Adachi Museum of Art Gardens

Such an impeccable garden in this rural city left a lasting impression on me due to the passion and ingenuity that went into its creation.

The museum is located in the heart of rural Japanese farmland in Yasugi City, Shimane Prefecture. During my visit, the place was crowded with visitors who came from distant locations. 

The garden is beautiful all year round, adorned with seasonal trees and flowers. The museum garden spans an area of 165,000 m2.

Japanese gardens surround the museum building. In other words, the gardens are designed to be viewed from the inside. The museum’s windows resemble painting frames.

There are four gardens, namely, “Moss Garden,” “Dry Landscape Garden,” “Pond Garden,” and “White Sand Blue Pine Tree Garden.” 

Unlike typical small Japanese dry landscape gardens, this garden is large in scale and features natural mountains as a backdrop for garden landscaping.

Moss Garden is especially beautiful in springtime and autumn, when white sand and green moss make a stunning contrast. The changing scenery, depending on the season and weather changes, are appreciated by visitors.

Moreover, a melding of white sand and lawns, with mountains in the background, is spectacular. Artfully planted on the hills, the red pine trees create a sense of unity with the mountains in the background.

“Turtle Crane Falls”

The 15m-fall was designed to depict Yokoyama Taikan’s painting “The Nachi Falls,” with the idea that “waterfalls flow into the dry landscape garden.”

“Life folding screen”

The white sand and blue pines appear to be a landscape painting when viewed through the vertical frame, which functions as a folding screen. This is entertaining and playful.