Museums in Nagano

Nagano Prefecture offers a wide array of museums, from the Karuizawa Oiwakejuku Museum of Local History to the Nagano Prefectural Art Museum. Visitors can find diverse collections that cater to various interests.

Not sure where to start? Read our guide to the 20 best

Matsumoto Folkcraft Museum

Matsumoto Folkcraft Museum

NAGANO · MUSEUM

See 6,800 folk art items in a storehouse-style museum with a garden.

Karuizawa Oiwakejuku Museum of Local History

Karuizawa Oiwakejuku Museum of Local History

NAGANO · MUSEUM

Explore Karuizawa's past at this museum, showcasing local history and cultural artifacts.

Suwa City Museum of Art

Suwa City Museum of Art

NAGANO · MUSEUM

Japan's fifth oldest public art museum, on Lake Suwa, with 1400 works.

Nagano Prefectural Art Museum

Nagano Prefectural Art Museum

NAGANO · MUSEUM

Modern art museum in Nagano City, showcasing local artists and Higashiyama Kaii's works.

Asama Jomon Museum

Asama Jomon Museum

NAGANO · MUSEUM

Explore ancient Jomon culture and volcanic history near Mount Asama.

Maruyama Banka Memorial Museum

Maruyama Banka Memorial Museum

NAGANO · MUSEUM

A municipal art museum showcasing 1,000 works by Maruyama Banka, a prominent Japanese painter.

Informel Nakagawamura Museum

Informel Nakagawamura Museum

NAGANO · MUSEUM

A unique museum in Nagano dedicated to Informel abstract art by Takashi Suzuki, worth visiting f...

ILF Douga Museum of Art

ILF Douga Museum of Art

NAGANO · MUSEUM

This museum celebrates children's picture books, especially Takeo Takei's art, offering a unique...

Karuizawa Erz Toy Museum

Karuizawa Erz Toy Museum

NAGANO · MUSEUM

Karuizawa Erz Toy Museum displays wooden toys from Germany's Erzgebirge region, offering a uniqu...

Sunritz Hattori Museum of Arts

Sunritz Hattori Museum of Arts

NAGANO · MUSEUM

A modern museum overlooking Lake Suwa, housing national treasures and diverse art collections.

Shaw House Memorial Hall

Shaw House Memorial Hall

NAGANO · MUSEUM

Historic villa of Karuizawa's founder, Alexander Croft Shaw, with free admission.

Sezon Museum of Modern Art

Sezon Museum of Modern Art

NAGANO · MUSEUM

See modern art masterpieces and outdoor sculptures in a tranquil Karuizawa setting.

Bee Museum

Bee Museum

NAGANO · MUSEUM

See unique beehives and learn about bees at this small, fascinating museum.

Musée Peynet

Musée Peynet

NAGANO · MUSEUM

The world's first museum dedicated to Raymond Peynet, showcasing his romantic art.

Kobayashi Issa Museum Issakan

Kobayashi Issa Museum Issakan

NAGANO · MUSEUM

Explore Kobayashi Issa's life and works at this museum, home to Japan's largest collection of hi...

Ueda City Museum

Ueda City Museum

NAGANO · MUSEUM

Ueda City Museum: explore local history, Ueda Castle artifacts, and unique cultural treasures.

Median Tectonic Line Museum

Median Tectonic Line Museum

NAGANO · MUSEUM

Japan's only museum dedicated to the Median Tectonic Line, showcasing geological specimens and d...

Museum of the 69 Stations of the Nakasendō

Museum of the 69 Stations of the Nakasendō

NAGANO · MUSEUM

Explore the historic Nakasendo trail through Edo-period art and exhibits at this unique museum.

Saku Children's Science Dome for the Future

Saku Children's Science Dome for the Future

NAGANO · MUSEUM

Saku Children's Science Dome is a hands-on museum with a large planetarium, great for families.

KAITA EPITAPH Zanshou Museum

KAITA EPITAPH Zanshou Museum

NAGANO · MUSEUM

This art museum, founded in 2020, showcases 1000 works by deceased painters, offering free admis...

Yatsugatake Museum of Art

Yatsugatake Museum of Art

NAGANO · MUSEUM

A unique museum in Nagano, showcasing art, calligraphy, and local history in a domed building.

Kitazawa Museum of Art

Kitazawa Museum of Art

NAGANO · MUSEUM

See exquisite Art Nouveau glass and Japanese paintings by Lake Suwa.

Kitano Cultural Center

Kitano Cultural Center

NAGANO · MUSEUM

An annex of the Kitano Museum, this center showcases art and culture on Zenkoji Omotesando.

Omachi Alpine Museum

Omachi Alpine Museum

NAGANO · MUSEUM

Japan's first mountain-themed museum, with unique alpine wildlife and climbing history exhibits.

Chihiro Art Museum Azumino

Chihiro Art Museum Azumino

NAGANO · MUSEUM

The world's largest picture book museum, dedicated to Chihiro Iwasaki and other artists.

Azumino Jansem Museum

Azumino Jansem Museum

NAGANO · MUSEUM

The world's first museum dedicated to Jan Jansem, showcasing his art in a unique building.

Hotaka Local Museum

Hotaka Local Museum

NAGANO · MUSEUM

Explore local history and folk culture, from ancient tools to traditional crafts, at this museum...

Azumino Art Museum

Azumino Art Museum

NAGANO · MUSEUM

This museum showcases local art and a beautiful rose garden, easily accessible from Toyoshina St...

Petit Museum Karuizawa Kusabanakan

Petit Museum Karuizawa Kusabanakan

NAGANO · MUSEUM

This private museum showcases botanical drawings by Koichi Ishikawa, a unique artistic focus wor...

