Aomori Museum of Art

The Aomori Museum of Art sits beside the Sannai-Maruyama archaeological site, and its design reflects that connection. The building descends into the earth like an excavation trench, with thick white walls and dramatic natural lighting. Inside, rotating exhibitions feature contemporary Japanese and international artists, and the permanent collection includes large-scale work by Yoshitomo Nara, whose softly menacing dog sculptures occupy their own dedicated rooms. The scale of those pieces, some taller than the gallery walls, is genuinely surprising. Allow two hours. The building alone is worth coming for even before you look at a single artwork.