All Reviews of Saka no Ue no Kumo Museum

Compared with popular attractions like Dogo Onsen and Matsuyama Castle, the Saka no Ue no Kumo Museum is much more understated, but once inside, I was surprised by how much it had to offer. The museum is themed around Ryotaro Shiba's novel Clouds Over the Slope and introduces three figures from Matsuyama—Shiki Masaoka, Yoshifuru Akiyama, and Saneyuki Akiyama—as well as the Meiji era in which they lived. Through valuable historical materials, photographs, videos, and timelines, the museum shows how Japan transitioned from tradition to modernity during the Meiji era. It's worth taking some time to explore!

If you're in Matsuyama and enjoy historical stories, don't miss the Saka no Ue no Kumo Museum! Themed around Ryotaro Shiba's famous novel Clouds Over the Slope, its extensive exhibits introduce the lives of the Akiyama brothers and Shiki Masaoka, as well as the historical background of the Meiji era. The building itself is also very distinctive, and stepping inside feels like traveling through time! An NHK drama adaptation happened to be airing again recently, adding to the fun of visiting a filming-related site. I especially recommend joining the free guided tour of the surrounding area. The commentary is super informative, and afterward you'll really understand Matsuyama better〜Very worthwhile!

Honestly, I came to this museum mainly for Ando Tadao's concrete architecture. I love how the design brings the surrounding greenery into the building. It's nice to stroll around, check out the exhibits, and then relax with a coffee on the second floor. Such a chill way to spend some time!

For just JPY 100, you can get an audio guide in Chinese. If you're interested in literature or architecture, it's definitely worth a visit.

I'm a huge fan of Tadao Ando's concrete architecture, so I made a special trip just to see this masterpiece.