The Sankei Shimbun 
Adachi Museum of Art's Japanese garden, afternoon of January 8. (©Yasugi City, Shimane Prefecture
The Adachi Museum of Art, located in Yasugi City, Shimane Prefecture, is celebrated for its collection of modern Japanese paintings. On January 8, the museum announced its first-place ranking in the Journal of Japanese Gardening's 2024 Japanese garden rankings. The magazine is a United States-based publication.
Known for its collection of artistic masterpieces by artists like Yokoyama Taikan, the museum's gardens also draw frequent international attention. This marks the 22nd consecutive year its gardens have claimed the top spot since the rankings were established in 2003.
The museum's gardens include the main karesansui (dry landscape) garden and the Hakusha Seishotei garden (white gravel and pine). Taikan's art inspired both.
Each morning before the museum opens its doors, staff members meticulously clean the gardens, removing fallen leaves and sweeping pathways. "We will continue working as a team to preserve these gardens and share their beauty with the world," says Museum Director Takanori Adachi.
Other Top Japanese Gardens
A panel of landscape researchers determines the annual rankings. They evaluate elements such as design quality, harmony with surrounding architecture, and overall visitor experience. Katsura Imperial Villa in Kyoto secured second place, while Yamamoto-tei in Tokyo's Katsushika Ward ranked third.
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(Read the article in Japanese.)
Author: The Sankei Shimbun
