[Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture] Stimulate your five senses at the "Sensory Museum"! Experience unknown sensations in a mysterious space

The Senses Museum is located in Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture. This museum focuses on the five senses: sight, hearing, smell, touch, and taste.

Exhibitions by artists from various industries are centered around the five senses. The museum is designed to allow you to feel rather than think, just as art viewing should be.

Many of the exhibits are not difficult to think about, and you can get an intuitive impact on them, so they are appreciated by a wide range of people, from children to adults.

This time, we will introduce the charm of this sensory museum.

 The Senses Museum consists of three areas.

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The building is made up of three areas. These are the ``dialogue zone'' (physical sensory space), the ``monologue zone'' (meditation space), and the ``traverse zone'' that connects these two areas.

dialogue zone

In the Dialogue Zone, you can actually touch the works and get a sense of the creator's intentions and inspiration. There are three highlights: one is the corner for creative musical instruments.

(1) Creative instruments

Here, creative musical instruments made from pipes, wood, and bamboo are on display. You can actually play the tones by hitting them with your hands or plucking them with your fingers. Some works also feature soothing sounds, such as the chirping of birds or the sound of running water.

There are several original instruments, some of which are over 3 meters long. When I play an instrument, the tones of other people playing musical instruments come together, creating unexpected harmonies. One of the charms of this corner is that improvised original songs are created.

(2) Circle n Circle

Right next to the creative instruments is a large wheel-shaped piece called ``Circle-n-Circle.'' This is also created with an interesting concept.

You can ride on your back in the middle of that wheel. Then, hold the handlebars with your hands and place your feet on the pedals. Rotate your hands and feet and scribble with chalk on the wall next to your work.

When you turn the handle or pedal, the chalk attached to the work moves in a clever way, allowing you to draw lines on the wall. Let's do our best to be able to doodle well.

(3) Space and
Sound The third highlight of the Dialogue Zone is "Space and Sound." Enter a pitch-black room and feel the space through the sounds. It is, so to speak, a three-dimensional virtual space.

It's very strange and interesting to be able to feel the shape of a space through sound, rather than recognizing it by looking at it.

A sound will be produced depending on the position of your hand. When you move your hands, the sound also moves and the space changes three-dimensionally. It's difficult to explain in words. It's about feeling it rather than thinking about it, so I recommend you try it out.

1-2. Monologue Zone

The Monologue Zone features exhibits that invite you into a world of meditation through sound, light, and scent.

(1) Wall-Through
In the exhibition called "Wall-Through," you can experience the mysterious experience of being able to pass through a black wall as if you were an invisible person, even though the mirror on the wall shows that there is a black wall in your direction.

(2) Earth Garden
"Earth Garden" has white gravel on the floor and stairs. When you sit on the stairs and look at the floor, the city appears through the skillful use of shadows, and the appearance of the city changes as the sun sets.

(3) Water Garden
At ``Water Garden'', the shaking and ripples of the water on the floor are reflected on the walls and ceiling, making you feel as if you are underwater. The scent is reminiscent of lotus flowers and is a soothing space.

(4) Forest of fragrance

One of the most popular exhibits in the Monologue Zone is the ``Fragrance Forest'' exhibit. Over 300,000 pieces of paper are hanging from the ceiling.

There are seven white pillars that look like tree trunks. There is a hole in the pillar, and if you put your head in there, you can smell the local scent of Iwadeyama.

traverse zone

The traverse zone is the space that connects the dialogue zone and monologue zone.

(1) Dark Forest
``Dark Forest'' is a vast space that can be described as pitch black with only a very small amount of light.

This is an exhibition that you can walk through the darkness along a handrail. The handrail is not straight, but curved. Sometimes when I hold the handrail, I can see that there is a hole.

There are objects inside the holes, and you can enjoy them by touching them rather than looking at them.

(2) Air Traverse
As you pass through the dark forest, a dazzling light suddenly catches your eye. It is a space called "Air Traverse" that is covered on all sides with mirrors and glass. It is intricately intricate, with natural light pouring in through the glass.

You can feel as if you are inside a kaleidoscope. You and the people around you are reflected in the intricately geometric mirrors, and the scenery changes as it rotates as you advance.

Summary about the Senses Museum

The ``Sensory Museum'' allows you to have an art experience that is different from ordinary museums and art galleries. You will be able to recognize the five senses that you don't usually pay attention to in a tranquil space.

There are many exhibits that are intuitively interesting, so even children can enjoy them. However, it is a relaxing experience that is far removed from reality, so many adults stay for a long time amidst the mysterious sounds and scents.

If you are feeling used to or bored with your daily life, please come and stimulate your five senses and have a new experience at the Sensory Museum. Even when you return to your normal life, you may find that the same scenery you had before will look different again.

INFORMATION