Located in Fukuoka’s central Hakata ward, the Fukuoka Asian Art Museum houses thousands of pieces of artwork from almost two dozen Asian countries, including India, Bhutan, Brunei and Indonesia.
Constructed in 1999, this two-story museum on the seventh and eighth floors of the Riverain Center Building frequently hosts artist residencies and exhibitions of Japanese and non-Japanese art. For a whirlwind tour through the Asian art world, plan a stop at the Fukuoka Asian Art Museum.
The collection
Photo by: Heidi Sarol The museum currently boasts over 4,500 pieces of art.
Its collection is one of the largest in the world that highlights the work of Asian artists. The museum displays a diversity of artistic styles and perspectives that have historically fallen outside of Western notions of fine art. Included are examples of folk, traditional and ethnic works that capture the plethora of Asian experiences in the modern and contemporary periods.
Stop by to see Chinese reflections on capitalism, Vietnamese experiences of the Vietnam War, Sri Lankan depictions of the birth of Prince Siddhartha Gautama and more.
Exhibitions
Photo by: Elizabeth Sok If you like what you see, visit the museum gift shop for exclusive exhibition goods on sale.
The Fukuoka Asian Art Museum hosts exhibitions throughout the year. Past exhibitions have showcased contemporary photography in Asia with a focus on self-portraits since the 1980s, the history of Japanese children’s books equipped with lots of comfortable seats to lounge in and read and modern Indian art that focused on early 20th century anxieties about the Westernization of the country.
Don’t forget to head upstairs to the 8th floor to find the work of artists in residence and the AJIBI Hall which hosts lectures and film screenings.
Taking a Break
Photo by: Elizabeth Sok A place for everyone to enjoy art.
Whether you want a coffee break or meal to reflect on the works you’ve just seen, the museum has the Museum Cafe by Iena Coffee on the seventh floor. Grab a book off the shelf to enjoy alongside a cup of tea or coffee, a meal made using ingredients from Kyushu, or a homemade treat.
If you’re bringing kids along, hang out at the Kid’s Space next to the cafe and read one of the hundreds of children’s books available. Want to take a seat, but not eat or drink? No problem! This area also has lots of cozy places to curl up with a book.
