A museum designed by world-renowned architect Kengo Kuma, repurposing old stone storehouses. Don't miss the stunning interplay of stone, water, and light!
Historic Sites
Cultural Assets
Scenic Views
📷
No image
Loading...
Highlights
Designed by world-renowned architect Kengo Kuma
Beautiful space created by stone, water, and light, using repurposed stone storehouses
Dramatically lit at night, creating a magical atmosphere
Train & Bus
Take the Kanto Bus bound for Iōno from Kurodahara Station on the JR Tohoku Main Line, and get off at Ashino Nakamachi. The museum is about a 5-minute walk from the bus stop.
Car
Approximately a 40-minute drive from the Nasu IC on the Tohoku Expressway via Tochigi Prefectural Road 17, National Route 4, and Tochigi Prefectural Road 28. Show route
Op.Hours
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Last entry 4:30 PM)
Cld.Days
Mondays (the following weekday if a Monday is a public holiday), Winter closure (late December to late February), and other temporary closures may occur.
Fee
Adults: ¥800 (¥700 for groups)
Children (Junior high and elementary school): ¥300 (¥200 for groups)
*Prices in parentheses are for groups of 15 or more.
INFO
Currently closed for building renovations from November 6, 2023 (Monday) to around Autumn 2024. The reopening date will be announced once details are finalized.
The Nasu Ashino Stone Museum STONE PLAZA, located in Ashino, Nasu Town, Tochigi Prefecture, is a museum designed by the world-famous architect Kengo Kuma. It features a striking modern space effectively utilizing stone, water, and light, repurposing stone storehouses that have stood since before World War II.
The museum consists of several buildings separated by water channels, each offering a unique atmosphere. For example, the "Stone and Light Gallery" boasts a room with a unique stone wall made of 6mm-thick white marble, through which light filters, creating a magical ambiance. The "Stone and Water Gallery" uses dry-stone walling techniques that allow natural light and wind to enter the building, creating a distinctive atmosphere.
The largest stone storehouse, formerly a rice storehouse for the agricultural cooperative, has been transformed into the "Stone Storehouse Gallery", used for exhibitions, events, and concerts. It retains historical character, including bullet holes from air raids during the Pacific War.
The museum also houses a "Stone Learning Room" where visitors can learn about the formation of Ashino and Shirakawa stones, their geology and stratification, the processes of quarrying and finishing, and the changes that occur through firing. It's perfect for children's science projects.
The museum is surrounded by a pond with a stone bridge. The reflection of the buildings in the water creates the illusion that they are floating, emphasizing the lightness of the stone.
Nasu Ashino Stone Museum STONE PLAZA is a beautiful and tranquil space where architecture and nature harmonize. It's the perfect place for those seeking a relaxing and contemplative experience.
Favorite
