The Ohara Museum of Art, which had been closed across all its buildings for an unusually long 75 days from February 9 to April 24, 2026, has reopened.
The museum closed to improve the environment in its Main Building. This was its longest maintenance period to date, following a series of gradual facility upgrades. Here, we introduce how the museum has changed as a result of this renovation, including changes you can see and feel.
The information presented was current when this article was published in May 2026. Please note that it may differ from current information.
Why was renovation work necessary?
The Ohara Museum of Art is a private museum focused on Western art. It opened in 1930 as Japan’s first museum to permanently exhibit Western and modern art.
Over its nearly 100-year history, its facilities have aged, making work necessary to improve the environment for displaying artworks and strengthen their preservation.
Renovation work has been carried out on several occasions, but this was the longest project in recent years. Over 75 days, beginning February 9, 2026, when temperatures fluctuate less, upgrades were made to the Main Building’s air conditioning, electrical systems, and other facilities.
What has changed?
The following work was carried out as part of this facilities upgrade:
- HVAC system upgrades
- Ceiling equipment upgrades in the Main Building atrium
- LED lighting in the galleries
HVAC system upgrades
The HVAC system, which has a major impact on artwork preservation, was upgraded again following work in 2020. The Main Building’s entire HVAC system has now been replaced.
Ceiling equipment upgrades in the Main Building atrium
The atrium connects the first-floor galleries in the Main Building to the second floor. This space was added in 1991.
Look up. There used to be blinds installed overhead.
During the renovation, the blinds were replaced with fabric sunshades, providing even greater protection from sunlight.
In recent years, strong summer sunlight has affected the interior of the museum. The HVAC work carried out at the same time has also made the space more comfortable.
LED lighting in the galleries
Rooms 1, 2, and 7 in the Main Building had already been converted to LED lighting. Now, the fluorescent lights used in the ceilings of galleries 3 through 6 have been replaced with dimmable, color-adjustable LED lights.
The spotlights had already been changed to LED lights.
The brightness and color can now be adjusted to suit the artworks on display. The difference in lighting is clear when comparing galleries 3 and 4.
As the manufacture and sale of fluorescent lights will end by the end of 2027, the back-of-house areas were also converted to LED lighting.
Exhibitions since reopening
New special exhibitions and other displays have opened to coincide with the museum’s reopening.
| Exhibition | Location | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Collection Exhibition OHARA Collection Highlights—from the 19th century to the present day | Main Building, Galleries 1, 2, and 4 | Through the end of December 2026 |
| El Greco’s “The Annunciation” on display again after restoration | Main Building, Gallery 3 | |
| Special Exhibition: “The Ohara Family of Kurashiki and Chinese Painting” | Main Building, Galleries 5, 6, and 7 | Through June 7, 2026 |
Interview with Ayaka Fujita, Director of the Ohara Art Foundation
We spoke with Ayaka Fujita, Director of the Ohara Art Foundation, about the circumstances that led to this renovation and why the museum needed to close for its longest period in recent years.
Why was the renovation work carried out?
Fujita
The Ohara Museum of Art is an old museum, approaching its 100th anniversary, and some of its original facilities are still in place.
Among the facilities renovated, the HVAC system is directly connected to the condition of the artworks. It would be too late to wait until it broke down, so we carried out the work from February to April, when temperatures fluctuate less.
Also, fluorescent lights will no longer be manufactured after the end of 2027, so we need to replace them gradually. All the fluorescent lights in the Main Building have now been converted to LED, and we plan to gradually carry out work in the Crafts and Oriental Art Gallery, where fluorescent lights are still in use.
Why did the work require such a long closure?
Fujita
I think everyone has noticed that environmental conditions have been changing rapidly in recent years, and by June the weather is already starting to feel like midsummer.
We needed to create an environment where temperature and humidity could be properly controlled before temperatures began to fluctuate significantly, so we decided to replace the HVAC system with the latest equipment.
This work was essential to preserving the artworks, so we had to close for an extended period. The work needed in the Main Building is now complete for the time being.
You must be excited after such a long closure?
Fujita
Yes. The curators put a lot of effort into preparing the special exhibitions and collection exhibitions opening alongside the museum’s reopening. I hope you’ll enjoy viewing the artworks at the Ohara Museum of Art, now a more comfortable space for visitors.
From the Writer
The Ohara Museum of Art’s Main Building underwent upgrades to its HVAC, lighting, and other electrical systems over 75 days—the longest renovation period in recent years.
The work was carried out to preserve the valuable collection and allow more people to enjoy it for years to come, creating a welcoming environment for both the artworks and visitors.
Artworks you have seen before may show a different side under the new lighting.
We invite you to visit the Ohara Museum of Art, now renovated into a comfortable space.
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 public holiday or substitute holiday Closed during the winter; occasional temporary closures |
| Admission (tax included) | [General admission] Adults: ¥2,000 High school, junior high school, and elementary school students (under 18): ¥500 |
| Payment methods |
|
| Reservations | Available Reservations are not required for individuals |
| Smoking | Entirely smoke-free |
| Restrooms | Western-style toilets, accessible toilets |
| Childcare facilities | Nursing room, diaper-changing tables, stroller rental Nursing room in the Crafts Gallery Diaper-changing tables on the second floor of the Main Building and in the Crafts Gallery |
| Accessibility | Wheelchair rental, ramps, accessible toilets, elevator |
| Website | Ohara Museum of Art Official Website |
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