The owner's reason for putting a Picasso collection up here, in the hills overlooking the quiet, out-of-the-way seaside snow town of Iwanai, will have to remain a mystery. So it's worth a visit for the surreal experience alone, going from Japanes countryside to wandering a gallery that wouldn't be out of place in any metropolitan area. Having said that it's also a very clean, bright museum with a great Picasso collection and a separate wing featuring a wider range of artists, both Japanese and other. Amazing views of the bay from the top floor as well so try to time it for sunset if you can.

this significant gallery has 267 works of Picasso and yet there is not even a sign by the side of the road to proclaim its existence! It is located in the Maruyama area of Iwanai behind the hotel with a painted rock saying Picasso to tell you that you have come to the right place. It is only 20 or so kilometers from Niseko but after 13 years of visiting the area I had never heard of it. The collection is beautifully housed and covers two floors - one floor contains all of the illustrations Picasso did for La Celestine. There are an additional 2 floors of works by Japanese artists that have lived in Iwanai and these too are a wonderful and eclectic collection. Unfortunately the museum is closed in winter when most foreign visitors come to Hokkaido to ski but for anyone looking for a cultural treat, this is worth the effort.