Asahikawa is called "the city of sculptures". The many outdoor sculptures in Asahikawa Shopping Street, Tokiwa Park and even on the bridges help us to relax.

The first outdoor sculpture was "Young Man" produced by NITTA Minoru, and was placed in front of the City Hall in 1961.

In June 1972, the Asahikawa Shopping Street (Kaimono Koen) was opened as a car-free street, and reborn as a place for citizens to rest. As you are walking down this street, you can enjoy various sculptures.

Of course around the Hokkaido Asahikawa Museum of Art in Tokiwa Park, there are many great sculptures produced by worldwide famous sculptors such as Ossip Zadkine and Emile-Antoine Bourdelle.

On the bridges e.g., Chubetsuhashi Bridge, Ryojimbashi Bridge, Hanasakiohashi Bridge, Midoribashi Bridge, and Shinseibashi Bridge, you can see sculptures through the windows of the car, but be careful while driving!!


This museum was founded as a museum of sculptures in 1994 in honor of NAKAHARA Teijiro (1888 ~ 1921), who was closely connected with Asahikawa.

Besides the 12 works of Nakahara, this building stores and exhibits works produced by Auguste Rodin who influenced Nakahara as well as works by the recipients of the NAKAHARA Teijiro Prize, which was established by Asahikawa City in 1970.

  • Open:
9:00 am ~ 5:00 pm (Tuesday ~ Sunday)
  • Closed:
Monday (If Monday is a national holiday, the next day is closed.)
  • Fee:
Free
  • Address:
4-ku 1-jo 1-chome, Asahikawa TEL: 52-0033/FAX: 55-1413
  • Access:
Denki Kido Bus #5 (25 min. from JR Asahikawa Station) or
#80 (25 min. from 1-jo-dori 7-chome Ash).
Taxi: About 1,500Yen (20 min. from JR Asahikawa Station)


This building was constructed in 1902, as a social clubhouse for officers in the old 7th Division, which was stationed in Asahikawa.

After World War II, the building was used for various purposes. After being remodeled, it opened as a sculpture museum on June 1, 1994.

Because of its excellent design, which is characterized by its western and typical clubhouse style construction, it was designated as a National Cultural Property on May 9, 1989.


The NAKAHARA Teijiro Prize established in 1970 is an annual award available to sculptors all over Japan in honor of NAKAHARA Teijiro (1888 ~ 1921).

NAKAHARA Teijiro produced remarkable results in the field of modern sculpture in Japan. The award-giving ceremony is held in Asahikawa every year on October 3 in honor of his birthday.