Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art

Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art is a contemporary art museum located on the summit of Mount Hijiyama (about 70 m elevation). You can reach it by climbing the slope from the streetcar stop "Hijiyama-shita," but it’s easier to get off at "Danbara Chuo" bus stop and go via the moving walkway "Hijiyama Skywalk." The distinctive architecture, resembling a fusion of an ancient European circular plaza and a Japanese storehouse, was designed by architect Kisho Kurokawa. The museum’s collection is organized around three themes: important works in the flow of post–World War II contemporary art, contemporary art related to Hiroshima, and works by promising young artists. In addition to collection displays, the museum holds 3–4 special exhibitions per year. In front of the entrance, in "Moore Square," a large Henry Moore sculpture titled "Arch" stands oriented toward the hypocenter direction, and there are also nearly 20 outdoor sculptures on permanent display. Because Hijiyama Park is also a famous cherry-blossom spot, it’s nice to visit for both art and hanami.