Kirishima Open-Air Museum (霧島アートの森)

Flow of the course

About this spot

An open-air museum spread across a highland at about 700 meters elevation on the slopes of Mt. Kurino (栗野岳). Contemporary artworks created for this very site by artists from Japan and abroad are scattered among grassy hills and groves, and exploring with a map in hand feels like a treasure hunt. At the entrance, a vividly colored outdoor work by Yayoi Kusama (草間彌生) welcomes visitors, and exhibits can also be enjoyed inside the art hall. Many works are set to take advantage of the natural terrain, so the highland breeze and mountain views themselves become part of the exhibition. With one photogenic spot after another, this is the highlight of the course, one that families and couples alike can enjoy getting lost in.

Tips

The museum has closing days, so check the official website for opening days before visiting. The grounds are large and uneven, so comfortable walking shoes are essential. Being on a highland, temperatures are lower than at sea level, so bring something to layer on. The museum cafe has limited seating, so visiting slightly outside the lunchtime peak allows for a more relaxed time.

Best time to visit

About 2 hours. The bright light around midday shows the colors of the outdoor works at their most vivid

Access & map

〒899-6201 鹿児島県姶良郡湧水町木場６３４０−２２０