Toyo Ito Museum of Architecture, Imabari, on the island of Omishima

Steel Hut

This is a brand new museum that opened in August, 2011. It showcases Ito's architecture, but at the same time, it's where architectural workshops are held for children and young architects.  Along with the other two museums nearby, it forms a museum trio. 


This museum and the Tokoro Museum are close to each other and accessible from one to the other on foot. 


The other museum, the Ken Iwata Mother and Child Museum, is a bit away, about five minutes' drive from the other two. This museum was also designed by ITO. It's a circular structure without ceilings, enclosing the sculptures displayed inside.

Mother and Child Museum

The Mother and Child Museum stands on the premises of a former good old elementary school converted into accommodations. As a whole, the place creates a memory-evoking atmosphere.

Ito's museum consists of the ship-resembling Steel Hut mainly for exhibits and the Silver Hut primarily for workshops and research activities. The Silver Hut, originally built in 1984 and once standing in Tokyo as Ito's residence, was recreated here, some 700 km away from its original location.

Silver Hut interior

Silver Hut open terrace

Tokoro Museum terrace

The nearby Tokoro Museum is very pleasant, making the best and clever use of the slope running down to the sea. And its contemporary collections are fun. Free coffee, though instant type, on the open terrace is much appreciated.

Ito's museum opened about five months after the devastating earthquake ravaged the northeastern part of Japan on March 11. Sendai City was gravely affected. In Sendai, one of Ito's representing works, the Sendai Mediatheque, stands. It had just celebrated the tenth anniversary, having served as an attractive multipurpose facility for all ages and all walks of life, when the earthquake and ensuing Tsunami crippled the city. With some of its ceilings falling, It had to be closed for two months. 

Ito says in a book entitled "A see-worthy vessel":

After a ten-year voyage, the Mediatheque was temporarily placed in dry-dock, but now it is setting sail once again, ready to serve anew as a vessel for everyone. As a "see-worthy vessel," the Toyo Ito Museum of Architecture, Imabari is embarking on its own voyage, carrying a cargo of architectural visions of buildings and cities everywhere, past, present, and future.