Perched in a breathtaking location with panoramic views of the Hokushin Five Peaks, the Hidetaro Takatsu Art Museum was founded to share the powerful works and singular vision of a young artist driven by unshakable passion.
Housed within a beautifully renovated kura, the museum is a space where enduring tradition meets bold, youthful creativity.
The weathered storehouse—shaped by time and nature—now holds the dynamic, unbound expression of Takatsu, who first picked up a brush at the age of 22.
Born and raised in nearby Obuse, the artist continues to create from his hometown, weaving fresh worlds of imagination that echo both past and future.
What began as a bold leap quickly revealed a unique talent. Guided by quiet conviction, his evocative works continue to inspire and captivate audiences drawn to their enigmatic beauty.
His momentum continued with a 2016 invitation to next: A Harmony of Art and Music by a New Generation from Shinshu, an event at GINZA NAGANO in Tokyo, where he represented a new wave of artists from his home region.
At Pâtisserie Ront-to, a beloved pastry shop in Obuse, works by Hidetaro Takatsu have been on permanent display.
In the autumn of 2015, Atsuko Yoshiike—wife of Kazuhiko Yoshiike, who would later become the museum’s director—happened to visit the shop. There, she encountered Takatsu’s paintings for the first time and was deeply moved by their power and beauty.
This chance meeting led to a connection with the artist, and over time, both Atsuko and Kazuhiko Yoshiike came to admire not only Takatsu’s talent, but also his way of life and philosophical approach to creation.
Compelled by this profound resonance, they decided to transform a traditional storehouse on their property into the Hidetaro Takatsu Art Museum.
Based in: Obuse, Nagano Prefecture, Japan
Artistic Journey: Began creating art in 2012, entirely self-taught without any formal art school training.
- Solo Exhibitions
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Jan 2013 Art Nouveau (Debut solo exhibition), Flag Ginza Gallery, Tokyo, Japan
Jul 2013 Nagano Shinkin Bank, Obuse Branch, Nagano, Japan
Oct 2014 Au fil du zinc Restaurant, Chablis, Burgundy, France
Aug 2015 Jūnin Toiro (“Ten People, Ten Colors”) Exhibition, Galerie Espace Mirabeau, Kagurazaka, Tokyo
Oct 2022 Kokoro no Mama ni (“As the Heart Leads”) Exhibition, GARDE Gallery, Aoyama, Tokyo
May 2023 Yuiitsu Muni (“One and Only”) Exhibition, Kanten Papa Obuse Store, Kura Gallery, Obuse, Nagano
- Group Exhibitions
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Nov 2013 UN SEUL GRAIN DE RIZ Exhibition, Galerie Métanoïa, Paris, France
Apr 2014 Don’t worry, Be happy Exhibition, Galerie Métanoïa, Paris, France
- Permanent Installation
- Pâtisserie L’Ento, a local pastry shop in Obuse, Nagano, features a permanent display of Takatsu’s work.
- Private Museum
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Nov 2016 Opened the Hidetaro Takatsu Art Museum in Suzaka, Nagano Prefecture
- Other Activities
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Nov 2015 Guest lecturer on career design at Nagano Shunei High School, operated by the Shinonoi Gakuen Educational Foundation (Nagano City, Nagano)
May 2016 Invited artist at A Symphony of Painting and Music by a New Generation of Artists from Shinshu, held at Ginza NAGANO, Tokyo
Creation Without a Map
Each painting by Takatsu begins with a single, intuitive stroke—often an eye—guiding all that follows.
He paints without a plan, unaware even of his own intentions.
And yet, every element—every line, color, and form—feels inevitable, shaped by instinct and quiet conviction.
A Harmonious Space Where Rural Beauty, Art, and Culture Intertwine
— Welcome to the Hidetaro Takatsu Art Museum —
Set within a beautifully restored kura—a traditional Japanese storehouse—this museum stands with quiet dignity amid the rural landscapes of northern Nagano.
Overlooking the majestic Hokushin Five Peaks and the distant Northern Alps, it offers a rare harmony of art, nature, and architectural heritage.
Surrounded by a serene Japanese garden, the Hidetaro Takatsu Art Museum invites visitors into a contemplative space where the artist’s singular vision meets the timeless beauty of the land.
Founded with the desire to share this hidden treasure and foster cultural dialogue, the museum serves as a refined retreat for those who seek inspiration beyond the ordinary.
- Location
- 1403 Ogawaramachi, Suzaka City, Nagano 382-0071, Japan
- Contact
- Tel: +81-26-245-9900
Email: inquiry form - Admission
- ¥500 per person
Free admission for children up to junior high school age - Opening Hours
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Visits by appointment only
To ensure a quiet and personal experience with the art, please contact us in advance to arrange your preferred date and time.
