Hirosaki Museum of Contemporary Art is a public contemporary art museum in Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture. The museum occupies a historic red-brick warehouse once used as a sake and cider factory. Rather than replacing the old building, the project carefully preserved its character and transformed it into a new cultural space centered on the theme of “passing memories on to the future.”
The massive brick walls still evoke the atmosphere of the building’s industrial past, while the interior now contains galleries for contemporary art, creative studios, and a library. The result is a fascinating meeting point between history, architecture, art, and the local community.
The building now occupied by the museum was originally known as the Yoshinocho Brick Warehouse. Constructed during the Meiji and Taisho periods, it was originally part of an industrial complex used for alcohol production.
When the building was converted into a museum, great care was taken to preserve its historic appearance and materials. The renovation created a place where visitors can experience contemporary art while also encountering a tangible piece of Hirosaki’s modern industrial history.
Instead of treating the old warehouse simply as a backdrop for exhibitions, the museum considers the building itself part of the museum experience. The traces of its former life remain visible, allowing the architecture and contemporary artworks to interact with one another.
The renovation was designed by architect Tsuyoshi Tane, who is also known for designing the Estonian National Museum.
Tane’s design was guided by three central concepts: preserving memories, developing the “Hirosaki brick-laying” technique, and creating a cider-gold diamond-patterned roof. These ideas connect the building’s industrial heritage with its new role as a contemporary art museum.
As much of the original brickwork, steel framework, and other historic materials as possible was retained during the renovation, while modern structural reinforcement was added to improve earthquake resistance.
As a result, visitors can still sense the craftsmanship and atmosphere of a building that has stood for more than a century. The museum does not erase the past; instead, it allows the memories embedded in the building to continue into the future.
At the entrance, visitors encounter a new brick arch inspired by a local approach known as “Hirosaki-zumi,” or Hirosaki brickwork.
The original warehouse used the traditional English bond method of laying bricks. The new entrance introduces a different pattern that draws on Hirosaki’s local architectural identity.
The warm color and texture of the bricks create a welcoming entrance and provide a gentle transition between the historic exterior and the contemporary interior.
One of the museum’s most distinctive architectural features is its roof, which is covered with titanium diamond-shaped panels.
Depending on the angle of the sunlight and the season, the surface can appear golden, silver, or somewhere in between. The design was inspired by the building’s history as a place where cider, a traditional specialty associated with Aomori’s apple-growing culture, was produced.
The shimmering roof therefore serves as more than an attractive architectural feature. It symbolizes the connection between the site’s industrial past and its new identity as a center for contemporary creativity.
The museum has a particularly strong connection with Yoshitomo Nara, the internationally acclaimed contemporary artist who was born in Hirosaki.
Nara held exhibitions at the historic brick warehouse on three occasions beginning in 2002. These exhibitions attracted considerable attention and helped demonstrate the potential of the old warehouse as a cultural and artistic space.
Today, visitors are welcomed at the museum entrance by Nara’s “A to Z Memorial Dog.” The work was donated as a gesture of appreciation to the volunteers who supported his earlier artistic activities at the warehouse.
The sculpture has become an important symbol of the relationship between Hirosaki, its local community, and contemporary art.
The museum presents exhibitions throughout the year featuring contemporary artists from Japan and abroad.
Visitors may encounter works by internationally recognized artists such as Yoshitomo Nara and Jean-Michel Othoniel, along with exhibitions introducing a wide variety of contemporary artistic approaches.
The museum’s exhibitions are organized into three different programs, allowing the experience to change from one visit to another. This makes the museum more than a place to view a permanent collection: it is a dynamic cultural space where there is always the possibility of discovering something new.
The museum’s role extends beyond exhibitions. It also includes facilities where local residents can participate in creative activities and encounter art in their everyday lives.
The studio spaces provide opportunities for people to engage directly with creative activities. Workshops and community programs help connect visitors, residents, artists, and different generations.
This emphasis on participation reflects the museum’s broader goal of becoming a cultural and creative hub for Hirosaki, rather than simply a conventional exhibition venue.
A library dedicated to art and related subjects is also available within the museum. It provides a quieter setting for visitors who want to learn more about contemporary art and explore artistic ideas in greater depth.
Together, the galleries, studios, and library create an environment where visitors can not only look at art but also learn, create, exchange ideas, and connect with others.
The story of the brick warehouse began in 1907, when a sake brewery known as Fukushima Shuzo was established on the site.
Over time, production shifted toward apple-based beverages. In the postwar period, the site became associated with the production of cider, and in the 1950s, cooperation with Asahi Beer helped establish it as a facility known for producing some of Japan’s earliest full-scale cider.
This industrial history is particularly significant because Aomori is Japan’s leading apple-growing region. The connection between the warehouse, cider production, and local apple culture makes the building an important part of Hirosaki’s modern history.
Today, the former factory has a completely different function, but its industrial identity has not disappeared. Instead, it has been incorporated into the museum’s architectural and cultural character.
For visitors, one of the most interesting aspects of Hirosaki Museum of Contemporary Art is the way the building and artworks complement each other.
The rough texture of the historic brick walls contrasts with contemporary installations and modern exhibition spaces. The traces of the former factory create a sense of depth and atmosphere that would be difficult to reproduce in a newly constructed museum.
Walking through the building therefore becomes a journey through different periods of Hirosaki’s history—from industrial production and cider manufacturing to contemporary art and cultural exchange.
The museum is generally open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
It is closed on Tuesdays. When Tuesday is a national holiday, the closure is moved to the following day. The museum is also closed during the New Year holiday period.
Because exhibition schedules and opening arrangements can change, visitors are advised to check the museum’s latest information before traveling.
From the central exit of JR Hirosaki Station, take a Konan Bus on the 100-yen Dote-machi Loop route. Get off at Naka-Dotemachi and walk for about five minutes, or get off at Sumiyoshi Iriguchi, which is approximately two minutes on foot from the museum.
The museum is about a 20-minute walk from Hirosaki Station, while a taxi takes approximately seven minutes.
A small accessible parking area with two spaces is available, and affiliated parking facilities can also be used.
Hirosaki Museum of Contemporary Art demonstrates how a historic industrial building can be given a new life without losing its connection to the past.
The preserved red-brick walls, innovative architecture, and shimmering cider-gold roof create a unique setting for contemporary art. At the same time, the history of sake and cider production gives the building a strong connection to Hirosaki’s industrial heritage.
The museum’s relationship with Yoshitomo Nara, its international exhibitions, creative studios, and library also make it an important meeting place between Hirosaki and the wider world of contemporary art.
For international travelers, the museum offers an especially interesting way to experience Hirosaki beyond its famous castles, temples, and cherry blossoms. Here, Japanese history is not simply preserved—it is reinterpreted through contemporary creativity.
A visit to this remarkable brick warehouse offers the chance to experience how memories of the past can become inspiration for the future.