into uncovering their secrets and stories. This museum presents those hard-earned findings, including reconstructions of some of two of the mounds: one serving as the centerpiece of the museum, and another outdoors upon the adjacent hill.
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Satoyama Mirai Museum
Located at the entrance to the Yusenji Copper Mine Remains, a museum built by the locals to tell the tale of the vibrant mining town that used to populate this nature-rich area. Reimagine the past through photos while engaging with the passionate local guides!
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Related Pages:
Memoirs of May: Festivals, Flowers & Food Mountain Road to Recovery (Part 1) -
Motorcar Museum of Japan
With over 500 cars displayed over 10,000 square meters, it is the largest museum of its kind in Japan. Cars from various countries and eras are exhibited, with sections dedicated to certain manufacturers or categories. In particular, there is a section dedicated to several Japan-made commercial vehicles on display. Many of these car models are only on display here, so if your are a fan of cars, do include this place in your travel plans!
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Related Pages:
A haven for automobile lovers boasting a collection of over 500 cars (JNTO) Komatsu Share Cycle: A New Way to Explore Komatsu! -
CERABO KUTANI
Komatsu’s latest hub for all-things Kutani: a futuristic structure designed by renowned architect Kuma Kengo, built over a clay factory that has been churning out Kutani clay for over 60 years. Fusing the traditional and modern, just like the ever-evolving craft of Kutani ceramics.
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At this one-stop complex, you can observe the clay production process right in front of your eyes, admire the latest creations of up-and-coming Kutani artisans (and support them with a purchase of your favorite piece <3), and get in touch with the craft, literally, through a hands-on painting or shaping workshop.
Related Pages:
Komatsu Share Cycle: A New Way to Explore Komatsu! -
Shoundo Gallery
A traditional machiya townhouse reconstructed from a former Kutani workshop. Most of the building was built up in the 1980s, and still retains that Showa atmosphere. Today it serves as a community space as well as one where visitors can relive the traditional aesthetic of the past, and in particular a preserved nishikigama kiln where Kutani were fired after painting.
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The stone warehouse out back is also a must-see! -
Nishikigama Gallery
The childhood home of Living National Treasure Tokuda Yasokichi III, this wooden townhouse housing the Nishikigama Gallery dates back to the early Showa period, and is located within the historic Daimonji-cho neighborhood. It was also the workshop of the 1st till 3rd generation Tokudas, and many original artefacts, tools and other materials that were used by these amazing ceramic painters are displayed.
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Noborigama Gallery
Stair-like climbing kilns called noborigama were the traditional style of kilns used to fire Kutani pieces until the mid-1900s. You can view and touch a preserved noborigama kiln in its entirety here, the last kiln that remained standing and operating in the former Kutani center of Yawata. Touring is free with reservation, and mould-shaping workshops are occasionally conducted for a small fee of 200 yen.
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Hikiyama Gallery MIYOSSA
While the hikiyama floats of the Otabi Festival are only brought out of storage during the festival season in May, two of them are exhibited year-round in Miyossa. Visitors can take a look at the superior and sophisticated workmanship and admire their exquisite forms up close.
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Miyossa also plays host to a variety of kabuki related activities, include kabuki makeup, playing traditional instruments among many others. -
Ishikawa Aviation Plaza
Located right next to Komatsu Airport, the Ishikawa Aviation Plaza is the only one of its kind in the region. It was established in 1995, and has a annual visitorship of over 250, 000 people.
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The first floor and outdoor exhibit features various aircrafts models while the 2nd floor is dedicated to the history of and the scientific principles of flight. -
Sensoyashiki & Gen-an Teahouse
A tea ceremony house donated by Mr. Sen Genshitsu, the former head master of Urasenke school of tea ceremony, and also one of the numerous wooden roofed tile buildings in the area. There are also opportunities to experience traditional tea ceremony when the facility is open to the public or when citizen’s tea ceremonies are held.
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* Visits during regular periods is also possible with reservation (free of charge), however tea service will not be available.
Related Pages:
Tea Culture, Multicourse Kaiseki Feasts, and Kutani Ware -
Komatsu no Mori
Komatsu-no-mori opened on 13 May 2011 upon the original factory grounds to commemorate the 90th anniversary of Komatsu Ltd.’s founding. The grounds consists of different zones, including the display of the world’s largest dump truck, the Komatsu 930E.
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The Waku Waku Komatsu Pavilion is an exhibition space hosted in the refurbished head office building, while the outdoors portion called Genki Satoyama, is an educational space where people can observe the various flora and fauna, including many local species.