SIMOSE Art Museum: "The World’s Most Beautiful Museum" Hidden near Hiroshima

By Zen Gaijin
Jun 8
10 min read

Updated: Aug 11

Floating pink and yellow gallery boxes at SIMOSE Art Museum reflected in a tranquil water basin, showcasing contemporary architecture near Hiroshima. — A view into one of SIMOSE Art Museum’s six architectural portals—floating pastel-colored galleries reflected in still water, hinting at the sensory richness that awaits.

Six Architectural Portals: A Visitor's Guide

Most visitors to Hiroshima focus on the Peace Memorial and nearby Miyajima Island. But just 30 minutes away near the coastal town of Otake lies one of Japan's most extraordinary art experiences---making it either a perfect Hiroshima day trip or a place to spend a serene few days---a museum complex so innovative it was named the world's most beautiful in 2023. The SIMOSE Art Museum (pronounced "Shi-mo-se") offers visitors an unprecedented blend of contemporary architecture, fine art collections, and luxury accommodations in one stunning waterfront location.

View of SIMOSE Art Museum’s colorful floating galleries and sleek waterfront villas along the Seto Inland Sea near Hiroshima, surrounded by greenery and mountains. — Aerial view of SIMOSE Art Museum’s waterfront villas and colorful floating galleries, nestled between sea, sky, and the quiet hills of Otake.

The SIMOSE Art Museum is not a single venue, but rather an astonishing interaction of six distinct mini-universes, each accessed through its own striking portal, each providing a unique visual, spatial, sensory, gustatory and…relaxatory experience. Each is entered through its own distinct portal, each element uses space, light, water, glass, mirrors and, yes, even signage, in ways you’ve never seen before.

The complex is comprised of:

the stand-alone Reception Center
SIMOSE Art Museum
- Floating Galleries
- Exhibition Halls
the SIMOSE Art Garden Villas, featuring ten all-suite villas
standing apart from the museum, a quite wonderful haute cuisine French Restaurant.

Our path into this stunning complex was rather prosaic: from Shin-Osaka station we took the Shinkansen to Hiroshima station, then switched the JR line train to the unremarkable town of Otake nestled along the shore of the Seto Inland Sea. As part of our villa reservations, we’d arranged to have the SIMOSE people (who like to capitalize the museum’s name) pick us up at the station. That’s when the tone shifted: our ride was a sleek black limousine outfitted with the most comfortable reclining seats ever to cradle a traveler—think first-class luxury on a Boeing 777, minus the turbulence.

Interior of the luxury SIMOSE limousine with fully reclining leather seats, resembling first-class airline seating. — The ride to SIMOSE set the tone: fully reclining leather seats, complete with footrests—like flying first class on four wheels.

We rode several miles through an industrial district lined with drab warehouses and factories and a couple of giant big-box stores and then turned toward the sea and passed through our first portal onto the grounds of the wonderful alternative universe of SIMOSE.

Architect Shigeru Ban's Masterpiece Design

SIMOSE is an astonishing art complex set, in dramatic contrast to its industrial surroundings, on an eleven-acre site on the shore of the Seto Inland Sea. The museum owes its life to the sponsorship and enthusiasm of Yumiko Shimose (note the “h” in the spelling of her name), current President of the Marui Sangyo Corporation, a large conglomerate started by her family in 1958 that manufactures various building and construction materials.

Designed by Pritzker prize-winning architect and living national treasure Shigeru Ban, SIMOSE Art Museum was completed in 2023. If you’re an architecture buff, you’ll know Ban for his signature use of recycled cardboard tubes as a major component in his innovative structures, but at SIMOSE Art Museum glass, mirrors and water take center stage to create trick-the-eye vistas and intersecting design elements that draw you in and spin your head around over and again.

The Portal that Leads You in to SIMOSE

SIMOSE Art Museum’s warmly lit reception building at night, showcasing a Scandinavian-inspired design with intricate wooden beams and open gable framing. — The first portal: SIMOSE Art Museum’s reception building glows at night with warm wood and geometric precision—a calm entry into a world of sensory surprises.

