A guidebook by Sophie Richard, a French art historian with a deep passion for Japanese art, showcasing museums that are truly worth visiting. An avid reader of Yasushi Inoue and Yasunari Kawabata and a fan of Kurosawa’s films, the author discovered the magnificence of Japanese museums during a chance visit to the Asakura Residence in Daikanyama. Over the next 10 years, she traveled extensively across Japan, conducting meticulous research and creating this book. Widely acclaimed in English-speaking regions, the guide offers clear, expert-backed explanations and practical travel tips for visitors.

The Japanese edition includes additional commentary on the museums and messages specifically for Japanese readers. Sophie Richard’s efforts to introduce the charm of Japanese art to Western audiences earned her the Commissioner for Cultural Affairs Award in the Cultural Promotion category in 2015.

This book is perfect for preparing for museum visits or revisiting the experience afterward:

• Detailed and easy-to-understand explanations about Japanese art.
• A unique perspective that rediscoveries the appeal of museum architecture and art from angles often overlooked by Japanese audiences.
• Basic yet enlightening knowledge about Japanese culture.

Its portable and reader-friendly size makes it an ideal companion for museum tours.

**Museums Featured in This Book**

Examples include: Towada Art Center (Aomori), Bunka Gakuen Costume Museum (Tokyo), Ota Memorial Museum of Art (Tokyo), Sankei-en (Kanagawa), Clematis no Oka (Shizuoka), Mirei Shigemori Garden Museum (Kyoto), Benesse Art Site Naoshima (Kagawa), Ohara Museum of Art (Okayama), and 49 other locations.

【Authors】Sophie Richard, Yayoi Yamamoto

【Release Date】April 26, 2016

【Publisher】Shueisha International

【Format】Modified A5 size

【Pages】144

【Price】¥2,200 (excluding tax)

【Language】Japanese

【ISBN】978-4797673210