Isamu Noguchi (1904-1988) was a prominent Japanese American artist, sculptor and landscape designer. Although born, educated and based in the United States, Isamu Noguchi maintained a workshop in Japan and spent months at a time working there towards the end of his nearly 65 year long career. Noguchi's major works include bridges at the Hiroshima Peace Park, Moerenuma Park in Sapporo, the garden at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris and an influential line of modern furniture designs among others.

Noguchi's Japanese home and workshop were located in Mure, a small town near central Takamatsu that is famous for its stone masonry. After Noguchi's death, the workshop was converted into the Isamu Noguchi Garden Museum which exhibits both his art and his work and living space. The museum can be seen on guided tours by prior appointment only.

The tour starts with a visit to his workshop, a relocated Edo Period (1603-1868) storehouse, laid out with his tools as if he were about to enter. In the yard outside the workshop are almost 150 stone sculptures, many of which are unfinished. A dozen finished sculptures are exhibited in a large Meiji Period (1868-1912) warehouse nearby which Noguchi relocated and restored. "Energy Void", the largest of the artwork on display, is a 3.6 meter tall sculpture of black Swedish granite that the building was literally built around.

After visiting the workshop and warehouse, the tour continues across the street to Isamu Noguchi's home, a relocated Edo Period merchant residence which the artist redesigned to suit his taste and comfort while retaining traditional Japanese aesthetics. Finally, visitors are taken up to the gardens on the hill behind his home which he designed for his 80th birthday.

Getting there and around

By Kotoden train

From Takamatsu-Chikko Station take a train to Kawaramachi Station (5 minutes) and change to the Kotoden Shido Line to Yakuri Station (20 minutes). The entire journey takes about 30 minutes and costs 350 yen. There are connections every 10-20 minutes. From Yakuri Station it is a 20-25 minute walk to the museum (not straight-forward to find). Alternatively, there is a taxi stand next to Yakuri Station, and a ride takes five minutes and costs around 850 yen.

By JR train

Take a local train from Takamatsu Station to Furutakamatsu Minami Station. The one way trip takes 20 minutes, costs 260 yen and there are one or two departures per hour. From the station it is a 30-40 minutes walk to the museum (not straight-forward to find). Alternatively, a taxi ride takes about ten minutes and costs around 1200 yen.

By bus

From Takamatsu Station take Kotoden Bus line number 73 bound for Aji Onsen (庵治温泉) and get off at Inori Iwa Yoichi Koen-mae (祈り岩与一公園前). The one way ride takes about 35 minutes, costs 500 yen, and there is about one bus per hour. The museum is a 5-10 minute walk from the bus stop.

How to get to and around Takamatsu

Hours and Fees

The museum can be seen on guided tours by prior appointment only. Three tours are held per day on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays beginning at 10:00, 13:00 and 15:00. The museum is closed during the New Year and Obon holidays.

To make a reservation from outside of Japan, send a request by fax (+81 87 845 0505) or email to the museum with the number of people in your group, your names, ages, country or prefecture of residence, a contact address and your requested reservation date and time slot, along with two alternatives in case your first choice is unavailable. Requests must be made at least two weeks in advance. You will be notified of your reservation details.

From within Japan, reservations can be made via fax or email as outlined above. Additionally, reservations can be made using a special self-addressed, stamped return postcard ("ofuku hagaki"), which are available from the post office. The request must reach the museum (Isamu Noguchi Garden Museum, 3519 Mure, Mure-cho, Takamatsu-shi, Kagawa-ken, 761-0121) at least two weeks before the date of your intended visit, and a reply indicating your reservation date and time will be sent to you by postcard.

An admission fee of 2200 yen per person is paid at the time of the visit.

