【Kumo of Goto – Yamamoto Nizou Art Museum】 Nagasaki Prefecture
The “Kumo of Goto – Yamamoto Nizou Art Museum,” which opened in July 2018 in Goto City, Nagasaki Prefecture, is a one-of-a-kind art museum where visitors can experience the artistic world of Yamamoto Nizou, a master of Japanese animation. Built in Yamamoto Nizou’s hometown of Goto, where he served as art director for numerous acclaimed animated films including “Castle in the Sky,” “Grave of the Fireflies,” “Princess Mononoke,” and “The Girl Who Leapt Through Time,” this museum has gained attention as both a sacred pilgrimage site for anime fans and a tourist destination where visitors can experience Goto’s history and culture.
Who is Yamamoto Nizou? – The Journey of a Representative Art Director in Japanese Animation
Yamamoto Nizou (1953–2023) was an animation filmmaker and artist from Goto City, Nagasaki Prefecture. Raised surrounded by the magnificent nature of the Goto Archipelago, Yamamoto devoted his career to working as the art director for numerous acclaimed animated films, keeping those original landscapes close to his heart.
Representative Works He Created
The works for which Yamamoto Nizou served as art director are masterpieces that remain in Japanese animation history. In Studio Ghibli’s “Castle in the Sky” (1986), he drew beautiful background imagery of a fantastical castle floating in the sky and seas of clouds that captivated many viewers. In “Grave of the Fireflies” (1988), he delicately expressed the landscape of wartime Japan, and in “Princess Mononoke” (1997), he created the mysterious atmosphere of a primordial forest.
Additionally, in “The Girl Who Leapt Through Time” (2006), directed by Mamoru Hosoda, he impressively depicted modern Tokyo’s cityscape and evening sky, acquiring many young fans. What these works have in common is their overwhelming depiction of sky and clouds. Among fans, the unique cloud expression called “Nizou clouds” became Yamamoto’s trademark.
Deep Love for Goto
While Yamamoto Nizou achieved worldwide recognition, he continuously maintained his love for his hometown of Goto. The original painting series titled “One Hundred Views of Goto,” depicting Goto’s landscapes, represents the crystallization of that love. The collection of works depicting Goto’s sea, sky, churches, and settlements convey the essence of the island more faithfully than any tourist guide.
The Appeal of the Kumo of Goto – Yamamoto Nizou Art Museum
The Historic Samurai Residence “Matsuzono Mansion” Renovated as the Building
The museum building uses a samurai residence called “Matsuzono Mansion,” which was built in 1863 during the late Edo period. This historically significant structure, where samurai of the Goto Clan once lived, is a precious heritage that conveys Goto’s history and culture to the present day.
Reborn as an art museum, Matsuzono Mansion functions as a contemporary exhibition space while preserving the beauty of traditional Japanese architecture. Experiencing Yamamoto Nizou’s works amid the atmosphere unique to a samurai residence—with its tatami rooms, verandas, and gardens—offers an experience unlike any other museum. The building itself becomes part of the exhibition, allowing visitors to feel Goto’s history directly.
“The Room of Sky and Clouds” – A Space of Bliss Enveloped by Nizou Clouds
The museum’s greatest highlight is the exhibition room called “The Room of Sky and Clouds.” In this room, visitors can experience being surrounded 360 degrees by the world of “Nizou clouds,” Yamamoto Nizou’s signature. Large-panel screens depicting clouds and sky backgrounds captivate visitors with overwhelming power and beauty.
A sofa is placed in the center of the room, allowing visitors to sit comfortably and immerse themselves in the world of clouds. For fans who have traveled to this sacred site, the sensation of entering an animated world becomes an unforgettable experience. The cloud depictions, which change their expression depending on the light, never tire the eye, no matter how long one gazes upon them.
Exhibition of Animation Background Paintings
The museum displays numerous background paintings from animation works actually created by Yamamoto Nizou. Visitors can view original paintings from famous scenes they may have seen—Laputa Castle from “Castle in the Sky,” the streets of Kobe from “Grave of the Fireflies,” the deep forest from “Princess Mononoke,” and the Tokyo landscape from “The Girl Who Leapt Through Time.”
