What this is
This special exhibition at Fukuoka City Museum presents approximately 100 works drawn from the museum's own celebrated collection of ghost and yōkai paintings. The show centres on Edo-period masterworks — including pieces by the eccentric genius Itō Jakuchū and the wildly prolific Kawanabe Kyōsai, two of Japan's most revered painters of the supernatural. It traces how Japanese artists across centuries have visualised otherworldly beings: vengeful ghosts (yūrei), shape-shifting creatures, and iconic figures such as the kappa and oni. By weaving in contemporary works alongside classical pieces, the exhibition reveals that Japan's cultural fascination with the uncanny is very much alive, not merely a relic of the Edo imagination.
Who should go
This exhibition is ideal for anyone with an interest in Japanese art history, folklore, or the aesthetics of the eerie and strange. Fans of manga, anime, and horror will find deep roots here for the supernatural imagery they already love, while art lovers will appreciate the quality of the Jakuchū and Kyōsai works. The air-conditioned museum setting makes it a perfect mid-summer cultural escape from Fukuoka's intense July heat. Arrive when the museum opens at 9:30 am on a weekday to enjoy the galleries without crowds.
Good to know
Tickets are available at the Fukuoka City Museum box office on the day; foreign credit cards are generally accepted at the museum's ticket counter, but carrying cash as a backup is always wise in Japan. The museum opens at 9:30 am and is closed on Mondays — confirm the schedule on the official website before visiting, as holiday closures can shift the day off. The Fukuoka City Museum is a large, well-staffed public institution with English-language signage and maps available at the entrance desk, making it one of the more foreigner-friendly venues in the city. Allow 60–90 minutes to move through the exhibition comfortably. The museum also holds the famous Kin'in (gold seal) in its permanent collection, so arriving a little early gives you time to explore beyond the special exhibition.
This event was sourced and translated from Japanese by What's On Japan. Details may change — verify with the official source before attending.