Shiga Kōgen Roman Museum

The Shiga Kogen Roman Museum opened in 1997, designed by Metabolist architect Kisho Kurokawa. The focal point is a conical glass structure housing the cafe, which lets sunlight shift through the interior as the day progresses and glows at night. On the first floor, 2,000-year-old Roman glass vessels are displayed in conical cases Kurokawa also designed. The pieces developed their iridescence over centuries of being buried underground. The second floor hosts seasonal exhibitions from artists with local ties. Outside, weather-worn stone sculptures by American artist Dean Ramos are distributed across the grounds from his 2017 residency nearby.