Koumi-machi Kōgen Museum of Art

Koumi-machi Kōgen Museum of Art

NAGANO · MUSEUM

A contemporary art museum designed by Tadao Ando, offering mountain views and unique collections...

Koyama Keizo Museum of Art

Koyama Keizo Museum of Art

NAGANO · MUSEUM

A museum in Komoro City dedicated to Western-style painter Keizo Koyama, featuring his art and a...

Komoro Gijuku School Memorial Museum

Komoro Gijuku School Memorial Museum

NAGANO · MUSEUM

Explore a museum dedicated to a historic Christian-based private school, a short walk from Komor...

Memorial Hall of Tōson

Memorial Hall of Tōson

NAGANO · MUSEUM

Literary museum honoring Shimazaki Tōson, worth visiting for his works and statues.

Musée Ando à Karuizawa

Musée Ando à Karuizawa

NAGANO · MUSEUM

This museum in Karuizawa showcases 180 works by Tsuguharu Foujita, from early pieces to religiou...

Okaya Silk Museum

Okaya Silk Museum

NAGANO · MUSEUM

Explore Japan's silk industry history and see live silk reeling at this unique museum.

Old Higher School Museum

Old Higher School Museum

NAGANO · MUSEUM

Explore Japan's higher education history for free, a short walk from Matsumoto Station.

Former Yamabe School Building

Former Yamabe School Building

NAGANO · MUSEUM

Explore a preserved 1885 school, now a museum, showcasing early Meiji-era Western-style architec...

Matsumoto Scale Museum

Matsumoto Scale Museum

NAGANO · MUSEUM

See a unique collection of Japanese and foreign scales from centuries past.

Shiga Fossil Museum

Shiga Fossil Museum

NAGANO · MUSEUM

See rare whale fossils and global specimens at this Matsumoto City museum.

Former Catholic Parsonage

Former Catholic Parsonage

NAGANO · MUSEUM

Explore Nagano's oldest Western building, a former parsonage with historical significance.

Matsumoto City Timepiece Museum

Matsumoto City Timepiece Museum

NAGANO · MUSEUM

See Japan's largest pendulum clock and 110 timepieces at this museum near Matsumoto Castle.

Matsumoto City Open-Air Architectural Museum

Matsumoto City Open-Air Architectural Museum

NAGANO · MUSEUM

Explore historic buildings from Edo to Taisho periods in this open-air architectural museum.

Matsumoto City Museum

Matsumoto City Museum

NAGANO · MUSEUM

This museum showcases Matsumoto's history and folklore, worth visiting for its extensive collect...

Matsumoto City Museum of Archaeology

Matsumoto City Museum of Archaeology

NAGANO · MUSEUM

Explore ancient Japanese history through artifacts and pottery at this archaeological museum.

Matsumoto City Museum of Art

Matsumoto City Museum of Art

NAGANO · MUSEUM

Modern art museum showcasing local artists, with a striking Kusama sculpture.

Mori-Shōgunzuka Museum, Chikuma City

Mori-Shōgunzuka Museum, Chikuma City

NAGANO · MUSEUM

Explore ancient tombs and artifacts at this museum, home to Nagano's largest keyhole-shaped tomb...

Ikeda Masuo Art Museum

Ikeda Masuo Art Museum

NAGANO · MUSEUM

See works by Ikeda Masuo, a prominent 20th-century artist, at this museum in Nagano City.

Kouko Fukazawa Nonohana Flower Museum

Kouko Fukazawa Nonohana Flower Museum

NAGANO · MUSEUM

This museum showcases Kouko Fukazawa's art in a historic Western-style building.

Mugonkan

Mugonkan

NAGANO · MUSEUM

Mugonkan is a unique art museum in Ueda City, commemorating student artists lost in WWII.

Tanaka Honke Museum

Tanaka Honke Museum

NAGANO · MUSEUM

Explore an Edo period merchant's mansion, its gardens, and family treasures at this private muse...

Yukio Tabuchi Memorial Hall

Yukio Tabuchi Memorial Hall

NAGANO · MUSEUM

Explore a mountain photographer's legacy, showcasing his art, gear, and research.

Sanada Treasures Museum

Sanada Treasures Museum

NAGANO · MUSEUM

Explore samurai history at this museum showcasing the Sanada clan's cultural assets.

Rokuzan Art Museum

Rokuzan Art Museum

NAGANO · MUSEUM

A museum dedicated to sculptor Rokuzan Ogiwara, showcasing his works and those of other notable...

Jinchōkan Moriya Historical Museum

Jinchōkan Moriya Historical Museum

NAGANO · MUSEUM

Explore a unique museum dedicated to the Moriya family's history and their ties to Suwa Grand Sh...

Utsukushi-ga-hara Open-Air Museum

Utsukushi-ga-hara Open-Air Museum

NAGANO · MUSEUM

An open-air museum at 2000m with modern sculpture and panoramic views.

Hijiri Aviation Museum

Hijiri Aviation Museum

NAGANO · MUSEUM

See a unique collection of aviation, military, and local history in a relocated school building.

Tateshina Teddy Bear Museum

Tateshina Teddy Bear Museum

NAGANO · MUSEUM

Japan's first teddy bear museum, with 7,000 bears from around the world.

Suwa Garasunosato Museum

Suwa Garasunosato Museum

NAGANO · MUSEUM

Explore a large glass museum and shop on Lake Suwa, offering art and hands-on experiences.

Taizi Harada Art Museum

Taizi Harada Art Museum

NAGANO · MUSEUM

See naive landscape paintings by Harada Taiji in a barrier-free museum by Lake Suwa.

Lake Suwa Museum

Lake Suwa Museum

NAGANO · MUSEUM

Lake Suwa Museum: explore local history, culture, and a famous warlord's helmet.

Museums elsewhere

See everything by prefecture and type