Is the Sistine Chapel in Japan? Of course not, but an incredible replica is, along with more than 1,000 other works of the great masters through history. They can be found in the Otsuka Museum of Art. When I first saw the website for this museum, I thought perhaps it would be a little hokey. But the premise sounded interesting: see works of the great masters from around the world in one museum. Obviously, these couldn’t be originals, and the website makes that clear. However, if you think this is some cheesy marketing gimmick, think again. This is every bit a world class museum as any you’ll find in the world.
It is definitely “off the beaten path Japan” as it is on the island of Shikoku, the smallest of the four home islands of Japan and not near any major city. Located on the northwestern corner of the island opposite Awaji Island, you’ll need to take a bus or rent a car to get there, but its well worth it. Founded by the Otsuka Chemical Company of Japan, you’ll find reproductions of more than 200 masters including Rembrandt, Monet, Gaugin, Michelangelo, Picasso, van Gogh as well as that of ancient works from the Byzantine, Greek and Roman empires. The originals can be found in over 190 museums around the world.
The works are preserved on ceramic tiles which will keep their color and quality indefinitely, but when looking at them, even up close, these works look like the real thing. They are all reproduced in their actual sizes meaning some of the paintings are more than six feet high and wide. It truly is as if you’re walking through the Louve, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The British Museum and other great museums of the world, but all in one place. And what a place it is! In addition to paintings, there are detailed replicas of the Catacombs of Rome, Assyrian and Turkish temples from ancient times.
When you arrive at the entrance, you are greeted by a very unassuming curved colonnade built into the bottom of the mountain. Walk inside and before you is an escalator four stories tall. As it turns out, the bulk of the museum is underground, with an amazing open promenade on the top with outdoor gardens and restaurant taking in a view of the ocean below. Just the building itself is an impressive work of art with four floors of exhibits. It seems to go on an on. There are more four acres of exhibition space.
The story behind the creation of this museum is an interesting one that is for another time, but just suffice it to say the Otsuka Museum of Art is something that has been one of the most surprising and enjoyable experiences we’ve ever had in Japan. Another interesting note: during our visit, we were the only western tourists. That means, this is free from the crowds of the major cities which means you can enjoy getting up and close to these masterpieces (albeit reproductions) without fighting for the perfect photo op.
