Art & Nature Combine at Enoura Observatory

Head to Kanagawa Prefecture to discover a place where Japanese culture and spirituality combine with contemporary works of art.

“The unique character of Japanese culture, a continuous legacy dating back to the prehistoric Jomon period, has been the art of living in harmony with nature. The Japanese people developed a unique culture incorporating the worship of myriad deities and spirits of the natural realm. In today’s grim world of rampant materialism and consumerism, when so much of this natural splendor has been destroyed, it is the revival of these ancient Japanese traditions that we need most,” says contemporary artist Hiroshi Sugimoto. At Enoura Observatory, his brainchild, visitors can encounter this unique thought, and explore the essence of Japanese culture.(Photo: The tip of the Summer Solstice Observation Gallery ©Odawara Art Foundation)

The natural light from the surrounding landscape is also a key feature. For instance, during the winter solstice, the sun rises over nearby Sagami Bay, passing through a tunnel to illuminate a great stone megalith. In the summer, sunlight passes through the gallery for several minutes. During the vernal and autumnal equinox, it gently glints through the floors of the tea ceremony room, and illuminates the Noh stage. Every season offers a different perspective.(Photo: Winter Solstice Observation Tunnel ©Odawara Art Foundation)