Best Places in Yamanashi to Enjoy Art: 2 Must-Visit Museums Featuring Millet and Natori Shunsen

Yamanashi is home to a variety of unique museums where you can encounter masterpieces by world-renowned artists such as Jean-François Millet and Natori Shunsen.

In addition to permanent collections, these museums often host special exhibitions and seasonal events, making them perfect destinations not only for art lovers but also for travelers looking to enrich their cultural experiences.

In this article, we introduce two carefully selected museums in Yamanashi where you can admire works by Millet and Natori Shunsen. If you are planning a trip during the autumn art season, be sure to add these inspiring spots to your itinerary!

Yamanashi Prefectural Museum of Art | The “Millet Museum” Housing The Sower

If you want to experience art in Yamanashi, the Yamanashi Prefectural Museum of Art is a must-visit. Located about 13 minutes by bus from Kofu Station, the museum sits within the scenic “Art Forest Park,” surrounded by nature.

As one of the largest museums in the prefecture, it houses over 10,000 works of art. Visitors can not only enjoy the galleries but also stroll through the spacious gardens and tea room, combining the pleasures of art and nature in one place.

A Rare Museum Showcasing Works by Millet

The museum’s greatest highlight is Jean-François Millet’s masterpiece, The Sower.
Painted in 1850, this iconic work depicts the powerful figure of a farmer scattering seeds, marking a turning point in Millet’s career.

Remarkably, there are only two versions of The Sower in the world: one at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, USA, and the other right here in Yamanashi. The connection is said to lie in Yamanashi’s rich agricultural traditions and landscapes, which deeply resonate with the painting’s world view.

For this reason, locals affectionately call it the “Millet Museum.” In total, the museum owns about 70 works by Millet, making it the only place in Japan where visitors can see such a significant collection.

Permanent and Special Exhibitions

Beyond Millet, the museum offers a wide range of captivating displays.

• The permanent collection features works by Yamanashi-born artist Takezan Kimura and pieces from the traditional Japanese Rimpa school.
• Several times a year, special exhibitions showcase masterpieces by global icons such as Monet, Renoir, and Picasso, drawing strong acclaim from art lovers.

The museum shop is also a highlight. Exclusive items feature collaborations between Yamanashi’s traditional craft Koshu Inden (lacquered deerskin) and Millet’s The Sower. Popular choices include the “Sower T-shirt” and postcards—perfect for unique art-themed souvenirs only available here.

【Discount Ticket Information】
Visitors staying at hotels or ryokan in Yamanashi Prefecture on the day before or the day of their visit can receive group-rate discounts by showing their accommodation receipt at the ticket counter.
・Special Exhibition: 1,000 yen → 840 yen
・Collection Exhibition: 520 yen → 420 yen
(Free admission for high school students and younger)

【Yamanashi Prefectural Museum of Art】

Minami-Alps City Museum of Art | Celebrating Natori Shunsen, the Revolutionary Illustrator

Located in Minami-Alps City, the Minami-Alps City Museum of Art is dedicated to showcasing the works of Natori Shunsen, a locally born artist who revolutionized the world of book illustrations and ukiyo-e.

Born in 1886 in Ogasawara, Minami-Alps City, Natori Shunsen was an illustrator and ukiyo-e artist who developed a unique style that blended techniques from both Japanese and Western painting. He gained fame for providing illustrations and book designs for literary giants such as Natsume Soseki, Shimazaki Toson, and Ishikawa Takuboku, earning the title of a “revolutionary of illustration.”

His works not only visually expressed the atmosphere of literary stories but also demonstrated a keen ability to interpret the writer’s intentions with outstanding composition and design. This created an art form where “reading” and “viewing” merged seamlessly, a hallmark of Shunsen’s creative genius.

Beyond illustration, Shunsen also made a lasting mark in modern ukiyo-e. His actor portraits (yakusha-e), known for their bold compositions and refined design, remain popular today. These works added a modern essence to traditional Japanese art and continue to be highly regarded worldwide.

For those interested in Japanese literature, ukiyo-e, or book illustration and design, the Minami-Alps City Museum of Art is an essential stop. Visitors can explore Shunsen’s original illustrations, rare book designs, and ukiyo-e prints through both permanent and special exhibitions.

【What Are “Illustrations” and “Book Designs”?】
・Illustrations: Drawings included in magazines, newspapers, or books that help readers better understand the story.
・Book Designs and Frontispieces: “Book design” refers to the artwork on covers or bindings, while “frontispiece” refers to the illustrations or photographs placed at the beginning of a book. Both play a vital role in bringing a story’s characters and atmosphere to life.

【Minami-Alps City Museum of Art】

Tsumugi Sansou | A One-Group-Per-Day Auberge for an Artistic Luxury Stay

Nestled in the northern Yamanashi Yatsugatake area, Tsumugi Sansou is a hidden retreat and an auberge with a strong artistic sensibility—perfect for travelers combining a museum-hopping journey with a refined stay. Ideal for adults seeking art, gastronomy, and tranquility, this unique inn offers a deeply immersive cultural experience.

The highlight of Tsumugi Sansou is its one-of-a-kind dining experience, crafted with seasonal ingredients from Yatsugatake. Guests are treated to a fusion course of modern French cuisine and handmade soba noodles, enhanced by Japan’s traditional techniques of fermentation, aging, and smoking.

For those who see gastronomy as an art form, this auberge represents the perfect stay.

With accommodations limited to one group per day (up to six guests), Tsumugi Sansou offers an unmatched sense of privacy and exclusivity. Its serene location far from the bustle of the city and its elegantly designed rooms create an atmosphere that feels like staying inside a private art gallery.

The surrounding Yatsugatake Highlands and Kiyosato area are dotted with museums and galleries, making this auberge the perfect base for an art-focused journey. Here, time flows slowly, offering a special stay that heals the heart and awakens the senses.

【Tsumugi Sansou】

Summary

In this article, we introduced two must-visit museums in Yamanashi that showcase the works of Jean-François Millet and Natori Shunsen.

For those interested in art, literature, or ukiyo-e, Yamanashi offers a fascinating journey into culture and creativity. And for travelers who wish to elevate their trip with a luxurious, art-inspired stay, Tsumugi Sansou provides the ideal retreat.

Plan your next trip to Yamanashi, immerse yourself in world-class art, and discover a side of Japan that combines tradition, creativity, and unforgettable experiences.

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