N's YARD (Yoshitomo Nara Museum) in Nasu Highlands

During my stay in Nasu Highlands, I planned to visit three museums, but due to a failed taxi reservation, I ended up visiting only two. This change allowed me to spend more time at each museum, turning what could have been a rushed visit into a leisurely experience. Yoshitomo Nara, a superstar artist beloved by Japanese women, has a museum located in Nasu-Shiobara. I discovered this during my previous visits to collect Kitty manhole cards. This time, I decided to stay overnight and include the museum in my itinerary. The museum is situated in a remote area with limited public transportation—only five buses run daily on two routes, and during museum hours, only two buses are available. If you don’t have a rental car, you can either call a taxi directly or take one waiting at Nasu-Shiobara Station, where the Shinkansen stops. The taxi fare is around 4,000–5,000 yen one way. I planned to take a taxi to the museum and return by bus, carefully matching the bus schedule. The bus fare is 820 yen, and surprisingly, Suica cards are accepted. Near the museum entrance, there’s Michi-no-Eki Meiji-no-Mori, a roadside station with seasonal flower fields that change their appearance throughout the year, making it a delightful spot to visit. The museum operates only from March to November and is closed during the winter season. It’s open five days a week, closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, with hours from 10 AM to 5 PM. Due to these strict conditions, I couldn’t visit during my second trip to Nasu. However, this time, my schedule allowed me to visit on a Thursday. My itinerary shifted to Plan B, starting with a visit to Michi-no-Eki. Meiji-no-Mori in Shiobara and Yuai-no-Mori in Nasu, located about 8 kilometers apart, seem to compete by offering similar product lines. I explored both places with the help of taxis. I noticed many Japanese visitors using public transportation to visit these roadside stations, but taxis are the only direct connection between the two. Through research, I learned that it’s possible to transfer at Kuroiso Station to visit both locations. For Japanese people, visiting Michi-no-Eki is akin to how Koreans go to supermarkets. These roadside stations feel more like large rural markets than simple rest stops. As a pedestrian traveler, I’ve visited over 30 Michi-no-Eki locations in Japan. (As a side note, SA refers to highway service areas, while Michi-no-Eki are located along national roads.) Some Michi-no-Eki locations are interconnected, creating fascinating and uniquely Japanese spaces. Returning to the museum, I found the current season’s rapeseed flower fields to be breathtaking. I entered through the museum’s back gate, which connects to the flower fields. Tickets are cash-only and can be purchased from a vending machine for 1,500 yen. Including myself, there were only three groups and five visitors in total on a weekday afternoon at 12 PM, allowing for a relaxed viewing experience. Photography is permitted for all artworks, but videos and flash photography are prohibited. The gift shop does not allow photography. Famous outdoor pieces like "Miss Forest" and "Thinker" are displayed separately. Visitors can access these areas after staff verify the ticket date. Even indoors, the artworks can be viewed through large glass windows. The museum’s motto, "All the works here are 100% Yoshitomo Nara," left a strong impression. The space is filled with a variety of sketches and artworks, offering a comprehensive look at the artist’s creations. With zero crowding, visitors can enjoy the exhibits without feeling rushed or self-conscious, fully immersing themselves in the experience. You can take photos from your preferred angles, and the museum houses a small café called Konara Cafe (コナラカフェ), set against a forest backdrop. Even the dishes used in the café are Yoshitomo Nara merchandise, adding to the joy of the visit. I ordered the recommended sweets set, which included matcha and dorayaki. Given the warm weather, I opted for iced matcha. The dorayaki, similar to the ones sold at airports featuring Doraemon, had Yoshitomo Nara’s signature big-eyed girl character printed on it. After spending a relaxing time at the café, I went to see the "Miss Forest" and "Thinker" outdoor artworks. Like the "Aomori Dog" at the Aomori Museum of Art, these pieces can be appreciated from various angles, including the sides and back. The museum also offers free (100 yen) coin lockers for visitors. Thank you for reading.