Aomori Contemporary Art Centre (国際芸術センター青森)

Flow of the course

About this spot

A base for contemporary art in the forest of Goshizawa, Aomori City, and an artist-in-residence facility where artists from Japan and abroad stay and create. The buildings are arranged to follow the line of the trees, so the indoor galleries flow naturally into the outdoor walking paths. In summer the shade of the trees is deep, and simply walking through the forest brings relief from the heat. There is no need to overthink it: looking up at large works and strolling the woodland paths is more than enough fun for children. Admission is free, so even a short stop feels worthwhile. It is about a five-minute drive from Wakuwaku Hiroba.

Tips

The centre is open from 9:00 to 19:00, and exhibitions can be viewed from 10:00 to 18:00. Closing days are the year-end and New Year period and dates related to university entrance exams, so in summer it is open almost always. However, the galleries may be closed between exhibition runs, so check what is on via the official website before you go. The outdoor paths are uneven, so comfortable walking shoes make the visit more pleasant. For lunch, either return to the city centre or bring a packed lunch.

Best time to visit

About 1 hour 10 minutes. You can spend the strong midday sun in the shade of the forest

Access & map

152-6 Yamazaki, Goshizawa, Aomori City, Aomori 030-0134