Andy Warhol in Tottori? Inside Japan's bold new prefectural art museum

Japan Today

29-04-2025

The Tottori Prefectural Museum of Art is located within walking distance of other local sightseeing destinations such as the Tottori Nijisseiki Pear Museum and the Kurayoshi White Wall Warehouse district.
By Laura Payne
Renowned for picturesque sand dunes, laid-back hot springs resorts, the hometowns of popular manga artists and one of western Japan's highest mountains, Tottori (Japan's least-populated prefecture) is a true hidden gem that offers an escape from major urban centers.
On March 30, 2025, the small city of Kurayoshi established one more local attraction with the opening of the Tottori Prefectural Museum of Art. Even prior to its opening, this museum drew national attention. Tottori is one of the last prefectures in Japan to establish its own public art museum. Moreover, debate arose when a decision to acquire multiple pieces by Andy Warhol cost the prefecture over ¥300 million (about US$2.1 million).
As with all new openings, questions now circulate about how the museum will live up to its goals — which include becoming a source of local pride, generating 'new values' while sharing old ones and creating space where people of diverse perspectives can gather to admire beauty.
The museum building itself and the inaugural exhibits offer insight as to how this facility will proceed.
How Tottori built its bold new museum
A gallery talk featuring Andy Warhol's 'Brillo Boxes,' 'A Set of Six Self Portraits,' canvases, and a cast of 'Campbell's Soup Cans.'
Image: Tottori Prefectural Museum of Art
The regional capital of Tottori City has been home to a public museum since 1972, displaying exhibits of history, nature and art among other themes. The new Tottori Prefectural Museum of Art is an offshoot of this original institution that provides potential for expanded art education programs as well as increased space for display and storage. Work to establish this art museum began in 2014, and some of the facility's most notable challenges appeared only a few years before its opening.
In 2022, Tottori's prefectural government acquired five of Andy Warhol's 'Brillo Box' sculptures and one three-dimensional cast of Warhol's 'Campbell's Soup Cans' for the museum. Warhol is known to have visited Japan twice during his lifetime and produced sketches of Kyoto in the 1950s. However, only a handful of Japanese institutions such as the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (MOT) have collected works by Warhol.
The Tottori Prefectural Museum of Art's decision to acquire multiple Warhols drew mixed reactions from local residents. Some have expressed excitement at the chance to see Warhol's art in Tottori. Others, meanwhile, have asserted that the acquisition's price tag of over ¥300 million was too high. In response, the art museum has hosted explanatory events regarding the artworks and has set up a visitors' survey to continue gathering opinions. Only time will tell what the Warhols can ultimately contribute.
Global icons, local pride
The craft of Kurayoshi kasuri is about two centuries old, and nowadays these textiles can be used to make everything from coasters to kimono.
Image: Laura Payne
Looking at the now-completed art museum's floor map, one notices that the Prefectural Gallery is located next to the main entrance. This hint that local artists have a prominent place in the museum becomes a clear fact as one explores further.
On opening day, one of the five Collection Galleries featured displays of Kurayoshi kasuri (indigo-dyed textiles) — a homegrown craft so highly prized that multiple local sightseeing activities outside the art museum center around admiring it.
The inaugural display in the Special Exhibition space, meanwhile, featured international artists such as Andy Warhol alongside Japanese artists such as Shoji Ueda — a surrealist photographer and Tottori native. This special exhibition, known as 'Art of the Real: Transcendent Expression from Jakuchu to Warhol and Richter,' will be available for viewing until June 15, 2025.
Upcoming temporary exhibits will continue to feature international artists and figures from Tottori such as Shigeru Mizuki — a manga artist best known for depicting yokai (creatures from traditional Japanese folklore) in the series 'Gegege no Kitaro.'
Other notable features present throughout the opening exhibits were written English explanations and other multilingual resources — including a smartphone audio guide for the 'Art of the Real' display. Museum guide pamphlets were also available in languages such as English, Korean and Chinese.
In short, if one visits the art museum intending to see a globally-known artist, they will inevitably become acquainted with local household names as well.
A place for everyone
The museum's third floor terrace features sculptures, seating and a view of the surrounding city. It is free for anyone to enter.
Image: Laura Payne
Multiple sections of the Tottori Prefectural Museum of Art do not require an admission ticket for access. These include the museum shop, cafe, outdoor terraces and a kids' space — which features a family restroom, nursing room and a small play area. Meanwhile, studios, a lecture hall and other open spaces plan to feature events and hands-on activities throughout the year (Admission may not be required to join these but separate fees can apply).
This layout ensures that the museum can be a community gathering place as well as a collection of galleries. Whether you are a local resident meeting friends for coffee or a traveler who wants to enjoy a terrace view of the city and shop for souvenirs, there is space for you at the Tottori Prefectural Museum of Art.
Museum access and information
Kurayoshi station is one transportation hub that connects Tottori Prefecture to major cities. Yonago Airport or Tottori Airport are other popular access points.
Image: dekoboko?Pixta
The city of Kurayoshi is directly accessible from Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe via the Super Hakuto Limited Express. Local and express trains on the San'in main line also provide access from nearby cities such as Matsue, Yonago and Tottori City.
After disembarking at Kurayoshi station, the art museum is accessible in about ten minutes by taxi or local bus (stop at Tottori Kenritsu Bijutsukan-mae).
The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is regularly closed on Mondays (or the Tuesday following a national holiday). Admission to the permanent collections for adults is ¥400. Discounts are available for university students and visitors aged 70 or older. Students of high school age or younger are admitted for free. Admission prices for special exhibitions and activities vary.
Tottori's art future
Tottori Prefecture carries a close connection to visual arts as the birthplace of multiple figures who have gained acclaim in Japan and beyond. From now on, the Tottori Prefectural Museum of Art joins the ranks of other local museums as a place where visitors and locals alike can find inspiration in this connection.
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