Ohara Museum of Art was temporarily closed from April 11, 2020, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and large-scale air conditioning renovations.
On August 25, 2020, after thoroughly implementing measures to prevent the spread of infection, the main building and the Craft and Oriental Gallery reopened.
After about four and a half months, it became possible to enjoy world-famous paintings in detail!
What kind of measures to prevent the spread of infection have been taken?
What points should visitors be aware of?
I visited the Ohara Museum of Art just before its reopening to cover the changes and the atmosphere of the internal meeting.
Photography is usually prohibited inside the Ohara Museum of Art. This time, special permission has been granted for photography.
COVID-19 Measures
First, let’s introduce the COVID-19 measures at the Ohara Museum of Art.
Based on the "Guidelines for Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 in Museums" provided by the Japan Museum Association, the Ohara Museum of Art has established its own guidelines.
The following points are particularly important to note.
- There is a limit on the number of visitors, and if it becomes crowded, numbered tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
- The museum will operate in a one-way system.
- The annex will be closed.
Let’s introduce the details, including other changes.
Things to be aware of before visiting
The number of visitors allowed is limited to about 10 people every 15 minutes.
Large groups are not allowed.
(As of the end of November 2020, school group admissions are suspended.)
If it becomes crowded, time-specific numbered tickets will be issued at the entrance on a first-come, first-served basis.
Visitors are generally required to wear masks.
Please bring your own mask.
You will not be allowed to enter if you meet any of the following conditions.
- Those with a fever of 37.5 degrees Celsius or higher, or symptoms of a cold such as cough, sneezing, or runny nose.
- Those who are not feeling well.
- Those who have seen a doctor or taken medication for fever or cold symptoms within the past 14 days.
- Those who have traveled to areas or countries where infections are spreading within the last 14 days.
Changes to the entrance, temperature checks, and contact information
The three entrances have been reduced to one.
Only the entrance next to the café "El Greco," called the "general entrance," is accessible.
Please proceed while maintaining social distance, and first check your temperature with a non-contact thermometer and disinfect your hands with alcohol.
If a temperature of 37.5 degrees Celsius or higher or any other health abnormalities are detected, you may not be allowed to enter.
Next, for contact tracing in case of an infection, please fill in the contact information (name, phone number, etc.) of the representative.
If numbered tickets have been issued, please submit your ticket.
Then purchase your ticket and enter the museum following the guidance.
To prevent droplet transmission, please refrain from conversation inside the museum as much as possible and maintain sufficient distance from others while enjoying the exhibits.
Closure of the annex, some works from the annex moved to the main building
Due to the structure of the facility, the annex will be closed for the time being as it is easy for visitors to face each other.
The exhibition rooms available for viewing are only the main building and the Craft and Oriental Gallery.
However, some works from the annex have been moved to the main building.
| Location | Content | Changes as of August 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| Main Building | Modern Western Art | Works from both the main building and annex |
| Annex | Modern Japanese Western Painting and Contemporary Art | Closed |
| Craft and Oriental Gallery | Crafts and Antique Art | No changes |
During the interview (August 2020), several works, including those 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 the number of works available for viewing has decreased, famous works from modern to contemporary art are condensed into the main building, creating a "digest version exhibition" of the Ohara Museum of Art.
If you want to see popular works in a limited time, this could be considered an advantage.
Until April 2020, the main building focused on displaying modern Western art.
While the Ohara Museum of Art may strongly evoke the impression of modern Western art, it also houses many wonderful contemporary artworks.
For example, Kazuo Shiraga's "Red Wall" is a work painted with bare feet on a canvas placed on the floor.
Upon closer inspection, you can see the shape of his toes left behind.
The strength and dynamism can be vividly felt because you can confront the real work.
Please enjoy the wide range of collected works.
One-way traffic inside the museum
To avoid face-to-face situations, the premises will generally operate in a one-way system, and the routes will be restricted.
Please proceed in the order of Entrance → Main Building → Craft and Oriental Gallery → Exit.
The inside of the building is also one-way. Please follow the route guidance.
Additionally, those who have not purchased tickets will not be allowed to enter the premises.
Other measures to avoid crowding
The spacing between works has been increased, and the number of display cases has been reduced.
