Question 1

Which is the nearest station, and how do I get there by train?

Accepted Answer

The nearest station is Kai-Koizumi on the JR Koumi Line, and the museum is right in front of it, one stop from JR Kobuchizawa Station. From the Shinjuku direction, take the JR Chuo Line to Kobuchizawa and change to the Koumi Line.

Question 2

How do I get there by car?

Accepted Answer

About 5 minutes from Nagasaka IC on the Chuo Expressway. There is parking, so coming by car is convenient.

Question 3

How often are special exhibitions held?

Accepted Answer

Two or three special exhibitions are held each year, along with gallery concerts, lectures and workshops. Please see the official website for what is on.

Question 4

How long should I allow?

Accepted Answer

The galleries are spread over several rooms, so allow 60-120 minutes to look round properly. Add more time for a break in the cafe and a walk on the roof terrace.

Question 5

Is there a museum shop?

Accepted Answer

There is a museum shop selling postcards of Hirayama's work, catalogues and original goods, well worth a look for souvenirs.

Question 6

Is there a cafe or restaurant?

Accepted Answer

There is a cafe called Caravanserai on the second floor of the museum. The adjoining restaurant Ashihana serves local ingredients and mushroom dishes.

Question 7

How high above sea level is it? Should I worry about altitude sickness?

Accepted Answer

The museum stands at about 1,000 m on the plateau at the southern foot of the Yatsugatake mountains. Altitude sickness is not a concern at this height, but it is cool even in summer and can be cold morning and evening, so please bring something to put on.

Question 8

What is on display?

Accepted Answer

A Silk Road collection of about 10,000 works from ancient to modern times, centred on Gandharan Buddhist sculpture and including pieces from West Asia, the Mediterranean, Central Asia and Southeast Asia, together with Hirayama's paintings including the Great Silk Road series. Two or three special exhibitions are held each year.

Question 9

What kind of museum is the Hirayama Ikuo Silk Road Museum?

Accepted Answer

It displays Silk Road art collected over nearly 40 years from 1968 by the Japanese-style painter Ikuo Hirayama and his wife Michiko, along with Hirayama's paintings, sketches and working material. It opened in 1999 as the Yatsugatake Silk Road Museum and took its present name in 2004.

Question 10

What is the camel park on the roof?

Accepted Answer

On the roof of the museum, in front of JR Kai-Koizumi Station, is an open space with camel sculptures evoking the Silk Road. Events and markets are sometimes held there.

Question 11

Is the building itself of interest?

Accepted Answer

The museum building won a Good Design Award in 2005 in the architecture and environmental design category, recognised for a design that blends into the highland setting with views of the Yatsugatake mountains and Mount Fuji. A new wing completed in 2008 expanded the galleries.

Question 12

What is the address?

Accepted Answer

2000-6 Koakama, Nagasaka-cho, Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture

Question 13

Is there parking?

Accepted Answer

Parking is available. Please check the official information for details.

Question 14

When is it closed?

Accepted Answer

Please check the official website (there are temporary closures for exhibition changeovers).

Question 15

What are the opening hours?

Accepted Answer

10:00-17:00 (admission until 16:30)

Question 16

How do I get there?

Accepted Answer

Right in front of Kai-Koizumi Station on the JR Koumi Line (one stop from JR Kobuchizawa Station on the Koumi Line). By car, about 5 minutes from Nagasaka IC on the Chuo Expressway.

Question 17

How much is admission?

Accepted Answer

Adults 1,000 yen (please check the official website for details).

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