Aomori Museum of Art

The Aomori Museum of Art is a must-visit cultural attraction showcasing works primarily by artists from Aomori Prefecture. The building, designed by architect Jun Aoki, draws inspiration from the excavation site of the nearby Sannai-Maruyama Site located across the street. One of the museum’s signature works is "Aomori Dog" by Yoshitomo Nara, a powerful sculpture standing approximately 8.5 meters tall. As it is displayed outdoors, the sculpture is often covered in snow during winter, appearing as if it is wearing a beret. The museum also features works by renowned Aomori-born artists such as printmaker Shiko Munakata, famous for the phrase "Wadaba Gogh ni naru"; Toru Narita, who designed Ultraman; and avant-garde artist Shuji Terayama, leader of the Tenjo Sajiki theater troupe. In the Aleko Hall, visitors can view three large-scale paintings titled "Aleko" by Marc Chagall, each measuring about nine meters high and 15 meters wide. Until around March 2021, the fourth painting, normally housed at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, was also displayed, offering a rare chance to see all four together. Be sure not to miss "Miss Forest / Mori no Ko," another work by Yoshitomo Nara, located in the outdoor octagonal pavilion.