Ohara Museum of Art had been temporarily closed since April 11, 2020, due to the impact of COVID-19 and major air-conditioning work.
On August 25, 2020, after implementing thorough measures to prevent the spread of infection, the Main Building and the Crafts and Oriental Art Gallery reopened.
After about four and a half months, visitors can once again take their time appreciating world-famous masterpieces!
What measures are being taken to prevent the spread of infection?
What should visitors keep in mind?
We visited the Ohara Museum of Art just before it reopened and reported on the changes and an internal staff meeting.
Photography is normally prohibited inside the Ohara Museum of Art. We were granted special permission to take photographs this time.
The information presented here is current as of the article’s publication in September 2020. Please note that it may differ from current information.
COVID-19 Countermeasures
First, let’s look at the Ohara Museum of Art’s measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Based on the “Guidelines for Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 in Museums” issued by the Japan Association of Museums, the Ohara Museum of Art has established its own guidelines.
The following points are particularly important:
- Visitor numbers are limited; when busy, numbered tickets are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis
- One-way routes inside the museum
- The annex is closed
Let’s take a closer look, including the other changes.
Things to keep in mind before your visit
Admission is limited to around 10 people every 15 minutes.
Large groups cannot visit.
(Acceptance of school groups is suspended through the end of November 2020.)
Only when the museum is busy, timed numbered tickets are issued at the entrance on a first-come, first-served basis.
Visitors are generally required to wear masks.
Please bring a mask.
Admission will be denied to anyone who meets any of the following conditions:
- Anyone with a fever of 37.5°C or higher, or cold symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, or a runny nose
- Anyone feeling unwell
- Anyone who has sought medical care or taken medication for a fever, cold symptoms, or similar within the past 14 days
- Anyone who has travelled to an area or country experiencing an outbreak within the past 14 days
The entrance has changed; have your temperature taken and provide your contact details before entering
The three entrances have been reduced to one.
Only the entrance beside Cafe El Greco, known as the “service entrance,” is open to visitors.
Maintain social distance as you proceed, then have your temperature taken with a contactless thermometer and sanitize your hands with alcohol.
Admission may be denied if you are found to have a health issue, such as a fever of 37.5°C or higher.
Next, for contact tracing in the event of an infection, provide the representative visitor’s contact details (name, phone number, etc.).
If numbered tickets have been issued, hand yours in.
Then purchase your ticket and enter, following the instructions.
To prevent the spread of droplets, please keep conversation inside the museum to a minimum and maintain sufficient distance from others while viewing the exhibits.
The annex is closed, and some of its works have been moved to the Main Building
Because of the building’s layout, visitors can easily end up facing one another, so the annex will remain closed for the time being.
Only two buildings are open for viewing: the Main Building and the Crafts and Oriental Art Gallery.
However, some works from the annex have been moved to the Main Building.
| Location | Contents | Changes as of August 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| Main Building | Modern Western art | Works from the Main Building and annex |
| Annex | Modern Japanese oil paintings and contemporary art | Closed |
| Crafts and Oriental Art Gallery | Crafts and antiques | No changes |
At the time of our visit (August 2020), several works, including pieces by the following artists, were on display in the Main Building.
- Kishida Ryusei
- Sekine Shoji
- Kumagai Morikazu
- Kusama Yayoi
- Domoto Hisao
- Yoshihara Jiro
- Yanagi Miwa
- Fukuda Miran
Although fewer works are available to view, famous pieces from the modern to contemporary periods have been brought together in the Main Building, making the exhibition a “digest version” of the Ohara Museum of Art.
This may be an advantage if you want to see popular works in a limited amount of time.
Until April 2020, the Main Building primarily displayed modern Western art.
The Ohara Museum of Art may be best known for its modern Western art, but it also houses many wonderful works of contemporary art.
For example, “Sekiheki” by Shiraga Kazuo is a work painted barefoot, with the canvas laid on the floor.
Look closely and you can still see the shape of his toes.
You can vividly feel its power and dynamism precisely because you are standing before the original work.
Be sure to enjoy the museum’s wide-ranging collection.
One-way routes inside the museum
To avoid visitors facing one another, movement around the grounds is generally one-way, and routes are restricted.
Please proceed in this order: entrance → Main Building → Crafts and Oriental Art Gallery → exit.
There are one-way routes inside the buildings as well. Follow the route signs.
