Kawagoe City Art Museum

Unwelcoming Art gallery in modern building

The English given by Kawagoe City to this art gallery is "Kawagoe City Art Museum", but it is in fact a gallery and not a museum. That is reflected in the Japanese name. The building is a contemporary industrial architecture style with an equally stark interior design. What put me off this gallery is neither the design of the gallery nor the exhibition space, but the staff. Grant it I know that galleries are not an ideal place for very young children, but on our first visit I brought the kids to an exhibition for children. Well at least I thought it was for children. The exhibition was a Dick Bruna one, as in the author of the very famous and popular children's books and cartoon character Miffy (among others). They even had some activities and colouring sheets for children, and a craft to make your own bunny ears. So I couldn't understand why the staff were so short tempered and strict on the children. On entering the building, before we had gone near the exhibition area, the staff told the children they had to be quiet, couldn't run, and not to touch anything. Of course, this made the kids and I uncomfortable before we'd even got in the door. The tension continued in the gallery and it ruined what could have been a very interesting and pleasant experience for the children. There is a little bit of information available in English. There is a lift for wheelchairs and buggies. There are toilets and a nappy changing area. There is a rest space with some books. The gallery opens 9 am to 5 pm Tuesdays to Sundays, closed on Mondays. The current exhibition is of cats.