Hijiyama-kōen is home to the contemporary-art museum Hiroshima MOCA. When it opened in 1989 in a building designed by leading Metabolist architect Kishō Kurokawa, MOCA was the first public art museum in Japan to specialize in contemporary art. It has since built up a collection of more than 1700 works, the vast majority by Japanese artists. Built into the stairwells are My Sky Hole sculptures by Inoue Bukichi. Exhibitions change regularly, but include large-scale video installations and art using virtual-reality technology.
On permanent display surrounding the museum are 18 sculptures, including pieces by Henry Moore, Fernando Botero and Sora Mitsuaki. The museum has a map locating them all and providing details on each of the artists.
Hiroshima MOCA reopened in 2023 following a major renovation. A new addition is an excellent cafe serving delicious salads, breads and juices, all made with locally grown ingredients.
Outside is a sculpture garden. Check ahead before your visit, as there are sometimes special exhibitions (additional fees may apply).
