MOA is a hilltop art museum above Atami built around the collection of Mokichi Okada, spanning Japanese and Asian paintings, ceramics, lacquerware and calligraphy. Visitors enter at the base and ride a long series of escalators through an illuminated tunnel up to the exhibition halls, which sit high enough to look out over Atami Bay. Its best-known holding is Ogata Korin's folding screen "Red and White Plum Blossoms," a National Treasure shown only during a limited period each year.
MOA Museum of Art sits on a hillside above Atami with panoramic views of Sagami Bay, housing one of Japan's major private art collections spanning Japanese paintings, ceramics, lacquerware, and Chinese antiquities, including works recognized as National Treasures such as the folding screen Red and White Plum Blossoms by Ogata Korin. Visitors enter through a long series of escalators cut through the hillside and illuminated with changing colored light and projected imagery, itself considered part of the museum experience before reaching the main galleries. The main exhibition halls rotate displays across the collection's categories, and a Noh theater stage and tea ceremony room inside the complex host occasional performances and tea sessions. A thorough visit covering the escalator approach, main galleries, and the observation terrace overlooking the bay takes 2 to 3 hours. Weekday afternoons are less crowded than weekend and holiday visits, and because key National Treasure items rotate on a schedule, checking current exhibits before visiting helps confirm whether particular pieces will be on display.
| Admission | Adult JPY 1,600-2,000 (approx $10.08-$12.60) · Child JPY 1,000 students (approx $6.30); free for junior high age and under |
|---|---|
| Hours | Daily 9:30AM-4:30PM (last entry 4:00PM), closed Thursdays unless a national holiday, and between exhibition changes |
| Typical visit | 2-3 hours |
| Best time | Weekday afternoons; the escalator approach through illuminated tunnels is a highlight regardless of season |
| Getting there | 8-minute bus ride from JR Atami Station to the MOA Museum of Art stop |
| Address | 26-2 Momoyama-cho, Atami-shi, Shizuoka 413-8511, Japan |
Location
26-2 Momoyama-cho, Atami-shi, Shizuoka 413-8511, Japan
35.0967, 139.0742 View on map
Highlights
- National Treasure works including Ogata Korin's Red and White Plum Blossoms screen
- Illuminated escalator tunnel approach through the hillside
- Sagami Bay views from the museum's observation terrace
- Noh theater stage and traditional tea ceremony room
- Rotating exhibitions of Japanese and Chinese decorative arts
Tips for visiting
- Check the museum's current exhibition schedule, since National Treasure items are shown on a rotating basis
- Visit on a weekday afternoon to avoid the busiest weekend crowds
- Allow time to enjoy the illuminated escalator approach rather than rushing through it
- The museum closes on Thursdays except national holidays, so plan accordingly
- Combine with an Atami hot spring stop, since the museum sits a short bus ride from the town center
When to visit
Weekday afternoons are quieter, and the illuminated escalator approach is a highlight regardless of season.
Accessibility
The museum is connected by elevators and escalators throughout, making it accessible to wheelchair users despite its hillside location.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit to MOA Museum of Art take?
A full visit including the escalator approach, main galleries, and terrace typically takes 2 to 3 hours.
Is it worth it for kids?
The museum leans toward adult interests in fine art, though the dramatic illuminated escalator approach and bay views can captivate children as well.
Is photography allowed inside the galleries?
Photography is generally restricted inside the main collection galleries but is typically allowed on the escalator approach and observation terrace.