When you enter the SIMOSE complex you are greeted by staff in a simple stand-alone administration building that resembles a wooden Scandinavian barn until you go inside and see its imaginative use of a newly-designed wooden construction method called “wooden L-angle” ― the intersection of hundreds of light geometrical beams and trusses that from the inside suggest the building is floating on air. From this deceptively simple beginning, everything you see and touch at SIMOSE is surprising and different, at once stimulating and soothing.

The Mirrored Wall Experience: SIMOSE's Signature Feature

In the visual center of the SIMOSE site, running parallel to the coastline, is a 60-yard-long, 25-foot-high mirrored glass wall erected to create a stunning visual effect that doubles the landscape through reflection and intersects a high, carefully-landscaped berm. At the berm’s base is the portal leading up a zig-zagged ramp topped by a long viewing platform with a sweeping view out over the Seto Inland Sea.

Path leading to the mirrored wall at SIMOSE Art Museum, with reflections of the sky, grass berm, and nearby architecture blending into the glass facade. — Approaching SIMOSE’s mirrored wall along a berm-top path—landscape, architecture, and sky blending into one continuous reflection.

The overall effect is fabulous―and unique. The juxtaposition of the sea view, the landscaping, the stands of thoughtfully positioned trees and the combination of these images caught and doubled in the mirrors ― well, it has to be seen to be appreciated.

Mirrored wall at SIMOSE Art Museum reflecting the landscape and revealing a square doorway that frames the sea and distant mountains near Hiroshima — A seamless illusion: SIMOSE Art Museum’s mirrored wall reflects sky, trees, and stone—inviting you toward the sea and the surprises beyond.

At its northern end, this shining wall contains a startling square opening that punches an inviting hole through the surrounding reflection and leads you through the mirrored wall to Emile Gallé’s outdoor garden. This spare, graceful garden terminates in a graceful circular pool and features the seasonal flowers and plants that were used as motifs by the French art nouveau artist, designer and botanist Emile Gallé (1846-1904), whose works form a major part of the museum collection.

Emile Gallé’s Garden at SIMOSE Art Museum, with bright red maple leaves and a colorful bed of seasonal flowers reflecting the artist’s botanical inspirations. — Seasonal blooms and autumn foliage in Emile Gallé’s Garden at SIMOSE Art Museum, where nature and art nouveau sensibilities meet in quiet harmony.

As you walk around the southern end of the great wall, you are stopped in your tracks.

Illuminated rectangular pavilions in various colors including yellow, pink, blue, and green floating on a shallow water basin at dusk, with mountains and ships visible across the water in the background — At water level, SIMOSE Art Museum's floating galleries create a luminous archipelago—each glowing box a movable exhibition space dancing on the shallow basin

Abutting the wall is a shallow water basin where eight movable galleries – floating boxes, really, each covered with different-colored glass— dance lightly on the surface and kiss each other in variable designs intended to create a symbolic landscape evoking the beauty of the Setouchi islands on the horizon.

Yellow and blue illuminated floating galleries at night at SIMOSE Art Museum, reflected in the dark stillness of the surrounding water. — SIMOSE Art Museum’s floating galleries glow at night, casting vibrant reflections that shift with each new configuration.

These whimsical pastel boxes are in fact distinct galleries, floating on separate barges and connected by short bridges. The boxes, warmly lit at night, can be repositioned into different configurations by just two people, so the whole interior display area can easily be changed to accommodate changing exhibition narratives.

The Doorway to Unique Art

To visit the museum―and many day visitors go to SIMOSE to do only that―you enter a fully-mirrored glass rotunda into a large circular reception area containing the ticket windows, an open gift shop, and a bar selling coffee and light snacks.

Interior of SIMOSE Art Museum’s mirrored rotunda, featuring sculptural wooden beams fanning across the ceiling above a modern café and reception area. — Inside SIMOSE Art Museum’s rotunda, wooden “trees” branch outward in soaring arcs, creating one of Japan’s most dynamic interior spaces.

Sound dull? Well, wait until you see this space. The ceiling is supported by soaring sculptural wooden “trees” that spring from the floor and spread out all across the top of the room in dramatic arcs creating an intense sensation of movement. The service counters describe circular arcs that compound the sensation of movement as you spin to take it all in. Breathtaking.

