Buildings designing Kushiro’s townscape and artwork depicting Kushiro。
Visiting the buildings of Kiko Mozuna, a noted architect born in Kushiro City
You could say that the townscape of Kushiro today was created by noted architect Kiko Mozuna, who was born in Kushiro (1941-2001). He was the architect who designed the Kushiro Shitsugen Observatory Boardwalk and the Kushiro City Museum, which received an Architectural Institute of Japan Award in 1984. He also built the Kushiro Fisherman’s Wharf MOO, which received the grand prize at the Kushiro Townscape Awards, and the Kushiro Century Castle Hotel, which received a Kushiro Townscape Award. He also designed his alma matter, Kushiro Nusamai Junior High School. In this way, Mozuna’s original works have become landmarks in every corner of the city.
In addition to public and commercial buildings, the house that Mozuna first built in Kushiro for his mother called Hanjuki is another important work. We invite you to visit the many works of Kiko Mozuna, who strove to integrate the scenery, space, and artificial objects.
・Walkable Mozuna tour:http://en.kushiro-lakeakan.com/things_to_do/8214/
Kushiro Shitsugen Observation Deck / 6-11 Hokuto,Kushiro About 40 minutes by Akanbus on the Tsurui line, Hororo line from Kushiro Station.
Kushiro City Museum / 1-7 Shunkodai, Kushiro
Kushiro Fisherman’s Wharf MOO / 2 Nishikicho, Kushiro About 15 minutes walk from JR Kushiro station
Kushiro Century Castle Hotel / 2-5 Okawa-cho, Kushiro (Only the lobby is open to the public.)
Kushiro Municipal Nusamai Junior High School / Shunkodai, Kushiro (Able to view after checking in at the Teacher’s Office.)
Hanjuki / 1-5-5 Fujimi, Kushiro (Interior not open to the public. Please be quite as the neighborhood is a residential area)
Fukushima Hospital / 4-2-2 Urami, Kushiro (Pre-approval required to view the inside.)
NTT DoCoMo Building / 10-1 Kita-odori, Kushiro (Interior not open to the public.) About 15 minutes walk from JR Kushiro station
Hokkaido-Kushiro Koryo High School Alumni Building / 3-1-31 Midorigaoka, Kushiro (Interior not open to the public.)
Kushiro’s waterscapes as seen and loved by artists
The sight of the sun setting over the Kushiro River and the mouth of the river filled with fishing boats are enduring scenes that have remained unchanged even to this day. Artists with a connection to Kushiro have also created works that capture the scenery of the Kushiro River. The late Masao Mochizuki who was involved in art education at the Kushiro School of the Hokkaido University of Education for many years created an oil painting work called Entrance that depicts fishing vessels moored in the mouth of the Kushiro River during the winter. Also, Kazuo Kobayashi, who created art while also working at the Kushiro coal mine is considered a pioneer of Kushiro’s art world. His oil painting Riding Out the Storm (Mouth of Kushiro River), conveys the hustle bustle and power of the fishing fleeting.
・Check out this selection of eight spots to watch the stunning sunset in Kushiro, considered to be among the top three locations in the world for sunsets:http://en.kushiro-lakeakan.com/overview/3747/
Stroll among the art museums to discover works of art representative of Kushiro’s art world
The Kushiro City Museum houses a collection of works by artists from Kushiro and every year an exhibition is held featuring these works. Artists include the late Japanese painter Haruo Hisamoto who was born in Kushiro, painter Hikaru Hanyu known for illustrating Yasuko Harada’s novel Sea Fog, and potter Gen Onodera. There will come a day when the important works of Kushiro’s art world will be featured in the annual exhibition. Be sure to plan your trip accordingly. The permanent exhibition includes the mini gallery called the Kushiro Gallery. This gallery displays around 20 pieces from local Kushiro artists, including world famous Western painter Makoto Masuda, as well as Western painter Eisho Sasaki and Japanese painter Hikaru Hanyu.
Minami-odori Gallery / 3-1-10 Minami-odori, Kushiro
Kushiro City Hall / 7-5 Kurogane-cho, Kushiro, Hokkaido About 11 minutes walk from JR Kushiro station
Nusamai Park / Nusamaicho, Kushiro City. Located on the south side of Nusamai Bridge after you climb Shussezaka from the rotary. About 15 minutes walk from JR Kushiro station
Monument to the Origin of the Riverside Fish Market / In back of the Kushiro Fisherman’s Wharf MOO. About 15 minutes walk from JR Kushiro station
Kushiro Art Gallery / 4-28 Nusamaicho, Kushiro 3F of the Kushiro Lifelong Learning Center
Kushiro Gallery / 3F Mitsuwa Building, 5-chome, Nishiki-cho, Kushiro Admission: free Open 10:30am to 4:00pm Closed: Sundays and national holidays. About 11 minutes walk from JR Kushiro station
Public art around town created by sculptors of Kushiro
There are several pieces of art made by sculptors and molding artists from Kushiro that you can see along the sidewalks or in the parks located in downtown Kushiro. The works of the late Hidenori Yonesaka, one of Kushiro’s best known sculptors, can be seen in several places. There are three pieces called Ceremonial Bonfire, Snowbreak Forest, and Mother and Child located in front of the Minami Odori Gallery and another piece called Revelation in the front courtyard of Kushiro City Hall. He also designed the Indian cress relief on the guardrail of Nusamai Bridge. Works by Kushiro resident sculptor Norihiro Nakae can also be found on display in the city. One is called Future and it can be found at Kita-odori 5-chome. Another is called Hope located in front of La Vista Kushiro River on Kita-odori. You can also encounter one of Nakae’s works called Earth’s Crust Communicator at Nusamai Park. If you stand here, you may be able to communicate with the forefather’s of the city’s development.
・Nusamai Bridgehttp://en.kushiro-lakeakan.com/things_to_do/3788/
・La Vista Kushirogawahttp://en.kushiro-lakeakan.com/stay/4413/
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