People who have not purchased a ticket may not enter the grounds.
Other measures to avoid crowding
Works are spaced farther apart, and there are fewer display cases.
The descriptions displayed inside the museum have also changed.
To reduce the time visitors spend gathered in front of descriptions, the text has been shortened and the font enlarged.
It is easy to read even from a little distance.
The chairs are made of materials that are easy to disinfect and are spaced apart.
This should make it possible to enjoy the artworks at a leisurely pace.
Services suspended or facilities closed
The following measures are in place to avoid direct contact between staff and visitors.
- Audio guide rentals are suspended
- The museum shop at the Main Building exit has been scaled back
- The baggage storage area is closed
There are no coin lockers on the grounds.
Please use the nearby coin lockers.
Inside the staff meeting (all-staff meeting)
Next, we observed the Ohara Museum of Art’s internal “All-Staff Meeting,” where policies and goals are shared.
To prevent the spread of infection, the meeting was held with staff divided into several groups.
Here are excerpts from remarks by the director, chairperson, and deputy director.
Remarks by Director Shuji Takashina
Many of our procedures will change.
Above all, please protect your own health and the safety of our visitors.
Remarks by Chairperson Akane Ohara
Welcome back.
I’m delighted to see you all again.
Our commitment to welcoming visitors remains unchanged.
Let’s continue to protect the precious time visitors spend at the Ohara Museum of Art.
We want to be a museum that many people think of as “their own museum.” With that in mind, our goal is “My Museum, Yours and Mine.”
To achieve this, let’s develop “the flexibility to open up and the strength to stand out.”
A new era is beginning.
Let’s build the future together.
Remarks by Deputy Director Masanori Morikawa
We’ve come through a very, very long tunnel.
People sometimes say, “Even in these difficult times, the Ohara Museum must be doing fine.” But that’s not the case at all.
We’re going through a truly difficult time, but let’s work toward becoming a museum that many people feel close to.
We need to generate revenue beyond admission fees.
Come up with lots of ideas and take on new challenges.
We hope to overcome this situation and celebrate our 90th anniversary in November 2020, followed by our 100th anniversary ten years later.
Let’s move forward together.
Visit the reopened Ohara Museum of Art
Kozue Sasaki, the Ohara Museum of Art’s public relations representative, said:
“I realized that some people find comfort in knowing that the Ohara Museum of Art is open.
A museum isn’t a place for talking with people, and visitors don’t touch the artworks.
While the risk of infection itself is low, we have nevertheless put thorough measures in place so visitors can enjoy the exhibits with peace of mind.
We’re also limiting the number of visitors, so I think people will be able to view the exhibits in a relaxed environment.”
The museum reopened after about four and a half months.
When we visited the Ohara Museum of Art the day before it reopened, the staff were clearly delighted.
In 2020, the Ohara Museum of Art celebrated its 90th anniversary.
When it was founded in 1930, it was difficult to see authentic Western paintings in Japan. The museum was established with the aim of “creating opportunities to appreciate works of art.”
Today, we can see original works by artists from around the world because museums collect, preserve, and exhibit them.
For me, the reopening was a chance to feel deeply grateful for the joy of being able to appreciate works of art.
Be sure to discover a variety of works at the Ohara Museum of Art.
Articles about the Ohara Museum of Art
Ohara Museum of Art Information
| Name | Ohara Museum of Art |
|---|---|
| Location | 1-1-15 Chuo, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-422-0005 |
| Parking | None |
| Opening hours | 【December–February】 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. (last admission: 2:30 p.m.) 【March–November】 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (last admission: 4:30 p.m.) |
| Closed | Mondays Open when a Monday falls on a national holiday or substitute holiday Closed during the winter; may also close temporarily |
| Admission (tax included) | 【General admission】 Adults: ¥2,000 High school, junior high school, and elementary school students (under 18): ¥500 |
| Payment methods |
|
| Reservations | Available No reservation required for individuals |
| Smoking | Entire facility is non-smoking |
| Restrooms | Western-style restrooms, accessible restrooms |
| Families with children | Nursing room, diaper-changing tables, stroller rental The nursing room is in the Craft Museum Diaper-changing tables are on the second floor of the Main Building and in the Craft Museum |
| Accessibility | Wheelchair rental, ramps, accessible restrooms, elevator |
| Website | Ohara Museum of Art Official Website |
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