The unique building of the Museum of Modern Art, Wakayama, presents a beautiful contrast with the traditional Japanese architecture of the Wakayama Castle and its famous rooftop that is seen nearby surrounded by urban greenery. The building was designed by Kisho Kurokawa.

In 1963, the Wakayama Prefecture Museum was opened at the Wakayama Castle, and in 1970, it was transformed as the Museum of Modern Art, Wakayama. Then in 1994, it was moved to the current location.

The Museum of Modern Art, Wakayama, has a rich collection of home-town Wakayama artists, such as Kigai Kawaguchi and Banka Nonagase.

In addition, the Museum especially features a collection and introduction of art prints. This is because many frontier artists who left important landmarks in the history of modern Japanese art print have links with Wakayama. Those printmakers include Yozo Hamaguchi (mezzotint), Kyokichi Tanaka (woodcut), Koshiro Onchi (woodcut), among others. The Museum is proud of its print collection as one of the best in Japan. It also has a couple of overseas art prints such as those of Pablo Picasso and Odilon Redon.

Other collections include those of Mark Rothko, Frank Stella, George Segal, and Japanese modern artists of the Kansai area (Western Japan).

More than 10,000 collections of the Museum include Japanese traditional paintings, oil paintings, sculptures and art prints of the Meiji Period (1868-1912) and until today. The museum display changes periodically, and various exhibitions and featured collections are organized in order to exhibit as many works as possible from its holdings for public viewing. Also there are special exhibitions from time to time.

In addition, the Museum hosts small-group gatherings, seminars with invited speakers, concerts, and workshops.

Hours: 9:30 to 17:00 (gate closes at 16:30) from Tuesday to Sunday