Additionally, the introduction texts displayed in the museum have been changed.
To shorten the time spent in front of the explanatory texts, the content has been reduced and the font size increased.
It is now easy to read even from a distance.
Chairs have been made of materials that are easy to disinfect and arranged with distance between them.
You should be able to enjoy the artworks comfortably.
Cancellations and closures
To avoid direct contact between staff and visitors, the following measures will be implemented.
- The rental of audio guides will be suspended.
- The museum shop at the main building exit will be simplified.
- The luggage storage will be closed.
There are no coin lockers on the premises.
Please use nearby coin lockers.
Atmosphere of the internal meeting (general meeting)
Next, I observed the "general meeting," a meeting to share policies and goals within the Ohara Museum of Art.
To prevent the spread of infection, the staff will be divided into multiple groups for the event.
Here are excerpts from the greetings of the director, chairman, and deputy director.
Comment from Director Takashina Shuji
Various responses will change.
Above all, please protect your own body and the safety of our customers.
Comment from Chairman Ohara Akane
Welcome back.
I am happy to see everyone.
Our attitude in welcoming customers has not changed.
Let’s protect the precious time that customers spend at the Ohara Museum of Art.
I want to aim for a museum that many people can think of as "my museum," and I will set the goal of "Your Museum and My Museum."
To achieve this, let’s acquire "flexibility to open up and strength to sharpen."
This is the dawn of a new era.
Let’s create the future together.
Comment from Deputy Director Morikawa Masanori
We have come through a long, long tunnel.
There are times when people say, "Even though it’s tough during the COVID-19 pandemic, it should be fine at Ohara," but that is not the case at all.
It is truly difficult, but let’s aim for a museum that many people can feel close to.
We must generate revenue beyond admission fees.
Keep coming up with ideas and take on challenges.
I hope to overcome this situation and celebrate our 90th anniversary in November 2020, and then reach our 100th anniversary in ten years.
Let’s move forward together.
Let’s visit the reopened Ohara Museum of Art
Ms. Sasaki Kozue, the public relations officer of the Ohara Museum of Art, said the following:
“I realized that there are people who are supported by the fact that 'the Ohara Museum of Art is open.'
The museum is not a place for people to talk, nor do we touch things.
While the risk of infection is low, we have still taken thorough measures to ensure that visitors can enjoy their experience with peace of mind.
Since there are limits on the number of visitors, I believe it provides a calm environment for customers to view the exhibits.”
After about four and a half months, the museum has reopened.
On the day before the reopening, I covered the Ohara Museum of Art, and there was a joyful atmosphere among the staff.
In 2020, the Ohara Museum of Art celebrates its 90th anniversary.
At the time of its establishment (1930), it was difficult to see genuine Western paintings in Japan, and it was established with the desire to create opportunities for people to appreciate artworks.
Today, we can see real works by artists from around the world because the museum collects, preserves, and exhibits these works.
For me, the reopening was a strong reminder of the joy and gratitude of being able to appreciate artworks.
Please encounter various works at the Ohara Museum of Art.
Articles about the Ohara Museum of Art
Data of Ohara Museum of Art
| Name | Ohara Museum of Art |
|---|---|
| Location | 1-1-15 Chuo, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-422-0005 |
| Parking | None |
| Opening Hours | 【December to February】 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM (Last admission: 2:30 PM) 【March to November】 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Last admission: 4:30 PM) |
| Closed Days | Monday If it coincides with a public holiday or substitute holiday, it will be open Winter closure and temporary closures may occur |
| Admission Fee (including tax) | 【General】 Adults: 2,000 yen High school, middle school, and elementary school students (under 18 years old): 500 yen |
| Payment Methods |
|
| Reservations | Available No reservation required for individuals |
| Smoking | Completely non-smoking |
| Restrooms | Western-style toilets, barrier-free toilets |
| Childcare | Nursing room, diaper changing table, stroller rental The nursing room is located in the Craft Museum Diaper changing tables are available on the 2nd floor of the main building and in the Craft Museum |
| Barrier-Free | Wheelchair rental, ramps, barrier-free toilets, elevators |
| Website | Official Website of Ohara Museum of Art |
