Experience the beauty of Japanese paintings and pine forests in Takaishi, Osaka. Visit the Kobayashi Museum of Art, Hamadera Park, and the land of the Hagoromo Tennyo legend.

In ancient times, the Hagoromo area of ​​Takaishi City was lined with pine forests along the sandy beach, and its beauty was even mentioned in the Manyoshu. Even now, when it has been developed as an upscale residential area, the pines of Hamadera Park and the garden trees of the houses still hint at the past, and the area has been selected as one of the "100 Views of Osaka Town."

The place name Hagoromo comes from the legend of the feather robe that is passed down in this area. The station was named after the "Hagoromo no Matsu" (Hagoromo Pine), one of the famous pine trees in Hamadera Park, and later became the name of the area. In recent years, the area has been promoting itself as a "town where celestial maidens live," and has been working on initiatives using the feather robe and celestial maidens as its motif.

Our walk began at Hagoromo Station, about 15 minutes from Namba in Osaka. "Takaishi is a town I've had connections with for a long time, through my work on art projects. I hope to find some new inspiration today," said Minahada Yousyu, as we headed for the Kobayashi Museum of Art.

The shrine, named "Hagoromo," still has traces of the old sandy beach.

First, we paid a visit to a local shrine, Otori Hagoromohama Shrine, located near Hagoromo Station.

The "Hagoromo Legend" is one of the stories of the descent of a heavenly maiden that is passed down all over Japan. It tells the story of a celestial maiden who descends from heaven, has her feather robe hidden while bathing, and marries a human man. In this region, the legend remains as the name of "Hagoromohama Shrine," which shows that it is a legend that has been loved for many years.

There is a monument in the shrine grounds indicating that this place was once a sandy beach. According to the shrine staff, the pine trees planted there are also remnants of that time.

"It's a shrine with a majestic atmosphere. The camphor trees are particularly spectacular. It's rare to see something this large," says Minahada. He visits a nearby shrine once a month, and adds, "I'm often inspired by the shrines and the legends that surround them, and I create my own works." In a previous collaboration with Takaishi City, he painted a beautiful woman with a celestial maiden motif, and he looked deeply moved as he clasped his hands together.

Fill your stomach with freshly fried original croquettes loved by locals

After visiting the shrine, it's time for lunch at "Hagoromo Croquette Shop Croquette," a croquette specialty shop located right next to Hagoromo Station. Starting with their signature plain croquette, they always have more than six types of croquettes in stock, which are fried to order.

The croquette filling is based on white sauce and is said to have a smooth texture. There is also a full lunch menu available during lunch hours. Minahada ordered the "lunch plate" which allows you to choose two types of croquettes. She seemed very satisfied with the well-balanced plate which also comes with salad and fruit.

View Japanese paintings by artists who have received the Order of Culture. Feel the breath of these masters at the Kobayashi Museum of Art

After a 6-minute walk from Crockett, we finally arrived at our destination for the day, the Kobayashi Museum of Art! This private art museum opened in 2016 as the first art museum in Takaishi City.

Its greatest feature is its extensive collection of Japanese paintings. Based on the philosophy of Director Kobayashi Hideki, the museum opened as a museum that houses works by all 39 artists who have received the Order of Culture at the time of its opening.

Currently, the museum houses works by 40 Japanese painters who have received the Order of Culture since the Meiji era, including masters such as Takeuchi Seiho and Uemura Shoen.

The exhibition room has no glass, so you can view the artworks up close!

In order to faithfully convey the texture of the works, the museum does not have glass cases, allowing visitors to get as close as possible to the paintings. Minahada was enthusiastic about this, saying, "The mineral pigments used in Japanese paintings have an expression in the particles themselves. By facing the works directly rather than through glass, I'm glad I can see the particle texture and light reflections up close."

*With the exception of some works, photography is not permitted inside the exhibition room. Please observe proper etiquette while viewing the exhibits.

He seemed particularly drawn to a work by the master Yokoyama Taikan. The delicate brushstrokes and shades of green express the depth of the bamboo forest, complementing the single lily. "I'm not very knowledgeable about Japanese paintings, but the impact of the real thing is incredible. I can't believe I got to see the work of such a master up close...there's also a lot of explanation, so I'm happy to be able to learn while I appreciate it."

There are also plenty of paintings by artists other than those who received the Order of Culture.

