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Matsudai Nohbutai Field Museum: Art in the Satoyama

Explore contemporary art amidst the serene satoyama landscape at Matsudai Nohbutai Field Museum in Tokamachi, Niigata.

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The Matsudai Nohbutai Field Museum is a unique art space in Tokamachi, Niigata, where contemporary art installations are scattered throughout a rural landscape. Designed by Dutch architects MVRDV, the museum integrates art with the natural environment of terraced rice fields and mountains, offering visitors an immersive cultural experience.

A brief summary to [D053]Matsudai Nohbutai Center / MVRDV

Local tips

  • Wear comfortable shoes for walking, as the art installations are spread across a 2km area of varied terrain.
  • Check the museum's website for seasonal events and workshops to enhance your cultural experience.
  • Visit the Echigo-Matsudai Satoyama Shokudo for a taste of local Niigata cuisine.
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Getting There

  • Public Transport

    From Tokamachi Station, take the Hokuetsu Express Hokuhoku Line to Matsudai Station. The museum is a short 3-minute walk from Matsudai Station. Upon exiting the station, you'll see Yayoi Kusama's colorful sculpture, 'Hanasaku Tsumari'. Follow the signs to the Matsudai Nohbutai Field Museum. A single fare on the Hokuetsu Express Hokuhoku Line from Tokamachi to Matsudai costs around ¥670 [ESTIMATE].

  • Car

    From the Shiozawa Ishiuchi Interchange on the Kanetsu Expressway, it's approximately a 1-hour drive to the Matsudai Nohbutai Field Museum. Follow Route 253 towards Tokamachi, then Route 403 to Matsudai. Parking is available at the museum. Parking costs are free [Information obtained from https://matsudai-nohbutai-fieldmuseum.jp/].

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The Matsudai Nohbutai Field Museum offers a unique fusion of art and nature in the heart of Japan's snow country. Located in the mountainous Matsudai area of Tokamachi, Niigata, the museum promotes the region's distinctive lifestyle through carefully curated art exhibits and local culinary experiences. The museum's base facility, designed by the Dutch architectural group MVRDV, is a work of art in itself, with interior and exterior spaces hosting pieces by various artists. The museum's name, "Nohbutai," hints at its role as a stage for cultural exchange between urban and rural communities. Approximately 40 art installations are spread across a 2-kilometer area of satoyama, the traditional Japanese landscape of cultivated fields bordering mountains, stretching from the base facility to Matsudai Castle on a hilltop. Visitors can explore the area on foot, encountering terraced rice paddies, forests, and other natural features alongside the artworks. The art often reflects the region's history, culture, and relationship with nature. The Matsudai Nohbutai Field Museum is part of the larger Echigo-Tsumari Art Field, one of the world's largest outdoor art festivals. The festival, held every three years, features contemporary art installations throughout the Tokamachi and Tsunan areas, with many pieces remaining on display year-round. The museum provides opportunities to experience local culture through seasonal events like rice planting, harvesting, and snow activities. The on-site restaurant, Echigo-Matsudai Satoyama Shokudo, serves local delicacies, further connecting visitors to the region's heritage.

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