Onomichi City Museum of Art

The Onomichi City Museum of Art (尾道市立美術館, Onomichi shiritsu bijutsukan) is a municipal art museum located in Senkōji Park in Onomichi, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. Opened in 1980 and rebuilt to a design by architect Tadao Ando in 2003, the museum holds a collection focused on artists connected to Onomichi alongside Japanese and Western works. It has gained wider public attention through the recurring visits of local cats who became internet personalities, one of whom was memorialized with a 2026 calendar after its death in September 2024.

The museum opened in 1980 in Senkōji Park with the purpose of promoting local artistic culture and connecting Japanese traditions with the wider world. In the early 2000s, the institution underwent a complete renovation and expansion by architect Tadao Ando, reopening in January 2003. This redesign significantly transformed the museum's physical presence and exhibition capabilities.

The collection emphasizes works by artists with ties to Onomichi, including Guilin-in Hirata and Wasaku Kobayashi, while also encompassing works by notable Japanese and Western artists. The holdings include paintings by the French artist Georges Rouault. This dual focus on local artistic heritage and broader international art characterizes the museum's acquisitions.

Specific named artists in the collection include Kobayashi Wasaku and Wada Eisaku, both Japanese painters, as well as the French painter Georges Rouault. The museum's internet fame stems from two cats who regularly attempted to visit the premises and were repeatedly turned away by guards enforcing the museum's strict no-animals policy. One of these cats, Ken-Chan, died in September 2024, prompting the museum to produce a 2026 calendar in its memory.

The museum is situated in Senkōji Park, a hillside location overlooking the city. The original building contained an entrance hall, cafeteria, shop, and exhibition rooms, with the second floor offering panoramic views of Onomichi and the Seto Inland Sea. Its roof design drew inspiration from the Saigoji temple in Onomichi. The new building designed by Tadao Ando, attached to the original structure, is constructed of exposed concrete and glass and houses additional exhibition spaces.

The museum is located in Senkōji Park, approximately 20 minutes on foot from Onomichi Station or accessible via the Senkōji ropeway. It operates from 9:00 to 17:00 with last entry at 16:30, and is closed on Mondays except holidays and during certain exhibition changeover periods. Admission fees vary by exhibition; entry is free for junior high school students and younger. The museum is owned by the city of Onomichi and serves as a public cultural institution.