Former Shimane Prefectural Museum (Shimane Prefectural Government Third Annex)

A Raised Box by Kikutake South of Matsue Castle

The Former Shimane Prefectural Museum (Shimane Prefectural Government Third Annex) (旧島根県立博物館（島根県庁第三分庁舎）) is a museum designed by Kikutake Kiyonori of 1958 in Tonomachi, Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on December 5, 2019 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

The Agency records a three-storey reinforced concrete building with a building area of 426 square metres, altered in 2013; registration number 32-0204.

A Box Lifted on Columns

The former Shimane Prefectural Museum stands south of Matsue Castle and now serves as the Third Annex of the prefectural government (Agency for Cultural Affairs). Its projecting box-like third floor is lifted on three rows of columns, while the first and second floors open out with verandas and a void.

It is kept to white and black to suit the landscape and has a folded-plate roof (Agency for Cultural Affairs). Shimane Prefecture notes that the white and black were chosen to match the keep of Matsue Castle.

Why It Was Registered

The Agency notes that, while designed to suit the landscape, it shows the style of its architect, Kikutake Kiyonori, very clearly, and registered it as a model of design.

What to Look For

Look for the box-like third floor on its three rows of columns, the folded-plate roof and the white-and-black scheme (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

Visiting

It is owned by Shimane Prefecture (Agency for Cultural Affairs). The prefecture asks visitors to speak to the reception desk or office first, and to photograph only with permission and without showing other users; visits may be declined depending on use. The four buildings are introduced together on the Shimane Prefectural Government Buildings page.