Yamanashi Prefectural Museum of Art

The Yamanashi Prefectural Museum of Art (山梨県立美術館, Yamanashi Kenritsu Bijutsukan) is a prefectural art museum located in Kōfu City, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan. Opened in 1978, the museum has earned international recognition as "The Museum of Millet" for holding one of the largest collections of works by the French painter Jean-François Millet outside France. Situated within Geijutsu no Mori Park (芸術の森公園, "Art Forest Park") against the scenic backdrop of Yamanashi's natural landscape, the institution functions as a major cultural anchor for the region, drawing domestic and international visitors who seek to experience the intersection of French Realist art, Japanese artistic traditions, and the natural beauty of central Japan.

The museum opened in 1978 in Kōfu City, establishing itself from its inception as a center for the study and display of Jean-François Millet's art. The institution was designed by Maekawa Kunio, a student of Le Corbusier, whose modernist concrete architecture gave the building a distinctive character that has become part of its identity. In 2018, the museum marked its 40th anniversary with the acquisition of "Herdsman Blowing His Horn," a Millet painting that had not been seen publicly for over a century, demonstrating the institution's ongoing commitment to expanding its already substantial holdings. The museum has maintained its focus on rotating its collection four times annually, a practice established early in its history to preserve the works while keeping the exhibitions dynamic.

The museum's collection encompasses approximately 10,000 items and is organized around two principal thematic pillars. The first and most prominent centers on Millet and the broader Barbizon School, featuring not only the French master's works but also contextual pieces by associated artists. The second major strand comprises Japanese art, including paintings by artists native to Yamanashi Prefecture, contemporary Japanese works, and pieces reflecting the seasonal landscapes and cultural heritage of Japan. The collection also incorporates works by European masters beyond Millet, including Corot, Courbet, and Turner, as well as sculpture by Henry Moore. Regular special exhibitions supplement the permanent holdings, bringing in works from Japan and abroad to create varied programming throughout the year.

The Millet collection numbers approximately 70 works, comprising more than 30 oil paintings alongside pastels and prints. Signature pieces include "The Sower" (種をまく人), "The Angelus," "Summer, Gleaners" (落ち穂拾い、夏), and "The Return of the Flock." The 2018 acquisition of "Herdsman Blowing His Horn" significantly enhanced the collection's depth. The museum also holds the Hagiwara Hideo Memorial Room, dedicated to the Yamanashi-born printmaker and featuring his "36 Views of Fuji" woodblock print series. The outdoor sculpture collection within Geijutsu no Mori Park includes works by Auguste Rodin, Henry Moore, and Okamoto Taro's "Tree Man" (樹人), as well as Sato Masaaki's oversized "Big Apple," installed for the museum's 30th anniversary, which serves as a popular photography spot with Mount Fuji visible behind it on clear days.

The museum building, designed by Maekawa Kunio in a modernist concrete style, features large glass windows that frame views of the surrounding landscape and integrate the interior spaces with the natural environment. The structure's wine-colored exterior contributes to a tranquil atmosphere that harmonizes with its setting. The museum sits within Geijutsu no Mori Park, which visitors may enter without charge. The park grounds contain fifteen outdoor sculptures, a Japanese garden with koi ponds, a rose garden that blooms in May and June, and expansive lawns. The adjacent Yamanashi Prefectural Literary Museum (文学館, "bungaku kan") operates as a companion institution, with combined tickets available for visitors wishing to explore both facilities.

The museum is located approximately 15 minutes by bus from JR Kofu Station, or about 10 minutes by car from the Kofu-Showa Interchange. An express train from Shinjuku in Tokyo takes approximately 90 minutes, making the museum accessible as a day trip from the capital. Operating hours are 9:30 am to 5:00 pm, with closure on Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a national holiday). Admission for the collection exhibition is 520 yen for adults, with discounted rates for groups of 20 or more; university students pay 220 yen. Special exhibitions are priced separately at 1,000 yen for adults and 500 yen for university students. High school students and younger enter free. Combined tickets covering both the museum and the adjacent Yamanashi Prefectural Literary Museum cost 1,260 yen. The museum provides tactile relief panels at the entrance to the Millet gallery to accommodate visually impaired visitors, and a café, museum shop, and relaxation spaces are available on site. Photography may be restricted in certain areas to protect artworks.