Uehara Museum

The painting collection of Mr. Shoji Uehara, honorary chairman of Taisho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., and the Buddhist art collected by his parents are on display in each building. I don't have much interest in museums so I don't have a chance to go, but since I'm staying at the Shimoda Central Hotel and this hotel is also part of the Taisho Pharmaceutical group, I decided to visit it. Because it is a private collection, the paintings are not well-known, and there are many works by famous painters such as Picasso and Monet that have not been seen often or other early works that cannot be seen at the National Museum of Art. It is on display. The Buddhist pavilion has truly beautiful carved wooden Buddha statues, so delicate that they look like they're about to move at any moment. The Buddha statues are displayed in a horizontally long space, making it a sight to behold. You can see both the modern museum and the Buddhist museum up close, and at the Buddhist museum you can take photos and even touch some items. Next time, I would like to go around and have the curator explain it to me. It might be a good idea to add it as one of the sightseeing spots in Shimoda. The location is near Daruma Daishi, so you have to walk up a steep slope from the general parking lot. If you are in a wheelchair or have a disability, we recommend that you contact the museum before visiting. You can either drive to the museum grounds or take the elevator from the second parking lot.

Since I visited the museum near closing time, I only visited the Buddhist museum. The modern Buddhist statue gallery has many works with famous Buddhist statues as motifs, and when you compare them with detailed pamphlets, you will learn anew. This time's highlight is the "Uncrowned Buddha Statue" exhibition. Displays Buddhist statues from the Izu region and the foothills, which have not yet been designated as cultural properties. Most of them are Heian Buddhas, and Buddhas of unknown origin or unexplored. Personally, I was drawn to the ancient-style seated Nyoirin Kannon statue and the four-faced god statue. As time passes, it seems that some Buddhas will no longer be crowned. This is a special exhibition until January 9, 2020.

Mr. Shozo Uehara of Taisho Pharmaceutical (formerly a top regular on the list of high-income taxpayers) is a famous collector, and there are many famous paintings by Van Gogh, Picasso, etc. on display, which are worth seeing. Buddha statues are displayed in the building next to it. It's not from the old days. In the back, many Buddhist statues that were kept at temples in the Izu region are displayed. This museum is located in my wife's hometown. The museum is located up a long flight of stairs, but I noticed on the way back that there is an elevator next to the parking lot.