The Floating Gallery Experience

One of SIMOSE's most striking features is the series of eight movable exhibition rooms housed inside the museum's floating galleries. These intimate spaces provide an unexpectedly contemplative counterpoint to the complex's dramatic architecture—their spare, minimalist interiors allow the artworks to breathe and command attention.

Interior view of a SIMOSE floating gallery with contemporary sculpture on mirrored platforms under gallery lighting. — Inside one of SIMOSE’s floating galleries, where contemporary works shimmer under soft light and mirrored platforms enhance the sense of stillness.

The museum houses a collection of approximately 500 works assembled over half a century by Marui Sangyo's President Yumiko Shimose, including many pieces inherited from her parents, the company's co-founders. What makes this collection particularly intriguing is its eclectic range and deeply personal curation.

Art Collection Highlights

While you'll find significant pieces of modern art and portraiture alongside traditional Japanese crafts such as Hina and Kyoto dolls, Emile Gallé's exquisite glasswork, handcrafted furniture, and sculpture, the collection's heart lies in its remarkable assemblage of delicate, colorful, and historically significant porcelain. Many pieces depict elaborate tableaux populated with vivid characters—a visual feast that initially struck us as almost overwhelming in its ornate detail.

Side-by-side display of an antique Victorian doll and a modern sculptural chair at SIMOSE Art Museum, highlighting the range and contrast of the museum’s art collection. — A 19th-century porcelain doll and a surrealist humanoid chair—just one example of the delightful incongruities in SIMOSE Art Museum’s eclectic collection.

For us, it took time to appreciate the ornate and whimsical subject matter of many pieces, but when we slowed down and looked closely, we found ourselves astonished by the incredible attention to detail and superb artistry throughout the collection.

Promising Signs

Complementing Ban’s architectural genius, even SIMOSE’s signage is unique and engaging. Created by Ban’s close friend and collaborator Kenya Hara of the Hara Design Institute, SIMOSE’s array of "ant signs," black circles from which extend long, thin legs, clearly organize and inform, conveying different information keyed to the level at which the circle is positioned. While blending into the landscape as if they were part of nature, they were designed to create a sense of anticipation as you wander around the spacious grounds.

Yes, You’ll Want to Stay in the Villa Accommodations

SIMOSE’s accommodations are spread across the site, and the design of each of its ten elegant villas is different. Four of the larger villas at the south end of the complex ― behind the French restaurant and the herb garden ― are full houses and are recreations of some of Ban’s iconic and whimsical early designs ― the “House of Double-Roof,” the “Furniture House,” the “Paper House,” and the “Wall-Less House.” A fourth large villa, the “Cross Wall House” was designed as an homage to John Hejduk, formerly head of the architecture department at Cooper Union, who Ban says influenced him strongly during his student years.

Evening view of SIMOSE Art Museum’s forest villas, each with wood interiors and private terraces overlooking a reflective water basin near the Seto Inland Sea. — At twilight, SIMOSE’s forest villas glow with quiet elegance—each a minimalist retreat facing the water and the sea beyond.

What It Feels Like to Stay Here

On the north side of the complex are five superb “forest villas” facing an extended water basin, each surrounded with trees and each with a connected sleeping area, sitting room, Japanese bath. hyper-modern toilet area and plentiful closet space.

Left: Forest villa interior with sleeping area, living space, and open wood design. Right: Each villa features an open-air bath and tatami mat area for serene soaking and relaxation.

These villas, each offering a slightly different floor plan, are constructed of wood and are alike in their stark elegance, use of moveable interior walls, and dazzling views out over the Seto Inland Sea.

SIMOSE forest villa interior at night with spotlighted vase on a wooden table and ocean view beyond glass doors. — Minimalist lighting and handcrafted details add quiet elegance to the forest villa interiors.

We selected and stayed in Kielsteg House B, which had a balance of privacy and openness that we liked (and did not want to leave!). To have the complete experience, we selected the All-Inclusive Plan which included dinner, breakfast, beverages in the villa's mini-bar and mini wine fridge, food and beverages at the free lounge, museum entrance ticket, and car service from Iwakuni Kintaikyo Airport, JR Kuba, Otake or Shin-Iwakuni stations.

