Museo d'arte orientale Edoardo Chiossone

About the museum

The museum grew out of the collection that the Genoese engraver Edoardo Chiossone (1833–1898) assembled during his long stay in Japan, where he lived from 1875 to 1898 and where he designed, among other things, the first banknotes of the Japanese State. On his death he left the collections to the city of Genoa, and the museum was inaugurated in 1905 as the first Italian museum devoted to Japanese art.

The present seat is in the Villetta Di Negro park, in a Rationalist building designed by the architect Mario Labò.

The permanent display presents Buddhist sculptures in wood and bronze, armour and weapons, archaeological finds, Noh theatre masks, porcelain, lacquerware and small bronzes. The most delicate works, such as paintings and ukiyo-e woodblock prints, are shown in rotation in temporary exhibitions and are therefore not always on view.

Highlights

• First Italian collection of Japanese art
• Buddhist sculptures in wood and bronze
• Samurai armour and weapons
• Noh theatre masks
• Porcelain and lacquerware
• Rationalist building by Mario Labò in the Villetta Di Negro park

Founded

1905

Operated by

Comune di Genova (Musei di Genova)

Visitors per year

approx. 12,348

Admission & discounts

Tickets can be bought online. Genova Museum Card: 24-hour card €24, 48-hour card €45; annual card €60 (residents of Genoa and the Città Metropolitana €50, students €25). Prices may vary for events or temporary exhibitions. Membership cards are available: Kohai (ages 18 to 30) €35 and Senpai (over 30) €80.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The building is partly accessible: the entrance hall and the first floor can be reached, the terrace by a ramp; the upper floors have only stairs. As an alternative to the entrance staircase there is a side ramp. Wheelchair users can visit the entrance hall, the ground floor and the first-floor room via the terrace. The park paths are steep. For visually impaired people, guided tours with external guides trained on the collection can be arranged; there are no specific aids for deaf visitors. Two spaces for badge holders in Piazzale Mazzini; the temporary park access permit must be requested at least one week in advance.

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The website has dedicated pages for families, schools and groups; the museum offers readings and activities, for example the initiative “Leggiamo al Museo!” (Let’s read at the museum!).

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The site states that spaces can be rented; details are not given on the museum’s page.

Plan your visit