The Matsudai “NOHBUTAI,” a hub facility designed by the Dutch architectural firm MVRDV. Approximately 40 artworks are scattered across the roughly 2-kilometer stretch of satoyama landscape from the Matsudai “NOHBUTAI” to Matsudai Castle at the mountaintop; this entire area is known as the “Matsudai NOHBUTAI Field Museum.”
As you explore the artworks, you’ll encounter the numerous Rice Fields (fields built on sloping mountainous terrain), “sekae-ta” (fields created by diverting river currents), and the natural beauty of the satoyama landscape that characterize the Matsudai region, allowing you to experience over 1,000 years of snow country farming culture.In addition to viewing artwork by world-renowned artists, visitors can catch glimpses of local residents living and working in the rice fields. Numerous programs are held throughout the year—such as rice planting in spring, rice harvesting in fall, and snow play in winter—allowing visitors to experience the region’s natural culture firsthand. At the on-site cafeteria, visitors can enjoy dishes made with local ingredients, making this an area where you can fully savor “art,” “food,” and “agriculture.”
Photo by Nakamura Osamu
The area is dotted with artworks by world-renowned artists, including Ilya&Emilia Kabakov’s “The Rice Fields” and Kusama Yayoi’s “Tsumari in Bloom.” You can enjoy the charm of contemporary art—with its colorful sculptures that stand out against the satoyama landscape—alongside the changing seasons of the satoyama. The walk takes about 1 to 2 hours. You can also explore the area by car.
Ilya&Emilia Kabakov, “The Rice Fields”
Photo by Nakamura Osamu
Kusama Yayoi, “Tsumari in Bloom”
Photo by Nakamura Osamu
You can view eight of the nine artworks by the world-renowned artists Ilya&Emilia Kabakov—a rare collection in Japan (one artwork is on permanent display at the Museum on Echigo-Tsumari, MonET).Starting with “The Rice Fields” (2000), which has become one of the signature artworks of the Echigo-Tsumari Art Field, the outside exhibition features “The Arch of Life” (2015) and “The Monument of Tolerance” (2021), while the indoor exhibition includes “10 Albums, Labyrinth” (2021) and four other artworks.
Ilya&Emilia Kabakov, “The Arch of Life”
Photo by Nakamura Osamu
Ilya&Emilia Kabakov, “10 Albums, Labyrinth”
Photo by Kioku Keizo
A shuttle bus runs on an as-needed basis between Matsudai NOHBUTAI and the area near Matsudai Castle (about a 10-minute walk). If you wish to use this service, please ask the staff at the Matsudai NOHBUTAI reception desk.
*A Field Museum ticket or a Common Ticket is required to board.
Route: Matsudai NOHBUTAI ⇔ Administration Building
Travel time: About 7 minutes
We host seasonal events at the Matsudai NOHBUTAI Field Museum, which stretches behind the Field Museum, where visitors can directly experience the joy, fascination, and comfort of the satoyama landscape. Along with tours of the artworks scattered throughout Shiroyama, we offer a diverse range of programs unique to Echigo-Tsumari that allow you to discover, learn about, and truly appreciate the richness of the local land.
July 18, 2026 (Sat) – September 30, 2026 (Wed); Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays, except on national holidays
Photo by Nakamura Osamu
Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from July 18, 2026 (Sat) through September 27, 2026 (Sun), 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day
[Dates and Times When Artists Will Be Present]
July 26 (Sun), August 9 (Sun), September 21 (Mon, holiday), 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. each day
Matsudai NOHBUTAI Field Museum in the Snow
January 25 (Sat) – March 9 (Sun), 2025
[Winter 2024] Matsudai NOHBUTAI Field Museum Special Exhibition: “Satoyama Snow Amusement Park 2024” ~Let’s Play and Warm Up in the Snow-Covered Satoyama~
Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from January 13, 2024 (Sat) to March 10, 2024 (Sun)
Matsudai NOHBUTAI Field Museum Special Exhibition: “Satoyama Snow Amusement Park ~ An Amusement Park Appears for Just a Moment on the White Snowfield⁉~”
Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from January 28, 2023 (Sat) to March 12, 2023 (Sun)
“The Monument of Tolerance” and Snow Play Expo
Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from January 29, 2022 (Sat) to March 6, 2022 (Sun)
| Open hours | ▼Matsudai NOHBUTAI 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (Last admission at 4:30 p.m.) *Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays (If there are two or more consecutive public holidays on a Tuesday and Wednesday, the facility will be closed on the following business day instead.) ▼Other Artworks and Facilities Please check the “Related Sites” below. |
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| Tel | 025-595-6180 |
| Admission | Matsudai NOHBUTAI Field Museum tickets: Adults 1,200 yen / Elementary and Middle School Students 600 yen; or individual tickets (valid for the Matsudai History Museum as well): Adults 600 yen / Elementary and Middle School Students 300 yen (Common Tickets and ETAT Passports are also available for a limited period.) |
| Official Website | https://matsudai-nohbutai-fieldmuseum.jp/ |
| Address | 3743-1 Matsudai, Tokamachi City, Niigata Prefecture |