Whether enjoying the panoramic vista and natural lighting outside our glass-walled living room or our space’s subtle interior lighting at night, we immediately found ourselves at peace, wishing that our stay was weeks, not days.

Breathtaking sunset over the Seto Inland Sea seen through the glass walls of a SIMOSE forest villa. — Yes, that sunset was real. The view from our villa at SIMOSE looked like a living painting.

At between $800 a night for a small villa (double occupancy) and over $2,000 a night for one of the houses, staying at SIMOSE certainly is not cheap, but it provides rewards in abundance.

All Things French

Dining at SIMOSE is more than a meal—it’s an experience that mirrors the museum’s commitment to artistry, detail, and atmosphere.

Christmas decoration in the magical waterfront setting at SIMOSE's French Restaurant.

SIMOSE’s auberge style French restaurant is simple, elegant, and really quite wonderful. Occupying a square, glass-walled building separate from the museum, every table provides soothing views in all directions, and every dish provides a sophisticated treat for the palate.

The moment you step into the restaurant’s glass-walled cube, with chefs at work in full view and the sea shimmering beyond the windows, you know you’re in for something special.

Chef preparing dishes in the open kitchen at SIMOSE Art Museum’s French restaurant, framed by clean lines and natural light. — SIMOSE’s open kitchen is part theater, part precision lab—where every plate begins its transformation into edible art.

The “kitchen” stands in the open in the middle of the restaurant, showcasing the hustle and bustle of a busy and utterly professional staff. Whether breakfast, lunch or dinner, the food is uniformly haute (with prices to match), and the service attentive and friendly.

Every seat at SIMOSE’s restaurant offers calm, panoramic views—and a deeply personal experience.

A few artful moments from our multi-course dining experience—each plate as thoughtfully composed as the architecture itself.

When we remarked on the singular quality of an upscale Japanese single malt, our waiter befriended us, gave us a tutorial on high-end Japanese distilled spirits, and arranged for the purchase of several carefully-packaged gins and single-malts to take home, where they serve as a wonderful reminder of our time at SIMOSE.

Don’t Take Our Word for It

If you think perhaps we’re waxing overly lyrical about SIMOSE’s many charms, don’t just take our word for it. In the year it opened, 2023, a panel of qualified experts named the SIMOSE Art Museum the world’s most beautiful museum at the Prix Versailles, the French world architecture and design awards that highlight the finest contemporary achievements globally. The awards, established in 2015, are announced annually at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, the museum category being only recently added ―just in time for SIMOSE to take center stage.

Blue floating gallery at SIMOSE Art Museum reflected in still water, with a distant ship and island on the Seto Inland Sea. — A final look across the floating galleries at SIMOSE, where art, architecture, and water merge into one luminous vision.

SIMOSE isn't just a museum—it's an immersive aesthetic encounter. Whether you're drawn by architecture, design, culinary experiences, or contemporary art, a visit here invites you to slow down, look closely, and experience beauty in motion and stillness. As a Hiroshima day trip or an extended overnight stay, SIMOSE redefines what an art destination can be.

Have you discovered any other architectural gems hidden in Japan’s industrial areas? Feel free to send us and email and tell us all about it.

Planning Your Visit to SIMOSE Art Museum & Villas

SIMOSE Art Museum is an easy and rewarding Hiroshima day trip option, with excellent train access and a free shuttle to the museum. Here's everything you need to know for your visit to this architectural masterpiece:

Museum Information

Address: 2-10-50 Harumi, Otake, Hiroshima, 739-0622
Phone: +81 (827) 94-4000
Hours: Closed Monday
Sunday, Tuesday - Saturday 9:30 AM–5 PM
Website: https://simose-museum.jp/en/
Free Shuttle Bus Between JR Otake Station and the Museum Check for updates as times change seasonally.
Time Needed: Plan to spend two to three hours for the art collections, the outside gardens, paths around the grounds and viewing from the rooftop terrace.