Fukuoka Asian Art Museum (also known as “Ajibi”) located on the 7th and 8th floors of Hakata Riverain shopping mall is the only museum in the world that systematically collects and displays modern and contemporary Asian art. Contemporary Asian art is now quite popular in an international art scene yet it was hardly known when Ajibi opened in 1999. Ajibi, in this sense, is a pioneer with a unique vision that has continued delivering the originality and charm of Asian art.

Ajibi holds about 3,000 permanent collections from 23 countries and regions in Asia. Asia Gallery (Ajibi’s permanent collection gallery) on the 7th floor introduces its collection in sections, which include “from modern to contemporary,” chronological introduction of Asian art, and various thematic exhibitions.

For foreign visitors to enjoy its collection, all works in Asia Gallery has both Japanese and English captions. Masterpieces are displayed in additional three languages (Korean, Traditional and Simplified Chinese).

All the museum signs are in five languages as well.

Residence program is another prominent characteristic of Ajibi along with its collection and the exhibitions. Artists and researchers from Asia are invited to stay in Ajibi for about two months to conduct their art project, research, and exchange programs with local communities. If you are lucky, you may enjoy meeting the artists in the studio or seeing their new works just completed in Fukuoka!

Lo Yi Chun from Taiwan, the 2016 resident artist, is working on her piece that uses 1,000 dried and ironed banana peels (photo taken in November 2016).

Ajibi is more than art! Let’s check out Museum Café by Iena Coffee on the 7th floor.

Café is operated by Iena Coffee, a popular coffee shop in Fukuoka. The quality of coffee is certified by the museum staffs! The café will be turned into Art Café where you can enjoy books and drinks after April 2018. (Café can be closed temporarily after January 2018 due to renovation.)

Café also serves baked goods such as scones and cookies.

Café also sells coffee beans including Ajibi’s original “Asian wings” (1,000 yen for 180g) and “Coffee of the month” (1,200 yen for 150-180g).

Museum Shop Longhua is also locating on the 7th floor. You can find Ajibi’s original goods including its exhibition catalogs and artist’s goods, crafts, accessories, and books from Asia.

Select your favorite postcard with the image of Ajibi collections and previous exhibitions.

Indian celebrity’s brand, Chimanlals’s stationaries (message card (432 yen), envelope (432 yen) and more) are also on sale.

Colorful mobiles made of felt are from Kirghiz (1,080 yen).

Ajibi is equipped with Kid’s corner and nursing room so that the visitors with small children can also enjoy the museum comfortably.

■Fukuoka Asian Art Museum
●Address：3-1 Shimokawabatamachi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka Riverain Center Building 7th and 8th floor
●TEL：092-263-1100
●Hours：10:00 to 20:00
●Closed：Wednesdays (or the following day if Wednesday is a national holiday)
●URL：
http://faam.city.fukuoka.lg.jp/home
* Website is in English, Korean, and Chinese.