🌤️ Sculptures Among Clouds — Utsukushigahara Open-Air Museum (Japan)

#hellohalloween

High on the scenic Utsukushigahara Plateau at an altitude of around 2,000 metres in Nagano Prefecture’s Ueda-shi, the Utsukushigahara Open-Air Museum offers a remarkable blend of contemporary art and alpine grandeur. Established in June 1981 and set upon 13 hectares of open highland meadow, the museum features more than 250 to 350 sculptures by Japanese and international artists. 

The outdoor gallery invites you to wander through fields of bold artworks—such as César Baldaccini’s iconic Thumb, Alexander Liberman’s Iliad Japan, and wind-blown kinetic pieces by Susumu Shingu—all set against the sweeping backdrop of the Northern Japan Alps.  Many pieces are intentionally sited to engage with the changing light, cloud cover and seasons, making every visit unique. 

Practical details: the museum is open from late April through early November (9:00 – 17:00, last entry 16:30) and is closed during winter when the Venus Line access road is shut.  Getting there is easiest by car (about an hour from Okaya IC) or by the seasonal Alpico bus from Matsumoto Bus Terminal (~1 h 40 min).  Visitors typically spend 1–2 hours exploring—though art and nature lovers may linger for longer.

Post by Pingging | Oct 31, 2025