Shake hands with La Gioconda

Mona Lisa at Otsuka Art Museum

Yes, it's possible here at Otsuka Museum of Art Naruto, Tokushima. You are allowed to shake hands with her, meaning you can touch the masterpieces. Just they are not original but meticulous reproductions using the ceramic tiles an Otsuka group company produces. Unlike original paintings, they last almost forever with proper maintenance as necessary. They are replaceable even when damaged or broken. And you are sure to enjoy the proximity with the paintings. Besides, where else can you get to see all those artworks at one time?


All the masterpieces you saw in your art textbook gather here,  in addition to those whose titles you might not know but which are nevertheless important in art history.


The museum stands close to the bridge called the Grand Naruto Bridge connecting Shikoku and Awajishima islands.


You can spend a couple of hours easily there. Half a day - yes. All day - if you like it, meaning if your energy lasts. The volume is enormous. 


Free museum tours are available basically in Japanese but audio guide equipment is prepared and they come with an English channel. 


Basically drinks and food should not be brought into but it's possible to drink and eat something easy at the tables and chairs placed out the buildings, like at a terrace and on the grass. My husband and I used the table on the terrace near Monet's waterlily paintings, the originals of which are displayed at Musée de l'Orangerie.


Combined with the bridge visit, where you can see dynamic whirl pools if you come at the right time, the tour to the museum makes one interesting day.