The painting world of color poet Kazu Wakita

The eye catching lyrical message, andcharacteristic expression of Kazu Wakita's art world lead you parallel to getting through one's life and capture the nature, which will remind you of chamber music resonating with its pure tone. The graceful "music of color" of "Wakita Museum" become lively in the green groves. The museum has about 1,000 collection pieces of Kazu Wakita's oil paintings, drawings and prints. Having lived in Germany in 1920's through WW II, his later year's work has been exhibited, which tells his whole work. Many series of event programs, workshops, concerts have been successful and stimulate refreshing cultural images taking root in Karuizawa.

Kazu Wakita

Kazu Wakita, who represents contemporary Japanese oil painting, received person of Cultural Merit to honor his great contribution to the country. The artist often chose to portray lovely birds, flowers, young children which are close to his daily life and his styles are well known to describe the geniality, purity and warmth.

Born in Tokyo in 1908, and moved to Berlin to study at age 15 in 1923, where he entered Berlin National School of Fine Arts at age 17. He was awarded Gold medal by the school and returned to Japan.　In1936 he established “Shin-seisaku-ha” with Genichiro Inokuma and Ryohei Koiso (Current called “Shin-seisaku”). After WW II in 1950s, his works have been exhibited in Sao Paulo International Biennial as well as in Venetia Biennale. In 1956 his "Dispute” (Arasoi) was awarded the 1st Guggenheim international art prize. Wakita museum was opened in 1991, and he carried on to work till his eternal rest in 2005 at age 97.

The art and space create relaxation moment

The Wakita museum is located in the corner that keeps the look of old Karuizawa where the history and the culture have been carved in. The atelier villa (construction completed in 1970: one of the Japanese Modernism Architecture by Junzo Yoshimura, architect) that Kazu Wakita had living for many years was kept on the premises and the museum was built to surround this atelier. Starting the first floor that transparent light of plateau pours, a wide exhibition room in second floor, and small pieces exhibition space of corridor type, to the scenery of the courtyard faced from the tearoom, an agreeable space in which the sensibility plays with the beauty of the paintings. This is a place that voluntarily participate in and reflect the entire concept of the pavilion.

Excellent access; 10 minutes on foot from Karuizawa station,
1 hour from Tokyo by　bullet train.

Around the Wakita Museum you can find many tour spots that represent Karuizawa such as Mikasa Hotel, Kumoba-lake, Old Karuizawa Ginza Shopping street” A day of the enhanced trip by Art, History, and Shopping will gratitude your visit.

■By train: Nagano Shinkansen /get off at Karuizawa station (1 hour from Tokyo, 30 minutes from Nagano station). Exit : North exit / toward old Karuizawa rotary district 10 minutes walk.
■By car: The national road route 18 → Old Karuizawa district for 20 minutes.