Located right next to Zenkoji Temple, this museum complex consists of two connected buildings: the main Nagano Prefectural Art Museum (southern building) and the Higashiyama Kaii Gallery (northern building), which is dedicated entirely to the works of artist Kaii Higashiyama. You enter both through a shared entrance.

The main museum features rotating exhibitions of Japanese and international art, often with themes connected to nature and the region. The space is modern, open, and easy to navigate—even if you're not a big museum person, it's an enjoyable visit. I highly recommend checking what's currently on display before your visit—just in case it's something that really speaks to your interests (or doesn't).

The Higashiyama Kaii Gallery, located on the second floor across a bridge connecting the buildings, is semi-permanent, with rotating displays drawn from the artist's body of work. Personally, I didn’t find anything particularly impressive there, but that’s purely subjective—everyone has different tastes. If you’re short on time, I’d say it’s okay to skip it. But if you’re curious, I recommend first checking the gift shop just in front of the gallery entrance—it gives a quick feel for his style and may help you decide whether it’s worth a look.