These background paintings are the actual originals used in animation production, and the careful brushwork and beautiful colors visible in their details convey emotions that cannot be fully transmitted through video. Viewing the original paintings allows visitors to understand the behind-the-scenes of animation production and the importance of the art director’s role.
One Hundred Views of Goto – Original Works Depicting Love for His Hometown
The “One Hundred Views of Goto” series, which Yamamoto Nizou created for his hometown, is also an important collection of the museum. Each painting embodies Goto’s diverse charm—the majestic nature of the Goto Archipelago, historic churches, traditional settlements, and fishing port landscapes.
In the exhibition room for One Hundred Views of Goto, touch-panel tables are installed, allowing visitors to identify which regions each painting depicts. Using this feature, visitors can plan a “sacred pilgrimage” tour of actual landscapes after visiting the museum. By experiencing Goto through Yamamoto’s eyes, visitors can discover new charm in the island.
Short Animation Screenings
The museum also screens short animations that help visitors better understand Yamamoto Nizou’s artistic world. Works for which Yamamoto served as director or art director, and videos introducing the production process, offer rare content available only here.
Through these videos, visitors can experience how static background paintings come alive in animation and enhance the narrative. By combining painting exhibitions with video screenings, the museum’s structure allows visitors to develop a three-dimensional understanding of Yamamoto Nizou’s complete artistic vision.
Certified as Anime Sacred Site 88 – A New Destination for Sacred Pilgrimage
The Kumo of Goto – Yamamoto Nizou Art Museum has been certified as one of “88 Japanese Anime Sacred Sites Worth Visiting (2019 Edition)” selected by the General Incorporated Association Anime Tourism Association. This certification means the location is officially recognized as a place worth visiting for anime fans.
Anime Sacred Site 88 Certification Plaque Installation
The museum displays a certification plaque for Anime Sacred Site 88, which serves as a commemorative photo spot for sacred pilgrims. Additionally, a dedicated stamp is also available, allowing fans to collect it as proof of their sacred pilgrimage. For anime fans touring all the sacred sites nationwide, Goto has become a must-visit location.
The Appeal of Goto as a Sacred Pilgrimage Destination
Visiting the Yamamoto Nizou Museum is not merely viewing an art museum; it is also experiencing the nature of Goto where Yamamoto grew up. By visiting the actual landscapes depicted in “One Hundred Views of Goto” seen at the museum, visitors can understand the source from which Yamamoto drew his beautifully rendered backgrounds.
The motifs repeated throughout Yamamoto’s works—the clear sea of the Goto Archipelago, endlessly blue sky, uniquely shaped clouds, and horizons dyed by sunset—all originate from Goto’s actual landscapes. Combined with a museum visit, touring Goto’s nature offers a deeper sacred pilgrimage experience.
Facility Information and Access
Basic Information
Location: Nagasaki Prefecture, Goto City, Bukeyashiki-dori Street (Please check the official website for specific address)
Hours: Usually 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Last admission 4:30 PM)
※Hours may change depending on season or day of the week; please check the official website for the latest information before visiting.
Closed Days: Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a holiday), year-end and new year period
※The museum may also close temporarily during exhibition changes.
Admission:
- General: Around 500 yen (varies with special exhibitions)
- High school students and younger: Free or discounted
- Groups (20 or more): Discount available
※Fees are subject to change; please confirm the latest information on the official website.
Access Methods
By Airplane:
- From Nagasaki Airport to Goto Tsubaki Airport: approximately 30 minutes
- From Fukuoka Airport to Goto Fukue Airport: approximately 40 minutes
- From the airport to the museum: approximately 15 minutes by rental car or taxi
By Ferry or High-Speed Ship:
- From Nagasaki Port to Fukue Port: approximately 1 hour 25 minutes by high-speed ship, approximately 3 hours by ferry
- From Fukue Port to the museum: approximately 10–15 minutes by rental car, taxi, or local bus
Transportation Within the Island:
A rental car is most convenient for traveling around Goto City. The area around the museum, including Bukeyashiki-dori Street, has tourist spots accessible on foot.
