In Search of Japanese Museums by an Art Lover

Did you know that there are over 1,000 art museums in Japan and when you include museums of sorts, the total comes to over 5,700!?

Since 2010, Sophie Richard has been researching art museums in Japan, visiting countless sites around the archipelago, and interviewing museum directors and curators in each. Her book, The Art Lover’s Guide to Japanese Museums, published in 2014, features over 100 museums ranging from large venues designed by world-renowned architects to treasured houses that remain little-known. When the Japanese version was published in 2016, NHK created a series with Sophie as the navigator, showcasing the hidden gems.

In this installment of Art for Breakfast, Sophie will discuss the motivations behind her research and share insight into the rich, dynamic, and multifaceted world of Japanese museums. She will select some of her favorite museums and tell their stories while offering an outlook on Japan’s museum landscape today.

Please join us to discover yet another facet of Japan.

Event and Registration Details

• This event will be conducted in in-person and online, and registration is required.
• In-person participation is for members and guests only. Please pay your fee by credit card (Visa or Mastercard only) or at the door.
• Online participation is open to the public and free.

Speaker Bio

Sophie Richard

Born in Provence and educated at the Ecole du Louvre and the Sorbonne in Paris, Sophie Richard has been traveling to Japan for the past 17 years. Passionate about Japanese arts and culture, she set out to explore the country's many museums. Her first book on the subject was published in 2014 and was subsequently translated into Japanese. Her second book The art lovers’ guide to Japanese museums was published in 2019. Sophie has been a contributor to Japanese television programs and she is currently producing a series of video interviews under the title Encounters with Japan. She now collaborates with Bunkacho as an advisor for Japan Cultural Expo.

In 2015 her work was recognized by the Agency of Cultural Affairs in Japan, and she received the Commissioner's Award.

Visit her website, YouTube channel, and Instagram for more information.