山種美術館

The Yamatane Museum of Art, located in the quiet residential neighborhood of Hiroo in Tokyo, was founded in 1966 by Taneji Yamazaki, the head of what was then Yamatane Securities (now SMBC Nikko Securities). Built around his personal collection, it holds the distinction of being Japan's first museum dedicated exclusively to Nihonga — modern and contemporary Japanese-style painting. Its guiding mission is "contributing to society through art."

The collection comprises over 1,800 works spanning from the Meiji era (1868) to the present day, and includes ukiyo-e woodblock prints, Edo-period paintings, ancient calligraphy, and oil paintings. Among its most prized holdings are six Important Cultural Properties, including Hayami Gyoshū's Dancing in the Flames, widely regarded as a masterpiece of modern Japanese art, and Takeuchi Seihō's Tabby Cat, one of Japan's most celebrated works of animal painting. Because Nihonga works are painted on delicate silk or washi paper using mineral pigments, the museum holds no permanent exhibition — instead rotating 4 to 6 themed and seasonal special exhibitions per year to protect the collection.

Each visit offers a different encounter with Japanese art, with exhibitions often themed around the seasons. After viewing the galleries, visitors can stop at Cafe Tsubaki on the first floor, which serves original wagashi (Japanese sweets) specially commissioned from Kikuya in Aoyama, each inspired by works on display in the current exhibition. The museum also shares mutual discount arrangements with the nearby Ota Memorial Museum of Art and Toguri Museum of Art, making it easy to combine visits.

The museum is an approximately 10-minute walk from the West Exit of JR Ebisu Station or Exit 2 of Ebisu Station on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line. Toei Bus route 学03 from Shibuya Station (East Exit) stops at Higashi 4-chome, a 2-minute walk from the museum. General admission is ¥1,300 for adults and ¥1,000 for university and high school students; middle school students and younger enter free when accompanied by an adult.