Among the approximately 400 works in the collection are Japanese paintings by artists other than those who have received the Order of Culture, as well as modern works other than Japanese paintings.

On the day we visited, the Winter Special Exhibition was being held, and prints by Munakata Shiko and other works were on display. The exhibition is divided into four special and seasonal exhibitions each year, allowing visitors to experience the charm of artworks throughout the seasons.

Here, we take a look at the folding screen paintings by Japanese painter Toru Hasegawa. Facing the dragon painted on the silver folding screen, he couldn't help but exclaim, "Amazing!" He observed intently, saying, "It's rare to see a dragon depicted in this style, and in silver too. I wonder what was going through the artist's mind when he painted it."

This museum is unique in its efforts to promote culture, such as exhibiting works by living artists. Curators also actively provide explanations of the exhibits and hold events, allowing visitors to hear directly about the highlights of the works and stories about the artists, making it a Takaishi City specialty.

After viewing the exhibit, you can shop and take a break at the cafe

There is a gallery shop inside the museum where you can purchase original postcards printed with works from the collection and other merchandise.

With the desire to "allow people to become familiar with the beauty of paintings," the museum also sells original Japanese paintings that Director Kobayashi has purchased from artists around the country, as well as replicas of masterpieces.

The attached cafe, Hagoromo Kissa , is also popular as a place to take a break after viewing the art. In addition to specialty coffee and seasonal sweets, they also offer a wide range of meal options.

By the way, the most popular item is the "Senshu Specialty Walnut Mochi." Made without any additives, this healthy walnut mochi allows you to enjoy the taste of soybeans and pairs perfectly with matcha green tea. It is very popular with visitors to the museum. Why not try it as a break after viewing the paintings?

There is a large window at the back of the store, from which you can view the garden. Customers have commented that "it's as if the world of Japanese painting has jumped out before your eyes" and "you can feel the seasons and spend a luxurious time here." Despite its extensive collection, the Kobayashi Museum of Art has a homey atmosphere that is different from that of large national and public art museums, and is attracting attention as a hub for Japanese painting representing the Kansai region.

Walking through Hamadera Park, I think of the pine forest that is depicted in poetry

At the end of your trip, you'll stroll through Hamadera Park, a large park that straddles the borders of Takaishi City and Sakai City. The approximately 4,000 black pines that spread throughout the park have been selected as one of Japan's 100 most famous pines. The "pine trees of Takashi Beach" mentioned in the Manyoshu is said to refer to the pines in this area, and the fact that the area has been featured as a subject of poetry ever since shows that it has long been known as a picturesque and picturesque spot.

Incidentally, the park was established in the early Meiji period. At the time, the pine forest was in danger of being cut down for development. However, Okubo Toshimichi, who held an important position in the government at the time, was captivated by the beauty of the pines in Hamadera Park and directly appealed to the government to preserve them. This led to Hamadera Park being designated a park for the purpose of forest conservation.

The pines, which were also mentioned in the Manyoshu, a collection of poems compiled over 1,000 years ago, continue to fascinate people to this day.

The pine trees aren't the only highlight of the park. The Rose Garden within the park is mostly closed in winter, but you can still enter some areas and enjoy the seasonal roses.

"Seeing the roses blooming even in winter really motivated me to create. And above all, the beauty of the pine trees is incredible. I knew it had been selected as one of the '100 Famous Pines of Japan,' but I was honestly surprised to see such beautiful pine trees," said Mizuha. "It's a place I've always wanted to visit," he said, strolling through the gardens in awe.

On the way back, board the train at Hamadera Park Station, which is very close to the park. Next to the current station building is the old station building, which is a registered tangible cultural property of the country. It was designed and supervised by the Tatsuno Kataoka Office, a team of architects Tatsuno Kingo, who also worked on Tokyo Station, and Yasushi Kataoka, a legend in the Kansai architectural world. The old station building is currently used as a cafe and gallery.

Relax your mind and body by walking through the "Tennin Town" where you can feel close to art and nature.

The area around Hagoromo in Takaishi City is a precious walking area where historic pine forests coexist with an art museum boasting one of the country's leading collections of Japanese paintings. We followed a route that allowed us to calm our minds at a shrine where the legend of Hagoromo lives on, to encounter artworks, and finally to soak in the lingering memories at Hamadera Park.

Enjoy a stroll through the Hagoromo area, a compact and easily accessible city that will inspire and energize you as you experience history, nature, and culture.