Akita Museum of Art — Foujita's Akita Masterworks

The Akita Museum of Art (秋田県立美術館) is a striking triangular glass building designed by architect Tadao Ando, housing the world's largest collection of works by Tsuguharu Foujita (藤田嗣治, 1886-1968), a Japanese-French painter famous for his milky-white nude portraits blending Western oil techniques with Japanese ink aesthetics. The museum's centerpiece is 'Annual Events in Akita' (秋田の行事), a 20-meter-long mural depicting Akita's seasonal festivals, farming, and daily life in meticulous detail.

Foujita spent time in Akita during World War II, creating works inspired by the prefecture's culture and landscapes. The museum's collection includes 80+ Foujita pieces (paintings, lithographs, sketches) spanning his career — early Parisian nudes, wartime propaganda, and late-life religious works. The building itself is a work of art: geometric concrete interiors, reflecting pool, and floor-to-ceiling windows framing views of Senshu Park across the street. The museum also exhibits contemporary Japanese art and rotating international exhibitions.