The Otaru Kitaichi Venetian Museum

By Hiyori Shigeno

The Kitaichi Venetian Art Museum is located in Otaru and was built in 1988. Venice is the capital of the Veneto region of northern Italy. It’s a city built on 100 small islands. Otaru and Venice have a lot in common. For example, they both have canals, glass making crafts, and a history of maritime trade. Many examples of Otaru Venetian glass have been collected and exhibited in an attempt to convey the charm of glass to more people.

At this museum, you can experience wearing period costumes for a fee. There is also a fee for having your picture taken. In a permanent exhibition room you can see a reproduction of the Venetian nobles' rooms. There are many other special exhibitions throughout the year, as well as other attractions.

・About the permanent exhibition room

Here you can see about 3,000 Italian traditional furniture and nobles' rooms. You can learn about the life and culture of nobles. Also, the table coordination changes from season to season, so you can enjoy it and it’s very beautiful, spacious and powerfu

・About the Glass mosaic painting exhibition

A glass mosaic painting made with Gogh’s masterpiece as a motif is exhibited. Since it is original, you can only see it here. It was completed by requesting the production of the mosaic studio Corporativa Mosaicisti in Ravenna, Italy. Ravenna has been famous for mosaic crafts since the beginning of the 5th century.

・About the special exhibition

The items in the special exhibition change depending on the period of time. These are artworks related to glass.

There is a museum shop at the entrance of the museum. Beautiful glass goods are on sale where you can buy souvenirs and gifts. They sell glass products directly imported from Venice. Items include glass, accessories, glass pens and a wide range of goods from everyday life to luxury goods.

The museum is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every day, including holidays. Last admission time is 5:00 p.m. The admission fee is 700 yen for adults, 500 yen for university and high school students, and 350 yen for middle and elementary school students, and those over 65 years old. There are times when a special discount is given and the price is reduced by about 200 yen.

The museum is about a 20 minute walk from Otaru Station, and there is also a bus that goes to the museum from Otaru Station. If you go by train, Minami Otaru Station is the nearest station, and from there you can reach the museum in about 10 minutes on foot. The Otaru Canal and other tourist attractions are lined up near the museum, so be sure to check them out.