Did you know that free art tours introducing the artworks on display at Galleria Midobaru are held every day?
Galleria Midobaru is gaining attention as a place where guests can enjoy art while staying overnight, with works by up-and-coming artists displayed throughout the facility. We hope that by learning not only about the art itself but also the background of the exhibited works and the thoughts and life stories of the artists who created them, your time at Galleria Midobaru will be even more enriching. In this article, we’d like to introduce you to our art tour, which is filled with the passion of our staff.
Tours are held daily
The tour begins at 4:30 p.m. Please gather at the front desk first, and we’ll start by introducing the largest artwork in Galleria Midobaru. It’s a large, glowing orb suspended from the ceiling. This is a work by Shinji Ohmaki titled *Gravity and Grace -Yudama-*. We’ll explain the relationship between this piece and the surrounding works, as well as the artist’s background. This is the moment when your anticipation for the tour really begins to build.
From there, I’ll explain each artwork in the lobby one by one while also pointing out photo spots and other Instagram-worthy locations. I’ll share ways to enjoy the exhibition, such as taking photos with the artworks or becoming part of the artwork yourself. This tour offers not just viewing, but a full-fledged experience.
Now, this piece—created by stitching together small photos one by one—is by Sohei Nishino. At first glance, it looks like an ordinary view of Beppu, but when you look closely, you’ll see that it’s actually a series of interesting photos arranged in a row. All the photos were taken in Beppu, and Mr. Nishino personally obtained permission from everyone in the photos before creating this piece, which took a considerable amount of time to complete. Additionally, by using LEDs to illuminate the photos, a very intriguing phenomenon occurs. We encourage you to join the tour and see this for yourself.
*These photos were taken by the artist, Sohei Nishino, as he traveled around various locations in Beppu. He reportedly obtained permission for the portraits by communicating directly with the local residents himself.
Once we’ve finished explaining the artworks on the first floor, we’ll guide you up to the second floor. There are also many artworks on display at the “Hot Spring Bar” inside the building, and we’ll explain each one in detail. Be sure to take a close look at the golden walls here at the “Hot Spring Bar.” We hope you’ll enjoy the full experience during this art tour.
There’s plenty of art outdoors too—be sure to check out the exterior walls
Next, we head outside. A variety of artworks are also on display outdoors.
The walls covering Galleria Midohara have a slightly brownish, rough, and gritty texture, but this finish was intentionally chosen to give them character. The iron latticework, designed to resemble a net, mirrors the scenery found throughout the city of Beppu, and its atmosphere changes dramatically from morning to night depending on the angle of the sunlight.
You can also find small works of art scattered throughout the space.
One of the highlights of this tour is discovering art that you would likely miss if you weren’t participating.
This piece on the wall depicts a small woman observing Galleria Midohara from an objective perspective.
Most guests say they only noticed it for the first time when we pointed it out during the tour.
Created by an artist named Olektronica, it is imbued with deep meaning. We’ll share more details about it during the tour. We invite you to take a moment to gaze at the artwork and experience that meaning for yourself.
Returning to the first floor, you’ll see a video installation depicting the Bōzu Jigoku. It is Akiko Nakayama’s work, *Medium*.
This piece captures the bubbling activity of Beppu’s Bozu Jigoku over an extended period. As the footage shifts between slow motion and rewind, it creates a unique atmosphere that gently stimulates the human senses.
Interestingly, when viewed on a rainy day, the sound of raindrops dripping from above resonates beautifully with the work, creating a soothing sensation that makes you want to stay there forever. The fact that the experience varies with the season and weather is perhaps one of the most fascinating aspects of this piece. It’s usually quite difficult to simply let go and surrender to the passing of time without a single thought, but this space might just be the place where that happens naturally. You might even find yourself in a meditative state during the Galleria Midobaru Art Tour. Please come and experience it for yourself.
Let’s head to the restaurant “Wagyu Steak The Peak”
Finally, we head to “Wagyu Steak The Peak,” a restaurant located in Galleria Midohara.
Artworks are displayed throughout the space, making this a restaurant truly brimming with art.
Among them, a particularly intriguing piece is Michihiro Shimabukuro’s *Iwao*. It is a large rock situated at the prime table on the second floor. In fact, this rock was discovered during the construction of Galleria Midobaru. Formed over many long years, it had been hidden beneath the soil of Beppu for a long time. As a senior figure who has likely been watching over Beppu from beneath the ground, this rock seems to know so much. It is a truly unique piece. Galleria Midobaru also offers a dinner plan where you can dine alongside this artwork. Please contact us for details.
Now, the approximately 30-minute Galleria Midobaru Art Tour concludes at the restaurant “The Peak.”
Learning about the wealth of information surrounding the art and how to appreciate it will surely make your stay at Galleria Midobaru even more enjoyable and enriching. To experience the full scope of the tour—which we couldn’t cover here—we invite you to join the Galleria Midobaru Art Tour (free of charge), which starts every evening at 4:00 PM, and discover it for yourself with your own eyes, ears, and senses.
As participation is free of charge, please be sure to inquire at the hotel front desk during your stay.
Address: GALLERIA MIDOBARU, 6-gumi, Horita, Beppu City, Oita Prefecture
Phone: 0977-76-5303
Official Website: https://beppu-galleria-midobaru.jp/