Ken Domon Museum of Photography

The Ken Domon Museum of Photography (“y–åŒ�‹L”OŠÙ, Domon Ken Kinenkan) is a museum in Sakata dedicated to the work of one of Japan's most prolific photographers and Sakata natives, Domon Ken (1909-1990). Before his death, Domon donated around 70,000 of his photographs to Sakata City and these subsequently became the basis for the museum.

Domon became noted first as a photojournalist, renowned for the realistic way he documented postwar Japan through his lens. In addition to his portraits and photos depicting everyday life, Domon is also known for his later works in which he focused heavily on religious and cultural assets, such as temples and Buddhist statues.

The museum is split into two sections with exhibits that rotate every season. The exhibits showcase photographs from Domon Ken's collection that share a theme, such as religious idols or ancient pottery. The third section has rotating exhibits but these are from photographers associated with Domon and not necessarily Domon himself. The museum building was designed by celebrated Japanese architect Taniguchi Yoshio and is modern and angular and stands on the banks of a pond. The complex also contains a mini waterfall that visitors can view from a raised platform.