Nearby Tourist Attractions
When visiting the Yamamoto Nizou Museum, we recommend also touring other tourist sites in Goto City.
Bukeyashiki-dori Street: Besides the museum, other Edo-period samurai residences are preserved on this street, allowing visitors to enjoy historic streetscapes.
Doyo Church: A representative beautiful church of the Goto Archipelago and a component asset of the UNESCO World Heritage site “Hidden Christian Sites and Christian Monuments in the Nagasaki Region and Kumamoto Region.”
Onedake: Considered the symbol of Goto, this volcano offers a 360-degree panorama from its summit. This landscape also appears in Yamamoto Nizou’s works.
Ose Lighthouse: A white lighthouse standing on a cliff jutting into the East China Sea, known as a sunset viewing spot.
Visiting Tips and Recommended Ways to Enjoy
Recommended Length of Stay
For thoroughly appreciating the museum’s exhibitions, plan to spend approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. Those who wish to spend considerable time in “The Room of Sky and Clouds” or carefully view each painting from One Hundred Views of Goto should allow extra time.
Photography Policy
Please check the photography rules at the museum during your visit. Generally, photography for personal records is often permitted, but flash photography and commercial use may be restricted. “The Room of Sky and Clouds” is particularly popular as a photo spot, but consideration should be given to not disrupting other visitors’ experience.
Utilizing the One Hundred Views of Goto Map
After viewing One Hundred Views of Goto at the museum, try visiting the actual landscapes confirmed on the touch panels. By obtaining a map and information at the museum and touring the island by rental car, an “Art × Nature” sacred pilgrimage unique to Goto becomes a special experience.
Museum Shop
The museum features a museum shop where visitors can purchase Yamamoto Nizou’s art books, postcards, and original merchandise. Find your favorite items as a memory of Goto or as a memento of your sacred pilgrimage.
The Appeal of Goto City – The Island That Nurtured Yamamoto Nizou
The Nature of the Goto Archipelago
The Goto Archipelago consists of over 140 islands floating in the sea west of Nagasaki Prefecture. The landscape woven by transparent sea, abundant greenery, and unique topography continues to captivate visitors. The majestic sky and sea landscapes that repeatedly appear in Yamamoto Nizou’s works are precisely the nature of Goto itself.
Hidden Christian History and Culture
The Goto Archipelago is known as a place to which many Hidden Christians migrated during Edo-period Christian prohibition. The island contains over 50 churches, many of which are nestled in beautiful scenery. In 2018, the region was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site under “Hidden Christian Sites and Christian Monuments in the Nagasaki Region and Kumamoto Region,” attracting international attention.
Goto’s Food Culture
When visiting Goto, also enjoy the local food culture. Goto udon (one of Japan’s three major udon types), fresh seafood, and Goto beef are all abundant delicacies. In particular, Goto udon is characterized by thin noodles with strong texture.
Summary: The Special Experience Provided by the Kumo of Goto – Yamamoto Nizou Art Museum
The Kumo of Goto – Yamamoto Nizou Art Museum is the only place where visitors can experience the artistic world of a master of Japanese animation and is an important sacred pilgrimage site for anime fans. The experience of viewing background paintings from acclaimed animated films like “Castle in the Sky” within a historic Edo-period samurai residence is an encounter available nowhere else.
Being enveloped by Nizou clouds in “The Room of Sky and Clouds,” feeling the love for his hometown through One Hundred Views of Goto, and touring Goto’s actual landscapes after the museum visit—the Yamamoto Nizou Museum possesses value beyond that of a mere art museum, functioning as an entrance to experiencing Goto itself, its entire island.
Visiting this museum, certified as one of 88 Anime Sacred Sites, provides a valuable opportunity to understand the nature and culture of Goto, the source of Yamamoto Nizou’s artistry, and to learn how acclaimed animations were created. When planning a trip to Nagasaki Prefecture’s Goto City, be sure to place the Kumo of Goto – Yamamoto Nizou Art Museum at the top of your must-visit list.