Hotels around Takamatsu

Top rated in Takamatsu
Budget:
    • Guest House Wakabaya
      Budget-friendly
      Featuring 2-star accommodation, Guest House Wakabaya is situated in Takamatsu, 2.2 km from Takamatsu Heike Monogatari Historical Museum and 2.6 km from Kitahamaebisu Shrine. This guest house features free private parking, a shared kitchen and free WiFi. The guest house has family rooms. A bicycle rental service is available at the guest house. Liminal Air-core Takamatsu is 3.5 km from Guest House Wakabaya, while Sunport Fountain is 3.6 km from the property. Takamatsu Airport is 17 km away.
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    • Kitahama Sumiyoshi
      Budget-friendly
      Situated in Takamatsu and only 300 metres from Kitahamaebisu Shrine, Kitahama Sumiyoshi features accommodation with inner courtyard views, free WiFi and free private parking. The air-conditioned accommodation is 1.2 km from Liminal Air-core Takamatsu. The property is non-smoking and is set 1.3 km from Sunport Fountain. The kitchen has a microwave, a toaster and a fridge and there is a private bathroom with slippers and a hair dryer. For added privacy, the accommodation features a private entrance. Takamatsu Heike Monogatari Historical Museum is 1.6 km from the guest house, while Asahi Green Park is 3.2 km from the property. The nearest airport is Takamatsu Airport, 18 km from Kitahama Sumiyoshi.
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    • THE CHELSEA BREATH
      Mid-range
      Set in Takamatsu, 12 km from Sunport Takamatsu, THE CHELSEA BREATH offers accommodation with a restaurant, free private parking, a shared lounge and a garden. Featuring a 24-hour front desk, this property also provides guests with a sun terrace. The air-conditioned rooms provide a garden view and come with a desk and free WiFi. At the hotel, every room has a wardrobe and a flat-screen TV. The units will provide guests with a fridge. Guests at THE CHELSEA BREATH can enjoy a Japanese breakfast. The accommodation offers 3-star accommodation with a hot spring bath. Liminal Air-core Takamatsu is 12 km from THE CHELSEA BREATH, while Sunport Fountain is 12 km away. The nearest airport is Takamatsu Airport, 5 km from the hotel.
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    • Ten to Sen Guesthouse
      Budget-friendly
      Set within 2 km of Liminal Air-core Takamatsu and 1.8 km of Kitahamaebisu Shrine, Ten to Sen Guesthouse offers rooms with air conditioning and a shared bathroom in Takamatsu. 2.1 km from Sunport Fountain and 3.2 km from Takamatsu Heike Monogatari Historical Museum, the property features a terrace and a shared lounge. The accommodation provides a shared kitchen and luggage storage space for guests. Featuring a shared bathroom with slippers, units at the guest house also have free WiFi, while some rooms come with a balcony. At the guest house, the units come with bed linen and towels. Asahi Green Park is 4.7 km from the guest house, while Cormorant Shrine is 7.1 km away. The nearest airport is Takamatsu Airport, 16 km from Ten to Sen Guesthouse.
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    • Setonejuan
      Budget-friendly
      Set in Takamatsu, 5.2 km from Isamu Noguchi Garden Museum and 5.9 km from Yakurishion Christ Church, Setonejuan offers accommodation with free WiFi, air conditioning, free bikes and a garden. The property features garden and city views, and is 6.1 km from Takamatsu Museum of History and Folklore. The guest house has family rooms as well as facilities for disabled guests. The units include a shared bathroom with a hair dryer, while selected rooms also offer a patio and others also have sea views. At the guest house, units come with bed linen and towels. An Asian breakfast is available every morning at the guest house. Guests at Setonejuan will be able to enjoy activities in and around Takamatsu, like cycling and hiking. Guests can also relax in the shared lounge area. Naritasanshodaiji Temple is 6.2 km from the accommodation, while Rokumanji Temple is 6.4 km from the property. Takamatsu Airport is 30 km away.
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    • Konyamachi Guest House Kuku
      Budget-friendly
      Located in Takamatsu, 1.3 km from Liminal Air-core Takamatsu, Konyamachi Guest House Kuku provides accommodation with a terrace, free WiFi, private check-in and check-out, and bicycle parking. The property is set 1.3 km from Kitahamaebisu Shrine, 1.3 km from Sunport Fountain and 2.4 km from Takamatsu Heike Monogatari Historical Museum. The guest house features family rooms. The units are equipped with air conditioning, a microwave, a toaster, a kettle, a bidet, slippers and a desk. There is also a dining area and a fully equipped kitchen equipped with a fridge, a stovetop, and kitchenware. All units include a private bathroom, a hair dryer and bed linen. Asahi Green Park is 4 km from the guest house, while Cormorant Shrine is 6.3 km away. Takamatsu Airport is 17 km from the property.
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    • Sunny Day Hostel
      Budget-friendly
      Sunny Day Hostel is set in Takamatsu, within 3.4 km of Asahi Green Park and 5.8 km of Cormorant Shrine. With a bar, the 2-star hostel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. The property is non-smoking and is situated 600 metres from Kitahamaebisu Shrine. The rooms will provide guests with a desk and a kettle. The hostel offers a sun terrace. Popular points of interest near Sunny Day Hostel include Liminal Air-core Takamatsu, Sunport Fountain and Takamatsu Heike Monogatari Historical Museum. The nearest airport is Takamatsu Airport, 17 km from the accommodation.
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    • kaeru Guest house
      Budget-friendly
      Set just 10 km from Liminal Air-core Takamatsu, kaeru Guest house provides accommodation in Takamatsu with access to free bikes, a garden, as well as free shuttle service. This guest house offers free private parking, a shared kitchen and free WiFi. The guest house has family rooms. The area is popular for cycling and hiking, and car hire is available at this 1-star guest house. Guests can also relax in the shared lounge area. Sunport Fountain is 11 km from the guest house, while Kitahamaebisu Shrine is 11 km from the property. Takamatsu Airport is 11 km away.
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    • fav TAKAMATSU
      Luxury
      Located 1.3 km from Kitahamaebisu Shrine, fav TAKAMATSU offers 4-star accommodation in Takamatsu and features a terrace. The property is set 2.3 km from Takamatsu Heike Monogatari Historical Museum, 2.4 km from Liminal Air-core Takamatsu and 2.4 km from Sunport Fountain. Free WiFi is available and private parking can be arranged at an extra charge. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a microwave, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. At fav TAKAMATSU each room includes bed linen and towels. Asahi Green Park is 3.8 km from the accommodation, while Cormorant Shrine is 6.2 km away. The nearest airport is Takamatsu Airport, 16 km from fav TAKAMATSU.
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    • Royal Park Hotel Takamatsu
      Luxury
      Offering modern rooms with a Simmons bed, a flat-screen satellite TV and free wired internet, Royal Park Hotel is a 5-minute drive from JR Takamatsu Train Station. Massages and bicycles are available. Each air-conditioned room at Royal Park Hotel Takamatsu includes a fridge and an electric kettle with roasted green tea. You can watch pay TV programmes or unwind with a hot bath. Toiletries are provided. Tamamo Park is a 15-minute walk from the hotel. Ritsurin Park is 1.5 km away, and Takamatsu Airport is about a 30-minute drive. There is the 24-hour front desk, which offers luggage storage. Free-use internet stations are on site. Staying guests have access to the property's Club Lounge. Services include tea and some snacks between 15:00 - 18:00,alcoholic beverages, soft drinks and some snacks between 18:00 - 20:00, and from 20:00 - 22:00, the lounge will operate as a bar, serving alcoholic beverages and some snacks.
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